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Core77 Guides/The Best Desktop CNC Milling Machines
The Best Desktop CNC Milling Machines
A desktop CNC milling machine can be a practical addition to your prototyping or small-scale fabrication operations. Entry level CNC mills allow you to create parts in a variety of materials, from wood to foam to soft metals. They are precise, consistent and can produce smoothly finished and strong pieces. As a skill CNC milling has a learning curve with software and material/tool combinations (speeds & feeds) that you’ll need to budget time for.
There are some sweet-spots that CNC milling fits for a designer: it can be used to post-process 3D prints to produce high-tolerances in prototypes, used in furniture design it enables digital manipulation of wood, for self-manufacturing it can be time and cost efficient. In the production of art or one-offs CNC milling permits a broader range of material and surface expression than 3D printing.
Some things to shop for are machining area, number of axes, and material capabilities. Which software the machine uses, and whether it is included in the cost is important as well. CNC milling is a unique process that yields rewards in the right scenarios, let your particular use guide your choice.
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#1
PCNC 440 CNC Mill
Submitted by: Eric Ludlum
Tormach's entry-level CNC for desktop use. It includes their inhouse CAM software and access to an online simulator to test code before sending to the machine. From their site: "The Tormach PCNC 440 is designed for prototyping, production, and education and with its compact footprint it can fit just about anywhere."
• Maximum axes operation: 10" (x) x 6.25" (y) x 10" (z)
• 3 Axis, optionally 4 AxisTormach's entry-level CNC for desktop use. It includes their inhouse CAM software and access to an online simulator to test code before sending to the machine. From their site: "The Tormach PCNC 440 is designed for prototyping, production, and education and with its compact footprint it can fit just about anywhere."
• Maximum axes operation: 10" (x) x 6.25" (y) x 10" (z)
• 3 Axis, optionally 4 AxisZUpvote2 -
#2
Pocket NC — Penta Machine Co.
Submitted by: Core77 Editors
Core77 Editor Rain Noe writes:
"What do you get when a machinist marries a mechanical engineer? If you're Matt (the machinist) and Michelle (the mechanical engineer) Hertel, you get what may be the world's first desktop-sized 5-axis CNC mill... The Montana-based couple spent four years developing the device, picking up some help along the way: Another machinist named Gary and a software guru named Duane (sorry, no last names available). Here is the result of their collaboration, dubbed the Pocket NC"
• Maximum axes operation: 4.55 " (x) 5.0 " (y) 3.55 " (z)
• 5-axisCore77 Editor Rain Noe writes:
"What do you get when a machinist marries a mechanical engineer? If you're Matt (the machinist) and Michelle (the mechanical engineer) Hertel, you get what may be the world's first desktop-sized 5-axis CNC mill... The Montana-based couple spent four years developing the device, picking up some help along the way: Another machinist named Gary and a software guru named Duane (sorry, no last names available). Here is the result of their collaboration, dubbed the Pocket NC"
• Maximum axes operation: 4.55 " (x) 5.0 " (y) 3.55 " (z)
• 5-axisZUpvote2 -
#3
Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine
Submitted by: Eric LudlumBantam Tools offers a complete ecosystem for their desktop CNC mill, with software and education courses. As they say: "a proven prototyping solution that is built with professional reliability and precision to support world changers and skill builders.
• Maximum axes operation: 7" (x) x 9" (y) x 3.5" (z)
• 3 Axis, optionally 4 AxisBantam Tools offers a complete ecosystem for their desktop CNC mill, with software and education courses. As they say: "a proven prototyping solution that is built with professional reliability and precision to support world changers and skill builders.
• Maximum axes operation: 7" (x) x 9" (y) x 3.5" (z)
• 3 Axis, optionally 4 AxisZUpvote1 -
#4
Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3-in-1
Submitted by: Core77 EditorsCore77 Editor Rain Noe writes:
"I'm typically skeptical of tools that claim to do multiple things. (One notable exception is the LogOx, which I've confirmed performs all of its tasks well.) I'd be extra-skeptical of a tool that claimed to be able to handle three separate digital fabrication operations. But 5,050 Kickstarter backers were not skeptical, and thus a couple of years ago the Snapmaker Modular 3-in-1 3D Printer was successfully funded, and the company has thrived. Snapmaker's invention is a desktop machine that can 3D print, and do lasercutting, and do CNC milling. The metal-framed machine has different heads that can be attached, depending on which operation you'd like to perform."
