Affordable CNC Machines for Sale: Which One Should I Buy?

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2023 Best CNC Machines for Every Budget

Are you doing research on how to DIY CNC machine kits for wood, metal, foam, stone, plastic, acrylic, leather, fabric, textile, and glass with styles & types of mini, small, benchtop, tabletop, desktop, handheld, portable, and large format? Are you looking for the most trusted place to buy 2023 new CNC machines online at lower prices or pick up the used CNC machine tools in store from local shops or overseas makers for small business, home shop, school, education, teaching, training, hobbyists, commercial use, industrial manufacturing? Are you looking for custom online & offline CNC machining services from local dealers or overseas manufacturers? Review the 2023 best buying guide to machinists, operators, beginners, shop owners, homeowners, woodworkers, carpenters, artisans, builders, metal fabricators, metalworkers, stone fabricators, stone workers, foam fabricators, agents, distributors, merchants, brokers, wholesalers, commercial users, industrial manufacturers. STYLECNC is the most trusted place to buy computer controlled machine tools in 2023. You will find the best budget automatic router machines, lathe machines, milling machines, laser cutting machines, laser engraving machines, plasma cutting machines, digital cutters, laser cleaners, laser welders in STYLECNC, and shop online or pick up in store for your business. We are selling the top rated affordable CNC machines with the cheapest price, and offering 24/7 free expert 2D/2.5D/3D customer service to meet your business plans & ideas within your budget.

Top Rated 4 Axis CNC Router 1325 with 4x8 Rotary Table
STM1325-R3

4.8 (126)
$5,380.00 - $6,580.00

2023 top rated 4 axis CNC router 1325 with 4x8 rotary table (4th axis) is popular for woodworking, cabinet making, home decorations, mold making, sign making, arts, and crafts, now the best budget 4x8 CNC wood router machine for sale at affordable price.

STM1325-R3

4.8 (207)
$5,480.00 - $10,180.00

2023 top rated 4x8 CNC router machine with 48x96 inch table size is used for wood door making, cabinet making, sign making, furniture making, decorations, 3D arts, 3D crafts, and more 2D/3D full sheet woodworking projects & plans. Now the best 4x8 wood CNC machine for sale at an affordable price.

STM1325-R1

4.8 (34)
$5,880.00 - $7,000.00

2023 best CNC router lathe machine with rotary axis (4th axis) is designed for 2D flatbed 4x8 full sheet cutting, relief carving, 3D woodworking plans. Now the rotary CNC lathe router machine for sale at low price.

STG1212

4.9 (110)
$3,680.00 - $4,500.00

Low cost 3 axis CNC router kit with 4x4 table size (STG1212) is used for flatbed carving and cutting wood furniture, gifts, boxes, models, arts and crafts, signs, logos, jewelry carving, now the best 4x4 CNC router table for sale at an affordable price.

STM2040-5A

4.7 (44)
$110,000.00 - $150,000.00

Industrial 5 axis CNC router machine is designed for 3D CNC milling & cutting in metal and foam mold making, car body making, boat and building model, pattern making. Now the industrial five axis CNC machine for sale at cost price.

STG4040

4.8 (69)
$2,580.00 - $3,000.00

The desktop CNC router machine is a type of small hobby CNC kits for home use, which comes with a 4th axis rotary table for 2D/3D machining in home shop and small business, which is used for woodworking, sign making, mold making, arts and crafts.

STM1530C

4.8 (103)
$15,300.00 - $18,000.00

2023 best budget 5x10 CNC router machine with linear automatic tool changer kit and 60x120 inch table size is used for popular woodworking, door making, cabinet making, decorations, kitchenware, and more wood furniture making plans. Now the top rated 5x10 CNC router table for sale at affordable price.

STM1325D

4.9 (49)
$18,800.00 - $23,800.00

Heavy duty 4x8 CNC router for aluminum with disc automatic tool changer kit is used to carve and cut aluminum, brass, copper and other soft metals. Now the best 4x8 aluminum CNC machine for sale at affordable price.

STM1212-4

4.8 (11)
$5,580.00 - $6,580.00

Multi spindle CNC woodworking machine is equipped with four air cooling spindles, which is a multi head CNC wood router machine to carve or cut four projects at the same time with DSP controller.

