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CNC Routing Service
Are you looking for a way to make exact cuts in many types of materials? A CNC routing service might be just what you need! This guide will help you understand what CNC routing is, what it can do, and why it might be perfect for your next project.
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20+ Years
Istar Machining's years in the industry
300,000 square feet
The size of Istar Machining's factory
856 CNC machines
Our CNC equipment count
2000+ skilled workers
Istar's number of skilled machinists/operators
What is CNC Routing?
CNC routing is a way to cut materials using a computer-controlled machine. The letters “CNC” stand for Computer Numerical Control. This means a computer tells the cutting tool exactly where to go, making very precise cuts every time.
CNC routing is like having a super-smart robot that can cut almost any shape you can draw on a computer. It’s used to make all kinds of things, from signs to furniture to airplane parts!
What CNC Routers Can Do
These amazing machines can do many different tasks:
- Cut out shapes– Make any 2D shape you can draw
- Carve 3D forms– Create depth and texture in your material
- Drill holes– Make perfectly placed holes for screws or other parts
- Create smooth edges– Make rounded corners and finished edges
- Make patterns– Cut the same shape many times exactly the same way
For instance, if you’re making 3D wood CNC projects, the machine can carve beautiful 3D designs that would be very hard to make by hand.
How Precise is CNC Routing?
CNC routing is very exact. Let’s look at the numbers:
Precision Level | Measurement | What It’s Good For |
Standard | ±0.005″ | Most regular projects |
High-Precision | Even tighter tolerances | Aerospace and medical parts |
This means when you ask for a part that’s 5 inches long, it will be 5 inches long – not 5.05 or 4.95 inches. This is very important when parts need to fit together perfectly!
Materials and Their Best Uses
Our versatile CNC routing capabilities allow us to precisely cut a wide variety of materials to meet your specific project needs. Whether for prototypes, production runs, signage, or custom parts, we have the expertise to deliver high-quality results. Here’s a look at the materials we commonly work with:
Woods & Soft Metals
Solid Wood
Plywood
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
Aluminum
Brass
Solid Wood
(Common Types: Oak, Maple, Walnut, Pine, Poplar)
- Description: Natural wood offering unique grain patterns and strength characteristics depending on the species (Hardwoods vs. Softwoods).
- Good for: Furniture components, custom carvings, signage, decorative items, prototypes.
- Key Advantages: Aesthetic appeal, natural beauty, good structural properties (species-dependent), takes finishes well.
Plywood
(Common Grades: Baltic Birch, Marine Grade, Hardwood Plywood)
- Description: Engineered wood sheet made from thin layers (plies) of wood veneer glued together. Offers good dimensional stability and strength-to-weight ratio.
- Good for: Cabinetry, jigs and fixtures, structural components, substrate for veneers, general construction.
- Key Advantages: Stronger and more stable than solid wood of similar thickness, available in large sheets, relatively cost-effective.
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
- Description: Engineered wood product made from wood fibers bonded with resin under heat and pressure. Very uniform density and smooth surface.
- Good for: Cabinet doors, paint-grade projects, jigs, templates, display panels, speaker boxes.
- Key Advantages: Smooth, easily machinable surface ideal for painting, dimensionally stable, no grain pattern, cost-effective. Note: Creates fine dust.
Aluminum
(Common Grades: 6061, 5052, 3003)
- Description: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Very machinable via routing.
- Good for: Sign letters, machine parts, enclosures, jigs, fixtures, heat sinks, decorative panels, prototypes.
- Key Advantages: Excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistant, easily machined, recyclable, good appearance.
Brass
- Description: Alloy of copper and zinc, known for its acoustic properties, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Heavier than aluminum.
- Good for: Decorative parts, plaques, signage, musical instrument components, low-friction applications.
- Key Advantages: Good machinability, corrosion resistant, attractive gold-like appearance, polishes well.
Plastics
Acrylic
Polycarbonate
PVC Foam Board
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Acetal
Acrylic
(Common Brands: Plexiglas, Lucite; PMMA)
- Description: Rigid thermoplastic known for its optical clarity, weather resistance, and wide range of colors. Can be brittle compared to other plastics.
- Good for: Signage, displays, light panels, protective barriers, artistic applications, enclosures.
- Key Advantages: Excellent clarity, easily polished, good UV resistance, available in many colors and thicknesses.
Polycarbonate
(Common Brands: Lexan, Makrolon; PC)
- Description: Extremely durable and impact-resistant thermoplastic, offering high clarity (though less than acrylic). Very tough.
- Good for: Machine guards, safety glazing, high-impact displays, protective shields, visors.
- Key Advantages: Superior impact strength (“bulletproof” grades exist), good temperature resistance, strong and durable.
PVC Foam Board
(Common Brands: Sintra, Komatex, Celtec)
- Description: Lightweight yet rigid expanded PVC sheet. Easy to machine, fabricate, and print on.
- Good for: Signage, point-of-purchase displays, exhibition stands, photo mounting, modeling.
- Key Advantages: Lightweight, good rigidity, easy to cut and print, good moisture resistance, cost-effective for display applications.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
- Description: Strong, versatile thermoplastic with excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption. Waxy feel, low friction.
- Good for: Cutting boards, wear strips, tank linings, jigs, marine applications (King StarBoard is a popular HDPE variant).
- Key Advantages: Durable, abrasion and chemical resistant, FDA compliant grades available, easy to machine, cost-effective.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
- Description: Tough, rigid thermoplastic with good impact strength and dimensional stability. Easy to machine and thermoform.
