--- description: Looking for a CNC mill, CNC machining center or CNC router for woodworking or metal fabrication? Review this guide to compare the three types of machine tools. title: CNC Mill VS CNC Machining Center VS CNC Router image: https://www.stylecnc.com/uploads/allimg/200507/1-20050G644320-L.jpg --- # [Differences Between CNC Mill, CNC Machining Center, and CNC Router](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/cnc-mill-cnc-machining-center-cnc-router.html "Differences Between CNC Mill, CNC Machining Center, and CNC Router") Last Updated: 2022-11-25 By [Jimmy](https://www.stylecnc.com/author/jimmy "Jimmy")3 Min Read ## CNC Mill VS CNC Machining Center VS CNC Router Looking for a CNC mill, CNC machining center or CNC router for woodworking or metal fabrication? Review this guide to compare the three most common types of machine tools, which is helpful to start your business with smart automation manufacturing. What are the differences between CNC mill, CNC machining center and CNC router? I believe that many people will be puzzled about this problem, and they don't understand much when buying mechanical equipment. They do n't know how to distinguish, what kind of equipment should be bought in order to meet their needs. Today we will tell you the difference between the three CNC machine tools. ![CNC]() ### [CNC Mill](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-milling-machine/ "CNC Mill") On the basis of the engraving machine, the power of the main shaft and the servo motor is increased, and the bearing capacity of the bed is maintained, while maintaining the high speed of the main shaft. The milling machine is also developing at a high speed. It is generally called a high-speed machine. It has stronger cutting ability and very high processing accuracy. It can also directly process materials with hardness above HRC60, one-time molding, widely used for rough and precision machining of precision molds and molds at one time, batch processing of mold copper electrodes, aluminum products, shoe mold manufacturing, jig processing, and watch and eye industries. Due to the high cost performance, fast processing speed, and good finish of the processed products, it plays an increasingly important role in the machine tool processing industry. ### [CNC Machining Center](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-working-center/ "CNC Machining Center") The features of machining parts on the machining center are: after the workpiece is clamped once, the CNC system can control the machine tool to automatically select and replace the tool according to different processes; automatically change the machine tool spindle speed, feed and tool movement path relative to the workpiece With other auxiliary functions, it can automatically perform multiple processes such as drilling, countersinking, reaming, boring, tapping and milling on each processing surface of the workpiece. Because the machining center can complete a variety of processes in a centralized and automatic manner, it avoids human operation errors, reduces the time for workpiece clamping, measurement and machine tool adjustment, and the time for workpiece turnover, handling and storage, which greatly improves machining efficiency and machining accuracy, so it has good economic benefits. The machining center can be divided into vertical machining center and horizontal machining center according to the position of the spindle in space. ### [CNC Router](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-router/ "CNC Router") The torque is relatively small, and the spindle speed is high. It is suitable for the processing of small tools. It focuses on the "routing" function and is not suitable for large workpieces with strong cutting. Most CNC routers are mainly for processing handicrafts, and the cost is low. Due to the low precision, it is not suitable for mold development. Comparison of milling machine, machining center, and CNC router index data. Maximum spindle speed (r / min): machining center is 8000, milling machine is 240,000, high-speed machine is 30,000, CNC router is generally the same as milling machine, the advanced CNC router can reach 80,000, but it does not use the general electric spindle but the air float spindle. **Spindle Power** The machining center is the largest, from several kilowatts to tens of kilowatts; the milling machine is next, generally within ten kilowatts; the engraving machine is the smallest. Cutting amount: the machining center is the largest, especially suitable for heavy cutting and roughing; the milling machine is second, suitable for finishing; the CNC router is the smallest. **Speed** Because the milling machine and CNC router are relatively light, their moving speed and feed speed are faster than the machining center, especially the high-speed machine equipped with linear motor can move up to 120m/min. **Accuracy** The accuracy of the three machine is similar. **Applications** The machining center is used to complete the processing of large milling workpieces. Large-scale molds and materials with relatively high hardness are also suitable for the roughing of ordinary molds. The milling machine is used to complete small milling volumes and small molds. Copperwork, graphite and other processing; low-end CNC router is biased towards wood, double color plate, acrylic plate and other low-hardness plate processing, high-end suitable for wafer, metal shell and other polishing. **The Differences Between Three CNC Machines** CNC machining center is used to complete the processing equipment of larger milling volume. CNC mill is used to complete a small amount of milling, or soft metal processing equipment. 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