STM1325D

4.9 (26)
$13,500.00 - $15,800.00

2023 best CNC machine for custom woodworking with carousel ATC system is suitable for wood, MDF, plywood carving, cutting and milling with 12 tools carousel type automatic tool changer.

STM1530

4.8 (45)
$33,000.00 - $41,000.00

2023 best 4 axis CNC foam cutter is used to mill & cut foam board, Styrofoam, EPS foams, XPS foams, and rigid polystyrene foams to different 2D/3D shapes, and now the CNC foam cutting machine for sale at affordable price.

STM1325-4

4.7 (69)
$8,500.00 - $20,000.00

Industrial 3D CNC machine with 4x8 table top and 4th rotary axis is used for 3D CNC machining of staircase handrails, wooden pillars, stool legs, table legs, wood arts, crafts, gifts and toys.

ST7090-2F

4.9 (45)
$9,000.00 - $18,500.00

Automatic CNC milling machine is used for mold making and 3D milling works, including metal molds, clock parts, metal electrode, shoe molds, metal arts and crafts, jewelry and other molds making, the CNC mill can make 2D or 3D relief on various materials.

ST6060E

4.9 (55)
$3,000.00 - $4,000.00

2023 best small desktop CNC milling machine is used for deep milling on metal, such as aluminum, brass, copper and other soft metal materials. Now the best desktop CNC mill for sale at cost price.

ST6060F

4.8 (79)
$6,200.00 - $10,000.00

2023 top rated cheap CNC milling machine for home use is designed for home shop and home business for iron, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, mold steel, MDF sheets, PMMA, PVC Sheet, ABS sheet, KT sheet, timber, gemstone, marble. Now the affordable home CNC mill machine for sale at cheap price.

ST6060H

4.9 (35)
$6,000.00 - $6,500.00

Hobby CNC milling machine is used to mill, engrave, cut and drill on soft metal materials including brass, copper, aluminum, iron, etc. Now the small hobby CNC mill for sale at cost price.

ST-18R

4.4 (14)
$46,000.00 - $78,000.00

3D robotic laser cutting machine with 1000W, 1500W, 2000W, 3000W fiber laser source is an industrial 5 axis laser cutter robot from ABB for flexible 3D dynamic metal cut of multi-dimensional and multi-angle. The 3D laser metal cutter with robotic arm is used in 3D curved metal parts, metal tubes, auto parts, kitchenware, electronic components. Now the best 3D laser metal cutting system for sale at affordable price.

STJ1325

4.9 (50)
$5,200.00 - $10,800.00

2023 best industrial laser foam cutting machine is used to cut EVA foam, EPS foam, XPS foam, PE foam, Styrofoam, rubber to make foam molds, foam letters, foam inserts, foam packaging, gun case, pelican cases, boat flooring, filter mats & pads. Now the cheapest foam laser cutter for sale at cost price.

ST-FC1390

4.8 (10)
$26,800.00 - $38,800.00

ST-FC1390 small metal laser cutter with fiber laser generator is a compact entry level fiber laser cutting system for hobbyists and home use in small business to cut through metal signs, tags, logos, letters, jewelries, and all types of sheet metal cuts with fully enclosed design, environmental friendly operation, and 1000W, 1500W, 2000W powers for option.

STJ1325-4

4.9 (45)
$8,400.00 - $20,000.00

2023 best selling affordable 4x8 laser cutter with four laser heads can cut a full sheet plywood, MDF to make multiple boxes, furniture, arts, crafts, and more projects from 1 up to 4 at the same time. Now the top rated laser MDF & plywood cutting machine for sale at cost price.

STJ-50F

4.7 (116)
$3,800.00 - $4,200.00

Deep laser engraving machine for metal with 50 watt fiber laser source is the best way for 3D relief engraving on metal (guns, firearms, parts, tools, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, brass) and nonmetal surface. The laser engraving system can also cut thin metals. Now the laser metal engraving machine for sale at affordable price.

STJ1390

4.8 (89)
$3,500.00 - $10,000.00

2023 top rated 100W laser wood cutting machine with CO2 laser tube is the cheapest laser wood cutter kit with CNC controller for beginners to engrave & cut wood (softwood, hardwood, solid wood, MDF, plywood) for crafts, 3D puzzles, letters, earrings, panels, signs, logos, arts, gifts and more designs into different 2D/3D shapes & profiles. Now the 2023 best affordable wood laser cutter for sale at cost price, free wood cutting service and support within your budget.

