Nesting CNCs are the most popular set up for custom cabinetry workshops, allowing cutting and machining of the parts in a single operation. However, the machining is done from above so some popular CNC fittings aren’t suitable.
Utilising our experience and knowledge in the industry, the following article focuses on three specific CNC hardware examples that work really well with 3-axis nesting machines.
They are used by many of our customers and are all fully configured and ready to use in our PolyBoard cabinet software.
PEANUT 1 – Intelligent Fixings
The first example available in PolyBoard’s Quick Design libraries is the PEANUT 1 fitting by Intelligent Fixings.
The PEANUT requires only one machining process on face components making it compatible with 3-axis nesting machines, is self clamping, quick to assemble, and is able to be reassembled many times.
Three toolings are required; 5mm and 25mm drill bits and the PEANUT cutter. The 5mm and 25mm drill bits create the slot for this CNC fitting to be inserted, and the PEANUT cutter creates the trench for the fitting to connect to a perpendicular part.
The fitting can be added to your preferred manufacturing method in PolyBoard and automatically applied to your projects. Here’s a screenshot of the PEANUT in PolyBoard’s libraries.
It integrates through from PolyBoard, our furniture design software, to any CAM software for manufacture, the below example using VCarve Pro. The highlighted areas show the drillings for the PEANUT 1 CNC fitting.
Slots for the fitting are machined on the CNC machine, and then the parts are assembled into units. The PEANUT 1 improves manufacturing efficiency and creates flatpack opportunities because of the simplicity of the assembly.
Cabineo – Lamello
Another example of CNC machine hardware is the Cabineo by Lamello. The Cabineo is suitable for all nesting machines as it only requires face machining. The Lamello is fitted to a panel with three 15mm holes and is screwed into a 5mm hole on a perpendicular face.
It can be used to join timber materials, as well as fixing to steel, aluminium and compact laminate. Another nice feature is that it can be machined flush with the material surface if needed to run panels/countertops over the Cabineo.
The Cabineo is another CNC hardware fully configured within PolyBoard’s Quick Design libraries as seen below.
Again, the Cabineo fitting integrates from PolyBoard into any CAM software for manufacture. See below the output of the highlighted 3 x 15mm holes and the 5mm holes using VCarve.
Once the fitting has been machined into the component parts, a mallet can be used to insert the Cabineo into the 15mm holes.
The Cabineo panel solution is able to be stacked flat for storage and transportation, and then using a drill and the Cabineo hex bit, the Cabineo fitting can be utilised to efficiently assemble the components of a cabinet.
This completes a very efficient workflow, the Cabineo seamlessly fits into the process of using PolyBoard to create CNC hardware with any 3-axis machine.
Rafix-20 – Häfele
Another example is the Rafix by Häfele. The Rafix is suitable for nesting machines as it only requires face machining. The Rafix-20 fitting is applied to a panel with a single 20mm drill and a 5mm hole on a perpendicular face for the connecting bolt (connecting bolts and Rafix fittings range in size).
The fitting can be used to join timber materials to quickly assemble cabinets and components. It can be pre-installed into position, allowing components to be stacked flat/wrapped for transportation to site or delivery to a customer.
The Rafix is shown below added to this PolyBoard test cabinet.
See below the output of the highlighted 20mm hole for the Rafix fitting, and the 5mm hole for the connecting bolt using VCarve.
Once the fitting is machined into components, the fitting can be installed and is ready to complete the assembly of cabinet components.
All CNC router hardware showcased in this article can be integrated into 3-axis nested CNC production to support an efficient design to manufacturing workflow.
Please contact us for more information and to arrange a demonstration of PolyBoard with a member of our technical team.
You can also click here to download and test PolyBoard.
