When computers first arrived in the last quarter or so of the 20th century, it had started early on to take over some important functions in some of man’s complex machineries and devices. It was only a matter of time when software programs like CNC and ShopBots would dominate the manual-driven industry of woodworking.
What is CNC? What is ShopBot?
CNC is short for Computer Numerical Control which is a method widely employed in modern woodworking business (and related production work) where a computer program controls the action of the machines used in all the work aspects.
On the other hand, a ShopBot is the new do-it-all tool for woodworking and metal works. To date, ShopBot can do “cutting, carving, drilling, and machining all kinds of things from all kinds of materials.”
In the past, ShopBot used to be classified as part of strictly industrial tools that were collectively called CNC tools. Today, it belongs to another type of tools that make things by cutting materials away or building them in layers to create an object – the digital fabrication tools.
The works
The ShopBot is a cutter (which looks like a drill bit) that can move in all three axes, making 3D movements and cutting all kinds of shapes ad patterns on such materials as wood, plastic, foam, aluminum and others.
The ShopBot CNC cuts materials like a saw on the X or Y direction and on any diagonal. It can cut any depth, can cut circles, holes, arcs, ellipses, and curves.
A woodworker’s array of shop tools includes a table saw, a drill press, a chop saw, a lathe, a router, band saw, a joiner/planer, and a shaper or a panel saw. A ShopBot can do the work of all these tools. It can cut, shape, drill and machine just like the traditional tools.
The processes
In traditional woodworking, making a part needs the combination of a set of tool operations. Materials are cut with a saw, work the drill press to put in the holes, and using the router to do the edge treatment.
With a ShopBot, the first job is to design the part or parts, including all of the features like the holes and the grooves. Next is the loading and securing the material. In a few minutes, everything is done by the ShopBot – the sawing, drilling, and grooving.
Mind shift
In this new scenario, instead of involving the use of a number of individual tools, the thinking is now shifted to the design and planning phase. It is important to know that CNC have the capabilities for complex and precise cutting and carving.
Moreover, with CNC you still have the power to do complex and precise cutting and carving. You can choose curves, machine pockets and shapes, do holes of any size, and top it with a carving.
Challenges
CNC is amazing, but there is no trick or magic. Skills and techniques still have to be learned.
ShopBot CNC will play a big part in the design and planning. It will also handle the cutting with precision, reliability and can be repeated. CNC woodworking will not be the same from here on.