ST-FC3015GAR

5 (55)
$53,000.00 - $380,000.00

Dual-purpose 4000W fiber laser cutting machine is a commercial laser cutter system (1000W to 12000W for option) with fully enclosed cover and dual functions to cut metal plates & tubes of steel, aluminum, alloy, titanium, copper, brass, iron.

ST-FC60M

5 (42)
$41,000.00 - $57,000.00

2023 top rated affordable laser tube cutting machine with 1000W, 1500W, 2000W, 3000W fiber laser source is an automatic CNC metal pipe cutting system used to cut patterns in square, round, rectangular, oval, and special shape tubes. Now the best budget laser tube cutter for sale at cost price.

STJ1390

4.8 (33)
$3,500.00 - $5,500.00

STJ1390 cheap CO2 laser engraving machine with powers of 60W, 80W, 100W, 130W, 150W or 180W is an entry level nonmetal engraver for wood, fabric, stone, glass, acrylic, paper, plastic, and any type of leather. The best CO2 laser engraver is used in signs, arts, crafts, gifts, shoes, toys, garments, packaging and paper industry.

ST-FC1325LC

4.9 (70)
$16,800.00 - $20,000.00

ST-FC1325LC flatbed 1500W fiber laser metal cutting machine combined with 150W CO2 laser cutting system is a type of professional 4x8 hybrid laser cutter to cut metals (steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, alloy, iron) and nonmetals (wood, plywood, MDF, plastic, acrylic, leather, fabric).

STJ1630A

4.9 (31)
$9,800.00 - $10,800.00

2023 best industrial fabric laser cutting machine with large conveyor table and automatic feeding system for fabric cloth, textile garment, fashion apparel, and leather fabric in industrial manufacturing with commercial use. Now the best industrial fabric laser cutter for sale at affordable price.

STJ1610

5 (82)
$3,800.00 - $12,000.00

2023 best acrylic laser cutting machine is used to cut plastics, clear and colored acrylic sheets (plastic glass, lucite, plexiglass) as letters, numbers, signs, logos, patterns, arts and crafts. Now the affordable laser acrylic cutter for sale at a low price.

STP1325

4.7 (74)
$4,680.00 - $22,580.00

Affordable 4x8 CNC plasma cutting table is an entry level CNC plasma table kit 48x96 inches working table to cut full sheet metals including iron, brass, steel, aluminum, copper, alloy for hobbyists or commercial use. Now the 2023 top rated CNC plasma cutter table for sale at affordable price with best budget.

STP1212

4.8 (59)
$4,280.00 - $12,000.00

2023 best 4x4 CNC plasma table is a small entry level CNC plasma cutter kit with compact 4x4 table size for hobbyists of sheet metal fabrication in small business or home shop, now the affordable 4x4 hobby plasma table for sale at cost price.

STP1530R

5 (60)
$9,980.00 - $26,400.00

5x10 Hypertherm plasma cutter table with CNC controller is designed to cut both sheet metals and metal pipes with 4th rotary axis, the best 5x10 plasma table adopts Hypertherm Powermax to get a fine cutting of metals, and add a rotary device to cut metal tubes. Now the affordable Hypertherm industrial plasma cutting machine for sale at cost price.

STP1530

5 (65)
$8,700.00 - $25,300.00

High definition CNC plasma cutter is a type of 5x10 Hypertherm plasma table kit for custom sheet metal fabrication of aluminum, steel, copper, iron, alloy in machinery, automobile, metal parts, ship building, war industry, metallurgy and more. Now the best budget precision 5x10 CNC plasma table for sale at cheap price.

STP1325

4.8 (55)
$4,000.00 - $26,500.00

Portable CNC flame cutting machine with plasma torch is type of portable CNC plasma cutter designed for heavy sheet metal fabrication with oxy-fuel gas, the portable CNC oxy-fuel gas and plasma cutter machine adopts gantry structure with double-driven system, now the cheap portable CNC plasma/flame cutting machine for sale at affordable price within your budget.

STP1325

4.9 (62)
$4,780.00 - $26,000.00

Are you looking forward to 4x8 plasma table plans? Review 2023 best budget CNC plasma sheet metal cutting machine with 48x96 inch table top, which can cut steel, copper, brass, aluminum, alloy, iron and custom sheet metal fabrication plans. Now the cheap 4x8 CNC plasma sheet metal cutting table for sale at low price.

