Desktop Manufacturing
Overview
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Easiest Path for at home business is CNC LED Laser. Materials that
can be worked are diverse. Glass, Stone, Wood, Metal, Colored
Plastics...
Functional items can be made from wood. A host of items can be etched or engraved. Entry level is in the $300 plus range.
These machines can be used to up-cycle a lot of surplus or scavenged materials.
Many of the skills learned on a CNC laser can be migrated to operating a CNC plasma or CNC router machine.
These machines demand vigilance to operate safely and avoid fire and hazardous fume consequences.
CNC Plasma allows for the MFG. of many functional parts. Entry level is in the $2000 plus range.
There are now plasma torches that have pilot arc available for under $200 which can be adapted to CNC routers.
Whether these machines are electronically noiseless enough needs to be carefully researched before purchase.
3D printing has a bit of a learning curve and the use of engineering grade materials (abs, nylon, carbon nano fiber... )
demands the unctions of a better machine than most entry level machines provide as delivered.
CNC router can produce many functional parts but has a rather formidable
learning curve. Entry level is in the $400 range for a machine
that can
get one acquainted but to deliver marketable products in thicker materials one can expect to pay in $1000 plus range.
Tooling can be pricey