How to make money on a CNC machine? How to start your own business using CNC machines? Business plan for CNC milling machine manufacturing products

Milling tanks have a wide range of functionality, which makes it possible to equip almost any production with them. And CNC provides high productivity and reduces the cost of manufactured products several times.

Lathes and milling machines, as well as other metalworking equipment, can be of various types. They differ in size, performance, ability to process specific materials, etc. CNC milling machines are expensive, large equipment that can be purchased by large factories.

What is a CNC Router

A milling machine is a device that allows you to process wood or metal using a cutter. This is a specially shaped nozzle; it can be used to process the surface of a material or drill holes, grooves, etc. in a part. In a small workshop, desktop devices are used, and in large industries, huge milling machines with computer numerical control (CNC) are installed.

Due to the fact that the processing process is controlled by a computer, it is possible to reduce labor costs, since one operator can service about 5 machines. At the same time, labor productivity and the quality of finished products increase several times.

What operations does a milling machine perform?

Using milling equipment, you can perform a wide range of operations, which can be divided into groups based on their complexity:

The simplest work performed on milling machines is preparing the surface and cutting workpieces. Such work is extremely rarely performed on CNC machines; this is only possible if it is impossible to carry out this operation using other equipment;
giving the product its final shape. On CNC milling machines it is possible to obtain shapes of varying complexity from blanks;
applying notches, grooves and drilling;
polishing This type of work is the final one when processing wood or metal;
engraving. All kinds of drawings and inscriptions can be applied to different surfaces. CNC machines make it possible to produce very beautiful decorative products.

The capabilities of a CNC milling machine are not limited to performing any one of the above functions. Such equipment can be programmed to perform several sequential operations, representing a production cycle.