STL0410

4.9 (56)
$2,800.00 - $3,100.00

The mini benchtop wood lathe is an entry level lathe machine on desktop or table top for beginners with craftsman hobbyists to make small wood arts and crafts turning works, such as beads, bowls, cups, pens, Buddha heads, and most woodworking projects. Now the best cheap small lathe for sale at cost price.

STL0810-2

4.9 (132)
$4,980.00 - $8,580.00

Small wood lathe for beginners is a type of hobby CNC woodworking tool with blades instead of handheld wood turning tools for balusters, baseball bats, stair spindles, Roman columns, bowls, vases, cups, table legs, chair legs, sofa legs, ottoman legs, beads, barrels, Buddha heads, gourd pendants, arts and crafts. The automatic mini lathe for woodworking with the computerized numerical controller is used in school education, craftsman, hobbyists, small business, and home shop.

STL1530

4.9 (37)
$6,280.00 - $9,580.00

Find the most professional CNC woodworking lathe for every need at STYLECNC. Elevate your fine woodturning projects with STL1530 automatic wood lathe machine.

STL1516-2S2

4.9 (11)
$7,880.00 - $8,280.00

Profitable automatic CNC wood lathe machine is equipped with double axis for turning table legs, bed rails, chair legs, staircases, stairway newel posts, stairway balusters, and baseball bats. Now the beneficial powerful woodworking tool for sale at low price.

STL1530-A

4.9 (90)
$7,280.00 - $9,880.00

2023 top rated automatic feeding CNC lathe machine is suitable for mass production with the same wood turning designs, which can automatic loading raw timber, automatic centering, automatic turning according to the CNC program, saving time and labor to improve the working efficiency.

STL2530-S4

4.7 (27)
$8,880.00 - $10,180.00

4 axis CNC wood turning lathe machine is a heavy duty large format wood lathe used for 3D turning and broaching, 3D carving and cutting patterns with the additional spindle. Now the automated woodworking machine for sale at an affordable price.

STL1516-2

4.8 (63)
$6,380.00 - $7,680.00

Double axis CNC wood lathe machine is an automatic turning tool kit for custom wooden baseball bats made of maple, ash, birch, as well as for more cylinders such as stair balusters, pillars, Roman columns, and table legs.

STL1512-3S3

4.8 (29)
$8,780.00 - $9,080.00

Automatic 3 axis wood lathe machine for commercial use with three turning axis can work on three cylinders with max 120mm diameter and 1500mm length at the same time, and the turning length can be customized to 2000mm, 2500mm or 3000mm.

STL2530-S4-ATC

4.9 (37)
$9,180.00 - $11,180.00

2023 best ATC CNC wood lathe is equipped with an automatic tool changer system, 4th axis, and long lathe bed, which is used for 3D turning and milling baseball bats, Roman columns, table legs, sofa feet, wood bowls, vases, spindles, and balusters.

STO1070

4.9 (15)
$13,200.00 - $16,000.00

Looking for a flatbed vinyl cutter or vinyl cutting plotter for custom stickers, vinyl labels, vinyl lettering, vinyl wall decals, or vinyl signs for hobbyists, home shop, or industrial plans? Review 2023 best flatbed vinyl cutter & vinyl cutting plotter for digital printing & signage. Now the affordable flatbed vinyl cutter plotter for sale at cost price within your budget.

STO1625

4.9 (58)
$12,800.00 - $15,800.00

Automatic CNC gasket cutting machine with pneumatic oscillating knife is an industrial digital cutting system for a variety of gaskets, including cork rubber gasket, non asbestos gasket, rubber gasket, graphite seal gasket, reinforced gasket without air pollution, no burnt edge, industrial CNC automatic gasket cutter can also cut fabric, leather, cardboard, plastic, paper, rubber, sponge and foam.

STO1625A

4.9 (60)
$14,500.00 - $18,800.00

2023 top rated CNC oscillating knife cutter is a professional CNC digital cutting system for fiberglass, fabric, leather, cardboard, plastic, paper, rubber, cloth, foam, flexible polymer with hobby projects or industrial plans. Now the best CNC oscillating knife cutting machine for sale at affordable price.

