Could Someone Give me Advice on CNC Machine Selection?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

@elija6266

How user-friendly is the setup process for these machines?

We have tried very hard to make setup easy, and there is now a Setup Wizard for this:

https://my.carbide3d.com/docs/shapeoko-setup/

it’s as close to automatic as we can get with the wide variety of models — note that for the SO5 Pro, we are able to detect the controller and the HDZ is standard, so it’s only size of machine which is selected, and BitSetter position which is adjusted for.

What is the overall durability and reliability of the machine?

They are all quite durable and reliable, so long as they are assembled correctly and maintained — I’ve crashed all of mine hard enough to be scary and they keep trooping on — worst case is one has to do a bit of maintenance:

https://my.carbide3d.com/docs/maintenance/

How does the software interface compare between different models?

Software is the same for all machines, save for the differences/specifics of size of size.

For that, my recommendation has always been:

• if working with sheet goods, get an XXL or 4x4
• if working with boards, get an XL or 4x2
• if working with smaller stock and your parts will fit in their working area, get a Standard (16" x 16") or 2x2 — if you need to push things hard for material removal rate or want the best surface finish, get an HDM
• if working with tiny things which require precision, get a Nomad

Then, get the machine type which suits your budgets:

• an SO4 is the best value
• an SO Pro is a good compromise, allowing for an increase in material removal rate and potentially better surface finish
• the HDM doesn’t compromise on anything but size
• the SO5 Pro is the all-rounder which wins on all categories (save for price compared to the SO4/Pro)

Are there any notable accessories or upgrades that significantly enhance the machine’s performance?

First is a spindle — this affords on/off and speed control as well as greater torque w/ a brushless motor:

• A spindle is standard on the HDM
• A VFD spindle in 65mm diameter, 1.2KW and runs on 110V
• an 80mm spindle (and matching mount) is in development for the SO5 Pro

if you don’t get a spindle, then it’s a compact router or something similar — if you get the BitRunner accessory you can get on/off, but the speed still is adjusted by a dial — lengthy discussion on this at:

Aluminum work - Spindle vs Router vs AMB or Mafell milling motor

I’m trying to get my S3 XL ready for a lot of aluminum (sheet mostly) work. After reading so many posts on choosing among the drive options, here is my conclusion. Please chime in if you feel otherwise, and why. Water Cooled Chinese Spindles: Pros: Lower tool noise, however, the noise of cutting material is the same. Spindle owners consider it a substantial difference. Speed controlled via software. Precision mounts. Higher torque, but not really relevant due to the overall limitations of t…

The balance of the accessories are the BitZero and BitSetter:

• the BitZero allows setting the origin relative to the corners or the surface of rectangular stock
• the BitSetter manages tool length offsets and allows having multiple tools in a single file — but it’s no longer an accessory, it’s now standard on all our machines

A further consideration is work-holding — the Hybrid T-track is an option on an SO4, and we have various clamps — unless you have something very specific in mind, get the T-track.

Any advice or recommendations you can provide would be immensely helpful in guiding my decision.

We have a page at:

https://my.carbide3d.com/gettingstarted/

My recommendation has always been:

• decide on a project which is typical of what you want to do
• draw it out — on paper at first if need be, then select a CAD program — for us that’s Carbide Create:

https://my.carbide3d.com/#Design_with_Carbide_Create

https://willadams.gitbook.io/design-into-3d/2d-drawing

Toolpaths | Design into 3D

• once the project is drawn up, decide on a material to cut it out of, decide what tooling would be appropriate to cut it out of:

Carbide 3D Tooling Guide

• and work up toolpaths — we have a couple of starter videos for them:

https://my.carbide3d.com/gswso/10

https://my.carbide3d.com/gswso/11

https://my.carbide3d.com/gswso/12

• then preview in 3D — we have a test version of Carbide Create which has an animation of how the project will cut:

Carbide Create, Now with Animated Simulation

We just uploaded a test of our new animated simulation code to Carbide Create Beta Downloads . It’s a deep change to the rendering system, so we’re very interested in any rendering problems that pop up before we take the feature any further. Let us know what you think.

which may help to envision things.

What sort of work do you wish to do?

How do you wish to approach it?

Note that we have a standing offer — if you get stuck on a file or project let us know at support@carbide3d.com and we will either find a suitable tutorial or walk through it with you here on the forums (that’s where a lot of the tutorials: Tutorials - Carbide 3D Community Site come from).