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6   Phone: 516-328-3970 www.technocnc.com  Technical Section Router to invest in, there are several important aspects to consider.  The  end  result  of  CNC  Router  design  and construction should be greater than the sum of its parts. The quality of a CNC Router's components, in addition to the  history  and  reputation  of  the  company,  should  be weighed heavily during the buying process. This  technical  section  will  cover  vital  aspects  to  the buying process, such as: spindle options, tooling basics and maintenance, fixturing requirements, CNC accessories and  software;  items  which,  when  looking  to  purchase  a CNC  Router,  should  be  considered  without  exception. However, the first topic to be considered is the router itself. The CNC Router market runs the gamut from hobbyist machines at $5000, up to huge CNC machining systems that cost in excess of $200,000. The idea is to find the CNC Router with the right price to performance ratio within your budget. Size and space requirements should be decided upon before other more complex CNC features. Allotted shop space in relation to a router’s work envelope can determine whether a 14" x 19" tabletop model or a 59" x 120" CNC system  with  a  moving  gantry  are  the  right  machine specifications to research. After deciding on a machine’s footprint (e.g., 109" x 149" x  60"),  the  element  that  greatly  determines  the  quality, durability  and  overall  performance  of  a  CNC  Router  is found in its drive components. Basically, what method is used to move the machine’s axes. Techno’s CNC Routers utilize  THK  rails  and  ball  screw  drives,  which  provide smooth  play-free  motion,  require  minimal  maintenance, provide excellent accuracy and long life. The placement of the ball screw is in the center of the axis of travel, which eliminates the possibility of racking (i.e., when the system twists  due  to  misalignment).  This  also  ensures  that  the Techno  machine  does  not  need  to  be  realigned  ever, causing no wear on the drive or carriage system. Eliminating the downtime spent repairing damage from racking, results in increased productivity and profits. Some CNC Routers use other drive systems, such as the  rack-and-pinion  gear  drive.  The  racks  are  typically installed on the outside of the machine, thus exposed to the elements. As the machine cuts, debris collects on the rack. These  foreign  materials  get  ground  into  the  racks  and gears, causing more friction in the drive system which, in turn, causes wear and makes the machine less accurate and unstable. In a rack-and-pinion system, there are typically two drive motors required to run the one axis (one on the right side and one on the left side of the machine). The two motors must stay completely in sync with one another. When these motors get out of sync, racking occurs. Racking deforms the gears within the system, wearing down the components, and the unit itself can be jolted out of square. The  choice  between  what  drive  motors  to  use  first comes down to either servo or stepper motors. Servos are typically  the  more  expensive  motor,  but  certain  Micro- Stepper motor options bring parity to the purchase price. The big difference between the two motors is in how they run. Steppers, as the name implies, have a set number of steps per revolution. Movement is measured assuming that each commanded step has been completed. Most steppers are run in what is called an open-loop configuration. This means  that  the  location  of  an  axis  is  not  verified  on  an ongoing basis. The motor is commanded to move a certain distance and it is assumed the move is successful without verification.  This  can  cause  problems  when  excessive vibration or resonance from the motor/machine construction can cause the stepper motor to lose steps or even stall. CNC Router Components