STO1630

5 (17)
$14,000.00 - $15,500.00

Automatic CNC cardboard cutting machine with oscillating tangential knife is an industrial CNC cardboard box maker for packaging industry with varied knife tools and blades to cut paperboard, hardboard, carton box, corrugated box, corrugated cardboard box, corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, mat board, and chipboard. Now the best CNC carton cutter for sale at affordable price.

STO1625A

4.9 (50)
$14,500.00 - $17,800.00

Automatic digital fabric cutter is a type of industrial fabric cutting machine with CNC controller to cut textile and leather for commercial use in small business and industrial manufacturing.

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An Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First CNC Machine

What Is A CNC Machine?

A CNC machine is an automatic computer numerically controlled power tool capable of cutting, turning, milling, carving, engraving, marking, etching, printing, drilling, grooving, welding, cleaning, bending, grinding, slotting to get the machining done with various materials from wood (hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, bamboo) to metal (stainless steel, carbon steel, mild steel, brass, copper, aluminum, iron, titanium, alloy), as well as foam, stone, fabric, leather, rubber, paper, and plastic, which is applied in hobby shop, home store, small business, commercial use, training, school education, industrial manufacturing, and modern smart factory.

A CNC machine tool is an intelligent machining kit for business automation from home use to industrial smart manufacturing, which is composed of bed frame, controller, spindle, gantry, operating system, software, motor, driver, T-slot table or vacuum table, ball screw, guide rail, power supply, collet, vacuum pump, limit switch, rack, pinion, bits, and additional parts & accessories. It can smoothly cut through soft wood and accurately mill out shapes on hard metal. No matter what the material is, a computer-controlled machine tool can handle it easily.

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. CNC refers to an idea of controlling a machine tool via computer instead of manually controlled by a machinist. New machine tools in CNC programming have enabled the industry to consistently produce parts to accuracies undreamed of only a few years ago. The same part, can be reproduced with the same degree of accuracy any number of times if the program has been properly prepared and the computer properly programmed. The G-Code commands which control the machine tool are executed automatically with high speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

How Does It Work?

CAD refers to Computer Aided Design, that is, computer aided design, which is used for 2D or 3D workpiece or stereo design. CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing, that is, computer aided manufacturing, which is used to generate G-Code. The full form of CNC is Computerized Numerical Control.

A CNC machine works with CAD software to design 2D/3D layout files and CAM software to make G-Code, and starts machining with an automatic computerized controller to read G-Code, start programming, and drive the spindle with bits to move along the tool path, and gets the job done automatically. In modern computer numerical control systems, the design of workpieces highly depends on software such as computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM). The computer aided manufacturing software analyzes the design model and calculates the movement instructions during the processing. The movement instructions and other auxiliary instructions required during the machining are converted into a format that can be read by the numerical control system through the post-processor. The generated file is loaded into the computer numerical control machine tool for part machining. After importing the program instructions into the memory of the computer numerical control system, the computer compiles and calculates, and through the displacement control system, the information is transmitted to the driver to drive the motor to cut the designed parts.

Step 1, Design a 2D or 3D drawing via CAD software.

Step 2, Convert the CAD file into G-code via CAM software.

Step 3, Setup machine tool.

Step 4, Start programming.

Step 5, Start machining.

How Many Types?

There are 16 most common types of CNC machines for all things on the market, including lathes, laser machines, router machines, plasma cutters, knife cutters, drilling machines, milling machines, punching machines, boring machines, bending machines, inspection machines, wire cutting machines, water jet cutting machines, planers, grinders, and plotters. In addition, the types can be named based on the concepts, end uses, functions, and materials.

6 Types Based On Concepts

There are 6 different types according to the concepts, including mills, lathes, routers, lasers (laser cutters, laser engravers, laser etchers, laser markers, laser cleaners, laser welders), digital cutters, plasma cutters.

2 Types Based On End Uses

You will meet 2 basic types according to the end uses, including hobby kits for small business and home shop (mini types, small types, benchtop types, desktop types, tabletop types, portable types), and industrial kits for commercial use (wood, stone, metal, foam, plastic, wood plastic).

16 Types Based On Functions

There are 10 most popular types according to the functions, including cutting, milling, routing, carving, engraving, marking, printing, welding, cleaning, turning, drilling, grooving, slotting, grinding, sanding, and nesting.

More Types Based On Materials

You will meet much more types according to the machining materials, including woodworking, metalworking, foam fabrication, stone fabrication, plastic fabrication, and so on.

