A computer numerical control (CNC) router is a computer-controlled cutting machine which typically mounts a hand-held router as a spindle which is used for cutting various materials, such as wood, composites, metals, plastics, glass, and foams.

A CNC router operator uses a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router to cut various materials, like metal, plastic, and wood. Your duties as a CNC router operator are to arrange machine setup properly before beginning work, read blueprints as instructions for cutting, and operate the machine safely.

CNC stands for computer numerical control and these machines play an important role in the manufacturing industry. These complex machines are controlled by a computer and provide a level of efficiency, accuracy and consistency that would be impossible to achieve through a manual process.

Who Invented CNC Machining? John T. Parsons was the first person to invent and build an NC (Numerical Control) machine. The NC machine was designed to operate directly off a set of punch cards that tell the machine where to move.