AFFORDABLE PANEL PROCESSING

Processing plastic sheet stock can be time-consuming. Creating, setting up, and using templates can use up a lot of your labor resources. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery is very effective for automating the plastic fabrication shop. This technology has been available to the industry for a while, but in recent years there have been significant advances, which allow CNC machinery to be offered at very affordable prices. Control systems have been simplified electronically and even gantry systems have become lighter and less expensive. CNC technology is now accessible to all shops, and offers significant benefits.

CNC machinery gives you an advantage where you need it most -- at your bottom line. It saves you time and labor by automating the production of goods previously done by hand. It allows you to increase production, and it gives you an end product of consistently higher quality. There's no denying that automating your production with CNC machinery can dramatically affect your company's performance.

Delta "T" Systems of Jupiter, Florida produces air filtration systems for the marine industry out of 1/4" and 1/2" PVC sheet stock. Their systems have been cleaning engine compartment air in everything from small production boats for a number of manufacturers to large military vessels. Recently, they decided to automate their production with a CNC router, and their research led them to ShopBot Tools Inc. who offer a 4'x8'x6"machine for $3,995.00. After mounting the tool on Shopbot's steel table and adding a large regenerative blower for a vacuum table (at an additional cost of $2,295 for both), the machine was ready for production.

The high initial cost of some CNC machinery has kept small shops out of the automation game in the past. With the advent of large format CNC priced at under $5,000, small shops can join the technology revolution. Many shops find that their initial investment pays for itself in a matter of months through time savings, the ability to increase production levels without hiring more workers, the ability to bid more competitively on jobs, and the flexibility of the design process.

Once you've purchased your equipment and become familiar with it, you'll be ready to create your first cutting file. You can use a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software package to design the part, and then convert the drawing into a cutting file. The time involved in creating the cutting file is the only major time investment in the project. Once that file is created, it can be used again and again to cut as many of that part as are needed -- whether it is one or 10,000. The more times a given part is cut, the greater the return on your time investment in creating the cutting file. Delta "T" uses Vector Cad-Cam for creating their cutting files and sends them directly to the Shopbot software as a .SBP (Shopbot part file) using a driver within the Vector software.

Once your file has been tested, you can throw away your old template! Your new file can be stored in a fraction of the space of your templates, and can be pulled out at a moment's notice to cut one or thousands of a part.

So the question arises, when is a $30,000-$300,000 machine right for your shop and when is it sufficient to use a $3,995.00 router? Companies like Boeing, 3-M and Hill-Rom all use CNC machining centers priced over a half a million dollars and use the Shopbot as part of their manufacturing process. The choice really comes down to specs, simplification of use and your company's budget. These three companies all have a need for machining centers that keep high tolerances (.001"), make multiple tool changes and mill parts rapidly (200-1200 inches per minute). They also have a need for Shopbots with their overall accuracy of .015", ability to cut most plastic sheets a speeds between 60"- 120"/min. and its rapid transit moves of 250"/min. If these speeds and tolerances are within your production needs, you may be able to save yourself some money or add to your current machinery freeing up your high end equipment..