Selecting the best CNC for cabinet making can be a make or break decision for a woodwork business. Get it right and production speed, accuracy and working capacity are transformed, along with the bottom line.
Get it wrong and you may never see a return on your investment, or much worse.
We offer specialist cabinet software that integrates with CNCs, and have helped thousands of customers make the right choice for their needs. We’ll look now at the different types of cabinet making CNC machines and configurations to improve a workshop’s manufacturing workflow.
Nesting CNC machines for cabinet making
A nesting CNC is ideal for face machining sheet material (drilling from above). This is a commonly used CNC router for cabinet making that uses manufactured board material to produce cabinets at a relatively high volume.
In a single operation, the parts are cut out of the panel material and all machining details added (for the hinges, drawer runners, panel fittings).
Benefits of using a nesting CNC machine are:
- Reduced waste
- Time efficiency
- Higher productivity and output
- Consistency in quality
Disadvantages include:
- Not designed for efficiency with materials other than sheet material
- Limited to face machining when nesting (for 3-axis machines only)
- High initial cost
Arguably nesting offers the best CNC for cabinet making solution, it’s very common for this application and there are a large range of manufacturers that supply products. In particular they are well suited to custom cabinetry.
Pod and rail CNC machines
A pod and rail CNC router is ideal for part by part manufacturing rather than mass sheet manufacturing. These machines use movable pods and rails that suction pieces into a set positioning for machining.
These machines are ideal for solid timber and precision machining, an example being stair components or complex furniture components such as table legs.
An example of a pod and rail CNC machine is the Rover K Smart by Biesse.
Advantages of a pod and rail machine include:
- High precision
- Versatility through accommodating a large range of component shapes and sizes
- The movable pods allow for enhanced access in machining, not just face machining
- Detailed machining possibilities per part
Disadvantages include:
- Commonly more expensive then the average nesting CNC machine
- These machines are limited in large scale nesting operations
- Complex setup that can be time consuming in a standard workflow
CNC beam saws + drilling machines
A CNC beam saw is an automated saw that will cut components from sheet material according to an automated cutting pattern. These are commonly used with customers who additionally integrate with a CNC drilling machine, adding an additional option for 5-axis part by part machining. A business that commonly uses edge drillings and wants to mass machine sheet materials would consider a CNC beam saw.
An example of the CNC beam saw is the MAYER Kappa Automatic by FELDER.
A CNC drilling machine can be used in a workflow with a CNC beam saw, or as an individual piece of machinery. A drilling machine allows for part by part processing that won’t profile a component, but will further process drillings, mouldings, or any other machining into a single part/component.
Advantages of using these machines include:
- Efficiency in component machining
- Efficient integration of components requiring edge machining
- Increased productivity
- Advanced features
Disadvantages of this setup includes:
- High initial cost of purchasing two CNC machines
- An extra machining step in the manufacturing workflow
- The requirement of multiple software packages to run the machinery
- Increased maintenance costs as multiple machines need maintaining
Accessories
Accessories are available for CNC routers to further enhance automation and improve efficiency. These accessories include automated CNC loading, unloading and automatic labelling. These features all allow a consistent workflow that can be custom fitted to a factory space.
CNC suppliers may refer to a comprehensive configuration as a Smart Factory, an example from SCM is shown below.
CNC software and further advice
We provide options for software that integrates effectively with CNCs for making cabinets, and has successfully improved the workflow of thousands of customers right across the globe.
Speak with us today about the correct CNC setup and software for your manufacturing needs.
Our software range includes:
- PolyBoard: a design software that contains customizable post processors for machine integration; the machining output can be used on nesting, pod and rail and drilling CNC machines
- OptiNest: a software for nesting components on sheet material for nesting CNC machines; additionally, OptiNest specializes in stock management, label generation and automatic labelling machinery
- OptiCut: a cutting optimization software that generates post processor files for CNC beam saws; additionally OptiCut specializes in stock management and label generation
- VCarve Pro: a CAM software for generating machine code for running nesting CNCs
List of suppliers
Below is a selection of well known CNCs for making cabinets, our software integrates seamlessly with these and virtually any CNC you choose.
Biesse | FELDER | HOMAG | SCM | Vitap
Contact us to discuss which setup would be best for your manufacturing requirements.
