Precision cutting and engraving is a technological process in both manufacturing and design, one of which happens to be CNC routing. While laser cutting also holds a very prominent place, all the myths are clarified through understanding the similarities and differences between the two methods. Both are preferred for accuracy and high efficiency. Knowing what each method stands for will help you make an informed decision about which option is best suited to your project needs. So, here’s how we will do it.
What is CNC Routing?
CNC routing is a subtractive manufacturing process wherein the material is cut away by the tool-rotating drill or router bit. Most CNC routers cut through wood, plastic, foam, metal, and composites. The whole operation is managed by computers that control the software in guiding the tool through the predetermined paths of cuts and intricate designs.
CNC routers can create everything from simple straight cuts to complex 3D designs. This makes CNC routers very versatile for woodworking, sign making, custom furniture, and even parts manufacturing for a variety of industries.
What is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting is a process using a concentrated laser beam that cuts, engraves, and even etches the surface of any material. The laser can produce intense heat that melts, burns, or vaporizes the material, giving clean cutting and precision. Laser cutting is applied to most metals, plastics, acrylic, wood, and even fabrics. The technique, being highly admired for its accurate detail and precision, makes it very sought after for projects that necessarily require intricate designs or decorative engraving.
This technology can be applied in jewelry making, aerospace, automobile, and advertisement businesses among others as the cut work from it has finer details.
Critical Differences between CNC Routing and Laser Cutting
Material Compatibility
This cuts a wider array of materials in comparison to laser cutting. In fact, though laser cutters work pretty well on metal, acrylic, and wood, the CNC routers are applicable on softer and thicker woods and even in harder metals. These machines can be recommended when cutting large, solid objects or greater pieces of material.
However, laser cutting can work best for thinner material; cuts all the materials up to that thickness so fine. The hotter the laser could burn or no cut at all into the thicker material.
Precise and Detailed
These devices, CNC routers, and laser cutters are really precise. Nevertheless, for the fine details, laser cutting is a much better method. The laser beam focus is extreme; therefore, it’s very good for detailed designs and thin cuts. It may also be of great use when engraving details in patterns or logos on the materials.
Although very accurate, CNC routers are not as precise as laser cutting. But they are far better for material removal or more 3D shaping jobs.
Speed
Laser cutting is faster than CNC routing. Especially when cutting thinner materials, laser cutting is faster than CNC routing. Laser beams cut the material fast; therefore, laser cutting is faster and ideal for high volume or for fast turnaround time projects.
CNC routers are a bit slow because they use the actual motion of the tool, but are best suited to large projects which have depth or 3D detail.
Cutting Edge and Finish
Laser cutting tends to produce a better finish because the laser beam melts the edge of the material, leaving practically no work for post-production. The edges are clean, and hardly any sanding or finishing is required.
The edges will be a little jagged using CNC routing depending on the material and tool. That is, parts from CNC routing might require additional finishing work in order to get that finely polished look for applications in which the surface must be spotless and smooth.
Which Method Is Right for Your Project?
The choice between CNC routing or laser cutting all depends on your needs. Consider the following:
Material: The thicker materials are probably best suited to CNC routing, but for smaller material thicknesses like acrylic, paper, and even delicate metals, the laser cut is going to be more precise.
Design Complexity: This may depend on the complexity of how simple or intricate a design might require more detailed input or finer engravings in a project; probably laser cutting would do best because of their finer lines and accurate cuts, while if it is bigger, may also have some intricacies or even 3D forms.
Production Speed: It can be much faster on smaller thickness material when cutting using lasers. High Volume Production is proper. Compared with CNC routing it is relatively slow but much versatile with all forms of material used.
Finishing Quality: This will have a fine clean finish by giving it a better edge to laser cutting without further post-processing techniques to create such an edge, while CNC routing may not even end up that finely in the final finishing to give it a nice look. Contact Tailor made for more information.
Both CNC routing and laser cutting possess excellent precision and adaptability, but their application would be absolutely dependent on the nature of the material, level of complexity, and demand of production. For finer details, a faster turn-around time, and smooth finish, laser cutting comes in handy, while for a higher thickness of the material or in case of a 3D design, or big cut sizes, CNC routing could come in handy.
