Best for
Large sheets and soft materials
CNC-Bearbeitung
CNC Routing Services
Large-format CNC routing for sheet goods and soft materials — cutting, engraving, drilling, and shaping at speed.
CNC Routing Services use computer numerical control (CNC) routers with high-speed rotating bits to cut, engrave, drill, and shape materials. As a subtractive process, routing is especially strong on large-format panels and soft materials, and is a core method for woodworking, advertising signage, and furniture manufacturing.
What is CNC routing?
A CNC router is a high-speed spindle on a large table. It cuts, engraves, and drills sheet goods — acrylic, wood, foam, aluminum plate, and many composites — faster than a metal-cutting mill would on the same panel.
AIHFABS quotes routing for signs, furniture parts, enclosure blanks, and nested sheet jobs. Hardened steel and titanium still belong on a mill, not on a router.
CNC routing capabilities
Routing is built for area and speed, not for micron metal tolerances.
Typical accuracy
Medium precision (~±0.025 mm class)
Nesting yield
About 94%–97% with AI nesting
Lead time
From 2–4 business days
Not suitable
Hardened steel, titanium — use CNC milling
Routing materials
Sheet plastics, wood-based panels, foam, ACM, and light aluminum plate.
Solid Hardwood
Oak, walnut, beech, and similar mill stock
MDF
Medium-density fiberboard
Plywood / Baltic Birch
Multi-ply structural sheet
Clear Acrylic (PMMA)
Transparent CNC sheet and block
Colored / Frosted Acrylic
Opaque, tinted, and matte PMMA sheet
POM (Delrin / Acetal)
Engineering plastic for CNC
Polycarbonate (PC)
Impact-resistant engineering sheet
Routing surface finishes
Edges can be left as-cut, flame-polished on acrylic, or painted after sanding.
As routed
Cutter texture on the edge. Fine for hidden furniture parts and internal panels.
Edge polish / sand
Acrylic edges can be polished; wood and MDF are sanded before paint or laminate.
Paint or laminate
Color, vinyl, or laminate applied after the nest is broken out of the sheet.
How routing compares on AIHFABS
Use routing for large soft sheets. Use milling when the metal is thick or the tolerance is tight.
| Verfahren | Lieferzeit | Toleranz | Preis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNC Machining ServicesMetals & plastics | From 1–5 business days depending on complexity and finish | ±0.05 mm standard; tighter on request with drawing callouts | Instant quote · typical prototype from $45 |
| CNC Milling ServicesMetals & plastics | Simple 1–3 days; complex 3–7 days; batch 5–15 days | ±0.01 mm standard; ±0.005 mm high precision | Instant quote · typical prototype from $40 |
| CNC Turning ServicesMetals & plastics | Simple 1–3 days; complex 7–10 days | ±0.01 mm standard; ±0.001–0.002 mm high precision | Instant quote · typical prototype from $35 |
| CNC Routing ServicesPlastics & composites | From 2–4 business days | Medium precision (~±0.025 mm class) | Instant quote · typical panel job from $30 |
| 5-Axis CNC MachiningMetals & plastics | From 3–7 business days depending on complexity | ±0.02–0.05 mm on critical features when specified | Instant quote · typical prototype from $80 |
| Precision Machining ServicesMetals & plastics | From 3–8 business days (complexity dependent) | ±0.005–0.01 mm; Ra 0.4–1.6 μm; CPK ≥ 1.33 | Instant quote · quoted to drawing / inspection grade |
| Large Part CNC MachiningMetals & plastics | Quoted per project (fixturing and logistics driven) | Around ±0.025 mm on critical features; large spans project-dependent | Project quote · fixturing and logistics driven |
| Swiss CNC MachiningMetals & plastics | From 3–7 business days; faster on repeat batches | ±0.005 mm standard; down to ±0.0025 mm when specified | Instant quote · most economical in batch runs |
How we run routing jobs
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1
Step 1
Prepare 2D vectors (DXF/DWG/SVG) or 3D models (STL/STEP).
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2
Step 2
Upload for quote — typically within 12–24 hours.
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3
Step 3
CAM programming sets toolpaths, feeds, and depths.
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4
Step 4
Clamp, set tools, machine, then post-process and inspect.
Vectors (DXF/DWG) or solids are nested for yield. Kerf, grain, and tab strategy are set before the sheet is clamped.
