There are hundreds or even thousands of CNC machines on the market today, and their prices vary depending on a variety of factors. We’ll take a closer look at the cost of CNC router machines to help machinists and hobbyists buy cost-effective CNC machines for a variety of tasks.
The most expensive CNC machines are the 6- and 5-axis robotic CNCs used to manufacture high-end military equipment, costing in excess of millions of dollars. On the other hand, entry-level hobbyists with prices as low as $3000 can use very affordable CNC machines.
Although the CNC router machine has a high cost, it has high production efficiency and saves processing costs. Therefore, many companies opt for CNC router machines. So how do choose the right CNC router machine? And what factors will affect the price of CNC routers?
How Much Does CNC Router Cost?
Whether you are an amateur or a professional CNC machine operator, you should know that there are many types of CNC machine tools, such as CNC woodworking milling machines, CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, etc. Almost every amateur dreams of owning a CNC machine tool. Now let’s look at the approximate prices of CNC machines in the market. Hobbyist CNC routers $1k-3k, professional CNC routers $5k-100k.
These are just rough calculations. The prices of CNC machines of different sizes vary by brand. When choosing CNC machine tools, we should consider our actual manufacturing needs more.
For example, if your part size is small, a small CNC machine can meet your needs, but you will only need to spend less, why not? If you want an industrial CNC machine for cabinet nesting, you’re going to need a powerful, high-volume professional machine, and even better with automatic tool change and automatic feeding.
Different CNC router machines cost
Wood CNC Router Cost
CNC woodworking router machine is the most widely used CNC woodworking router machine among CNC machine tools. The CNC wood router machine is also the best-selling CNC wood router machine in the world. BuyCNC provides customers with various wood CNC router machines. We can also customize professional CNC machine tools according to customer needs. Wood CNC router machines can not only process wood, but also soft metals such as acrylic, plastic, aluminum, etc., so they are very popular with customers.
Because the cost of a CNC wood router machine has a lot to do with the size, material, and function of the machine. For example, if you are a hobbyist, then you may choose to buy a small CNC wood router machine. Very cheap, around $2,500 to $4,000, cheap and capable of processing. If you are a large furniture manufacturer, then we recommend you to buy a large wood CNC engraving machine, because the large wood CNC engraving machine can meet all the needs of wood processing. But this kind of large wood carving machine is more expensive, and the cost of a professional wood carving machine is about 4,000 to 20,000 US dollars.
Stone CNC Router Cost
CNC stone engraving machine is a machine specialized in processing stone. It is suitable for engraving, cutting, embossing, lettering, and cutting various types of stone. Because the size of the stone is relatively large and the weight is also very heavy, most CNC stone engraving machines require a large area. Actual CNC Stone router costs vary by CNC router configuration but typically exceed $5,000.
Buy Used CNC Router Machine
This is a very economical option and idea that will save you the cost of buying new CNC parts and accessories. However, you must be careful when selecting and buying used items as they may be defective or sometimes no longer available. For example, if any of the machine parts are badly damaged, it is impossible to restore the equipment to its previous form for second-hand use.
Except for defects or serious damage, the normal lifespan of a CNC machine is no more than 10 to 15 years. Lifespan also depends on how you operate the machine, what precautions you take for user and equipment safety, and the type of work that CNC machine routinely performs. Well, it’s important to inform you that although this is a budget-friendly CNC machine building idea, the new CNC parts are bound to outperform the old ones in terms of performance and price.
Tip: When buying used CNC equipment/parts, don’t forget to check the maintenance auction records for the parts you are about to buy.
Finally, when buying used equipment, explain why the seller is giving it away at a low price. If the reason is that the shop is no longer working on projects that require the utility of this machine, then this is a satisfactory answer. Or, if it’s a seller who is losing money in business and wants to sell the CNC equipment, this is another good deal. If you don’t know the reasoning behind the sale, trust your gut and reject the deal immediately.
Learn more: Should I Buy or Build A CNC Router Machine?
How to choose the right CNC router machine?
Different types of CNC router machine tools cost different. So you should confirm what kind of material you want to machine with the CNC machine? What kind of work do you want to do with a CNC machine?
If you want to carve wood furniture, a common spindle of 3-4kw is enough.
If you want to nest panel furniture, the ATC machine with a 9kw spindle will have high output.
