A Little Bit About Biesse
Founded in 1969, Biesse Group has become known as an excellent machinery producer throughout the world. It is organized into four different divisions: wood, glass and stone, plastic, and mechanical/electronic.
Biesse designs machinery and equipment from large woodworking operations and other machining centers to smaller businesses while maintaing a high quality and technologically advanced product for each area. The company also operates and markets through its 30 subsidiaries around the globe while continuing its research and development of new machinery and equipment.
What is a CNC?
A CNC is a machine that uses computer software and controls to drive a mechanical cutting system. They can cut in three different axes – x, y, and z – simultaneously, allowing for better accuracy and precision than we, as humans could ever accomplish. CNC routers cut a variety of materials ranging from metals and plastics to foam and wood.
Basic Parts of a CNC
- The Control System and Computer are the brains of the machine. They tell the moving and cutting parts where to go, what to do, and when to do it.
- The spindle is what cuts the material, and it works just like a standard wood router. The spindle on the Rover 22 can spin up to 24,000 rpm. The bed is what supports the materials that need to be cut.
- There are two commonly used types of beds on a CNC router – a T slot which utilizes an insert in an MDF table where clamps aid in holding the materials being cut, and the vacuum table where a spoil board and work piece are held to the table utilizing a vacuum pump.
- The Linear Drive System is what moves the spindle. Each axis operates with its own, separate linear drive system.
The Role of our Rover 22 at D.P. Juza Woods & Fixtures
In our day to day operations, we utilize our Biesse for machining custom pieces that need special milling or routing and we use it primarily in conjunction with our flat table Shopsabre CNC. When the Shopsabre cannot perform a necessary function, we then finish the routing/milling process on the Biesse – running parts one at a time.
You could say the operating system for this machine almost speaks another language. The operator must practice it and study it day in and day out before he can understand what it is asking. To effectively and efficiently operate such a machine, the operator also has to know a lot about the machine itself and the parts that are being run. Because of the depth of knowledge and skill required, only one of our craftsmen operates the Biesse.
Our Biesse is what we call a point to point router. It connects two routers directly without any networking device in between. Unlike our Shopsabre CNC which uses a flat table and vacuum system, our Biesse uses a pods and rails system.
Each support bar contains three pods. Each contains three individual pods that can be moved as necessary to ensure a secure hold for any material that needs to be cut. This type of system gives us the ability to use aggragates and side boring.
This machine can cut materials up to 122″ long, 50″ wide, and 6″ thick. It incorporates a total of 15 vertical spindles, 6 horizontal spindles (aggragates), a groove saw, and a variable spindle speed of up to 4,000 rpm. There is one vertically mounted HSD router within the machine that is driven up to 24,000 rpm with a matching maximum torque. The tool changer on the Rover 22 is situated in a “ride along” position so the machine can change tools quickly, allowing for faster transitions and less mill time for the materials being run. Not only does the Biesse allow us to create extremely customized products, but it does so in a manner that is both time and cost efficient to us and to our clients.
Do you have an idea in mind for a custom piece of your own? We look forward to partnering with clients who share our love for design. Contact Us