The woodworking industry in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam has advanced to a new level as all households and production facilities in the craft village have invested in modern machinery for their workshops.
Currently, as markets expand and demand continues to grow, traditional hand-carving methods make it challenging for woodworking workshops to supply large quantities of wooden products quickly. As a result, CNC technology has become increasingly adopted and is now a common tool in wood carving, revolutionizing the craft.
The image of CNC machines (Photo by: Pham Thanh Cong, Pham Thanh Dat)
The process begins with designing the pattern or shape on a computer using specialized software. Once the design is ready, it is loaded into the machine. The machine operates using a set of programmed commands, ensuring precision and consistency. Whether it’s cutting delicate floral patterns or creating complex 3D sculptures, machine carving achieves results that would take much longer to produce by hand.
How CNC technology works
Stage 1: Wood Preparation
During this stage, the carpenters choose the right type of wood based on the desired properties (e.g., hardness, grain, appearance). Then, large logs are cut into smaller pieces and processed according to specific proportions to be suitable for particular purposes.
Preparing wood (Photo by: Anh Pham)
Stage 2: Preliminary Processing
In this stage, the freshly cut wood may need to be dried (seasoned) to reduce moisture content, preventing further warping or cracking. In the following step, the surface of the wood will be smoothed using sandpaper or power sanders to remove rough edges and prepare it for carving or finishing. This can include cutting, planning, or milling the wood into more specific shapes or forms, depending on the design.
Wood cutting process (Photo by: Anh Pham)
Stage 3: Engraving with a CNC Machine
After preliminary processing, the shaped logs will be carved by a CNC Machine. The carpenters must program the machine to carve the logs according to the desired specifications.
The image of CNC machines carving the wood (Photo by: Pham Thanh Cong, Pham Thanh Dat)
Stage 4: Completing the product
Stepping into this phase, the carved wooden pieces will be assembled after their surface is sanded one more time. Next, the wooden product will be sprayed with layers of paint and chemicals in order to enhance the visual and the sustainability of the manufacture.
(Photo by: Anh Pham)
During the process of exploring this new technique, the reporters from StarGleam shared insights from a craftsman from the village, Mr. Giang, about the application of CNC technology in his work.
Video by: StarGleam
Benefits of Machine Wood Carving
Manufacturing High-Quality Furniture: Machines can carve wood much faster than manual labor, enabling mass production without sacrificing quality. The furniture industry has benefited greatly from the adoption of carving machines. Machines are used to create detailed carvings on chairs, tables, beds, and cabinets. The precision of CNC tools ensures uniformity in designs while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship.
Customization: By using design software, artisans can create personalized patterns, logos, or names on wooden items, catering to specific client preferences. This has opened up new opportunities in the gift and souvenir market.
Cost-Effectiveness: Although the initial investment in machinery is high, the long-term benefits of reduced labor costs and increased productivity make it worthwhile.
Architectural Components: CNC machines also play a key role in crafting wooden components for construction, such as decorative beams, door frames, and window panels. The machines ensure that these elements are produced with high precision, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of buildings.
Ease of Use: Modern carving machines are designed with user-friendly software, making them accessible even to traditional artisans. This feature has empowered craftsmen to seamlessly integrate new technology into their workflows, balancing tradition with innovation.
Balancing Tradition and Technology
The woodworking craft has been made easier with the introduction of CNC technology, it however has not replaced the traditional form of carving, hand carving. Instead, artisans are finding new ways of incorporating new methods with the old. Carving one-off pieces that are bursting with character and emotion can only be achieved with hand carving, machines would be far from ideal in such situations, regardless of their vast capabilities. This way, these techniques can combine together in such a way that they do justice to traditional art and continue to expand into the modern world thanks to machine-like printing, all without losing its very essence.
The Future
The future of wood carving is one of machines and hand carving, the two have always worked well together when required in balance. Small-scale producers will soon be able to make use of these tools as they become easier to find, especially the new AI-powered tools and 3D printers. Contrary to that the demand for handcrafted goods is only set to rise, suggesting that tradition will never go out of style. Machines have always been better at model making, Humans have always had a strong touch and are far better at retaining the essence of an object, and it is in this balance that the future lies.
New CNC wood carving machines are and will change the dynamics of how wood products are manufactured forever.By automating tedious and error-prone processes, they save time, reduce costs, and open doors to new creative possibilities. Yet, the essence of wood carving is not solely in its precision but in its ability to connect craftsmanship with culture and emotion. As the craft moves forward, combining the strengths of machines with the artistry of tradition ensures its legacy not only survives but thrives in a fast-changing world.
A C.N.C. (Computer Numerical Control) wood carving machine is an automated machining device controlled by pre-programmed computer instructions, used for engraving wooden products. With just a few simple operating steps, the machine can carve intricate and complex details, making it highly convenient for daily crafting activities. This type of machine was introduced to completely replace the complex and error-prone manual engraving processes. It not only saves time but also optimizes costs for each machining task. The automatic CNC wood carving machine is capable of professional wood carving and sculpting, comparable to skilled craftsmen. |
Which features do you like the most about this carving machine?
Cost Efficiency
Quality
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