Woodworking’s next chapter

Many woodworkers remember when computer numerical control machines belonged only to large firms. Today, they're everywhere. But this transition took decades.

Woodworkers tend to be traditional and don't always adopt new technology rapidly, partly due to cost. The first CNC I programmed around 1997 was bought used for $180,000. Now machines with similar capabilities cost one-third of that price new. Edge banders and molders are programmed and run by computers. This technology has made job changes faster and easier while reducing the number of machines and the need for highly skilled operators to set up equipment between jobs.

The next revolution in woodworking will likely involve robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) or both. Like many new technologies, both are becoming more affordable as they grow more capable and user-friendly. Forward-thinking companies are already experimenting with these technologies, and suppliers are developing solutions.

Cabinet shops work with sheet goods, requiring workers to lift and move heavy, unwieldy objects throughout their shifts. This leads to fatigue, potential injuries and workers' compensation claims. For decades, manual vacuum lift systems have helped prevent injuries when handling plywood and MDF sheets. Automating these manual lifters is a logical next step.

7Robotics (7robotics.com) manufactures lifting and moving robots — not humanoid machines, but large arms that can move, reach, rotate and grasp. These arms operateon six axes, enabling a wide range of motion. Like human arms using tools, robotic arms can be fitted with various implements.

For sheet handling, the arm can be equipped with vacuum pods to lift sheets from a stack and place them on a CNC bed. If parts need machining on both sides, the robot can lift panels, set them on stands, pick them up from below and return them to the CNC. Both pick-and-place and flipping operations can be automated within CNC cycles to minimize production delays.

According to 7Robotics, its basic arm can be configured to place parts in fixtures and nail them together to make pallets, or to drill pilot holes and screw parts together. The attachments can be swapped and the robot moved between workstations as needed. This ability to perform repetitive movements continuously without errors makes these machines particularly valuable for tasks that don't require experience, freeing skilled employees for higher-value work.

Sanding is another tedious task that Omnirobotic (omnirobotic.com) addresses with its PSA-80 Pro automated sander. The company says the machine can sand more than 500 doors per shift without requiring programming for every size, shape and type. Using 3D vision technology instead of complex software, the PSA-80 Pro operates with one button — operators load mixed batches on the table, select the finish, and AI manages the sanding control.

The PSA-80 features a robotic arm with a sanding head positioned between two tables, allowing pendular cycles with the robot sanding on one side while the other is unloaded and reloaded. The laser-guided sanding head maintains 0.1mm accuracy to remove tool marks and the robotic arm can run for about 48,000 hours between maintenance cycles, according to the company.

The robotic revolution in woodworking currently centers on standard robotic arm designs, with differentiation coming from the tools attached. Robotic Solutions(roboticsolutionsinc.com) attaches a CNC spindle to create a system similar to a five-axis CNC but with more flexibility. The company offers three models: the RMC 10, 50 and 120.

The RMC 10 shapes and carves lightweight materials like foam, ice, clay and soft wood. It can work parts measuring 4 feet by 4 feet and includes a live rotary table. The 14,000 RPM spindle has a five-tool garage to maximize flexibility and minimize down time. Its electrical requirements are simple, and the company provides step-by-step operating instructions.

The RMC 50 and 120 extend reach to 8’x 8’ and 120", respectively. The 50 uses an ISO 30 toolholder (a standardized spindle mounting system), while the RMC 120 uses an HSK 63 toolholder (a high-speed, high-precision mounting system). Both models can be mounted on precision tracks for larger parts or pendular operations. Combined with material handling robots, these machines can handle post-and-beam components and laminated beams for large building projects.

AI adoption in woodworking lags behind robotics, though basic forms have existed for years. Optical defect detection systems for cutting and sorting hardwoods have been used in glue-up operations for decades.

Cognex (cognex.com) combines AI technology with visual defect identification in panel mill operations, and its 3D vision system can identify and measure tongue-and-groove boards on conveyors. James L. Taylor (jamesltaylor.com) offers the Cameron Automation Optimax, a flow-through, automated color-matching system. The AI in these systems enables computers to sort natural wood parts by color for panels with more natural gradients, allowing experienced workers to focus on higher-value tasks.

AI is also appearing in design software, helping creators and drafters improve designs and construction techniques. Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly become more prevalent over time. While AI can be a valuable tool, like any tool, it needs to be respected and used appropriately.

AI isn't truly intelligent — it primarily coordinates existing knowledge to solve problems. Many early adopters have discovered hidden costs and problems. If AI replaces entry-level positions in woodshops, who will gain the experience needed for skilled work as current employees retire? Most woodworkers started by cutting, sanding and sweeping floors. They helped out, observed processes and learned the trade from the inside. This tradition becomes difficult to maintain if AI is overused. Silicon Valley reportedly faces a shortage of qualified coders, as AI has taken over basic work that once served as entry-level training.

This isn't an argument against learning about or using AI in your shop. Rather, it's a reminder to consider not only how AI can help, but also what it might eliminate if implemented without careful thought.

Originally published in the August 2026 issue of Woodshop News.