“Also notable are the new No-Lift tool pathing to save time between passes while routing and new vectorisation options like colour and centreline vectorisation, which make it easier to turn images into contours. We’ve also added the setup manager tool, which allows you to fully customise your EnRoute interface so that all tools are exactly where you need them to be for your workflow.” Meyer also adds: “Support and training are important but often overlooked considerations when selecting your CNC software. EnRoute subscription plans include ongoing technical support via phone or email. SAi also offers a variety of training options so you can get the most from your software.” Higher Speeds and Quality Elsewhere and as its name may suggest, LKH Tools offers CNC machine and routing tools as well as consultancy, software, and training. Liam Hodson, tooling and machine consultant, explains price can often lead to sign-makers facing a battle of inconsistency in this market. “There is a temptation to purely purchase a routing tool on cost without looking or seeing the hidden benefits that the higher quality routing tool will give them,” Hodson says, adding: “The cheaper option may seem to give them a better return on paper but when you add the cost of re-cutting parts or re-working the cut edge, the perceived benefit is soon lost and inevitably costs more. “LKH Tools is a UK distributor for Crown Norge tools manufactured in Switzerland. Using high quality European grade carbide and manufactured on the latest grinding machines, the high consistency and quality is maintained so that each tool meets the same high standards required. “For the customer, they have the security that each tool will cut the material correctly, cleanly, and efficiently. Higher cut speeds, vastly improved quality of cut, tool life, and removing the need for any additional finishing are to be expected when using these tools.” Hodson goes on to say that using one tool to cut all materials with different thicknesses is often the reason why the cut quality is poor and tools do not last as long as they should. To combat this, LKH offers a programme of tools that are designed for each material type. In addition to this, they are also matched in length to the common material thickness. “Using a very long tool on thin material will create tool chatter and vibration which inevitably produces a poor result and damages the tool,” Hodson explains, adding: “A higher quality tool will not only cut better but will be kinder to the machine. “Routing spindles will struggle to cut materials with a worn, damaged, or poorly ground tool. In some cases, a low-quality routing tool will also not be correctly balanced and can lead to spindle damage or failure when used over a prolonged period of time.” In recent years, LKH has introduced coated tools for dry routing aluminium that eliminates the need for coolant or oil. Hodson says the MP Superior and MP DLC coated range reduces the heat build-up and friction when routing aluminium. As a result, he says cutting speeds and quality are significantly increased and customers can swap between material types, without the need to clean down the machine between cuts. In addition to this, LKH introduced Gen2 acrylic tools for cutting and polishing clear acrylic, offering the ability to cut up to 10mm thick acrylic in one pass, without the need for a finishing cut has changed many sign-makers’ production. “By removing the need for any further hand finishing or flame polishing in most cases, it simplifies what would have been normally a labour-intensive process,” Hodson says. He concludes: “Router tooling has had significant advancement in design and coatings in recent years giving the sign-maker a much wider choice of materials to use on the CNC router. These include harder wearing and historically, more difficult to cut materials such as high-pressure laminates and fire-resistant materials. “Our range of tools such as the MP Superior coated tools allows for these to be routed as cost effectively as plastics and woods for example. The more typical materials such as plastics, PVC, ACM, woods, aluminium, and other non-ferrous metals can be processed faster and with a better cut edge than in comparison to lower quality tooling.” The benefits of working with CNC equipment and software are clear to see, as are the reasons to upgrade this kit and ensure you are taking advantage of the latest tech in the market. Only with new investment and upgrades can you ensure the highest levels of accuracy and performance. ▲ LKH’s new Gen2 acrylic tools for cutting and polishing clear acrylic offer the ability to cut up to 10mm thick acrylic in one pass ► LKH says its MP Superior and MP DLC coated range reduces the heat build-up and friction when routing aluminium SAi’s subscription model means upgrades are no longer necessary as customers have access to the latest released version and the support that goes along with it Factoid BACK TO BASICS / CNC ROUTERS AND SOFTWARE 47 Issue 247 - June / July 2023 email: news@signlink.co.uk
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