- Good for: Enclosures, prototypes, automotive trim components, luggage shells, modeling.
- Key Advantages: Good balance of toughness, rigidity, and impact resistance; easily machinable; takes paint and glue well.
Acetal
(Common Brands: Delrin, Celcon; POM)
- Description: High-strength, low-friction engineering thermoplastic with excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability.
- Good for: Gears, bearings, bushings, jigs, fixtures, high-performance parts requiring low friction.
- Key Advantages: High stiffness and strength, excellent machinability, low friction, good wear and chemical resistance.
Foams & Composites
HDU (High-Density Urethane) / Sign Foam
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) / Styrofoam
XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)
ACM (Aluminum Composite Material)
Phenolics / Garolite
HDU (High-Density Urethane) / Sign Foam
(Common Brands: SignFoam, Precision Board)
- Description: Rigid, closed-cell foam specifically designed for carving and machining. Offers a smooth finish and good dimensional stability. Waterproof.
- Good for: Dimensional signage, 3D carving, model making, props, tooling patterns.
- Key Advantages: Excellent machinability, creates fine detail, waterproof, stable, takes paint well, lighter than wood.
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) / Styrofoam
- Description: Lightweight, rigid foam composed of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. Available in various densities.
- Good for: Large-scale models, props, architectural shapes, void fill, basic insulation forms.
- Key Advantages: Extremely lightweight, low cost, easy to shape (though can be messy).
XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)
(Common Brands: Foamular)
- Description: Rigid foam insulation board with a closed-cell structure, typically smoother and denser than EPS. Often comes in specific colors (e.g., pink, blue).
- Good for: Architectural models, terrain models, insulation prototypes, simple forms.
- Key Advantages: Lightweight, relatively smooth surface, better moisture resistance and compressive strength than EPS, easy to cut.
ACM (Aluminum Composite Material)
(Common Brands: Dibond, Alupanel, ePanel)
- Description: Sandwich panel consisting of two thin aluminum sheets bonded to a non-aluminum core (often polyethylene or fire-rated mineral core).
- Good for: Signage, displays, architectural cladding, exhibition stands, mounting boards.
- Key Advantages: Lightweight yet rigid, flat surface, excellent for printing and mounting, weather resistant, modern aesthetic.
Phenolics / Garolite
(Grades: G10, FR4, LE)
- Description: Hard, dense material made by applying heat and pressure to layers of paper, cotton, or glass cloth impregnated with synthetic resin.
- Good for: Electrical insulation, jigs, fixtures, wear parts, tooling boards (depending on grade).
- Key Advantages: High strength and rigidity, excellent dimensional stability, good electrical insulating properties (G10/FR4), wear resistance (LE). Note: Can be abrasive on tooling.
CNC Products Produced by Istar Machining
Industries That Use CNC Routing
CNC routing helps many different types of businesses:
Aerospace
Aerospace companies need lightweight aluminum components that are super precise. These parts must be exactly right because they go into planes and spaceships where safety is critical.
Automotive
Car makers use CNC routing for prototypes and molds. They need to test new designs quickly, and CNC routing lets them make parts fast.
Signage & Retail
Stores and businesses need eye-catching signs that look professional. CNC routing can cut logos and letters perfectly every time.
Furniture Making
Furniture makers use CNC routing for cabinet doors and decorative parts. This helps them make beautiful furniture that fits together perfectly.
Architecture
Architects use CNC routing to make models of buildings and special panels for walls and ceilings.
The CNC Routing Process
Here’s how the CNC routing process works from start to finish:
Design Phase
First, you create your design on a computer using CAD software
File Preparation
The design gets turned into instructions the machine can understand
Material Selection
You choose the right material for your project
Machine Setup
The CNC operator sets up the machine with the right tools
Cutting Process
The machine follows the instructions to cut your design
Finishing
After cutting, the parts might need sanding or other finishing
Benefits of Using CNC Routing Services
There are many good reasons to use CNC routing services:
- Saves Time: Machines work faster than humans for most cutting jobs
- Reduces Waste: Careful planning means less material gets thrown away
- Consistent Results: Every piece comes out the same
- Complex Designs: Make shapes that would be hard or impossible to cut by hand
- Cost-Effective: For many projects, it’s cheaper than other methods
Popular Types of CNC Routing Services
There are several kinds of CNC routing available:
How to Choose a CNC Routing Service
When picking a service, look for these things:
- Experience: Companies with more experience usually do better work
- Equipment: Newer machines often make better parts
- Materials: Make sure they work with the material you need
- Reviews: Check what other customers say about their work
- Communication: Good companies will answer your questions clearly
- Samples: Ask to see examples of their past work
Conclusion
CNC routing is an amazing technology that can help bring your ideas to life. Whether you need parts for a business, a hobby project, or something completely new, CNC routing offers precision, versatility, and value.
Ready to start your CNC routing project? Contact a professional service today to discuss your needs and get your ideas moving from the computer screen to reality!
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Frequently Asked Question
Most services accept common file types like DXF, DWG, and STL files. These are standard in design software.
Standard machines can handle sheets up to 48″ x 96″, which is the size of a standard sheet of plywood. Larger machines exist for bigger projects.
Simple projects might be done in 24-72 hours. More complex jobs take longer. Many shops offer rush services if you need parts quickly.
The cost depends on your project’s complexity, material, and size. For many projects, CNC routing is very cost-effective because it’s fast and wastes less material.
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