| Computer-Numerically Controlled (CNC), | | | | effort the table can easily be sold for a premium. With |
| Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software is | | | | a little bit of creativity, the manufacturer can easily |
| used in the woodworking industry to control a | | | | provide customers with offerings that are elegant and |
| machine's movement, for instance a panel saw or a | | | | unique, thereby adding to the company's bottom line. |
| router. The instructions for controlling the machine are | | | | The role of CNC in Crafts |
| provided by a CAD module. This module is integrated | | | | Many people in crafts business are also taking |
| with control software, or may exist as an independent | | | | advantage of the capabilities that CNC has to offer. |
| application. In today's market high-end cabinet design | | | | They are using CNC to churn out high quality products, |
| packages are able to communicate with CNC | | | | are able to produce better products for customers |
| machinery. Computerized manufacturing systems | | | | and are able to produce unique designs that their |
| typically cost thousands of dollars. They are generally | | | | competitors cannot replicate by hand. Even if the |
| meant for industrial operations. Some cheaper | | | | craftsman uses CNC for shaping materials as the initial |
| systems have appeared in the market recently. | | | | step or for unique decorative add-ons, the value added |
| Besides mill work companies and high-volume furniture | | | | to the end product is immense. Also saving time during |
| manufacturers, novices and master craftsmen have | | | | production leaves more time for creativity, so that the |
| also embraced CNC technology. The number of | | | | next product is even better than the last one. |
| possibilities and benefits that CNC provides cannot be | | | | Productivity gains through software integration |
| ignored. Craftsmen have quickly realized that using | | | | While CNC offers immense benefits on the production |
| CNC is crucial to ensure that a finished woodwork | | | | side, using automation software customer needs can |
| product is of the highest quality. | | | | be met more easily. The resulting cost reduction and |
| As a case in point, it is difficult to produce precise-fitting | | | | increased productivity also reflects in a high return on |
| assemblies using conventional tools. However these | | | | investment, through increased profitability. |
| can be easily created using CNC. Inlays, arches, and 3 | | | | Such software integrates seamlessly with CNC, |
| Dimensional relief carvings can be cut easily and | | | | virtually eliminating manual operations. Further, the |
| efficiently with the help of CNC technology. Time | | | | software is easy to learn, so manufacturers see rapid |
| consuming designs or designs that are too complex to | | | | increases in productivity soon after implementation. |
| create with traditional woodworking tools can now be | | | | Besides automation, using software provides a |
| executed with a great degree of precision. Assemblies | | | | significant advantage in tool pathing. By communicating |
| for knock-down furniture, for instance are very time | | | | with CAM the software automatically applies tool |
| consuming and require several templates and jigs. | | | | pathing. This significantly reduces the propensity for |
| CNC replaces physical templates with digital versions | | | | errors, and the inevitable time lags that come with the |
| which can be created in software. This provides the | | | | errors. |
| freedom to try out design and assemblies on a | | | | Analyzer Software of this kind can help provide |
| computer before actually cutting into the material. | | | | information to make bar codes and labels also. On the |
| It is easy to modify a design on the computer and | | | | labels a printed image of what the processed part will |
| adjust it to fit, or existing designs can be transformed | | | | look like can be seen. In ad¬dition to the visual, |
| into new products. Using the right software and | | | | there are dimensions as well. The advantage of this is |
| hardware, existing 2D & 3D furniture parts can be | | | | that the wrong sized board will not be selected to |
| converted to a digital format that is understood by | | | | make a part, and the CNC operator can validate what |
| CNC. The digital version of parts can then be | | | | they are about to run through the machine, before any |
| transformed to produce a number of shapes and | | | | errors are made. |
| sizes for an original design. In this way a single furniture | | | | The move from manual to automation in the |
| assembly becomes a complete furniture line! | | | | woodworking industry has helped tremendously in |
| Advantages of CNC in the Woodworking Market | | | | meeting customer expectations and improving |
| CNC gives manufacturers the ability to quickly tailor | | | | profitability. The future looks even better. As more |
| products to suit a particular sector of the market | | | | manufacturers embrace technology, the focus will shift |
| thereby providing value-added services. For instance a | | | | from the actual production process to creating designs |
| manufacturer may produce a generic table as part of | | | | that are unique and have a distinct personality. A |
| a furniture line selling at a given price point. By simply | | | | perfect win-win situation for the manufacturer and the |
| adding a 3D relief applique to the table with minimum | | | | customer. |