A CNC router is one of the most expensive investments a sign shop can make. Yet no matter how thorough the purchasing due diligence may be—with all the appropriate and applicable questions seemingly answered—a number of thorny issues can still pop up. These represent a virtual list of the top vulnerabilities that lie in wait for business owners and can result in unnecessary expense and the loss of time and materials for the business. It’s important for decision makers to know what these pitfalls are and how to avoid them.
在一个标识公司里，CNC切割设备恐怕是最贵的投资了。无论你的采购调查做的多么周全，还是会出现一些棘手的问题。这说明企业主会遇到一些不必要的麻烦甚至陷阱，造成人力、物力、时间和资金的浪费。对于企业的决策者来说，了解这些陷阱以及如何规避它们很重要。
Changing Technology’s Impact on the Sign Builder
改变技术对标识行业的影响
CNC router technology has existed for decades, and like most technologies, it continues to evolve at a rapid pace. As a result, sometimes changes can occur during a lengthy purchasing process. By the time the decision is rendered, a newly purchased router may be quite capable of providing controls that are currently needed but may be less likely to adapt to future requirements.
CNC切割技术已经出现了数十年之久，和大多数的科技一样，它也在随着社会进步的步伐快速发展着。因此，在时间跨度比较长的购买过程中往往会发生变化。当你做了购买决定之后，新买的切割机可能完全能胜任你现在的需求，但是不一定能满足未来的市场需求。
Innovative engineering has changed the capabilities of CNC routers. The same is true on the tool side with advances in casting, new materials, and construction. Perhaps the most powerful change impacting routers and tools is the former’s transition into an Internet-controlled device. These are control technologies that enable a manufacturer and a support entity to access a device practically anywhere on the planet.
不断发展的工程学已经革新了CNC切割机的功能。材料学和建筑学的发展亦是如此。或许，在切割领域影响最大的还是切割机变成了计算机控制的设备。这是一项新技术，可以让生产者访问或者操作设备，无论设备在地球上的任何地方。
The days of lengthy, time-consuming and sometimes confusing phone-based walk-through troubleshooting processes are being eliminated. Businesses, recognizing the benefits of connectivity, are looking to instant Internet communications support systems to reduce production, training, and maintenance time and labor costs. But it’s not just the Internet that’s changing the work model. The technology inside the machinery has grown exponentially “smarter” and more robust, offering more streamlined and possible growth-producing functions.
这些雍长的、耗时的甚至有时是不断打电话的故障排查过程如今正在被淘汰。在生产领域内连通性越高，大家都倾向于与将设备与计算机连接，以减少培训、设备维修时间以及劳动力成本，提高生产效率。但是，变化的不仅仅是计算机的增加，它改变的是生产模式。设备内部包含的技术呈指数方式增加，设备变得越来越“灵巧”和“强健”，提供了更多流线型的高生产效率的功能。
All of these advances have resulted in router costs that benefit buyers. In other words, similar to many other facets of technology, innovation is driving down the costs of purchasing and operating this equipment. Even in this buyers’ marketplace, there will be some apprehension for sign builders pondering the purchase of their first CNC router. It can be jarring for businesses that have relied on standard cutting tools and printers for years.
所有的这些改进提高了设备的性价比，这一点绝对有利于买家。换句话说，和其他科技一样，科技上的发展往往能降低这一类的设备的购买和操作成本。即使目前是买方市场，也会有一些商家在购买第一台设备时持怀疑态度。长期依赖于基础的切割工具和打印设备是不利于喷绘和标识企业的长期发展的。
CNC Pitfall2
CNC陷阱
A router is, after all, a machine tool, and workers are probably inexperienced in its use. Issues may occur with the router and cutting tools for aluminum, acrylic, and other materials. Business owners understand the need for training but worry about sufficient time for employees to fully understand and embrace this new technology. The result is an inability to use the machine to its fullest potential because software is viewed as too complex.
毕竟，一个切割机只是一个机械工具，而且很多操作工人对它的使用流程也不熟悉。由切割机和其他的铝材、亚克力等材料的切割工具可能会引起一系列的问题。一些企业主也了解培训的重要性，但是他们担心没有充足的时间让操作工人完全理解这项技术并掌握操纵方法。结果往往导致设备的不充分利用，因为很少有人能完全掌握它复杂的操作软件。
Top Ten List of Purchase Pitfalls to Avoid
十大购买误区
Here is a checklist to use when considering a CNC Router purchase decision. Every item listed comes with a cautionary warning, however all of these problems are avoidable.
以下内容是常见的设备采购误区，在购买CNC设备之前一定要考虑。每一项都是一个警告，只要你认真考察这些都是可以避免的。
1. Buying the cheapest. This is strictly a short-term financial decision that may be more costly in the long run. The downside to this decision may be lower performance, less reliability, and the limited availability of parts.
