CNC machining centres have become an essential part of modern furniture manufacturing. They enable a wide range of machining operations with high precision, reducing production time while ensuring consistent quality and repeatability.
One of the most widely used solutions is 3-axis machining, employed by both small woodworking workshops and large furniture manufacturers. In this article, we take a closer look at this machining method using the regenerated HOMAG BMG 211/32/15/K machining centre, showing the complete process—from drilling and milling to grooving.
👉 Learn more about the featured machining centre.
What Is 3-Axis Machining?
3-axis machining involves tool movement along three axes:
- X-axis – movement along the length of the workpiece
- Y-axis – movement across the width of the workpiece
- Z-axis – vertical movement, allowing the tool to penetrate the material
This configuration enables multiple machining operations to be completed on a single machine without moving the workpiece between different workstations.
That is why 3-axis machining centres are among the most commonly used machines in the furniture manufacturing industry.
How Does 3-Axis Machining Work in Practice?
In the video below, we demonstrate the complete machining process using the regenerated HOMAG BMG 211 machining centre.
Step 1. Vertical Drilling
The first operation is vertical drilling, where holes are drilled into the top surface of the workpiece.
This is one of the fundamental processes in furniture manufacturing, preparing components for subsequent assembly.
Step 2. Milling
The next stage is milling.
During this operation, the machine creates:
- contours,
- cut-outs,
- pockets,
- profiles,
- and other features requiring high machining precision.
Compared with drilling alone, milling offers significantly greater flexibility and makes it possible to produce more complex components.
Step 3. Horizontal Drilling
The final operation shown in the video is grooving, where grooves are machined into the material.
These grooves are commonly used for installing cabinet backs, drawer bottoms, and other structural furniture components.
Step 4. Grooving
The final operation shown in the video is grooving, where grooves are machined into the material.
These grooves are commonly used for installing cabinet backs, drawer bottoms, and other structural furniture components.
What Can a 3-Axis Machining Centre Do?
By combining all of these operations, a 3-axis machining centre provides a comprehensive solution for machining components of varying complexity.
Machines of this type are commonly used to manufacture:
- furniture fronts,
- MDF fronts,
- kitchen worktops,
- tables,
- components requiring milling and custom-shaped features.
This makes them suitable for both custom production and small-batch manufacturing.
Why Isn’t Every CNC Machining Centre the Right Choice?
Although many machines are referred to as CNC machining centres, they are not all designed for the same applications.
Some models are primarily intended for fast and efficient drilling, while others offer a much broader range of machining capabilities. The HOMAG BMG 211 belongs to the latter category. Thanks to its milling capabilities and 3-axis machining functionality, it can perform multiple operations on a single machine.
For this reason, selecting the right machining centre should always depend on the type of production and the components you manufacture.
See 3-Axis Machining in Action with the HOMAG BMG 211
If you’d like to see the complete machining process in practice, watch our video demonstration. It shows every stage performed on a single workpiece—from vertical drilling, through milling and horizontal drilling, to grooving.
The regenerated HOMAG BMG 211/32/15/K machining centre featured in the video is currently available in our offer.
You can find the complete technical specification and additional machine details by following the link below.
👉 VIEW THE MACHINE
Get in Touch
STREFA CNC | HOMAG
📞 +48 512 750 000
📍 Putka 9, 34-100 Wadowice, Poland
