Drilling holes and carving out parts from different materials including metals and PVC have become much easier with the advent of copy router machines. These machines use predetermined templates to guide the router to create and replicate the precise holes and shapes.
Aluminium copy routers are specifically designed to manipulate aluminium metal profiles to aid in the construction of windows, doors and other similar constructives.
Since a wide range of copy routers are available in the market, it is essential to choose the right one which matches the specific requirement in terms of its application, cutting precision and the material to be worked upon.
Determine the Material and Choose the Right Copy Router
The type of material you intend to work with is essential in selecting the right copy router. It is also to be noted that some copy routers are suited for a particular material, so it is essential to choose the copy routers which are designed to cut the specific type of material.
For instance if the material is thick and dense like aluminium profiles and PVC, a strong copy router with robust motor and appropriate spindle speed would be required to ensure consistent cut and replication.
Material and Spindle Speed
- The spindle speed of the copy routers depends on the material being used. For instance, UPVC is a lightweight, rigid and durable plasticizer which is widely used to make door and window frames. It requires high spindle speed to achieve smooth and precise curts.
- Wood is the most versatile material used in the manufacture of constructives such as furniture and decorative carvings. Wood itself comes in different varieties such as hardwood, softwood and the like.
For softwoods a high spindle speed would be required, while for hardwood low spindle speed would be appropriate inorder to avoid chipping and burning of the router.
- Aluminium due to its corrosion-resistance, strong and lightweight features is a popular choice in the manufacture of door and window frames and various other industrial purposes. Aluminium is routed at lower spindle speed to prevent machine wear and potential distortion of the material.
Hence it is important to understand the material that is being worked on and choose the right router.
Clamping System of the Copy Router
For the proper functioning of the copy router, the metal profile should be held firmly. Clamping refers to the process of holding the metal plate while the router functions. There are different types of clamping systems, so it is essential to understand what those are and choose the right copy router.
1. Manual clamping
- The operator manually tightens the clamp to secure the plate. Since it is manually driven, the process will tend to be a bit slow.
2. Pneumatic clamping
- In this system, air pressure is used to automatically clamp the material, holding it firmly. This is considered to be more time effective and cost effective.
- It is faster paced and also reduces the strain over the operator.
Templates and Customization
Templates are the integral part of the copy router machine as it guides the cutting process. It is worth noting if the copy router provides multiple templates that enables the drilling of different holes, patterns and slots and also whether it has the option to customize the templates according to the specific needs.
Evaluate the Quality and Durability
Copy routers are designed for high-intensity and repetitive cutting and carving of metal profiles. Hence it is essential to look for the quality of the machine, the cutting tools and the bearings to ensure smooth operation.
It is also recommended to run a test on the intended copy router machine using a sample profile to evaluate the machine’s overall performance.
Budget and Warranty Considerations
While purchasing the copy router take into consideration the budget, the long term value, like the material durability, efficiency and operational ease. Ensure that the machine has an all round warranty which covers the essential parts of the machine.
Types of copy routers
There are different types of copy routers
Single-head copy router
- It is designed to work on light aluminium alloys and upvc.
- It has a single cutting head and is best suited for small-scale industrial application.
Double-head copy router
- Equipped with horizontal and vertical heads, it enables the routing of the metal profile without needing to rotate it, making it both time and cost effective.
- It is used to produce door and window frames, lock cylinders etc.
3-Axis CNC copy routers
- Automated copy routers which can move along the three axes, enabling more smooth and precise cuts.
- Mostly used to drill complex aluminum profiles.
Choosing the right copy router machine is essential for the smooth and precise operations, ensuring the overall efficiency of the process. By taking the above aspects into consideration the selection and purchase of the right copy router machine can be achieved.