How Much Does It Cost?

When you are in need of a new CNC machine, you may wonder how to start. There a few things to consider including the table size, the parts, the accessories, the controller, the software, the service, and the setup options that are available to you. Whether entry-level or high-end types, we will help you get to the bottom of all of these concerns and have you on your way to enjoying your new automated computer numerical controlled machine tool in no time. The first thing most buyers want to know is how much does it usually cost.

The average cost of new CNC machines can range from $2,000 to $260,000, depending on the hardware and software it uses. The used CNC machines are relatively cheap, which cost anywhere from $1,200 to $180,000 with limited guarantee and warranty of quality & service. The entry-level small CNC kits start at $1,800 for hobbyists and startups, while the high-end industrial CNC machines can cost as expensive as $298,000 for commercial use. If you are looking to buy new or used computerized machine tools overseas, the shipping costs, taxes and customs clearance charges should be included in the final price.

By tracking virtually every supplier in the world, the data shows the average transaction price of a new automatic machine tool has risen to $3,698 due to rising raw material costs and shipping costs in 2023. Looking back at pre-pandemic and early 2022 data, you have to pay an extra $896 for the same automated machine tool.

An affordable C and C router machine costs anywhere from $2,580 to $150,000. The best budget computerized milling machine is priced from $3,000 to $120,000. The most common C & C laser engraving cutting machines are priced from $2,400 up to $260,000, while some brand new laser welding machines and laser cleaning machines are already as low as $6,000. The top rated computer numerical controlled lathe machines start from $2,800, while some professional types can be expensive as $11,180. The cheapest computer controlled plasma cutting machine costs from minimum $4,000 up to $30,000. A low cost automatic edge banding machine is priced from $8,000 for woodworking. The high precision computer-controlled automatic knife cutters and digital cutting machines cost start around $15,800 for flexible materials.

Pick Up Your Budget

TypesMinimum PriceMaximum PriceAverage Price
Router Machine$2,580$150,000$6,580
Laser Machine$2,400$260,000$5,120
Plasma Cutter$4,000$30,000$6,260
Milling Machine$3,000$120,000$8,210
Lathe Machine$2,800$11,180$5,680

What Is It Used For?

A CNC machine is a smart computer-controlled power tool used for hobbyists, small business, and industrial manufacturing, which can mill, turn, drill, grind, engrave, etch, cut materials such as wood, metal, foam, plastic in the field of machinery manufacturing and automation.

CNC lathes are used in automobile manufacturing, aviation, aerospace, electronics, arts, crafts, gifts, woodworking, and instruments.

CNC mills and boring machines are used for the processing of large and complex structural shells, brackets, boxes, and precision parts such as aerospace and automotive engines.

CNC machining centers are used for parts processing of industries such as military, aerospace, energy, machinery manufacturing, ship manufacturing, and large-scale mold making.

CNC grinders are used to meet precision grinding cemented carbide, hardened steel, granite, glass, and more high hardness and brittle materials..

CNC EDM machines are used for precision parts processing and mold making, taper hole or special-shaped hole drilling.

CNC press brakes are used for mass production of sheet metal in motorcycles, automobiles, electronics, home appliances and other industries.

CNC automatic production line is aimed at the mass production of bulk shell and box parts in the industries of home appliances and automobiles.

Technical Parameters

BrandSTYLECNC
Table Sizes2' x 2', 2' x 3', 2' x 4', 4' x 4', 4' x 6', 4' x 8', 5' x 10', 6' x 12'
TypesRouter, Laser, Mill, Plasma, Lathe
FunctionsCarving, Engraving, Marking, Cutting, Turning, Drilling, Milling, Grooving
ApplicationsHobbyists, Small Business, Small Shop, Home Business, Home Shop, School Education, Industrial Manufacturing
MaterialsMetal, Wood, Foam, Plastic, Fabric, Leather, Acrylic, Glass, Stone, Paper
Capability2D Machining, 2.5D Machining, 3D Machining
StylesMini, Small, Benchtop, Tabletop, Desktop, Handheld, Portable, Large Format
Price Range$2,000 - $260,000

Pros & Cons

CNC machine kits are electric discharge machining tools that integrate mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and information technologies with the advantages of high precision, high efficiency, high automation, and high flexibility, stability and reliable quality in mechanical manufacturing processes. The technical level and its percentage of the output and total ownership is one of the important indicators for measuring a country's national economic development and the overall level of industrial manufacturing.

