Awesome Cnc

Makers of cool metal objects AltDynamic are back with another really sweet design. The Tesseract is a CNC-machined aluminum cube within a cube that looks like a rare totem from another dimension. It comes in three sizes: 1.9″ Mini, 2.4″ Mighty, and 2.9″ Mega, in raw aluminum and three anodized colors.

Butcher block maker Brother in Wood shows off his computer controlled mill carving out an intricate pattern of famed Samurai Hattori Hanzō. He then used the machine to cut an inverse pattern in a contrasting wood, glued it in place, then milled off the top layer for an inlay effect. The finished cutting board is a work of art.

Normally, when artists make stained glass windows, they use hand tools to painstakingly cut the glass pieces. But maker Jimmy Diresta shows us how he used his Wazer desktop waterjet cutter to cleanly slice through colored glass. He then caulked the pieces into an acrylic “leading” he made with a laser cutter.

Inspirs Designs‘ pricey, but awesome metal dice are made from GR5 titanium. Each numbered face is highlighted by geometric patterns which connect the pips. Choose from a sandblasted or stonewashed finish.

Whether you roast or fry, there are lots of different ways to prepare your Thanksgiving bird. The guys at BOSSlaser like to make their turkey from wood. It’s not as tender or tasty that way, but we’re sure it’s got lots of fiber. Have access to a laser cutter? Grab the design file from MAKE CNC.

FLUX, the guys behind the Delta 3D printer have a new product in the works – a desktop CO2 laser engraver and cutter that won’t break the bank. It’s designed for ease of use, yet is as capable as pro models, with on-board camera alignment and water cooling, along with optional autofocus and rotary capabilities for curved objects.

The Titans of CNC: Academy rightfully brag about their electronic machining equipment and skills by transforming a hefty 218 pound billet of aerospace grade titanium into a stunning sculpture of a lion’s head. In the end, they milled away over 100 pounds of material to reveal the metal king of the jungle.

Watch the Dark Lord come to life via modern machining tech, as an Okuma MU-5000V 5-axis mill completes milling a perfect metal bust of Star Wars’ baddie, courtesy of Morris Midwest. We’d love to see the sculpt from the beginning, but we’ll settle for metal Vader on our desk.

Artist Dieter Stahlwerx shows off a couple of his creations – thick metal sculptures which are cut so precisely that their second part nearly disappears into the background as it glides smoothly into place. Second video here.

In this promotional spot for CAD/CAM software developer Open Mind, they demonstrate how a 5-axis CNC mill can transform a solid block of metal into a replica of a basketball net, by gradually carving away bits of metal until only a woven net remains. Skip to 1:06.

German CNC machine maker Hermle shares footage of its C 42 U 5-axis milling machine cranking out an intricate model of the Eiffel Tower, carved from a single block of solid aluminum. Why can’t we have a machine like this in The Awesomer office?

The Mag iCreatum is an extremely affordable and durable modular 3D printer. The delta-style printer features a 270mm x 300mm build area and automatic calibration. With the equally affordable optional modules, you can turn it into a laser engraver or a CNC carver and plotter.

A brief look at the Pocket NC V2, an amazingly compact and precise 5-axis milling machine that’s small enough to put on your workbench. This desktop manufacturing marvel costs just under five grand, tens of thousands of dollars less than most 5-axis machines.

We’ve seen knives being made using classic blacksmithing techniques, but Gough Custom, shows off how they make their Resolute MkIII knives using modern materials and CNC technology. Machines or not, there’s still a ton of labor and craftsmanship in each knife.

A portable and affordable CNC machine. The Goliath has omnidirectional wheels that allows it to move directly on top of the material that it’s cutting. Its wheels are designed to ensure that dust and debris and won’t affect the machine’s accuracy.

Laser engravers are nifty, but they usually take up lots of space. The Cubiio aims to change that, offering up a computer-controlled laser engraver which can work just about anywhere. It can engrave a wide variety of materials, and cut through thin ones.

There’s something just so satisfying about watching this Thermwood 5-axis milling machine gradually transform a nondescript block of low-density foam into an intricately-carved sculpture. We wonder how long it took to complete the entire model.

A CNC knitting machine. Kniterate (knit + iterate) lets you create apparel and accessories (or at least their prototypes) out of digital templates. You’ll be able to design templates using Kniterate’s web app or import previously made designs.

Carbide3D shows us how to use one of their cool desktop CNC machines to carve upgraded wood and metal parts for a cheap Milwaukee Fastback knife. It’s a great demonstration of how desktop fabrication tools can make quick work of otherwise difficult tasks.

ApolloCrowe from Carbide 3D uses one of their Nomad desktop CNC machines to slice up soda cans, and transforms them into parts for a pair of robot sculptures. There’s a lot of handwork involved after the aluminum is cut, but it’s still cool to watch the machine work its magic.

A bargain-priced, compact 3D printer made primarily from sturdy metal components. It not only can print PLA, PVA, ABS and Nylon, but offers modules for carving and laser engraving. Our main concern is the lack of an enclosure for containing noise, odors, and debris.

Until now, waterjet cutting has been reserved for large industrial shops, but the Wazer aims to bring the tech to every workshop. It uses a high pressure stream of water and abrasive particles to slice cleanly through even the hardest materials, with precision and smoothness.

Engineers from the Human-Computer Interaction Lab at Germany’s Hasso Plattner Institute demonstrate an innovative use for a laser cutter – to not just cut materials, but to use their heat to weld layers together, forming fully-assembled 3D objects in the process.