HELINER

Industrial CNC Routers, Laser Machines, and Robots – for New Zealand Manufacturers

Our Key to Deliver Cutting-Edge Products

Woodworking

Wilde Signs create outside-the-square signage with unique personality, in all shapes and sizes, including 3-D display props. Precision engineering is required for this, going beyond the limits of traditional materials and components. 

Ryan Rogers, owner/director, is from the U.S. out of the film industry, and wanted to do something different with signage. He tells us about his explorative journey and how Heliner has enabled him to realise his creative visions…

First step – DIY 

“I was working in digital effects for Weta workshops for many years and wanted a change, with a break from the long hours. With my love for building challenging stuff, I thought I could innovate the signage market with bolder aesthetics like I’d seen in the U.S., beyond the flat panels I saw around New Zealand. 

I knew the engineering would require a CNC router, so I researched and built one myself. But I came up against limitations with that, so went to Google to find something with more capability.”

The step-up solution

“I came across James and he seemed to have the best equipment, considering my big concerns about robustness and reliability. The price point was well below machine imports from the U.S. or Germany. After speaking to James, I knew straight away that I could trust him, that he was the real deal – a nice guy and very knowledgeable. 

He delivered the machine, and I found it straightforward to learn after my previous experience, so I was able to ‘take it off to the races’ pretty quickly.”

Flexibility and innovation from machining in-house 

“Unlike most sign shops who outsource their CNC machining, having it in-house has big advantages. We can play around, test, and innovate to find better ways of doing things. Whereas with outsourcing, you only get one shot at it. It also cuts out the turnaround time so we can deliver quicker.” 

Branching out to architectural, museum, and film sectors

“The machine is now the heart of our business, where each job is an engineering project. It’s been our workhorse for over four years and hasn’t stopped a beat, which is much appreciated. This has enabled us to branch out to different markets, including architectural products, museum pieces, and film props.”

The reassurance of local support

“It’s been great to have James on-hand locally for short-notice help when we need it to do new or tricky things on our path of innovation. He is providing a great service and will be the first person to call on for any future upgrades or developments.”

H-1325M Quick Tool Release CNC Router
Auto Tool Change CNC Router H-1325AC 1300 x 2500 x 300mm

Step Ahead Stairs is a company specialising in the manufacture and installation of residential and commercial stairways. Their concentrated focus means they can deliver a high-quality product at an economical price, more efficiently than general builders who use them a lot.

Ryan Kaden, the business owner, tells us how CNC routing has transformed their prefabrication process.

Looking ahead outside the square

“I came back from mining in Perth a couple of years ago to take over the business from my father, who wanted to scale down his work. I was wondering about technology to improve production efficiency and I heard about CNC routers. 

So I looked to Google to see what was out there and found James. It was great that he was local, unlike most of the suppliers who were in Auckland. I didn’t want to have to get them all the way down here to deal with issues.”

The right solution for us

“So I met James and we talked about machine options. He offered a very competitive price compared to others. We went through the investigation process and I ordered a machine. 

When it arrived, there was a lot to take in, but James got us through it all. We just had to get ‘time in the seat’ to get the hang of it.”

Faster and Sharper

“Now we can cut out staircase stringers, treads, and risers in 1/4 of the time instead of previously with a template and hand-router. The CNC router cuts it out precisely to fractions of a millimetre, making a better finish for the product.

He’s currently helping with a program to fabricate kite winders, where the staircase turns 90° with three, four, or five steps, like cheese segments.”

Immense support

“James has been amazing – an understatement – doing everything from designing to fixing. Without him, we would have been way behind.

Whenever we need anything, James puts his foot forward to take care of it. He’s extremely helpful and is only 15 minutes away.”

H-1325EOT Auto Tool Change CNC Router with Electric Oscillating Knife 1300 x 2500 x 300mm
H-1325AC4 4-axis Auto Tool Change CNC Router 1300x2500x400mm

How do you identify a quality CNC machine? It’s a complex question, requiring deep engineering and industry knowledge. Without access to expertise, CNC router and laser cutter designs can seem identical, especially in the modern world of mass production. 

