This state of the art 5-axis Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Shoda Router, located in the Furniture Manufacturing Systems Lab, provides a means for performing precision 5-axis machining. This router is equipped with a tool carriage capable of containing 10 tools. Since the machine allows tool changes to be performed during operation, a variety of different operations or cuts (e.g., drilling, shaping, grooving, etc.) can be performed without stopping the CNC router.

The FMM Center purchased the Shoda 5-axis router in 1994 primarily to be used as the machining tool in the Furniture FMS. It is also used to supplement class lectures where FMO students get first hand knowledge of router operations, CNC programming, and 5-axis machining.

Furniture students enrolled in the second furniture course (IE-241) learn how to learn how to program and operate the CNC router using the control panel as seen in the following pictures.

In the first and third furniture courses (IE-240 and IE-340), students design parts using Unigraphics (a high end CAD system) and then generate the machining code directly for the CNC router.

The following picture shows students learning about the automatic tool changer of the CNC.