Makera Carvera Auto Tool Changer Benchtop CNC machine, In-depth review, aluminum cutting stress test

00:00 Intro
03:06 Unboxing
04:45 Software setup
05:58 Hardware testing, tool setup
07:13 Example job: PCB engraving, drilling, and cutting
12:00 Example job: ABS base cutting
14:49 Example job: Aluminum cutting
15:56 Example job: Acrylic engraving and cutting
17:44 Example job: Laser engraving (photo)
18:10 Example job: 4th axis test job
20:14 Fusion 360 Setup
21:06 Epoxy milling and cutting using Fusion 360 CAD & CAM
25:32 Aluminum cutting using Fusion 360 CAD & CAM (push the machine to it's limit)
33:03 Laser engraving using LaserGRBL
33:57 Pros and Cons
38:21 Conclusion

Welcome back to Aurora Tech Channel. Today, I will be reviewing this Carvera Benchtop CNC from Makera. Let’s take a look at the features of this machine. It has a 6-bay auto tool changer and a 200W brushless spindle with a hall sensor that provides feedback to the controller software. For the motion system, the X, Y, and Z axis all use 12mm ball screws instead of the lead screws you see on other budget CNCs and 3D printers. The X and Z axis use 15mm linear rails and the Y-axis use 25mm linear rods. The stepper motors on all axes are 30W closed-loop servo motors. The machine weighs around 110 pounds and the structure of the machine is made by CNC using solid aluminum and sheet metal. The bed is a 10mm thick aluminum bed with a replaceable water-resistant MDF bed on top. The working area is 360 by 240 with a 140mm Z height. You can pay an extra $300 to get a 4-axis, which I will also test out in this video.

As for the other features, this machine comes with both a manual probe and auto probe sensor, which supports auto leveling. There is a built-in vacuum, a dust bin, as well as a 2.5W laser module for some light engraving jobs.

At the price of $4000, I can’t see any direct competition for it in the market. The closest machines I can find are the Carbide 3D Nomad 3, which costs around $3000, but it doesn’t come with an auto tool changer. There is no dust collection system, no laser module, no auto probe or auto leveling, and it just uses lead screws and linear rods instead of ball screws and linear rails, and by default, it only comes with a 70W spindle. The working area is also much smaller at 200x200 with a 80mm Z height.

Another machine that is similar to the Nomad 3 is the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC, which costs $6500. It comes with a slightly more powerful 250W spindle, but it has no auto tool changer, no auto probe or auto leveling, no dust collection, no laser module, and it just uses regular lead screws and linear rods. The working area is also smaller at 178x229 with a 83mm Z-height.

The only desktop or benchtop CNC that comes with an auto tool changer that I can find is the Roland MDX-50, which costs over $10,000 but only comes with a 50W spindle that is mainly used for PCB milling. If you need a 4th axis on this machine, it costs another $4000, which is the same price as this Carvera CNC machine.

Overall, I am really excited to test this out. I would like to thank Makera for sending me this machine to review, and with that, let’s get started.

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[choschiba]

In my opinion you are creating the best reviews from all the YouTube content creators that I am following. You put so much work into your reviews. Such a big amount details. Very detailed, structured and an academic approach of testing the features. Chapeau!
Now I really wish I could afford the Carvera. ❤ from Katja

[axelSixtySix]

Dear Aurora, here is the two cents of an early CNC mill user.

To benchmark the capacity of a milling machine, you usually want to do things differently. Every milling bit have a cutting capacity for each of its tooth. Every serious milling bit manufacturer gives the proper dimension of the chip to be cut by one tooth on a single rotation of the bit, and some other interesting information like the cutting speed, and proper RPM for every material, but let's keep it simple for a better understanding. Let's say the bit have a 0.2mm chip capacity per tooth. If the bit have two teeth, it can cut 2*0.2mm per rotation. If the asked spindle RPM is set to let's say 6000, the bit is able to cut 6000*0.4mm=2400mm per minute. So you get the optimal feed and speed of the machine for this bit. There's online feed and speed calculators, but there's nothing like the bit manufacturer informations, because the cutting angle or the spiral shape of each bit matters. The depth of cut is usually told by the manufacturer too. It generally never exceed the half of the cutting tool diameter.

Now you have all the required parameters for the optimal use of the bit. A capable machine would do a perfect job at the bit's requirement. If the machine is shaking and/or if the cut quality is not clean and/or if you break the bit, the machine have probably structural issues : mostly cheap or inappropriate guides/transmission and/or flexible structure. If you hear the spindle decelerate when you start diggin in the material, it may have a lack of power. You don't want your spindle to slow down when machining because, according to what have been told above, as your spindle slow down your feed will be too high for the bit's specifications. Last, to make rubbish machines "work" (3018, etc.) you can't even run at the bit's requirements, except with smaller tools and/or very soft materials. So you have no choice but to slow down the feed and set a very thin depth of cut. That's wrong anyways because the bit will heat up and may also burn the material. It will get dull quickly, and the machining time will raise exponentially, so will the wear of the machine.

