CNC ArticlesPhone: 516-328-3970www.technocnc.com1350.001 inches, a resolution of 0.0002 inches and a maximum speed of 250 inches per minute, with an available upgrade to their high-speed version of 900 inches per minute. There is also a wide selection of spindles, software, and accessories to choose from such as laser scanning modules, 2D and 3D digitizing probes, vacuum tables, 4th axis rotary tables, coolant systems, and tooling. Arthur chose the 4-foot by 8-foot model which best fi ts his material sheet sizes and his total investmentincluding software was under $20,000.In the past, producing complicated parts used to be a very diffi cult and labor intensive task, Arthur concluded. It was not unusual even for an experienced person like myself to ruin a part and have to start that part over. The purchase of a CNC router has greatly improved the situation. Now, I can program the item once and then reproduce the program with 100% accuracy on the CNC router whenever a customer places an order. The time required to turn out the typical item has been reduced by nearly 2/3. This means that I can help my customers provide better service to their customers by delivering furniture in much less time than was required in the past. I have also been able to reduce my prices by an average of 10%, which makes me more competitive. In spite of that price reduction my profi tability has increased because I can now get more done in less time. Clearly, CNC routers have the potential to help the domestic custom furniture business compete much more effectively with imports and large chains. I took a close look at the machine at one of Technos technology centers and proved to myself that it could not only handle every job in our shop but also make it possible for us to take on jobs that we werent capable of handling inthe past.Technos LC series CNC routing system provides a number of critical features that allow it to deliver accuracy and long-term reliability of a level that has previously only been available from machines at a much higher cost. The LC Series machine is constructed on a heavy steel base, includes a T-Slot aluminum table surface, ball screws on all threes axes, closed-loop servomotor drives, and comes with Technos Windows-based G-Code interface that is upgradable free for the life of the machine. These premium drive components offer smooth play-free motion, a high level of accuracy and repeatability, that requires minimal maintenance. The closed-loop servo control system provides constant position feedback, higher power, and smooth continuous motion that eliminates the possibility of losing position in the middle of a part. With these high-end features, it was easy to recognize that we would get high-speed routing and superb cut quality.The new method of producing furniture to orderArthur now produces most furniture pieces by a new and much more effi cient method. His customers can provide their designs in the form of paper drawings. Once he has a drawing in a CAD/CAM software program, he makes any desired modifi cations and scales it to any size. When he is satisfi ed, he automatically generates a G-Code program used by the router to produce the design. He loads the material on the machine, pushes the start button and walks away while the router finishes the part. The time required to produce a typical part has dropped from hours to minutes. As a typical example, Arthur mentioned a dresser designed in the form of a lighthouse that he builds for one of his customers in response to consumer orders. The dresser has many pieces with complicated curved surfaces that are required to create a fairy-tale look. In the past, Arthur produced it by fi rst drawing each piece in full scale on paper, cutting out the paper, gluing them to plywood, then cutting the plywood to shape with a scroll saw, and finally sanding the board so it could serve as a pattern. Each pattern lasted long enough to make three to fi ve pieces, unless it was nicked by thesaw used to cut out the fi nished parts. Using this method, it took Arthur about 27 hours to produce the dressers. Now, he imports the drawing into EnRoute 3, converts it to a CAD file, and exports G-Code. Then he loads the machine with wood, pushes the start button, and watches while it cuts out each piece. He can now produce a dresser in only 10 hours, and about half of that time he can be doing other things while the machine is cutting out the pieces.A complete package including training and supportArthur added that the Techno sales staff was very helpful in helping him select the right machine for his needs and providing the training he needed to quickly become productive. The machine has proven to be very reliable, not requiring any service outside of routine maintenance in the year that he owned it despite the fact that he keeps it running nearly nonstop. The machine comes fully assembled and includes Technos Windows-based CNC G-Code interface with free lifetime software upgrades. The machine is available in fi ve sizes, with work envelopes of 30 by 24 inches, 48 by 48 inches, 48 by 96 inches, 59 by 120 inches, and 78 by 120 inches. Each of these models provides a repeatability of