The Nomad 883 isn’t the first desktop CNC machine to make a play for your tiny workshop space. We have to say, though, it looks a heck of a lot sleeker than previous efforts (e.g. Handibot) we’ve seen.
Made by Carbide 3D, it’s a fully-functional CNC machine that’s aimed at novice users, handling all the complexities of traditional CNC machines in the background, so you can focus on just cranking out your designs. It’s designed to work out of the box, complete with all the hardware and software (MeshCAM and Carbide Motion for both Mac and PC) you’ll need to get started.
Unlike other CNC machines, the Nomad 883 is designed to sit right on your workdesk, rather than a shop table. As such, it comes with a full enclosure that will keep all dust inside the machine and minimize the cutting noise, along with vibration-dampening reinforcements at strategic locations. They claim, in fact, that you can work on a computer on the same table the machine is running at and hardly notice it’s there. It comes with an embedded motion controller, so it requires minimal input from the computer, as well as a brushless motor connected to a real spindle (1/8-inch shank carbide cutter included), giving you full control of the cutting hardware.
Since it’s enclosed, the table is fixed, with a set build area of 8 x 8 x 3 inches. It boasts an all-aluminum frame, two options in enclosure (bamboo or HDPE), a clear polycarbonate lid, integrated tool length probe, and pre-calibrated homing switches. Supported materials include plastics, wood, brass, aluminum, tooling board, machinist wax, and anything similar (it can’t handle steel or anything as hard).
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running to fund the Nomad 883. Pledges to reserve a unit starts at $1,899.