Desktop Manufacturing CNC Trends   at this time...

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MKS DLC32
Desktop Lasers
Cardboard
3d Printers ABS
Work Flows

There have been significant changes in the world of CNC machining in recent times. Prices are wonderfully reasonable for those that wish to take on a new hobby or vocation. Affordable laser and plasma technologies are particularly interesting. Desktop CNC routing is also quite reasonable to get into but is quite a bit more involved to become versed in the basics and to  keep running. Items manufactured on a CNC router  do however command a premium price. Items manufacture on CNC lasers lend themselves to higher throughput plus materials are often available that can be up-cycled into marketable items. To create parts of high mechanical value with a laser can be quite expensive. If you wish to cut out metal parts the more cost effective way to go is with a plasma cutter.

3D printing... Additive manufacturing has become quite inexpensive also. There are practical applications and one can babricate a host of interesting products. There are most rewarding areas are in the photographic and replacement parts disciplines. We suggest an ABS capable enclosed printer for those that wish to make functional parts that can withstand the out of doors.


Technology
Machine Cost
Learning Curve
Value of Products Produced
Materials
Products
Maintenance
Pros
Cons
Notes
Laser CNC
$300 and up
weeks
$10 to $50  >>> $100 depends largely on item cut or engraved
Paper Wood Glass Stone Metal
Materials

Advertising items, personlization, items of plywood. Mostly Etched Items.
Low

Smoke

Portable Unit
Plasma CNC
$1500 and up
weeks
$50 to $100
Metals
Functional Items. Barbecue, Wall art, Parts for various applications.
Moderate
Consumables
Higher Commercial Value Products.


Router CNC
$500 and up
Weeks to Months
$45 to $200
Metals Woods Acrylics
PCBs
Can be equiped with laser head however not as fast.
Signs Speaker Enclosures Frame parts of Aluminum.

Regular need for Consumables

Noisy
Lots of waste.
1419
3D Printer
$179
weeks
$12 to $25
Plastics
Composites
Novelty and Replacement Parts

Ideal for proof of concept.
Large items can fail.
No readily available materials.

CNC mill
$4500 to $10s of thousands.
Months for basics. Years to become a virtuoso. 
$75 to thousands

High Precision functional parts.



Ideally should have DRO
Digital Read Out
CNC Lathe