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