The topic has been moved from the closed part of the forum. As the practice of our communications has shown, many of us have a problem - a downtime of a CNC machine. There is a machine, there are models, but there are no sales. What is the problem? And it’s simple, it’s not the right marketing policy, but simply put, they haven’t found their buyer. I’ve had six years of experience in this field, not that much, but I’ve had plenty of firsts. So I decided to share it with people so that you don’t repeat the mistakes of others.
This means the option is that the machine costs money and does not generate income.
The only way out is to look for a client, there are at least three win-win options, I’ll tell you briefly about all of them, and then you’ll ask questions, if I can answer.
Option #1. SOUVENIR. Decide if there is a suitable, well-visited resort or museum or maybe a monastery near you. In short, a place where there is a large influx of tourists. The peculiarity of this option is that souvenirs do not have to be expensive, the average price is 3-5 euros. Stop there. Here's my example, near me there are such frequently visited places, Kanev, the grave of T.G. Shevchenko is visited by 2000 tourists daily during the season. Next is Shevchenkovo, the T.G. Shevchenko Museum, where he was born, during the season there are 500 tourists a day. And Uman, the Sofievka Dental Park, is one of the seven wonders of Europe, with 6,000 to 10,000 tourists every day. Everywhere there are several points where they sell souvenirs; go directly to the sellers and offer them a themed souvenir. I settled on Shevchenka, although I had to order the model three years ago and it cost me 200 euros. I made three sizes, small 100*80 mm - price 3.5 euros, medium 160*120 mm - 6.5 euros, and large 290*220 mm - 20 euros.
The material was waste from parquet production, only for larger ones I bought it separately, and I bought the waste at the price of firewood.
Painting is the cheapest, standard stain, simple primer and varnish.
I don’t remember the huge demand for 2007 and 2008, but here are the numbers for last year.
Small – 500 pcs., medium – 150 pcs., large – 50 pcs. This year only for March there are already 200 small, 50 medium and 15 large on order (essentially 2.5 weeks of work)
The income from these souvenirs is not big, but still, to maintain the pants, why not, especially if the machine is down, and if normal orders come in, then you can put it aside; they usually don’t give tight deadlines for souvenirs. Here is a photo of the products. Options No. 2 and No. 3 in the evening when I return from work.
Option #2. Furniture decor. Most people are already familiar with this, creating custom-made furniture decor for furniture companies. The option is no longer for additional income, but for permanent work. True, it is quite difficult to unwind it. A catalog of models will not help here; specific developments are needed for each kit. I’ll say right away, exclude large factories, as they say, don’t create competitors. A large factory will thank you, buy such a machine, hire a specialist and do the carving without you, you will simply waste time. Alas, I got burned by this, twice, apparently it didn’t teach me the first time. So don’t repeat my mistakes.
Look for small companies, they are fighting for a place in the sun, and your offer may be of interest to both of you. But you just have to try, usually several popular models are developed together, you do the carving and do the rest. Here companies can even take care of painting and sanding. The best option. I personally know 3-5 such clients, and the machine is loaded with regular work. The main thing is to convince furniture makers that with your carved decor, at relatively low costs, they will reach a new level of sales and quality, and will be able to sell exclusive items rather than consumer goods. But here everything depends on your ability to persuade. And of course, don’t get carried away by the price, keep in mind that in the market you can buy Chinese furniture decor at a very low price.
There is a minus in this option, now there is a crisis and furniture sales have fallen, according to data for Ukraine by 65%, there is naturally less work and you will earn less.
Another disadvantage is the constant workload and short deadlines; if you want to make a picture for yourself, you may not be able to do it in time due to turnover. That’s why I moved away from this, now I make decor only to suit my needs. And then there were overlays. We didn’t have time to do third-party orders for ourselves. Although sometimes companies call and simply beg to do something.
Hello Sasha, how is the work, the finished product, assessed? With or without painting?
We count the thread from a square decimeter - 1 dm2 - 4 ue (relief height 15 mm); 1dm2 - 5 ue (relief height 20 mm); 1dm2 - 6 ue (relief height 25 mm); 1dm2 - 8 ue (relief height 30 mm). Then it’s off to the quick. The price was based on the cost of 1 hour of machine operation - 10 cu. Since our workers did not carry out a clear canculation, it was just offhand.
Grinding is usually 0.25 - 0.5 ue 1 dm2. But we also look at the complexity of the terrain.
We add the price of the material separately, also depending on the area; if we make it from waste, we don’t even take it into account.
Painting was calculated from 1 m2, it all depends on the price of materials, usually it turns out to be from 10 to 30 euros. The approximate area to be painted in one layer is written on each can. From this we calculate the price.
Manual labor is a separate matter here, we look at the complexity.
This is only difficult at first glance, but then when you calculate the exact price for 5-6 products, you already determine the price offhand, adding 5-10% for an error.
Thank you
Do you use Seyrlac? Or others?
Is the price cheaper for furniture organizations?
" Or other?
Now it’s no longer there, there were problems with it both in application and in storage. He looks good though.
On painting later in a separate topic.
In my opinion, $5-10 per carving is not enough. According to my estimates, the cost of carving comes out to $16-30 per hour, the calculation was based on the operation of the machine for 16 hours for 2 years, taking into account the salary of one person, electricity, rent, taxes.
But regarding sanding the relief, can you find out who does it?
“ According to my estimates, the cost of the thread is $16-30
Yes, a manual one costs 10-15 euros. for 1dm2 a machine tool cannot cost 2 times more than a manual one. This time. Firstly, your miscalculation is off the charts. I don’t know about you, but in terms of electricity, my machine only pulls 3 kW. per hour it’s about 0.2 euros, my employee receives 2.5 euros per hour. My city is not big and this salary suits many people. Moreover, he doesn’t just stand next to the machine, he installed the program, started it and does other work. Rent does not take into account your premises; taxes are a separate issue here. But still, with all the calculations, he gets 4.5 ye. at one o'clock. The rest is earnings. If there is no work, you shouldn’t chase extra profits based on the fact that someone somewhere is selling at a higher price. You need to make sure that it is profitable for you.
“ In Pitra, Italian beech decor costs 3-4 times more.
For this I am aware that we have the same thing. And they make this ITALIAN decor at our factory in Zhitomer. They sculpt the label and go ahead. (I really don’t know how it is in St. Petersburg, but I can’t believe that our people don’t make money from this business). The information is verified, I even visited this factory in Zhitomir.
Besides, if you look up to the Italians, you won’t earn anything. If the machine costs money, you still pay taxes, rent, and salaries. In addition, you can negotiate with sellers of Italian decor; there are always options. The main thing is not to be lazy.
“ Can you be more specific about what kind of icons they are (even a sideways picture), how much they pay for this, who is the buyer?
I will talk about this in the third version.
Here is an archive with a text file and photos of icons that I prepared for samples. I sent it out in a personal message to those who were interested. There was no club then. I established a dialogue with one person, I think if they succeed in painting, I will split the order with them.
http://depositfiles.com/files/qlp0u46cl
Also for reference if the tool is made. I posted the drawing in the topic "taper cutter".
The machine makes 3 dm2 of threads with a depth of 15 mm per hour. 2.5 dm2 20mm deep. We rarely go deeper now. Here, of course, these are rough numbers and also depend on the terrain. But with difficult terrain, we throw it a little.
trewas
The Amers moved their production to China a long time ago, you think it’s for Moscow that the sum is off the charts, in my opinion the production shouldn’t be located there... trade, finance and everything, and labor force 100 km from Moscow is an order of magnitude cheaper, I would be quite arranged for $10 per dm2, excellent prices... let me cut it for you at a discount in Volgograd.... Just a joke, but there is some truth in every joke............... ....
“ Calculation for Moscow
Salary per hour 8ue? This is where the cost increases. We have 2.5 ye. So much for the difference.
But this is probably only for Moscow? And then prices should be lower.
Will we take into account transportation costs? The requirement per month is a unit of pieces, the serial quantity is no more than a dozen, delivery will cover the difference in the cost of the thread. China is beneficial in the case of thousands of copies, and both Chinese and Indonesian carvers have already calculated the possibilities.
There was a good offer from Riga at the exhibition, but customs, transport, and other expenses raised the price for 1 piece two to three times.
“ China is profitable in case of thousands of circulations
Just dropped in for a couple of minutes.
In Ukraine, Chinese carvings can be bought freely, the price is somewhere around 1-1.5 euros per dm2, one thing is that all their models are, well, you understand, Chinese motifs. There is nothing at all about normal decor, no more than 20 models. And the material is not clear, like beech or clear, but the structure is not theirs.
I have a catalog of such carvings from a company from Kiev that sells them, here is one page, if you’re interested, I’ll scan it later and post the rest, but later I already have a lot of tasks, I still need to start a topic with painting, I just can’t get around to it.
“ Will we take into account transportation costs?
I personally always negotiate delivery separately with the customer. Usually we reach an amicable agreement. Either they will pay for the fuel and operation of the car (we don’t push too hard), or they will pick it up themselves. There were no overlays. Our price is good, in 8 cases out of 10 they pick it up themselves. If delivery costs more than labor, we simply refuse.
I already wrote about this, look at the Velcom topic.
I found interesting and useful books -

