Domestika – Introduction to CNC Router Furniture Design

Do you want to learn about new ways to design and produce sustainable furniture? Industrial designer and partner at the TUUX studio and production workshop, Daniel Romero is here to help. His studio specializes in product, furniture, interior design, and architecture and they won the Red Dot Design Award in 2019, as well as having their work recognized and selected in three Ibero-American Design Biennials.

In this course, Daniel teaches you the basic concepts of computer-assisted drawing (CAD), focused on production with a CNC flat bed router (CAM). Learn in a practical way all the advantages of this production system, as well as the step-by-step process, and achieve designs with strong and feasible assemblies. Develop a customizable bench without the use of hardware or glue: from the computer drawing to the cutting, to the finish.

What is this course’s project?
Build a bench with a 7-piece plywood board, half-timbered assemblies, dowels, boxes, and wedges, with no need for glue or hardware for the final assembly. You can intervene or customize the design to your liking.

Who is this online course for?
For those who want to make their ideas happen, instead of leaving them in a drawing or render. For designers, architects, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, or any creative person who wants to understand this manufacturing process.

Requirements and materials
You will need to have basic knowledge of CAD. In this course, the teacher uses a Mac computer with Rhinoceros 5, but you can use whichever CAD software you have, such as Autodesk AutoCAD or Sketchup.

In addition to your computer with the software installed, for the practical part of the workshop, you will need to have access to a CNC router near your home, work, or school to cut your bench. You only need a 1/4 inch type of cutter, we recommend the use of a 5 or 6-inch diameter orbital polisher (for the final details) and 120 and 240 grit sandpaper. Finally, you will need linseed oil to give the furniture an optimal finish.