If you want to process stone, it is best to choose a CNC router machine tool with a high-power water-cooled spindle. For example 5.5kw or 7.5kw spindle. If polishing, engraving, and cutting stone, you need an ATC CNC machine with a servo-mechanical spindle for high torque.
Only the spindle aspect is considered above. If your job requires, you also need to pay attention to other components such as controller, bed structure, motor, guide rail, positioning cylinder, etc.
If you have the idea of buying CNC machines overseas, the cost of the machine, customs clearance, taxes, and shipping should be included in the final price.
The main factors affecting the price of CNC routers
CNC router machine size
In a CNC machine, the size of the machine is determined by how long the cutting end travels along the XYZ axes. The longer the range, the bigger the machine and the more expensive the machine.
Processing speed
In CNC machining, cutting speed directly affects production efficiency and finished product quality. Faster speed translates into smoother completion, which often means that work will also be performed faster and more efficiently.
In general, the higher the maximum machining speed and rapid motion a CNC machine can achieve, the more expensive the CNC machine are.
Machining Tolerances and Accuracy
CNC machines that can achieve higher machining tolerances and precision usually cost more. Needless to say, accuracy and perfection are expensive!
Number of axes
The higher the degree of freedom of a CNC machine, the higher its price. For example, 5-axis CNC machines are more expensive than 3-axis CNC machines.
Brand
The same accessories for cnc router machine with different brands and prices. Of course, the price of CNC router machines on large platforms will be higher. And the after-sales warranty period is relatively long.
Production materials
The materials produced by different CNC router machines are different, and the gap is very large. Well-configured and quality machines are relatively expensive.
Technology investment
CNC router machines have extremely high technical requirements. In order to ensure the technology and quality of the machine, we will invest a lot of research and development costs in the early stage. Meanwhile, FORSUN CNC machinery manufacturer always employs experienced engineers. It can be said that the investment in the upfront cost is an important guarantee for the quality of the CNC engraving machine.
Distinguish between suppliers and agents
Prices from suppliers and agents can vary significantly. And the factory direct sales will be much cheaper than the agency. FORSUN CNC is a professional manufacturer and supplier of CNC machine, if you encounter problems when purchasing CNC routers, you can contact us at any time, we will contact you as soon as possible
Other costs associated with CNC router machines
When considering CNC router prices, don’t forget to include the extra cost you might get. Things like shipping, installation, training, warranty, and software can quickly add up to thousands of dollars.
Shipping and Installation
CNC routers can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to hundreds of tons. This can quickly add to the cost of shipping charges. Some companies offer exclusive services that are included in the price. However, if you’re buying one, be sure to make arrangements with the seller before buying one.
For larger machines, be prepared to schedule the machine in advance. Floors may need reinforcement, doorways widening, etc. Also, don’t overlook the power and electrical requirements. Many of these machines require 220/3 phase or other high-end power requirements. Make sure your wiring is adequate.
These machines will most likely be divided into parts that will need to be set up and installed. It pays to have these machines installed by an experienced professional. Many manufacturers or suppliers offer their services, but be prepared to pay $200 to $1000 per day for installation. You may need anywhere from a few days to a week to install these machines.
For lower-end models, it’s safe enough to hire a mechanic or assemble it yourself. However, with larger machines, it’s not worth the risk of voiding the warranty or damaging the machine by installing it yourself.
Training and Warranty
These machines have a certain learning curve like any other machine. Depending on the operator, it can take days or months to acquire the necessary skills to operate these machines. The efficiency of a machine depends on the people who operate it. Many companies offer training for these machines, and a trainer visit to the Jobsite can cost as much as $1,000 a day. However, some companies offer their own training courses on their website.
Don’t forget to check the warranty and coverage. Don’t put yourself in a situation that will void the warranty.
Software
You will need some kind of design packages, such as CAD software and CAM software, to program the toolpaths. There are a variety of software packages available that can be used with almost any machine. These packages usually require an annual license fee. Expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 for a complete package. For lower-end models, there are free programs available, but they usually have limitations.
In conclusion
As you can see, there are a few components to consider when calculating the cost of benchtop CNC machining. Often, many merchants will take the time to come back with an offer at some point in the recent past. Screwing up here and there can result in prices that are unproductive for producers or fairly overpriced and don’t bring jobs. For a complete guide to router technical details and pricing, check out the other blog posts on our website, or you can contact us directly.