In a review, most YouTubers are making the mistake to duck the machining parameters to get good looking results, so they give the false impression the machine is fine while it is obviously not.

I really like your videos and appreciate the care you put into it, by the way. This is very impressive for a young lady, let me tell you. Regards.

P.S. a 3D printed cap to protect the laser lens during milling is probably a good idea. 😉

[metallicaandchimaira]

I must say. I never gave this channel a chance because of the monotone talking. However, I have been struggling making my own things as a beginner in cnc. This is by far the best video on how to get started using the manufacture option in fusion 360. Thanks a lot!

[antone.henderson]

Great review. As a disabled veteran I will never be able to. afford one so I live vicariously through you. Keep up the great work.
Regards Tony

[everlastingmedia]

Hey there. Excellent job. I've been showing my daughter (16) some of your videos. She finds them very interesting. You're very professional and coordinated. This review was excellent, covered all of the points of interest for me, for this product. I will undoubtedly be adding this to my toolbelt in the future.

Thank you so much. I look forward to more content on hardware like this from you.

[jesseforeman]

This is the best review I have seen of this machine! I really like how in depth you went, especially the section on aluminum. This review is what lead me to purchase a carvera. Long time subscriber, you are wise beyond your years, Destined for greatness.

[rbmustang]

As a retired machinist, I can see that this is a very good machine for small work pieces. It does a very good job milling aluminum even at a 1mm depth of cut. There is some chatter in the corners of the slots milled in the aluminum plate at the higher depth of cut. To reduce the chatter, a shorter end mill will do the trick. But having a small work area, it wouldn't be big enough for most of the parts I'd like to make with a CNC milling machine. I have an old manual Bridgeport that I use for my hobbies. It's a great and versatile milling machine, but it's not CNC which greatly reduces the type of parts that can be made on it. Oh well, I'm retired, but I still enjoy the equipment I'm able to afford. Thanks for a wonder review of the capabilities of the Carvera CNC Machine.

[rbmustang]

27:16, look how far the end mill is extended from the collet, and also notice the flute length/cutting edge of the end mill. After I posted my first reply, I came back to watch this part again. The finish of the first slot is better than the last due to the depth of cut. Even though the end mill is small in diameter and it's extended possibly an inch from the collet, a very good finish could easily be obtained by taking a light climb milling cut of 0.005 thousandths on the edges of the slot. But, a shorter end mill at this diameter is always best for achieving a better finish.

[malcolmturton]

That looks to be a nice little machine and an awesome review as always. Thank you for taking the time to make the videos, you're doing great and deserve more subscribers, i'm sure they will come.

[urban]

Small but looks capable. The auto tool changer is a really nice feature. It's great that some features from 3d printing are making thier way to subtractive manufacturing.

[joshwilson]

Thank you so much for this detailed review and especially for comparing similar machines on the market. I'm considering this for my business and it was very helpful seeing a detailed walkthrough!

[Graham_Wideman]

Hey! It's the Makera Carvera Auto Tool Changera machinera reviewed by Aurera!

[VezD]

Thanks !! It was very helpful and I learned a lot from your video. You made me purchase this machine for my own prototyping/engineering ❤ quality content!! Congrats

[HandyDan]

Thank you for such a thorough and detailed review. As a machinist I am impressed with your knowledge on this machine and G code understanding.
I have this CNC in my future possibilities. This review helps me decide this is #1 on my list!

[tgammoncad]

This was an excellent video. Thank you for running through all of these tests.

[richardpogue]

You are very well spoken and do a fantastic job of demonstrating the machine and pointing out there weaknesses as well as their strengths. Well done.

[laurv]

Great video, girl, a lot of work! One of the best reviewers on YT. On the funny side, I anticipated that flat nose issue, albeit I never used a CNC machine and I didn't know what model will be cut (but I work in industrial products design and our factory has some large CNC machines too). I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it. I love that you show all the process, and don't censor out the mistakes you make (well, some of them at least 🤪), this is a very good way fot you to teach, and for us to learn from these part-reviews, part-tutorials. Kudos!

[manicmartyr]

I want one! Great review as usual. Keep up the great work!

[AwestrikeFearofGods]

10:18 This corner was high when probed, but deflected downward when milled, reducing depth-of-cut. This deflection is a risk of using a compliant wasteboard without adequate clamping.

[quadcomtelekom]

This is a pretty amazing review and great analytics on the End. Makera should take all 5 suggestions seriously and offer a 20-40W Laser optional on top. Then They got me . Thank You for this review!