The X and Y axes use a rack and pinion drive mechanism that is fast and accurate when compared to other drive mechanisms.
#Cnc router for mac pro#
You need either the Avid benchtop pro or a proper benchtop CNC mill. Milling steel is also a possibility, but if steel milling is a main part of your workflow, then this machine is far from ideal. The frame is made of heavy-duty aluminum and steel plates which provides it excellent rigidity and allows you to cut hard materials fast.Īluminum CNC milling is quick and easy on the Avid PRO4848, and you can find several tutorial videos on YouTube showing you how this machine performs with Aluminum. You can cut materials with a maximum thickness of 8” on the Avid CNC PRO 4848 and if you were to shell out around $150 more you can use the increased Z-axis travel of 12”. You will need a rigid table to withstand and prevent jerking. This is because the motion in Avid CNC is quick which can cause substantial jerks/vibrations in the entire setup. If you want to make or use a table of your own, you will have to provide a table that is strong and rigid. However, the available work area would still remain the same. This will need you to have an extended gantry that adds 10” to the X-axis footprint. You can also add a secondary Z-axis on an Avid CNC PRO which lets you use two tools without the need for a tool change. If you get the optional leg kit with the PRO4848 the overall height increases to 77 ½” and the weight becomes 377 lbs.
#Cnc router for mac full#
However, tiling does reduce your efficiency a bit as you have to manually move your sheet material after it's done with one half.įor full efficiency, you need a dedicated 4x8 CNC router like the Avid CNC PRO4896.
#Cnc router for mac software#
The best way to do this is by a technique called tiling.įor using the tiling technique, you need a CAM software that offers that functionality like the Vectric Aspire CAM. You can also mill a 4'x8' full-sized sheet on this CNC as the sides of the bed are open. This means you have the space to work with a 4'x4' sized sheet. PRO4848 CNC Router has a 49-½" x 49-½" work area with a footprint of 67” x 65 ¾” x 43 ⅜” and weighs around 313 lbs. You can purchase these additions from Avid CNC or else you can use components of your choice.Īvid CNC provides everything else you need as a bundled kit to make buying easy. You will have to purchase stepper motors, spindle, electronics, and controllers separately. However, this will only contain the framework and linear motion components. The frame for the NEMA 34 version will cost $100 more. The NEMA 23 version of this CNC Router with standard gantry and 8” of Z travel will cost around $4,725. This expandability is a major advantage to buying the Avid CNC compared to a welded frame CNC. This means you can convert this 4x4 CNC router from Avid into a 4x8 CNC router or a 5x10 CNC router later by only adding the extra components. I chose the PRO4848 for the extra speed and power it offers.Īlso because I think the price difference between the CRP4848 and PRO4848 is not that significant.Īvid CNC is designed to be modular so that you can start out small and then add upgrades later to meet your demands as they grow.
These are the best 4x4 CNC Routers available on the market today:Īvid CNC is a US-based CNC brand that specializes in CNC routers for serious hobbyists and small businesses.Īvid offers two products with a 4x4 cutting area, the CRP4848, and the PRO4848. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I break everything down for you so that you can make a wise choice. There is quite a variation in the prices of these machines due to the differences in speed and accuracy. This is achieved using a software feature called tiling.Īs a 4x4 CNC has to travel 4' length in X and Y directions, the linear motion components need to be seamless and the frame should be rigid enough for that long travel.Ĭonsidering all the important factors for a 4x4 machine, I chose the best high-quality 4x4 CNC routers on the market for this guide. The key advantage to buying a 4x4 CNC router is that it gives you the ability to work on 4x8 sheets at a much lower cost compared to a full-fledged 4x8 CNC machine. If you are a hobbyist, maker, or small business owner looking for a CNC that has a cutting area of 4'x4', this guide will help you pick the one you need.