CNC fabrication has evolved over time. Traditionally, companies offered in-house material fabrication (such as cutting and engraving) which was done via manual methods. This was not very productive and took a lot of labour time to complete. It was also not as accurate as you’d like! With advancements in technology, computer-operated automated CNC machines came into play and thus specialist companies who focus solely on CNC fabrication were born.
CNC methods have huge benefits over traditional manual methods. Using handheld tools such as a router or saw cannot produce the accuracy or turnaround times that CNC fabrication machines can. Shapes and components can be cut and engraved to absolute precision via a computer automated process. The reduced turnaround times and labour required has significantly reduced the costs that CNC fabrication provides over traditional manual methods. This has opened the doors to smaller companies and individuals who previously found fabrication services to be largely inaccessible.
With this in mind, let’s have a closer look at CNC fabrication.
CNC Fabrication – What Is It?
CNC fabrication stands for ‘computer numerical control fabrication’. The process starts with a design file being loaded onto a computer linked with a CNC machine. This file is usually of .dxf, .dwg, .ai, and .eps. or a PDF as long as a vector can be loaded from it. The machine then reads this file and converts the data into its own coordinates, and the CNC fabrication can then begin, cutting or engraving a wide variety of materials.
CAD (computer aided design) has opened the doors for a reliable CNC fabrication process to take place. The CNC fabrication process is mostly automated, with the machines being left to do their job once the design file as been loaded correctly. Multiple jobs can be loaded at any one time meaning that once one job is completed, the CNC machines can move onto the next one. This has increased the accuracy and efficiency of the process compared with traditional manual methods.
CNC fabrication is incredibly versatile, with a wide range of materials able to be cut or engraved and multiple tools to be used by CNC fabrication machines. The quality of finish produced by the machines is high and the process can be repeated multiple times to create the same CNC fabrication on endless amounts of material. This is an incredibly cost effective way to get a high turnover of material for replicate pieces.
What Is CNC Fabrication Used for?
Digital fabrication often includes laser cutting, CNC cutting and 3D printing. When talking about CNC fabrication, the two main services are usually CNC cutting and engraving. CNC fabrication is now incredibly versatile, with a range of materials able to be cut or engraved.
Examples of materials that can be used on a CNC machine to be cut:
- Plastics, polycarbonates and acrylics
- Timber and sheet material including plywood, MDF, and veneered boards
- Modelling board (otherwise known as cibatool, chemi-wood, or tooling board)
- Acetal
- PVC
- Polystyrene & Foam
- Solid surface materials e.g. HI-MACS and Corian
- Laminate veneers
- Dibond and Mirrored sheeting
Plywood is one of the most popular materials used for CNC fabrication due to its versatility. It is strong but lightweight and comes at a more affordable price than solid timber. CNC fabrication can cut a range of material thicknesses. The general rule is that the greater the thickness, the greater the cost.
Examples of materials that can be used on a CNC machine to be engraved:
- Wood
- Stone
- Concrete
- Solid timber
As you can see, CNC machine engraving can be carried out on much more solid materials. Engraving via CNC fabrication is becoming an increasingly popular service. This is due to the precision involved and the range of materials that can be engraved. The high quality finish produced means that more and more companies are choosing CNC fabrication companies to carry out their engraving projects. The methods used often create minimal dust and a sharp finish.
Benefits of CNC Fabrication
CNC fabrication is now widely used. Larger companies are outsourcing their CNC projects and smaller companies can finally access the services due to their cost effective turnaround times.
With its popularity increasing, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of CNC fabrication.
HIGH TURNOVER
Productivity is extremely high with CNC machines. Multiple jobs can be loaded onto the machines so that the process is almost like an automated production line – the CNC cutting is completed to one material and the machine can just move onto the next task. Not only this but the machine can replicate the cutting of the same shape or object hundreds and hundreds of times. This creates a professional product as accuracy is so high. This automated process makes for a very effective and efficient fabrication process.
Speed is also a factor in the high turnover produced. CNC machines can work 24/7 without fluctuating. The high turnover achieved can be attributed to the automated process made possible by the technology involved. Once the design file has been loaded correctly, the machine is able to convert this into the coordinates it needs and start the job. This also includes automated tool changes as multiple tools can be attached to the machine at the same time. These processes lead to a fast turnaround time and thus a high turnover.
ACCURACY
The precision of the CNC fabrication is second to none. The cutting process results in accuracy to the nearest 0.1mm of the design file. This has increased the quality of the finished product and as previously mentioned, means that the cutting or engraving can be replicated hundreds of times to produce the same components. There are also fewer errors made than with traditional manual techniques.
