CNC Mills Vs. CNC Routers: Which One Is Right For You?

Which type of CNC machine do you want and whether you wish to go for CNC conversion or a brand new CNC machine is one of the first decisions you'll need to make before buying one. And to the uninitiated, the numerous jargons and complexities might only end up confusing and perplexing. And this is where we enter the picture, so fret not as in this particular article, we will compare two of the most widely used CNC machines, Both CNC Router and CNC Milling Machine, and at the end of this reading, one might be better and well-informed of which one to buy! So, read on as we discuss "CNC Mills Vs. CNC Routers: Which One Is Right For You?"

Although they both carry out comparable tasks, they are very different from one another. You must be aware of their capabilities as you work with them and use them with various materials.

Each machine type uses subtractive manufacturing, in which material is taken out of the piece rather than added.

Similar standard tasks are carried out by CNC routers and benchtop CNC mill machines in distinctly different ways. The first step is to comprehend the distinctions between these two machines when choosing the best machine for your applications.

A CNC Mill

There are a few significant differences between a CNC Mill and a CNC Router, but for the most part, they can accomplish the same tasks. While Mills are typically used to cut metals and harder materials, Routers are typically used for softer materials. Although Mills operate at much slower speeds than Routers, they still use rotary cutting tools.

Many CNC Mills move in the X-Y configuration instead of using a fixed table, with the spindle moving above the workpiece on a linear axis. As a result, there's more space available along the Z axis, and mills can make thicker cuts because they operate with torque rather than rotational speed.

Highlights of a CNC Mill:

• Applied to cut harder materials and metals

• Operating at slower rates than CNC routers

• Moves in an X-Y configuration.

• For increased clearance along the Z axis, the spindle moves along a linear axis above the workpiece.

• Capable of making thicker cuts

• Uses greater torque to cut

Why choose a CNC Mill?

Because of their limited cutting area, CNC mills also have a limited range of motion for their cutting tools.

Although the size of the materials you can use is constrained by this compact design, it also makes the machine more rigid and gives it the strength it needs to cut tough materials.

Additionally, CNC mills using CNC control packages are able to cut more precisely due to the rigidity and restricted range of motion. Precision from a mill after CNC conversion is ideal for producing parts with precise tolerances.

The best use for mills is to make tiny components that fit into larger machines or other assemblies. Even better, you can combine the capabilities of a router and a mill conversion kit to produce both complex and intricate parts for the same product in the same shop.

CNC Router 

In contemporary machine shops, the CNC router is regarded as a fairly universally usable tool, and its main use is to cut softer materials like wood, plastic, acrylic, foam, and some softer metals. It typically has a spindle that moves along three axes—X, Y, and Z—and is mounted on a stationary table with a bigger work surface.

In contrast to CNC mills, CNC routers are primarily built to operate at high speeds, with rotational speed acting as the driving force for cutting. While routers typically have three axes, some models have as many as six, making them perfect turn key machines for more complicated projects.

Highlights of a CNC Router:

• Applied to the cutting of softer materials such as foam, plastic, and wood.

• Mounted on a fixed table with a bigger work area

• Has a spindle that moves in three directions: X, Y, and Z

• Works at a rapid pace

• Cuts are made using rotational speed. Eases the process of 3D cutting

Why Choose a CNC Router

Just like the CNC lathe machines, the design of Routers is less rigid than that of mills because they have a large work surface. Nevertheless, the high machine speeds of routers are a result of their spatial flexibility.

The use of Routers is also excellent for cutting items from large sheets of material. You can frequently even cut the edges of a sheet without moving the material or changing the machine's settings, depending on the size of the router and the materials you use.

Large-format items like wood carvings, signs, and cabinet fronts can be made using a router.

What Is the Difference Between CNC Routers and Mills?

If you choose the right machine for the job, these adaptable machines can accomplish a lot. The following are some significant distinctions between CNC mills and CNC routers:

Materials

The materials that can be used with these machines represent one of the biggest differences. You may need to think about the precise method you'll use to machine your project, depending on its purpose. Both can be used to cut soft materials like wood, foam, and plastic, but routers are usually more effective at cutting these materials.

Any hard metal, including steel and titanium, should be cut using a milling machine because no other CNC machine can cut such robust materials.

Machining Speed

You must consider machine speed when making a decision. A router will work much more quickly if you need to make numerous copies of a part, enabling you to develop them more quickly. A CNC mill, on the other hand, will provide unmatched precision but will require much more time during the cutting process.

Component Type

To produce high-quality parts for a large order, such as airplane parts, you will need a precise machine. A CNC mill, preferably one with five or more axes, can provide the level of detail necessary for the precise operation of large-scale machinery.

However, a CNC router might be powerful and accurate enough to complete the task if you're looking to make less important components, particularly out of softer material.

Accuracy

A crucial aspect of machining parts is precision. A CNC mill offers much more accurate cuts than a CNC router if you need parts for extremely sensitive applications, like equipment parts. Particular attention should be paid to part precision in the military, medical, and aerospace industries. Micrometer differences can be extremely important when lives are at stake. 

CNC routers are less precise than mills and are most effective for making simple cuts in pliable materials. In contrast, CNC mills offer cuts that are more precise and complex than what is possible with a router. More complex cutting and shaping are possible with the mill tooltip configuration.

Cutting Area

You will need to take your project's starting point into account because the machines have various space options. A CNC mill can provide a deeper Z-axis for deeper cuts in the work if it requires a lot of detail. You might have to choose a router that has a large cutting area if your source material is very wide or large, such as thick foam planks or large blocks of wood.

Cost

A CNC mill will cost more money than a router of the same size.

Which Is Better for You: CNC Mills or CNC Routers?

As you know, CNC machining with conversion kits can exponentially scale your business. However, you should consider carefully the projects or goods you want to work on. Which device is more appropriate for your project's needs? Does that equipment fit into your price range?

You need a machine that can handle metal and is reasonably accurate if you intend to build model steam engines. Well, sounds like a CNC Mill that you'll need.

However, a machine that works well with wood is what you want if you want to make furniture. That sounds more like CNC Routing.