First-off profiles are checked against the nest. Cosmetic faces should be marked so the show side stays up.
Advantages and Trade-offs
Advantages
- Advertising signage: acrylic cutting and 3D letter production
- Furniture & cabinetry: MDF / solid-wood panel carving
- Electronics enclosures: aluminum and plastic shell milling
- PCB prototyping: circuit-board engraving and drilling
Trade-offs
- Accuracy is in the ±0.025 mm class — not a substitute for precision milling.
- Hardened metals and titanium will damage router tooling; send those to a mill.
- Very small, thick metal details still need a machining center.
Design guidelines for routing
Design for the cutter diameter and the sheet, not for a 3-axis metal mill.
| Feature | Recommended practice |
|---|---|
| Kerf | Leave room for tool diameter on tight nests and mating profiles. |
| Tabs | Add tabs or onion skins if parts must stay in the sheet during cutting. |
| Grain / fiber | Mark wood grain or composite fiber direction on the drawing. |
| Inside corners | Inside corners will have the bit radius unless you add a dog-bone or T-bone. |
Other CNC processes
CNC Machining Services
CNC machining removes material from solid stock with computer-controlled mills, lathes, and multi-axis centers.
Prozessdetails
CNC Milling Services
CNC Milling Services use computer numerical control (CNC) mills to cut workpieces with rotating tools according to programmed toolpaths.
Prozessdetails
CNC Turning Services
CNC Turning Services use computer numerical control lathes to remove material while the workpiece rotates at high speed and the cutting tool feeds along a set path.
ProzessdetailsCNC routing FAQ
What files work best for routing?
Clean 2D vectors (DXF, DWG, SVG) or a simple solid. Tell us material thickness and which face is cosmetic.
Can you cut aluminum on a router?
Light plate and ACM, yes. Thick structural aluminum or steel should go to CNC milling.
How accurate is routing?
Plan around a medium-precision class of about ±0.025 mm. Tighter hole patterns belong on a mill.
Do you nest my parts?
Yes. Nesting typically recovers about 94–97% of the sheet when the profiles allow it.
Typical lead time?
Many panel jobs leave in 2–4 business days once material is on the table.
CNC Routing Services — engineering review before production
Use these process-specific checks when preparing your model, drawing and quote request. The confirmed quotation and approved drawing define the requirements for your part.
Sheet stability and holding area
Routing sheet-based parts depends on flat support and secure workholding. Identify stock thickness and material orientation for wood or layered products. Thin webs and small cutouts can lose support during cutting; tabs or a planned cutting sequence may be needed.
Edges, holes and panel assembly
Tool diameter limits internal corners. Specify edge quality, visible faces, hole locations and any countersinks or inserts. For large panels, confirm the datum edge and assembly clearances rather than relying only on nominal outside dimensions.
Acceptance checklist
Confirm material, thickness, flatness expectations, edge treatment and which face is cosmetic. Discuss protective packaging and how the panel will be measured and supported during inspection.
Ähnliche 3D-gedruckte oder CNC-Teile benötigt?
AIHFABS kalkuliert kundenspezifischen 3D-Druck und CNC aus einem CAD-Upload. Vergleichen Sie SLA, SLS, MJF, SLM, FDM, DLP, Fräsen und Drehen und fügen Sie Dampfglätten, Färben, Eloxieren, Polieren oder Pulverbeschichten derselben Bestellung hinzu.
Sofortangebot
Sofortangebote eignen sich für Prototypen, Vorrichtungen, Gehäuse und Kleinserien. Werkstoff, Verfahren, Menge und Lieferzeit stehen zusammen.
Mehrere Verfahren
Werkstoff, Verfahren, Menge und Lieferzeit stehen zusammen, damit Konstruktionsänderungen keine neue Lieferantenrunde auslösen.
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Dateien hochladen
STL, STEP und gängige CAD-Formate für ein Online-Angebot hochladen.
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Optionen vergleichen
3D-Drucktechnologien und CNC am gleichen Teil vergleichen.
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Werkstoff & Finish
Polymere oder Metalle wählen und bei Bedarf 3D-Plus-Hardware-Finish hinzufügen.
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Auftrag bestätigen
Preis und Lieferzeit vor dem Checkout prüfen oder ein manuelles Angebot anfordern.
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