Re: Re Router / Mill

Naw, plenty of big fixed table moving gantry MILLS out there... I
presume because at some point as part size increases, the part (think
automotive roof panel die) and a large table have more mass to
accelerate than a gantry made of (light by comparison) large box
sections. Particularly in the 5-axis arena. Lots of fixed bridge, X-
only moving table MILLS also. On the other hand, a large proportion
of commercial ROUTERS are fixed bridge, X-only moving table also
(some having two X-only moving tables that can run in sync or
seperately). I presume because a sheet of plywood and the moving
table to support it can be relatively light.

What moves and what is stationary is probably not the distinction
(although I guess a moving X-Y table router is rare) I think the
distintion is mainly in rigidity... if it's rigid enough mill steel
or solid aluminum, no doubt it's a mill. If it is only rigid enough
to cut wood, foam, clay, composites, aluminum sheet, or to contour
aluminum honeycomb, it's a router. And of course there are always
exceptions to any catagorization :0

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "C.S. Mo" <cs@v...> wrote:
> I always thought the difference between a router and a mill was
that in a
> router, the part is fixed and the head moves, whereas on a mill,
the head
> is fixed (exceptions for Z!) and the part moves...
>
> --C.S.
>
> >Thanks for all your interesting replies - I thought long about
> >my question. prior to posting and came to the conclusion that
> >the answer may be a little tricky !!
> >
> >Thanks all
> >
> >Dave Fisher UK