For the new 5.1 Pro … can the developers talk about when one would need the additionally rigidity? What are the use cases behind this new machine. The upgrade price seems reasonable, but aside from the front vertical holddown ability, are there really any other advantages to upgrade?
Thanks … George
For folks who are wondering about this, see:
https://carbide3d.com/blog/shapeoko-51-pro/
As noted on the announcement page:
… new, thicker black baseframe tubes that replace the previous silver baseframe tubes. This change adds a ton of rigidity to the base of the machine.
but someone else will have to speak to the specifics.
This is a case of: If you’re happy with your machine as it is now, you don’t need to spend more money.
The only places where the extra rigidity would realistically matter would:
If you’re looking for a couple thousandths of an inch better consistency in the depth of cuts in these extreme scenarios, this can get you that. But again, if you don’t think you have any problems currently, and potential applications like vertical workholding don’t interest you, then you probably don’t need this (as much as I should be encouraging you to part ways with your money).
Thanks Winston!! My bench is completely ROCK SOLID … Absolutely no way it will bend, sag, rock, warp etc. So the extra rigidity will probably do nothing for me … and since I have 6 inches of bench and drawers in the front of the machine, there is no way to keep that useful space and be able to go vertical with some cuts … though vertical cuts would be nice.
The price is reasonable for the upgrade … even though I won’t be upgrading, it was nice of Carbide 3D to provide an upgrade path.
Thanks again for the clarification.
George
That was a hangup that added some delay to this change, but I think it worked out well. This should be nearly a drop-in replacement for existing Shapeoko 5 Pro machines, so the only thing to be aware of is the added height of the machine if you happen to have a full enclosure around it.
Are the walls of the tubing actually thicker or just a change of the outside dimensions?
Thickness is not necessarily a relevant factor in the context of a beam’s strength, but rather where the material is. The taller a structure, the more resistant to vertical bending it will be. That’s why I-beams are a thing. If you compare 2 extrusions that have similar wall thicknesses, but one has a larger cross section, the bigger cross section will always be stronger.
With that being said, here’s the before and after on the Shapeoko 5 platform:
That’s a significant difference. Probably have to jump on that bed to make it bend at all!
This makes me want to ask how much I can sell my Pro (4) Standard for.
I guess Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist?
I would suggest that you specify the exact height difference (even the exact height above the table to clear the side rails) … it isn’t just an enclosure issue. I built my CNC table before I got the machine and received (from different folks) exact height (clearance) measurements from the table top. Reason was that my Router Table sits 2 feet away from the CNC Table and I made the CNC table height so that the infeed area of the router table will allow wood to clear the CNC machine side rails by an inch. This lets me not have to move the heavy router table when passing wood thru the router.
It is nice to know the exact heights since many of us do not have unlimited space around the CNC table.
Thanks.
The heights/dimensions of the machine on the specs page are correct based on the current 5.1 extrusions.
Good to know. I really hope someone actually measured the machine personally in the shop and publishes that number. I remember a year ago when I needed to build my table to an exact height I asked C3D for the actual heights to the side rail. Unfortunately the heights I received were incorrect, but fortunately Brad and Will measured their machines and I was very grateful they did since I was initially given too low a height — which would have been a problem for me.
So, maybe also provide dimensions to specific pieces of the machine from the table top might save someone a headache for planning purposes.
Any demos available of switching into gantry shift mode and cutting with vertical workholding on the 5.1?
Would it be possible to just buy the base portion if you already have a pro 5? I like the idea and think that might be helpful for me as I use mine to create trophies. The extra height on the front edge, and the ability to have clamps out there, would help me with my trophy bases.
Eventually, sign up at:
As someone who’s owned the Shapeoko 5 Pro for nearly 3 years now (wow, time flies), I really appreciate the consideration for an upgrade path. Thank you!
This is for you. Keep in mind we’ve surfaced the MDF a couple times since we started running it, so only consider the aluminum portions of the frame for reference.
Winston,
How far will the machine come out away from the frame on the front?
The Gantry shift moves the gantry forward ~3.2" — so on center, one should be able to cut ~3.5" stock.
We just updated the blog post with the other big change for the 5.1. We added an optional leg kit to make the machine free-standing.