• Maximum axes operation: 9" (x) x 7" (y) x 9.84" (z)
• 3 AxisCore77 Editor Rain Noe writes:
"I'm typically skeptical of tools that claim to do multiple things. (One notable exception is the LogOx, which I've confirmed performs all of its tasks well.) I'd be extra-skeptical of a tool that claimed to be able to handle three separate digital fabrication operations. But 5,050 Kickstarter backers were not skeptical, and thus a couple of years ago the Snapmaker Modular 3-in-1 3D Printer was successfully funded, and the company has thrived. Snapmaker's invention is a desktop machine that can 3D print, and do lasercutting, and do CNC milling. The metal-framed machine has different heads that can be attached, depending on which operation you'd like to perform."
• Maximum axes operation: 9" (x) x 7" (y) x 9.84" (z)
• 3 AxisZUpvote1 -
#5
Nomad 3 - Desktop CNC Mill
Submitted by: Apollo Crowe
"The Ready to Run Desktop Milling Machine from Carbide 3D" — The Nomad 3 Desktop CNC Mill is the third major revision of the Nomad 883 that launched Carbide 3D. Nomad 3 includes MeshCAM V8 to take your STL files and generate gcode without any additional CAM software.
• Maximum axes operation: 8" (x) x 8" (y) x 3" (z)
• 3-axis"The Ready to Run Desktop Milling Machine from Carbide 3D" — The Nomad 3 Desktop CNC Mill is the third major revision of the Nomad 883 that launched Carbide 3D. Nomad 3 includes MeshCAM V8 to take your STL files and generate gcode without any additional CAM software.
• Maximum axes operation: 8" (x) x 8" (y) x 3" (z)
• 3-axisZUpvote1 -
#6
MODELA MDX-50 Benchtop Milling Machine
Submitted by: Core77 Community
Roland produced the first desktop CNC milling machine, earning praise from Core77 community members as early as 2005: "Go with the Roland if you want something more of a plug’n’play." "90% of the people I asked recomended a Roland…" and "The Roland and other similar machines are more geared toward commercial environments (nice enclosures, more power, etc.)"
The MDX-50 is a benchtop CNC mill with automated milling and unmatched ease-of-use features. An ideal solution for short-runs and prototypes, it reduces operation time and simplifies production so that anyone can produce accurate prototypes in metal, wood, plastic and many more materials.
• Machining area: 15.8" (x) x 12" (y) x 5.3" (z)
• 3 Axis, optionally 4 AxisRoland produced the first desktop CNC milling machine, earning praise from Core77 community members as early as 2005: "Go with the Roland if you want something more of a plug’n’play." "90% of the people I asked recomended a Roland…" and "The Roland and other similar machines are more geared toward commercial environments (nice enclosures, more power, etc.)"
The MDX-50 is a benchtop CNC mill with automated milling and unmatched ease-of-use features. An ideal solution for short-runs and prototypes, it reduces operation time and simplifies production so that anyone can produce accurate prototypes in metal, wood, plastic and many more materials.
• Machining area: 15.8" (x) x 12" (y) x 5.3" (z)
• 3 Axis, optionally 4 AxisZUpvote -
#7
Evo-One PRO
Submitted by: Maker Dreams
Evo-One CNC can be easily used by anyone: a hobbyist, a maker, a fab lab or a company. Thanks to its ease of use and to its polymethyl methacrylate covering you can use it inside any room, in your garage or in your office with no filth or dust coming out of the machine during the process and with a considerable reduction of noise.
• Maximum axes operation: 14.4” (x) X 8.7” (y) X 4.4 (z)
• 3 AxisEvo-One CNC can be easily used by anyone: a hobbyist, a maker, a fab lab or a company. Thanks to its ease of use and to its polymethyl methacrylate covering you can use it inside any room, in your garage or in your office with no filth or dust coming out of the machine during the process and with a considerable reduction of noise.
• Maximum axes operation: 14.4” (x) X 8.7” (y) X 4.4 (z)
• 3 AxisZUpvote
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