Need more info on machinery you are looking at, the pods are the way to go for smaller work pieces, as for extraction this is dependant on your exhaust pipe requirement and is differing from each machine. It must match to have any hope of sucking up residue like MDF. I do not see any special needs other than you must have the capacity to supply to the new machine and it is in the correct flow of your overall system to get extraction where it is needed (extraction goes from large to small basically as regards ducting and should be flowed accordingly and planned by your extraction company when they deign the system. I have always found I reconfigure my extraction every two years or when new machinery is fitted, the floor plan is more to do with what I am replacing and it has air/power/extraction capacity in position.

I did invest a few years back in straightening my flow between my shops to generate extraction more eficiently, I had three motors feeding the three shops, I also added auto dampers so my system can run on 10% power capacity normal (stops implosion of ducts) and only switch on more extraction when and which machine needs it. I saved a good amount on power accordingly and it will repay itself shortly for the £30k I invested to improve flow dynamics, I used DCS Ltd from Leeds, speak to Melvin.

I like the Homag currently and I am currently tendering up a replacement for my old CMS Giotto 11 year old now so can be open to see what is offered, had a four head Reichenbacher 15 year old, good kit for time but pricey, first machine we bought very restricted in memory and use first DOS I had/CMS was second DOS. SCM/Homag can do entry machines for less than 50k, they wanted me to buy this in January I went for a CNC multi Drill by Masterwood for panel drilling/routering far cheaper and suited what we were wanting, did not have floor space for a fully blown Router. But I have been in contact with four companies and hope to have them visiting in the next few weeks to discuss my needs. Then its VFM and tech spec I will go on against best for cost. The market is very much customer sided due to downturns in markets.