If you have ever wondered “what can be done on a CNC milling machine,” then this article is for you. Today, interesting handmade goods are highly valued and in great demand.

Products for sale or for your own use can be made efficiently and quickly using.

As a result, you can get a variety of wood products:

decorative items;
furniture;
souvenirs and other products.

We also have an article on our website about, which may be useful in the production of this type of product. For this production, you only need certain equipment and some experience working with it.
And by the way, this is a pretty good way to make money. After all, such products are always in demand and have a high price.

Preparation of raw materials for products

Almost all solid materials can be used as raw materials:

wood (including plywood, fiberboard, chipboard, MDF);
various types of plastic (acrylic, PVC);
metals;
polycarbonates;
Styrofoam;
polystyrene and other materials that can be machined.

It is very popular now, as it is used to make fashionable interior details, household items and many other products for the home.

Wood is the most common raw material for processing on CNC machines.

The best option would be to use the following breeds:

Ash: has a lot in common with oak. However, the degree of resistance to deformation, viscosity, and impact resistance are higher for this type of wood. Ash wood is highly valued in furniture production, where it is equated to mahogany.
Pine: It is resinous, durable and hard, resistant to rotting and fungal attack, excellent for processing. Highly valued due to the small number of knots and slight change in diameter along the length of the trunk.
Larch: it is characterized by high strength, resistance to external influences, pleasant color and structure.

The choice of breed depends on the products. Particular attention should be paid to such characteristics of wood as moisture and strength. Because they greatly influence the quality of the finished product.

Advantages of working with a CNC milling machine

Milling cutters have a fairly large number of advantages, including:

the ability to produce a wide variety of products from materials that are completely different from each other (which cannot be processed in any other way);
precision and evenness of the cut, making the product neat and beautiful;
the ability to make the desired shape, depth and even shaped cuts;
work can be carried out on both vertical, horizontal and inclined surfaces;
high speed;
a wide variety of parts: flat, three-dimensional, and even 3D;
repeatability of a larger number of products, which is practically impossible with other processing methods;
the ability to cut, do rough calibration, mill grooves and other types of connections used in assembling the product.

Main products

Today there are a huge number of items that can be made using a CNC machine, such as:

Unique furniture made from various materials, including precious woods.
Souvenirs: various boxes, photo frames, figurines, etc.
Advertising products: beautiful massive letters, signs, etc.

