It is becoming more common for industrial woodworking machines in a woodworking shop to be computer numerically controlled (CNC). These machines provide greater precision because they automate all cuts using a design created with a computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) program. The machine receives the measurement input from the woodworking professional, consequently yielding cuts with better precision and completed more quickly than if completed by hand.
One of the most common CNC machines these shops acquire is a CNC moulder, which is a machine capable of completing computer assisted cuts using profiled cutters or blades. Woodworking shops that wish to acquire these industrial woodworking machines can choose to purchase a single head or multi head configuration. While a single head CNC moulder is the more economical option since it requires less energy, it also works slower than a multi-head machine. Once the shop has decided whether it prefers a single head or multi-head machine and makes the purchase, it must decide how to teach employees to use the new machine.
Since CNC machines are still a relatively new technology, shops that have been performing without these machines for many years will have difficulty making an easy transition. This is primarily because individual employees lack the experience needed to operate these industrial woodworking machines when they arrive at the shop floor, and instead will require training to be brought up to speed. If the shop does not have a training process in place, this transition will take time and could lead to a short-term loss of productivity.
One option would be for the woodworking shop to obtain inexpensive, smaller industrial woodworking machines employees can use to learn how CNC machines operate. This allows employees to get up to speed at their own pace while the firm completes the buying process. Once the firm’s newly purchased CNC moulder arrives, employees will experience a smaller learning curve because they have already familiarized themselves with the basic procedures for operating a CNC machine.
If industrial woodworking machines are purchased second-hand, the buyer can often turn to the vendor for help learning how to use a newly purchased CNC moulder. RT Machine Company refurbishes all of its machines in-house, which means that our trained engineers understand exactly how your machine works. Typically, one of our technicians videotapes the machine under power and in operation before shipment. We will be happy to work with your shop and educate employees on how to use a newly purchased machine.