Pocket NC 5-Axis Desktop CNC Mill!

We've seen a few three-axis CNC mills before, but not a five-axis one that's made for desktop use. At this year's Maker Faire, we finally got to see the Pocket NC at work, turning aluminum blocks into beautiful parts. It's a beautiful machine!

Shot by Joey Fameli and Adam Isaak
Edited by Adam Isaak

Tested is:

Thanks for watching!

[gordonjones]

Really important contribution to desktop CNC. The first of many innovative and productive enhancements to the home based manufacturing environment. Keep up the great work!

[JetNmyFuture]

I owned a 5 axis capable shop for 10 years. This little thing is 'neat-o' but has such an enormous list of limitations that it will be merely an interesting toy. That does not make it bad, but any buyer should keep expectations very low. Beyond the machine itself - one of the biggest challenges is programming and setting up the machine. Little CNC's in the maker world seem to be promoted as 3D printers "just add material and print out an aluminum part" That is not even close to being true. Tool selection, tool holding, work holding, tool paths are each a long and difficult learning curve and they all have to be applied successfully to get a part without damaging the machine. Rigidity, power, and max tool diamter on this machine will be marginal which means that the cuts will have to be very light and cycle times will be VERY long. Interesting addition to a shop, but it will consume a LOT of time and produce very little. Good luck with it.

The design, engineering, and build quality (judging from the pics) seems very good for what they are after - desktop 5-axis. I would love to test one with some of our small 5 axis parts to see how far it can go. All of my CNC's were pushed beyond what they were designed for - but they are all 10, 000lb $150k machines.

[jadoncramer]

20 year full time cnc machinist here. At the different place I have worked, I have experience with 2 axis to 9 axis machines and everything in between. I think his price is extremely reasonable. I have a bench top 3 axis cnc at home to play with. I think that as these are more well known about, he will be able to raise the price not lower it.

[priceisalrght]

It's so exciting to see these sort of machines becoming cheaper. I can't wait for 10 years from now when it'll be totally saleable for a normal person to be able to own a 3D printer, a laser cutter, and a mini CNC mill.

[ThePlasticPineapple]

I want to see him put that in his pocket

[MakeItWithCalvin]

While it is a cool machine I had some serious issues with it as a machinist.
one was the chatter coming from the tool when cutting aluminum, heck even wood. This is partly due to how the tool was setup sticking out extremely far but still NOT cool!
Second was the lack of chip guards on the "X" axis. You get stuff into the leadscrews and nuts and their going to wear out fast.
Also the guy mentions you could threadmill holes but at (advertised) +/-.005" accuracy that is going to be one funky shaped hole! Sure you maybe able to get a fitting to work but most thread mills that size are EXTREMELY tiny and delicate and expensive!

That said I am excited to see someone taking on the challenge of a 5-axis desktop CNC machine I just felt like it could use some extra "additions" to make it a bit better. I do hope this encourages others to try making more desktop CNC machines!

[richb]

That is really an impressive little machine. I wish them much success.

[NickFerry]

tech is such an awesome thing to see evolve - cool product to see

[tactition]

best part about this as they get more customers, and more efficient at building these the cheaper they get. can't wait to get one of these to go next to my 3d printer.

[jordanreeseyre]

The small price and size is a huge selling point not just for hobbyists with workshops but for a small company or a university engineering department.

I can think of numerous instances where something could be fabricated in aluminum without using valuable time on the £100, 000 CNC mill that fills half a room.

Now if only we can get a version that can work steels.

[shawnz]

Pretty cool CNC machine for practice and prototype. Yes. for practice, and prototype.

[HisCarlnessI]

You don't even have to justify a 5 axis cnc over 3D printing by talking about overhangs. You can't 3D print worked strength metal. This is way cooler.

[JarcodeRover]

That micro V8 has my attention!! Can't wait for more!! Conley's are sweet but this size is it!!

[Joecs]

I can't wait to see this in the watch making world

[Dakakeisalie]

There is a ton of space above the spindle that is totally empty and not a collison zone. It would be cool if an auto-tool changer was implemented as a mod or an add-on

[xmodalloy]

6160 Aluminum... As a Mechanical Engineer, I'm laughing my ass off right now! It's 6061... And 6061 is soft in the realm of metals.

[TheIdeanator]

10 week lead time?! Wow that's fast. No seriously, for something that's made to order that is fantastic.

[mods]

Wow, that thing is truly one cool machine! At a great price!

[P_double_H]

2:27 .... This is actually why I want this machine for!!!

[jojomama]

been using my Brown and Sharpe five axis horizontal milling machine (it's got a vertical attachment) for more than forty years, and it was WAY old when I got hold of it...