How much is a CNC router? PROBOTIX is the leader in digital manufacturing and has sold thousands of high precision prosumer class CNC machines for the educational, industrial, healthcare, and hobbyist markets. In this article we will explore the top 5 factors to consider when purchasing a CNC machine.
- Work Envelope
In order to narrow down your search for a router and estimate how much you will need, size matters. Manufacturers vary in their table sizes from 12 x 12 tabletop cnc routers to large scale 5×9 machines. Expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 for a small bench-top router and $9,000-$30,000 for a large table that can cut full sheets of plywood. - Manufacturer
Price is also driven by the manufacturer. Expect to pay a premium when buying from an established brand in the industry especially the 800lb gorillas like HAAS and ShopBot. For Hobby market and Prosumer line CNC routers, name brand or brick-and-morter distributed products such as Rockler, Laguna, Inventibles, and Shapeoko, will add to the price. Buyer beware of Manufacturers who buy their machines from China and rebrand them (ie Laguna) as these products require consumers to sacrifice the craftmanship, service, and support from a true U.S. CNC manufacturer. - Accessories
Options options options. When factoring the price of a CNC machine, you will need to consider what accessories you need to include. For instance, a $50,000 HAAS includes a $2,000 option upgrade to turn on rigid tapping function – even though the software already knows how to do it. Prosumer market accessories run between $500-$5,000 additional to machine cost and can include CAM software, dust collection, sensors, laser engraving, stands, and other options. Hobbyist market options run an additional $100-$2,000 depending. Most machines have a base price and a list of accessories or upgraded features that will add dollars to your total cost of a full CNC solution. - Craftsmanship
Typically you will pay a premium for superior craftsmanship which encompasses the quality of raw materials, machining, assembly, and aesthetics. Prosumer market routers run $3,000-$20,000k, and Professional models run $20,000 and up. Hobbyist market machines will cost you between $1,000 – $3,000. While a good value, the precision and parts are inferior so they will always require a considerable time investment. - Service
Customer service and support is critical to gain full utilization and peak operating capacity of your machine. In the CNC industry, look for suppliers that have a phone number for sales, tech support, and customer service preferably to the manufacturing facility itself where you can speak with the mechanics engineers designers or owners of the company you buy from. This is rare in the industry, and even more so when you are able to call the source directly and domestically. Look for manufacturers that have a developed help desk, online wiki, forum, phone and support email.
PROBOTIX™ is the leader in digital manufacturing with fully assembled prosumer line precision CNC routers. Our machines are 100% American owned, manufactured and supported. Contact us today at 844-472-9262 or email support@probotix.com and speak with an Applications Engineer to determine the best CNC machine and accessories to fit your budget and production requirements.