The CNC 3018 is an affordable, hobbyist-level CNC machine that has taken the DIY and maker world by storm in recent years. This diminutive desktop CNC machine allows anyone to start engraving, carving and milling a variety of materials right at home without breaking the bank.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the highly popular CNC 3018 machine including its features, capabilities, accessories, software setup, projects you can make and more. Let’s dive in!
What is the CNC 3018?
The CNC 3018 is a small desktop computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine developed by GENMITSU. It features a 300mm x 180mm x 45mm work area and uses GRBL motion control software and Arduino to operate.
The CNC 3018 is an extremely affordable entry-level CNC machine priced at around $200-300. It’s a miniature version of larger, more expensive CNC milling machines used for rapid prototyping, model making, wood carving, PCB manufacturing and engraving of various materials.
Due to its low cost and small footprint, the CNC 3018 has exploded in popularity in recent years as an accessible DIY CNC machine for hobbyists, makers, engineers, students and small businesses looking to get into digital fabrication. It has opened up CNC machining to a whole new audience.
Features and Capabilities
Here are some of the main features and capabilities of the versatile CNC 3018 machine:
- Compact size with 300 x 180 x 45mm work area
- Sturdy aluminum frame construction
- Uses industry-standard GRBL motion control software
- Powered by Arduino UNO with ATmega328P MCU
- High precision lead screws with 0.05mm positioning accuracy
- Spindle speed up to 10000-12000 RPM
- Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux
- Very affordable price approximately $200-300
The CNC 3018 can perform various machining functions including:
- Engraving on wood, plastic and soft metals
- Carving and sculpting wood, plastics and foam
- Drilling holes in wood, plastics and thin metals
- Milling wood, PCBs and aluminum
- Cutting various materials such as leather, foam boards and fabrics
- Routing wood pieces and creating furniture joints
- Custom milling of small mechanical parts
While it has limitations in terms of part size, rigidity and cutting force compared to larger CNC machines, the 3018 provides an excellent starting point for DIY CNC use for hobbyists and small businesses on a budget.
Hardware Components
The CNC 3018 comes as a kit that needs to be assembled. Here are the main hardware components included:
- Structural aluminum frame
- 8mm lead screws with flexible couplings for X, Y and Z axis
- Stepper motors for X, Y and Z axes with motor drivers
- 300w spindle and speed controller
- Arduino UNO with GRBL 1.1 firmware pre-installed
- 12-24V power supply
- Limit switches for homing axes
- Emergency stop button
- Control box with selector switch
Additional parts like the waste board, end mills, clamps and material stock need to be purchased separately. Overall, the hardware components are reasonably good quality given the low price of the full kit. With proper assembly and adjustments, the 3018 can achieve 0.05mm precision.
Software Setup
The CNC 3018 utilizes open-source GRBL g-code motion control software which receives instructions from host software on your computer. This allows you to control the CNC machine from your Windows, Mac or Linux machine.
Here are some popular software options for controlling the 3018 CNC machine:
- Candle – Excellent open source, cross-platform GRBL control software with G-Code visualizer.
- bCNC – Full-featured, GRBL-based software for Windows, Linux and Mac.
- Universal Gcode Sender (UGS) – Java-based GRBL control software.
- FreeCAD – Open source CAD/CAM software with full CNC capabilities.
- Fusion 360 – Very popular commercial CAD/CAM and CAM software.
- Carbide Create – Made for Carbide 3D machines but supports GRBL devices like 3018.
These programs allow you to import or design your models, simulate toolpaths, generate g-code and send it to the CNC machine. They provide features like gcode editing and visualization which help with troubleshooting.
Overall, the software setup for the CNC 3018 is quite simple since GRBL handles all the motion control and interfacing commands. You just need to chose a suitable host software controller that matches your OS and needs.
Accessories and Upgrades
One of the great things about the CNC 3018 is that you can upgrade and enhance it quite easily. Here are some worthwhile accessories and upgrades:
- Wasteboard – Essential for holding down your material. Get an aluminum tooling plate or MDF board.