VERSATILITY
CNC fabrication is now an incredibly flexible and versatile process. Changes can be made easily at the click of a button and the range of fabrication projects undertaken can be vast. Jigs can be rigged up on machines to enable any shape or size of material to be fixed and engraving can be done by fixing a water bed to the machines. This ensures very little dust is produced for a great quality finish. The versatility of CNC projects has attributed to its increasing popularity.
REDUCED COSTS
The efficiency of the process has ensured that outsourcing to specialist CNC fabrication companies has become more cost effective than ever. Larger companies are now replacing labour intensive manual cutting with outsourcing the work and smaller companies and independents are finally able to access these services at affordable prices. The actual CNC process involves little human interaction as once the design file has been loaded, the machine completes the task as an automated process. This has decreased the human labour time required and the machines can get on with the job with very little human involvement needed once the process starts.
IMPROVED HEALTH & SAFETY
For CNC fabrication specialists, one of the beneficial things about the modern methods of CNC cutting services is the improved safety it brings to the tasks. Handheld tools such as routers and saws come with health and safety risks. Now there is little human interaction with the machines, so if something goes wrong, the damage is to the machines or material, not a human. The machines are also fitted with various safety controls such as stoppers, protectors and guards which has further improved the safety of CNC fabrication.
We Can Help You
Here at Aldworth James & Bond, we pride ourselves on being a specialist CNC fabrication company, based in London. We can help you with any CNC fabrication project, offering services for a vast range of materials and thicknesses. We offer expert CNC cutting and engraving services with high quality finishes that you will be more than satisfied with.
Our Machines:
Our machines are some of the best around. Our machines have various cutters including down cutters, up cutters, and a combination of the two (a compressed cutter). We also have specialist cutters including a V-groove cutter, a T cutter and diamond cutters. Our machines are fully automated which includes tool change where multiple tools are required for a job. They can operate for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week meaning that you get the most efficient service possible.
Our Team:
Our expert team have years of experience in the cutting field, all of whom have come from a manufacturing or design background. Our customers know their project is in safe hands. Customer service is at the heart of everything we do and communication is key to a successful project. We have a flexible approach, going the extra mile to make projects a success and we thrive on being able to help customers in any way we can. No project is too big or too small and we are happy to help in any way we can.
Our Experience:
Our years of experience have proven vital in delivering successful projects time and time again. Examples of projects we have done include architectural models as well as complex furniture projects. Our diverse experience mean that we can advise on any project you may have and deliver quick turnaround times. We will let you know if we already have the materials you require in stock, as this will lead to an even quicker completion time.
Our Service
We can also provide advice and help before a project begins if required. Not all customers know exactly what they want from their project. We can aid you in the design process if you need us to which will help to eliminate errors and also help you create the best possible product at the end of the process. We aim to create your product in the most efficient way possible, creating an accurate and high quality finish that will more than meet your project needs. As we also offer laser cutting services, we will be able to advise on whether there is a crossover of services and which will be the best method for your project. Our methods always include laying up (nesting) designs on a sheet, which ensures you get maximum usage out of the materials you are using, reducing wastage and costs alike.
While based in Deptford, South East London, we can deliver to any location, including Greater London areas. We have a fleet of vehicles to ensure this is possible which includes a Luton van (with a tail lift). We can deliver your items, all labelled up after cutting them so that you can keep track of your items, or you can of course collect them, just let us know. We also offer customers the chance to supply their own materials if required - this is no problem at all.
Summary
CNC fabrication has now evolved, with technology allowing a largely automated service to create components and shapes from design files. This is a more cost effective way of creating these items than traditional manual methods with a high turnover of material possible. The process creates high quality, accurate and multiple items, with turnaround times being quicker than ever before. Large companies are now outsourcing their fabrication work and the services are more accessible than ever before.
Aldworth James & Bond offer a variety of digital fabrication services including laser cutting and CNC fabrication. Our CNC fabrication services including high quality cutting and engraving for a wide range of materials. Our specialist team are passionate about what we do and strive to make your project a success. We will help you in any way we can, whether you need an informal chat, a quote, detailed advice about what your project requirements should be, or booking your CNC fabrication project in with us.
CNC Fabrication – Next Steps
If you have a CNC fabrication project, we would love to hear from you. Whatever stage of the project you are at, speak to one of our expert team for an informal discussion and they can guide you through the process. We are in a South East London location, easily accessible and within walking distance of the mainline and DLR. You can collect your items, or we offer a delivery service to any location.
Contact us today – our expert team would love to hear from you.
