The Solo by Penta Machine - Compact 5-Axis Machining

After selling and supporting our flagship product, the Pocket NC, for 8 years - we became painfully aware of the fact that the options for 5 axis milling machines between our Pocket NC desktop machine and large industrial 5 axis machines were few and far between.

We observed customers whose primary constraint was the man-door entrance to their workspace using the Pocket NC machines for applications they aren’t well suited for. We want our machines to be the first tool our customers turn to - not the last resort.

And so we decided to create a machine that would solve that problem, the Solo. We know first hand that innovation doesn’t always start in a machine shop or even a garage(our company started in a garden shed). We aimed to pack all of the features you would find on an industrial 5 axis machine into a package that would still fit through a man door.

[DedicatedAssassin]

Worked quite a lot with Penta Machine couple years ago when they were still Pocket NC, fantastic service. Very exciting new machine.

[duckslayer]

Outstanding! I viewed a pocketnc demo a few years ago and was very impressed. This is on a whole new level.

[XhectorX]

Amazing technology. It's amazing that you were able to bring so many features into such a compact format. Hope it sells well.

[_Error__Goodbye]

I think the bigger challenge for the 5 axis maker space today is the cam software prices. They’re out of control and put this type of tech firmly out of the hands of smaller diy guys. $200/mo is the cheapest I’ve seen for 3+2 cam software (which let’s face it, is not what you want for more intricate projects) and that’s insane for the average person to foot as a hobby and still have to buy the materials to cut, and tools to cut with. There are more than enough machines on the market to buy, the machines are NOT the issue. The issue is the software to make the tool paths. Proper continuous 5 axis cam. If you guys want to make a product, make a reliable, affordable continuous 5 axis CAD/CAM software package priced at something the average person can afford. That will sell your machines. Seems crazy to me with all the diy tech out there in 2024 and there’s still no good option for this without second mortgaging your home 🤷‍♂️

[ASilentS]

No pricing readily available on your site? Quotes are so lame. What year is it?

[Milkex]

Gorgeous bit of kit! I imagine it's going to sell great, especially with the automation tools! still saving for a pocket v2, myself 😅

[dunichtich]

I am in love! I deamed of this machine years ago and wanted to build something similary as a hobby project but you perfectionized it 😍👌🏼

[ChunkyChipz]

If machine has a slogan it would be "I have plans that I cannot share with you right now because the haters will sabotage me."

[Parayogi]

looks like a serious professional product, makes sense there's a request quote because I'm too poor to afford it

[rolandocrisostomo]

That is an amazing machine. I just need to win the lotto

[josuevivas]

OMG, this seems to be a great machine. This looks like a DATRON NEO of my dreams.

Hopefully, the price is competitive.

[edsontrevizan]

The concept is brilliant, only that the size is so small. Perfectly will be have options for 12"x12"x12".

[pygmallionaire]

incredible! Can it cut stone like marble? Most cnc machines I've seen don't have the water which could be a game changer

[xy]

Should I buy this or a lathe? My target piece has rotational symmetry and a curved surface.

[eobet]

Wish someone would do something like this in the EU…

[aelisenko]

link in the description is a 404, I think its small letter "solo" not "Solo"

[machinemambo]

Is the machine made with metric parts?

[conorg]

A lot of complaining about the price here from hobbyists who want everything for half nothing. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it justifiable? For the market they are going after, yes it is.

Last month I was in with a multinational R&D lab, where they have 6 high end 3D printers each priced at over $100k. It would be an easy decision for them to purchase a product like the Solo for $80k.

This is the target market for this product. Not the guy in his shed complaining about having to pay $200 p/month for 5 axis software

Fits through an office door, runs of a standard power outlet. Decent working envelope and automatic tool changer. There is nothing on the market for this niche. Yes you can get used Haas with a 5 axis table for less money, good look fitting it through an office door and running it off an normal electrical socket.

[max_eley]

Looks great, I've been following this for ages on instagram, but the pricing needs to be altered in order to compete.

[brickct]

What's the expected launch price?