Why NBM Makes Sense

 Consider that everything a shop does from the first prospect phone call to putting the first two pieces of a cabinet together is overhead cost. That is design, drafting shop drawings, bidding, ordering stock, cutting and machining that stock all costs money without adding value to anything. The objective of NBM cabinet software with a flat table router is to get through that list as efficiently as possible, saving time and money. 

Can the same work be performed by dedicated machinery? Yes, but you have to manage the progression of parts to the various stations, perform machine set up for each operation and perhaps use numerous operators. 

Should you consider a panel saw / machining center combination? This works well with repetitive operations making the same part because costs are amortized over many pieces bringing the cost per piece down. Custom work that requires programming individual parts for the machine center either at the machine or in the drafting department raises costs and creates a bottleneck in production that requires management attention. Stock that is sitting, waiting for the next machine operation is costing you money in time/ interest.

NBM puts the decision making process in the front office. The person designing your product controls how it is to be manufactured from the drafting table or, in this case screen. This position is central to your business success as all communication to the customer and to the shop passes through this person. Machining parts as per these instructions, the NBM router moves your higher skilled workers to the assembly bench where they add value to your product, where their skill is most needed, where their cost is best supported.