2. Choosing the wrong process area. Buying too large of a machine with more capacity than needed is not cost-effective nor is the purchase of a router than turns out to have less-than-needed capacity. Buyers should seek expert advice.
1、买最便宜的。从短期来看，这是一个不错的财务决策，但从长远来看，这是一个成本更大的决定。便宜的切割设备可能切割效果较差、低稳定性、效率低下等问题。
2、选择不合适的设备。采购等级较高的设备会有很多用不到的功能，这种决定的成本效益不高，甚至也没比买一个满足不了要求的设备划算。购买者有时需要几点专家意见。
3. Not planning for future production requirements. A router can play a huge part in a company’s growth, so the buyer should match the machine to future goals.
4. Misjudging various tooling required for multiple materials. Bed size and variety are likely to require different cutting heads and tooling. The router should have the flexibility to process multiple materials and utilize a variety of cutting tools.
3、不考虑未来的发展需求。切割机在一个企业的发展过程中起着至关重要的作用，所以，购买者应该将未来的目标和现在的设备联系在一起。
4、对各种工具的误判。不同的操作台需要的喷头和工具不一样。切割机应该具备这种适应各种材料和切割工具的灵活性。
5. Missing out on necessary accessories to keep costs down. A router that is a productive workhorse used to its maximum capacity will pay for itself over time. Insist on factory-employed expertise to determine the right accessories and options for the business and its applications.
6. Not investigating the level of support provided by the supplier. Machines will, at some point, require servicing and occasional repairs. Know the supplier’s support network and verify its response capabilities.
5、为了节约成本放弃部分配套器材。切割机是一个高负荷的工作设备，你想让它以最大的工作能力持续工作的话就要为此付出一定的成本。一定要相信代理商的专业性，为你的应用选择合适的配件。
6、不关注供应商提供的售后服务的信息。有时候，设备可能也需要维护或者维修服务，因此，了解供应商的售后服务的网站以及他们能应对的问题对于设备及时投入生产很重要。
7. Purchasing a CNC router that cannot be upgraded. A router should be capable of evolving with advances in technology. Insist on a supplier that can retrofit and upgrade operating systems and software on a regular basis. Usually these suppliers manufacture their own routers and software without any third-party involvement.
8. Failing to source a supplier that has its own spare parts availability. Downtime, always the bane of business, is expensive and unacceptable for either the company or its customers. Much of it can be attributed to time-consuming delays in securing needed parts. Router purchasers need to look for a supplier that operates its own online shop capable of providing spare parts preferably by the next day.
7、买一个不能升级的CNC切割机。切割机应该能够根据技术的进步升级改进，选择一个可以定期改进和升级的操作系统和软件。通常这些供应商生产的设备和软件没有第三方参与。
8、与没有备用件的供应商合作。由于故障引起的停机时间不能太久，否则会让喷绘公司或者标识公司客户流失，无论是标识公司还是他们的客户都是不能接受的。切割机采购方应该寻找一个有自己生产线的供应商，以便设备故障时第二天就可以拿到备用配件。
9. Failing to source a supplier that offers customized training programs. All training issues can be alleviated by working with a supplier that understands each individual application and offers a training program specifically tailored to it. It is the best way to optimize performance of the workforce and the router.
10. Underestimating the power of knowledge. Supplier expertise is essential. Buyers should ask about the supplier’s experience and ability to add to that knowledge. Look for those with dedicated application engineers who test tooling, materials, and software regularly—even daily. Having this knowledge base improves the business process and router operation.
9、与不提供操作培训的供应商合作。所有在操作中遇到的问题都可以与供应商联系，让他们针对特定的问题为技术人员安排培训项目。这是保证设备正常工作和企业生产效率的最佳供应商。
10、低估专业知识的重要性。供应商的专业知识很重要。买家应该充分利用供应商的专业知识和经验来帮助你尽快掌握CNC切割机的操纵步骤。和那些定期为客户提供设备检查的供应商合作。他们的专业知识会提高你的业务水平和设备操作水平。
Conclusion
总结
However, the exponentially advancing capabilities of CNC routers have shown how machinery can change a business. Owners, in partnership with their suppliers, need to have a perspective based on their machinery’s ability to perform tasks that enable business growth. Partnership is the key. Whether the need is parts, training, or router upgrades, sign builders need to select an end-to-end supplier that goes beyond the role of vendor and whose input will be valuable for nearly all business and machinery decisions. This investment requires complete participation, and businesses should demand it from their supplier.
CNC切割机的迅速崛起向我们展示了机械将如何改变标识行业的业务。企业主在与供应商合作的过程中要意识到设备的作业能力关乎你业务增长的速度。合作企业很重要。无论我们需要的是零部件，还是培训，或者是切割机系统升级，标识公司都应该选择点对点的供应商，而不是一个中介，否则你将为此付出更高的成本代价。企业应该要求他们的供应商全程参与这项投资。
