What a CNC router does
A CNC router is a large-bed machine that moves a fast-spinning cutter across flat sheet material — wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic, foamex, composite and foam. Beds of 1.2 × 2.4m and larger are normal, so a router eats full sheets in one job. It is the workhorse behind signage, fitted furniture, shopfitting, props and pattern/mould-making. For how a router differs from a precision metal mill, see CNC routing vs CNC milling.
What gets routed
Signage & branding
Cut letters, logos, fascia panels, wayfinding and exhibition graphics in acrylic, foamex, Dibond, plywood and timber. Routers cut crisp profiles at scale and can engrave detail in the same pass — the core of shop and event signage.
Furniture, kitchens & shopfitting
Flat-pack and fitted cabinetry, kitchen and bedroom units, wardrobes, retail fit-outs and bespoke furniture. CNC routing nests parts efficiently across sheets of MDF, melamine and plywood, cutting joints, hinge bores and decorative profiles repeatably.
Props, sets & display
Theatre and film props, retail display, models and exhibition stands in foam, ply and acrylic — where complex shapes and fast turnaround matter more than metal precision.
Patterns, plugs & composite moulds
Tooling for composites — plugs and moulds for boat, turbine, automotive and aerospace parts — machined from tooling board, foam or timber on a multi-axis router. A specialist, high-value corner of routing.
Materials a router handles
| Material | Typical use |
|---|---|
| MDF / melamine | Cabinetry, furniture, painted signage |
| Plywood / timber | Furniture, shopfitting, structural display |
| Acrylic / foamex / Dibond | Signage, letters, display panels |
| Tooling board / foam | Patterns, plugs, composite moulds, props |
| Aluminium / soft sheet | Light trim and panels (not precision metal — use a mill) |
How to brief a routing job
Send a flat vector file — DXF, AI or EPS — for 2D profiles and lettering, and a STEP or model for 3D relief or mould work. State the material and sheet thickness, the finish (painted, laminated, raw), and the quantity. Tell the shop what it is for (interior sign, outdoor fascia, kitchen run) so they pick the right material and edge finish. The CAD prep guide covers file formats.
Routing vs metal machining — don't mix them up
A router is for large, flat, softer materials; a precision mill is for accurate metal parts. A 2.4m timber sign or a kitchen run is a routing job; an aluminium bracket that bolts to a tight pattern is a milling job. Sending one to the other gets you a polite "not for us" — match the part to the machine first (see the choosing-a-shop checklist).
Irish CNC routing shops
From our directory: CNC Works in Co. Monaghan runs a 5-axis Biesse routing centre — strong on full kitchen, bedroom and bathroom unit production, shaped timber for listed-building doors and windows, and plug/mould-making for wind, wave-turbine, aviation and aircraft sectors. CNC Ireland in Dublin runs combined laser- and router-head cutting across plywood, wood, plastic, composite and foamex — well suited to large-scale signage, branding, intricate prop work and bespoke furniture. For composite and sheet-metal adjacencies, see sheet metal & laser cutting.
Frequently asked questions
What is CNC routing used for?
CNC routing cuts flat sheet materials — wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic, foamex and composite — at large scale. It is used for signage, fitted furniture and kitchens, shopfitting, props and display, and for patterns, plugs and composite moulds.
What materials can a CNC router cut?
Wood, MDF, melamine, plywood, acrylic, foamex, Dibond, tooling board and foam, plus soft sheet metals like thin aluminium. For precise metal parts a CNC mill is the right machine, not a router.
Can a CNC router make kitchen cabinets?
Yes — CNC routing is a mainstay of cabinetry. It nests cabinet parts across sheets of MDF, melamine and plywood and cuts joints, hinge bores and profiles repeatably, which is why fitted-furniture and kitchen shops rely on it.
What file format do I send for CNC routing?
Send a flat vector file (DXF, AI or EPS) for 2D profiles and lettering, and a STEP file or 3D model for relief carving or mould work, along with the material, thickness, finish and quantity.
Who does CNC routing in Ireland?
Irish routing shops in the cnc.ie directory include CNC Works in Monaghan (5-axis Biesse — kitchens, timber, composite moulds) and CNC Ireland in Dublin (laser/router cutting for signage, props and furniture).
Get competing quotes from Irish shops
Tell us about your job once — material, sheet size, finish and quantity — and we forward it to the Irish routing shops best matched to it. Start a quote request →