- End Mills – You’ll need different end mills for different materials. 2 flute and 4 flute mills in sizes from 0.5mm to 6mm are generally used.
- Clamps – Useful for securely holding down wasteboard and workpieces.
- Offline Controller – Allows you to control from a separate box instead directly from your computer.
- Drag Knife/Engraver – For vinyl cutting or paper/cardstock engraving.
- Laser Module – Add laser engraving and cutting capabilities. Requires additional mounts and brackets.
- Spindle/Router – More powerful 500w or 800w spindle for thicker materials. May require power supply upgrades.
- CNC Bits/Bobs – For holding end mills and other accessories.
- Dust Boot – Essential for keeping debris contained and dust levels down.
- Z-axis Motor Upgrade – A stronger stepper motor will improve cutting force and precision on the Z-axis.
- Linear Rails – Replace the leadscrew-driven axes with linear rail kits for increased rigidity.
These upgrades can significantly improve the performance, capabilities and safety of the CNC 3018 machine. Start with essential add-ons like the wasteboard, end mills, clamps and dust boot, then upgrade components over time as your needs evolve.
Example Projects
From intricate wood carvings to custom PCBs, there’s a vast range of projects that can be made with the versatile CNC 3018:
- Signs and Plaques – Carve custom logos, text and designs into materials like wood and acrylic.
- 2.5D Reliefs – Create highly detailed sculpted reliefs and textures. Especially suited for wood, plastics and aluminum.
- Furniture Parts and Joinery – Cut wood joinery like finger joints for furniture pieces; carve decorative designs.
- Circuit Boards – Mill custom PCBs from copper clad laminates.
- RC Parts – Machine custom carbon fiber or plastic parts for remote control vehicles.
- Metal Engraving – Engrave serial numbers, logos and markings into softer metals like aluminum.
- Stencils – Cut custom paint or sandblasting stencils from materials like MDF.
- Topographic Maps – Carve 3D terrain maps with elevation data.
- Mold Making – Create small injection molds out of aluminum or HDPE plastic.
- Jewelry Making – Delicate cuts and carving for jewelry pieces from wax, wood or soft metals.
- Paper Cutting – Precision cutting of paper art using a drag knife.
- Leather Processing – Cut leather pieces for bags, shoes, crafts.
- Food Art – Intricate carving and sculpting of chocolate, vegetables etc.
As you gain experience, you can tackle more complex, multi-stage projects that require different tools, fixtures, CAM planning and finished with post-processing. The low cost of the 3018 means you can take on projects with less risk and really put your personal stamp on them.
Getting Started with the CNC 3018
If you’re interested in getting started with the CNC 3018 machine, here are some tips:
- Review assembly guides on YouTube to see the setup process from start to finish.
- Ensure you have all the required tools like screwdrivers, hex keys, drills, tweezers etc.
- Print out a wiring diagram to check your connections during assembly. Double check before powering on!
- Take your time assembling and aligning parts properly. Rushed jobs can negatively impact results.
- Consider starting with softer materials like wood, plastics or aluminum before harder metals. Dial in your machine first!
- Use scrap pieces to test out feeds, speeds, tools and workholding first. Fine tune CAM settings before final pieces.
- Start with 2D profiling, engraving and drilling before moving onto complex 3D surfacing strategies.
- Practice workplace safety! Wear safety glasses, mask dust, secure long hair and remove loose clothing/jewelry.
While there is a learning curve, the CNC 3018 provides incredible value for hobbyists and professionals alike. With close attention to setup, detailed CAM planning and smart tool selection, you can achieve high quality machining results.
Conclusion
For its extremely affordable price point, the CNC 3018 provides an approachable entry point into the world of digital fabrication while still being capable of highly detailed parts. It has certainly ushered in a new era of desktop CNC machines.
With continued software development and the vast range of materials it can machine, we’re likely to keep seeing more ingenious and creative projects made on the CNC 3018. It delivers an immense amount of value whether you’re looking to start a small business, pick up a rewarding hobby or explore the maker world.