Pros

Automation

As the name implies, CNC indicates that this form of machining relies on computer control. This means a higher level of automation, which is the best solution for high-precision work. The main function of CNC machining is the ability to create other things from a piece of material. Traditional machining methods can achieve these goals, but CNC automation makes it more efficient to save time and reduce errors, lowering operating costs and material costs for many businesses.

Multipurpose

For example, computer controlled turning makes it possible to manufacture "complex external and internal geometries, including the generation of various threads." Computer controlled milling is better for making holes, grooves, and repeated movements to create complex 3D shapes. It is versatile, easy to set up repetitive motions, and is usually used to make molds.

Multifunction

There are no cutting tools in this industry that can handle all the manufacturing processes, but CNC is the closest. It can create curves and angles in flat and smooth substrates. It can add grooves and threads to create a locking mechanism. It can stamp and mill, cut and drill, and add texture and contour. CNC technology makes it possible to make complex interior and exterior geometries. Since it's run by a computer program, you can customize it to do almost anything you can imagine. CNC programming uses CAD to create a model of the final product. As the process progresses, this is a rough draft. It can also identify any problems in the design. Then take a picture of the prototype, which will create a copy and enter it into the machine tool.

Safety

CNC machinist uses the computer to control the machine tool to run, which creates a safe working environment and reduces the occurrence of workplace accidents. This is particularly important because workers have to bear the repeated manual labor in the past. CNC machining ensures that the products produced are consistent to meet quality control guidelines. Human operation error is a common safety hazard, which can lead to accidents, so there is no need to worry.

Convenient

CNC machining process is efficient and computer-led, it is easy to mass produce to save time. You only need to make multiple machine tools run on the same program. For many companies, how to expand scale while maintaining good profit margins is a challenge. The benefits of automatic computer numerical controlled machining make it the best solution for manufacturers. It has the function of storage, so there is no need to worry about reloading the program every time, and there is no need to re-enter commands every time.

Cons

• Compared with manual or semi-automatic mechanical tools, it is expensive and requires a large initial investment when purchasing.

• It has higher technical requirements for operation and maintenance personnel.

• Manual programming requires a lot of work when machining complex shaped parts.

How To Use?

Nine basic steps to operate a computer numerical controlled machine tool in workshop.

Step 1. Edit & Input File.

Before machining, you should analyze and compile the file of the project. If the file is more complicated, do not program on the machine tool, but use the programming tool or computer programming, and then back up to the control system through the U disk or communication interface. This can avoid increasing the auxiliary time of machining when using the machine tool.

Step 2. Power On.

Generally, the main power is turned on first, so that the machine tool has the power-on conditions. Start an control system with a key button and the machine tool is powered on at the same time. Information is displayed on the CRT of the control system. At the same time, check the hydraulic, pneumatic, and input Give the connection status of the shaft and other auxiliary equipment.

Step 3. Solid Reference Point.

Establish the movement datum of each coordinate before machining. For machine tools with control systems, this step should be performed first.

Step 4. Import & Call To Programming.

According to the program medium (U disk), it can be input by computer, programming tool or serial communication. If it is a simple program, it can be input directly on the control panel with the keyboard, or input section by section in MDI mode, and process in sections. Before machining, the origin, tool parameters, offset amount and various compensation values in the machining program must also be input.

Step 5. Program Editing.

If the input program needs to be modified, the working mode selection switch should be placed in the editing position. Use the edit key to add, delete, and change.

Step 6. Program Inspection & Debugging.

First lock the machine tool and only run the system. This step is to check the program, if there is an error, you need to edit it again.

Step 7. Project Installation & Alignment.

Install and align the lower spare parts to be processed and establish benchmarks. The method adopts manual incremental movement, continuous movement or handwheel to move the machine tool. Align the starting point to the beginning of the program, and set the tool benchmark.

Step 8. Start The Coordinate Axis for Continuous Machining.

Continuous machining generally adopts the program machining in the memory. The feed speed of computer numerical controlled machining can be adjusted by the feedrate override switch, and the feed hold button can be pressed during machining to pause the feed movement to observe the machining conditions or perform manual measurement. Press the cycle start button again to resume machining. In order to ensure that the program is correct, you should review it again before machining.