Let's take a closer look at each of the proposed options.

Designer furniture. It surrounds us everywhere: bedrooms, kitchen, children's room. Modern furniture production is very thoughtful and has high precision.

Steps to create a product on a CNC machine:

Sketch development. For this item, there are a large number of programs that help virtually simulate the situation. To create a 3-dimensional layout of a drawing, use computer programs such as CAD. The prepared computer files will make it possible to produce a furniture product on a CNC milling machine.
Preparing the model for the machine. A ready-made sketch in 3D as a basis for the manufacture of any set of parts. To this sketch it is necessary to add a ray function (a vector that will be responsible for the direction of the cutter relative to the workpiece). There is also automatic model formation, which is quite convenient and will help save your time. Modern equipment simplifies the manufacturing process and transfers even the smallest and most difficult lines.
Selection of the type of cutting tools, setting the power and processing mode.
Loading files into the machine's memory, installing cutting tools, securing the workpiece and starting production. The CNC milling machine does further work independently according to an already specified program.
Final assembly. It will take a small amount of time, there is no need to adjust parts.

Souvenir products. These can be the following souvenirs: Its creation is a current type of activity today, in which the use of milling machines with numerical control is very popular. Such machines cope well with tasks such as the production of light boxes, stands, panels, curly inscriptions and outdoor advertising signs, as well as the preparation of structures for exhibitions.

A CNC machine helps to perform the following operations that are related to advertising products:

cutting wood, acrylic and other materials;
engraving/cutting of massive inscriptions;
creation of a logo, emblem;
production of signs, stands, etc.

To summarize, we can say that the number of products that can be made on a CNC milling machine is huge. All you need is equipment, a desire to work and a little experience.

CNC machines are modern devices that allow you to work with a large number of workpieces and process them at a fast pace. To work with such a machine you do not need to have any special education. Having minimal experience in this field allows you to effectively deal with such a device. In this article we will talk about how you can make money using a CNC machine.

Wood processing

CNC milling machines allow you to quickly and masterfully process wooden workpieces. This device allows you to create curved reliefs of traditional and non-traditional shapes. A good woodworking machine allows you to saw wooden blanks and create grooves and grooves on them.

Such devices are most often used:

At furniture manufacturing enterprises. Allows you to create quite original products from a variety of materials.
Development of various forms for other industries.
Making souvenirs and original household items, gifts.
Marketing area – production of logos, etc.

The broadest prospects for making money using CNC machines open up in the field of developing a wide variety of shapes and models. The specificity of these devices allows us to produce the necessary (even quite complex) part or shape with the least amount of time and money. At the same time, they do everything quickly and efficiently. The manufactured molds can be used to mass produce needed goods.

Metal processing

CNC milling machines for processing metal products are not much different from the same machines for processing wood. On the other hand, such devices have a wider scope of application, and their products are in great demand in the modern market. There are several ways to make money using these machines:

Create online ads on advertising resources. Write in detail there the products that you can produce, add to this ad the maximum number of photographs of your products. Pay special attention to highlighting the benefits of your job. If you indicate the price of your products, be sure to justify it. Specify the maximum volume of goods that you can produce in a certain period of time.
Collaborate with other workshops. Don't be shy about looking for allies. Among other masters you can find not only competitors, but also potential and regular customers. They will not only buy your products for their own production, but can also recommend them to their clients. In this case, the ability to show yourself and your products from the best side and describe all the benefits of possible cooperation plays an important role.
Try to specialize in a specific market segment. It is better to make one part that is in great demand than many parts with difficult sales. With each new completed order, you will improve the quality of your products and acquire more and more new customers. In this case, a correct analysis of the market and your potential place in it is of great importance.

Video: what can be done on a CNC machine?

Consider these recommendations before purchasing machines or before starting serious production. Try to get as much information as possible in your future area of work. Don’t be shy or afraid to ask for advice on specialized forums and from people who have already achieved some success in this field.

Having a production need for this. As for private individuals, they are guided by personal needs. When they are fully satisfied, a desire arises to start producing various products on a CNC machine. People are looking for business ideas and wondering what can be done on a CNC machine. If the issue is resolved, production and sales of products are established, the machine will earn money for its owner.

There are many ways to make money using a CNC machine: manufacturing decorative products from wood and metal, setting up furniture production, producing pattern equipment in foundries. There will be no end to the complete list.

