Choosing between CNC mills vs routers requires you to take cognizance of specific characteristics of your project and juxtapose them with the capabilities of both machines. Below, we discuss factors you need to consider to allow you to make an informed decision between CNC milling vs routing for your project.
Precision and Tolerances
CNC mills are among the best manufacturing devices for creating parts with high precision and tight tolerance specifications. While CNC routers, being a CNC process, offer precision specifications, CNC mills are more detailed and deliver more accurate and precise machining applications.
Design Complexity
When dealing with complex machining needs, CNC mills are the better choice. They are better for manufacturing complex parts with intricate shapes and geometries, including special features like slots, undercuts, and contours. On the other hand, CNC routers are better suited for simple cutting operations.
Cost Considerations
We mentioned earlier that CNC routers are less expensive in terms of initial cost, maintenance needs, and operational costs. Therefore, you should opt for a CNC router over milling centers if you are on a strict budget and know you won’t have to deal with overly complex designs or work with rigid and tough materials.
In addition, maintenance costs are another factor that requires consideration. Indeed, even with an effective extraction system, CNC routers produce residual dust and swarf, particularly when cutting wood. However, CNC mills operate more cutting tools and deal with high-precision parts; therefore, they require more stringent maintenance practices.