In the machining process, you can use a pencil instead of a tool to draw the outline of the project on paper for flat curve projects. If the system has a tool path, the simulation function can be used to check the correctness of the program.

Step 9. Shut Down.

After machining and before turning off the power, pay attention to check the status of the machine tool and the position of the spare parts.

Turn off the power of the device first, then turn off the power of the system, and finally turn off the main power.

How To Buy?

There are a variety of CNC machines in the world, and there are also various machine tool brands and manufacturers. This phenomenon has pros and cons for buyers. The advantage is that customers have more choices, and buy more useful machine tools from dealers. The bad thing is that after seeing more, they don't know which one is the best to buy. As the saying goes, cheap is not good, and good is not cheap.

So, what things should be considered when buying?

STEP 1. Meet Your Requirements

A computer-controlled machine tool cannot do all the work. In order to be able to process different materials professionally, the manufacturers classify them into many types. If you buy a mill to carve bakelite, or buy a certain large industrial kit to cut small crafts, it will not only waste a lot of money but also have a bad effect. Similarly, if you buy a desktop kit for home door making, it may not work properly at all. So before you buy, you must communicate clearly with the salesperson to let him know your purpose, including the size of the workpiece, the material of the workpiece, the machining effect and so on.

STEP 2. Types & Models Selection

If you need to cut a sign in your advertising shop, you should buy professional hobby kits with custom configurations. If you need to turn wood, you should buy a lathe machine for woodworking. If it is used for mold making, you need a milling machine, and then determine the model of the mill according to the size of your milling project. If it is used to cut metal, you should buy a plasma cutter, or a laser cutter with fiber laser source. If the material to be milled is graphite, you must choose a mill dedicated to graphite, because the protection level of ordinary machine tools is not enough, which will cause damage or even paralysis. Therefore, you should buy professional machine tools according to your own business plans and projects.

STEP 3. Sample Making

Before buying, in order to ensure the ability of the machine tool you selected, you must let the sale manager to make samples based on your designs. The advantage is that you can see the the actual machining effect, as well as the time it has used.

STEP 4. Contract Signing

After the above three points are completed, the signing of the procurement contract must be carried out. A complete contract is the best guarantee to guarantee one's legal rights. First of all, the contract should clearly indicate the purchased model, configuration, price, delivery time and delivery method, training method, warranty terms, and specific payment methods. After the contract is signed, the corresponding deposit shall generally be paid according to the contract. For the signed contract, we must abide by its content agreement to avoid unnecessary conflicts with the seller in the future.

STEP 5. Delivery & Training

After the computer-controlled machine tool is shipped on time, the technician from the supplier will help you to open the packing box and inspect it in your workshop (if you have paid for door to door service, the technician will arrive at your workshop before it arrives). You should carefully check the machine appearance whether it is damaged during transportation. If it is good, check the parts and accessories according to the packing list and the terms of the contract. Next, let the technician setup the machine (including the hardware assemble, software installation & debugging). After setup, make a sample test on the machine. If the finished project is well, the delivery inspection will be completed. According to the contract, the user shall pay off the balance. The operators are required to have a strong sense of safety responsibility, and they must have proficient machine tool operation skills before starting their jobs. In the training process, you should be proficient in choosing different cutting speeds and using different bits & tools for different materials. This requires the skills and experience. A good mastery is better for extend the service life of the machine and tools.

STEP 6. Service & Support

When you are troubled with hardware & software problems in use, you need to get in touch with the dealer, communicate clearly to make the service staff aware of issues and start troubleshooting, and do not deal with it yourself, which can lead to accidents when you are not familiar with the machine tool, and the manufacturer may refuse to continue to provide warranty service for the equipment. In terms of after-sales service, we can require the CNC machine manufacturer to strictly follow the contractual agreement. If you encounter deliberate delay or have a bad attitude, you can complain to the person in charge.

Things To Consider

Most buyers start concentrating on the online shopping instead of the traditional offline buying approach. In your online researching and purchasing process, you must consider the things listed above. It will take you down the easy-to-follow buying guide to CNC machines. You can pickup from a local machine shop with higher price, you can also purchase online from CNC maker at low cost with manufacturer's direct service and support. All depends on your budget plan and business needs. In short, what suits your job is the most important thing.

If you have more questions about CNC machines for sale, don't hesitate to ask for help, and let us know if you need any further assistance.