All that remains is to create an insulated and soundproofed workroom, at least in a garage, purchase the necessary CNC machine and start working.

Her Majesty's furniture

It is made from valuable wood or MDF boards. This material is close in composition to natural wood, is easy to process and is inexpensive, it is more moisture-resistant and resistant to microorganisms. This is why CNC milling of MDF facades is in great demand.

They are easy to process, they can be cut and drilled, painted, laminated and veneered.

It is possible to make from an MDF panel:

linings for armored doors;
wall panels, with the help of which interior decoration is carried out;
acoustic system housings;
elements of cabinet furniture; countertops, wardrobes;
the finished product for furniture makers (small decor) is then covered with film on a vacuum press.

Wood decor and consumer goods

If you intend to produce decor from wooden blanks, you need to know that the wood must be well dried, having a humidity similar to the air humidity in the room where processing is planned. To do this, it must lie there for at least a week.

And only then you can use a milling machine to produce coffee tables with carved legs, decorative grilles for masking heating radiators, curtains, stools and candlesticks, original frames, massive wooden crosses, shelves and brackets, armchairs, stands for indoor plants, blinds made of wooden blocks, phone stands, under a frying pan for hot dishes or under cups.

And the wooden dishes themselves, made with love, can be presented as a gift. And it will be held in high esteem at home; children especially like wooden utensils.

A ready-made assortment of garden gazebos, doors, benches and tables, carved elements of internal staircases and artistic parquet will also be in demand.

Artworks are included in the price

Having made a small and modest craft using a CNC machine, many craftsmen are then ready to start collaborating with shops selling souvenirs and products that relate to arts and crafts. And this is a solid and stable income if sales markets are established.

Many craftsmen have a need to correctly evaluate a product. How much do you think you can get for a panel (carving) made from a wooden blank - the result of skillful milling, measuring 20x370x548 mm? Within 10 thousand rubles. And this is in the middle price range. And on a product 60x110, with much lower quality (the milling mark is visible), we will earn only 200-220 rubles.

For a creative person, the idea of making figurines and panels with flat or three-dimensional images (plywood, plastic, metal and even glass) on milling machines can be a reliable business.

Those who like to burn will use a pyroprinter or will work on engraving devices, creating unique images in accordance with the selected photo, making custom-made souvenirs. The duration of the technological process is 6 hours or more.

Typically, the material is within 10% of the price of the product; energy costs, film and varnish coatings, depreciation of the router and processing time are also taken into account.

For example, a good quality beech icon takes about 10 hours to cut, and after the machine is finished it takes 4-5 days. And the one who makes products of this kind knows its price.

CNC printed circuit boards

Craftsmen who have already made friends with the machine are happy to do it. And they sell well. Boards made privately (homemade) are cheaper. Moreover, the necessary functionality can be provided.

Their production is complex, multi-stage, and is tied to software control of technological processes.

The master must be the owner of a programmable milling machine or engraving devices. It is desirable to have machines for drilling holes on boards and capable of contour cutting the board.

Metal processing is always relevant

Having at their disposal equipment with an engraving attachment for metal, their owners know how to make money on CNC using such machines.

In the list of products:

metal plates and monograms;
parts for assembling a new machine or other devices;
laser engraving and cutting of soft metals, creation of volumetric reliefs on the metal surface using modern 3D milling machines;

Processing aluminum with a CNC router is one of the ideas that brings profit. High-precision parts are purchased by auto repair shops. Sometimes a craftsman uses a 4-axis machine to make rare spare parts that cost more than the price of the machine.
plasma cutting of metals on plasma cutters with numerical control.

Working with granite and marble is also a profitable business. The business will also benefit from a CNC stone machine that can process hard materials.

You can make great money by making bas-reliefs, granite or marble memorial monuments.

The main thing is that the cutters match the rock being processed. A lot of jewelry and souvenirs, distinguished by a large number of models, are made from stone (precious and ornamental) using engraving devices.

Perhaps people who have lost their jobs should try their hand at this area.

Instead of a conclusion

No one can give you a ready-made recipe for how to become rich. If you want to have a means of subsistence, do at least something! The one who made the first product will continue to trust his machine (for wood, metal or stone) and will expand the list of all kinds of useful things made on it.

We invite site visitors to share their experience of earnings (preferably in numerical terms) and talk about new types of products using numerical and program control equipment. There are many articles on forums dedicated to making money on CNC and selling products made on specialized sites.