The CNC Router is a key tool used at BSC Signs. Discover how a CNC Router works and how we use them to produce creative signs.

The CNC Router — An Essential Tool for Sign Makers

Ask professional sign makers which tool brings the greatest value to their projects, and they’d likely tell you it’s the CNC Router.

And for good reason! CNC Routers give sign designers the ability to create compelling signs that would be impossible to achieve using traditional techniques.

The CNC Router is a computer-controlled machine, and is mounted on a large router table. CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. It can move in three dimensions and automatically cuts out the parts needed for a sign.

You may have used a router before, either in woodworking class or in your own shop. A router has a cutting or shaping bit attached to a spindle. A motor drives the router at over 10,000 RPM. The operator manually guides the router to shape the edge of the material, or to cut a hole or slot. Traditional workworking routers are either handheld or mounted to a router table.  With their powerful motors, high rotational speeds, and sharp tools, routers are indispensable tools for woodworkers — and for sign makers too.

But for professional sign companies, traditional router techniques just aren’t fast and accurate enough. That’s why the CNC Router was developed.

BSC RouterTable

The CNC Router is precisely controlled by a computer program, under the watchful eye of a skilled CNC Operator. It gives sign makers the ability to create extremely accurate designs and letters in a variety of materials. It has led to entirely new styles of signs that just weren’t possible prior to its development!

A sign designer creates a new project on a computer workstation using specialized software. The design is then sent to the CNC Router operator, who uses the machine to create the different elements used in the sign’s design. For example, the design may require 3D letters to be cut from a sheet of clear acrylic.

Like any computer, the CNC Router only does what it is programmed for. It takes careful planning to efficiently create the parts for a sign project. Experienced CNC Operators avoid wasted time and materials by approaching the job with the right bits and cutting speeds.

Here’s a photo of some acrylic letters that were created on a CNC Router in our shop.

BSC Acrylic3DLetters3

CNC Router In Action at BSC Signs

In this video recorded at BSC Signs in Metro Denver, you can see our CNC Operator, Hector, cutting acrylic letters from half-inch material. You’ll notice that the letters appear reversed. The front of the letters are facing down. They are cut from the back of the sheet so that the front of the letters present the cleanest edges possible.

 

Examples of Signs Made With A CNC Router

Let’s take a look at how the CNC Router was used to create a Push Thru sign. The Station Cafe sign features acrylic 3D letters that were pushed through matching holes on a backing panel. Our fabricators used the CNC Router to create the letters and the panel. Creating a Push Thru sign requires very tight tolerances, which is only possible using the CNC Router. 

The letters were made just slightly smaller so they could be pushed through the holes in the panel. The final step was to assemble the sign, secure the letters, and add LED lighting behind each letter. This allows light from the LEDs to project through the acrylic letters, which creates a beautiful effect.

The-Station push-thru

Here’s a photo that shows the production of another Push Thru sign, with letters and panel made with the CNC Router.

Palladium-PushThrough

Our fabricators also use CNC Routers to create Channel Letter signs. These signs use individual 3D letters and shapes formed from sheet metal. They have translucent acrylic front faces, aluminum back covers, and internal LED lighting. The CNC Router is used to very accurately create the front faces and backs.

This photo shows a Channel Letter sign that we created for Amante Coffee. The large front faces were all cut from translucent acrylic using our CNC Router. The LED illuminated Channel Letter sign gives excellent visibility at night.  

BSC Amante A

This short time-lapse video recorded in our shop shows a CNC Router automatically cutting backs for a Channel Letter sign.

 CNC Routers Are Versatile

One of the strengths of CNC Routers is their ability to work with a wide variety of sign making materials. These include:

  • Acrylic
  • Sign-foam
  • Aluminum and other light metals
  • Hardwood
  • Plywood and wood composites
  • Lexan and other polycarbonate material

 

And in addition to being used to make 3D acrylic letters and parts for channel letter signs, CNC Routers have a wide variety of other uses in the sign shop. For example, with a V-groove router bit, flowing cursive text of varying depth and width can be cut into wood or metal. This kind of engraving can be done on a wide variety of materials, including glass.

We use two MultiCam CNC Routers in our sign shop. If you’re interested in seeing MultiCam machines being used with a variety of materials and applications, take a look at MultiCam’s YouTube channel.  Videos show their machines cutting and shaping a wide variety of materials. As you can see in the videos, CNC Routers have advanced tremendously since their invention over fifty years ago.

Benefits of CNC Routers

Now that you know how CNC Routers are used, you’ll have a better appreciation for their role in creating high end custom signs. CNC Routers benefit our customers in many ways: 

  • Precision fabrication allows the creation of high quality signs
  • Sign designs can be saved and repeated later
  • Can be used to create signs using a variety of materials
  • Reduces project costs by improving project efficiency and automation
  • Enables the sign designer’s creativity
  • Reduces waste
  • Allows faster fabrication and delivery of signs to customers

 

That’s our introduction to the CNC Router. We hope you have enjoyed discovering how these amazing tools contribute to the art of sign making!

Please take a look through our Sign Gallery to see some samples of our signs and to see if you can guess how CNC Routers were used in their fabrication. And if you’re interested in a general introduction to business signs, we’ve created a visual guide to the types of signs we make — many of them with the assistance of our CNC Routers.


BSC Signs is Denver’s premier full service sign company. We provide custom sign designs, in-house sign fabrication, and installation of every type of sign, large and small. We service all of Metro Denver and many other Colorado communities. We have installed signs from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne, and west to Aspen.

The BSC Signs crew is a friendly and talented team of designers, fabricators, and installers who take great pride in helping Colorado businesses with their sign needs.

Recommended Posts