Perhaps a more important question then is “how can your business know if a CNC router or laser cutter is worth a closer look?” While Heliner always recommends seeking expert advice, the most powerful tool you have is to ask the manufacturer what the max feedrate is. 

Max feedrate gives an overview on the quality of a CNC machine. It is the product of every imperfection in the parts, assembly, and design. Issues with alignment, part quality, and material treatments place stresses on the machine during high speed travels. Performance will also quickly degrade at higher speeds if the parts and overall rigidity of the machine only just meet spec. 

As a case study, let’s look at some of the manufacturing decisions that go into making the table of a CNC machine. Our tables are milled after construction to ensure flatness and alignment. The entire table is heat treated pre and post-manufacturing to prevent warping as the material relaxes. Finally, all mating surfaces are hand scraped for perfect levelling. All of this ensures the linear rails and other moving parts are in perfect alignment, preventing the buildup of stresses and loss of accuracy. Our machines are widely known to be extremely quiet during operation, even at high speed. This level of precision and care can be tracked throughout the design, manufacturing and testing of every part of our machines. Many manufacturers don’t take this level of care, because it is quality that isn’t immediately visible. 

Our CNC routers achieve a max feedrate of 45 metres per minute, while our laser cutters can exceed 60m/min. This makes us unbeaten on the cost to quality ratio. This shouldn’t be the only metric used to make your final decision, but it is a useful tool for narrowing down your choices and streaming your decision making process. 

Choosing the right tool for any woodworking project, especially when dealing with plywood, can dramatically impact the quality of your results. When it comes to choosing a plywood cutting tool, there are several factors to consider. At Heliner, we are committed to assisting you in making the best-informed choices for your woodworking needs. This comprehensive guide will delve into the factors to consider when choosing a plywood cutting tool and discuss the key differences between straight and spiral cutters.

Understanding Plywood

Plywood is a composite material, composed of several layers of wood veneer bonded together. Its unique structure requires a cutting tool robust enough to handle the material’s complexity. Carbide-tipped spiral cutters, renowned for their durability and sharpness, are often an excellent choice for cutting plywood.

plywood cutting

Spiral vs. Straight Cutters

Straight and spiral cutters are two common types of cutting tools in woodworking. Their design and functionality differ significantly, impacting the quality of the cut when working with plywood.

Straight Cutters: As their name suggests, straight cutters have straight flutes running parallel to the length of the tool. They perform well when cutting along the grain of the wood but can cause tear-out or splintering when cutting across the grain or when dealing with layered materials like plywood. While they tend to be less expensive than spiral cutters, they may not always be the best option for plywood due to their inability to provide a consistently clean cut across the different layers.

Spiral Cutters: Spiral cutters feature a helical flute design, allowing them to cut in a shearing manner, which is more efficient and produces cleaner cuts. Their continuous, smooth cutting action significantly reduces the risk of tear-out or splintering when cutting plywood, even across the grain. Additionally, spiral cutters excel at chip ejection, reducing the risk of overheating and extending the tool’s life. They may be more expensive than straight cutters, but the superior cut quality and extended tool life often justify the additional cost.

Cutting Speed, Feed Rate, and Shank Diameter

The cutting speed and feed rate are critical for achieving clean, precise cuts and extending tool life. Your specific machine and the characteristics of the plywood will determine the optimal settings. Always consult your machine’s manual or your tool provider to understand the best parameters for your cutting tool.

Furthermore, the shank diameter of your cutter should match the collet of your CNC machine for safety and precision. Common shank diameters include 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm.

HELINER H-1325 CNC Router for cutting plywood

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right tool for cutting plywood is a balance between your specific needs, budget, and the characteristics of the plywood. If precision, quality, and smoothness of cut are your top priorities, a spiral cutter is likely the better choice. If cost is a major concern, a straight cutter may be an option, but be prepared for potential compromises in cut quality. For personalized advice, you can Contact Us anytime.

At Heliner, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the best results in your woodworking projects. Stay tuned to our blog for more advice on tools and woodworking best practices, or get in touch with our team of experts who are always ready to assist. Together, we can create extraordinary things.

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