Routers
Routers can be considered as standard machines. These routers are manually operated and have a single head. The parts are pushed through the router cutter manually. The Z axis (depth) is controlled by a foot pedal, which allows the router head to go up and down. They all have a table and the depth of throat is measured from the neck of the machine to a pin that protrudes from under the table and is directly in line with the router bit above. This pin is used as a guiding point while routing. A jig is used which is an exact copy of the part that is going to be routed. This part is now put on top of the jig and the operator sets the jig over the pin; the operator pulls and pushes the jig around the pin that protrudes just above the table so that he does not visually see the pin but he can feel it as it is going around the shape of the jig. At the same time, because the router bit is located directly above the pin and has been lowered into the wood, the exact shape of the jig will be made on the part that he is working with.
These machines are used for many applications and are very popular. They are used a lot in the speaker industry to cut out the holes for the speakers; example, the tweeters, mid-range and woofers, which are the normal three holes you have in a speaker. They are also used to make the grill covers that go on the front of the speaker. Routers can go into small, as well as larger shops; many large shops might have a number of these machines because it is still cheaper than a C.N.C. (Computer Numerically Controlled) machine, but might not be as productive.
As discussed under C.N.C. Routers and in this category, all machines route from the top while the part lies on the table. The only exception to this rule is the inverted pin router that works from the bottom and the following pin is from the top. Onsrud - Inverted Pin Routers are patent protected for this.
MANUFACTURERS OF THESE MACHINES INCLUDE:
Activa, Anderson, Art, Automation, AXYZ, Balestrini, Busellato, Dayton, Heian, Homag, IMA, Komo, Motion Master, Multicam, Maka, Pade, Reichenbacher, Rye, SCM, Saber, CMS, SCMI, SHODA, Thermwood, Wadkin, Yasaka, Andi, Biesse, Shoda.
Copyright © MLS MACHINERY INC. 2008 All rights reserved.
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