Carbide 3D has announced new Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC routers.
Carbide 3D claims that the new Shapeoko 5 Pro is a “massive upgrade in capability and performance,” and that it “is meant to be the last CNC router you’ll buy, and not a stepping stone to something better.”
They add that:
There’s no other CNC router on the market that can do what Shapeoko 5 Pro can do at the same price point. Some machines can’t touch the Shapeoko 5 Pro, even at twice the price.
Let’s look at some of the notable features.
First, the good and bad news. Carbide 3D says that “there’s nothing shared with the Shapeoko 3, 4, or Pro.” They have a new frame, extrusions, motion system, electronics, motor, GRBL, and “new everything.”
The company says that they wanted this to be the flagship Shapeoko for a long time.
It will be available in 3 sizes:
- Shapeoko 5 Pro 2×2 – 24” x 24”
- Shapeoko 5 Pro 4×2 – 48” x 24”
- Shapeoko 5 Pro 4×4 – 48” x 48”
The Z-travel will be the same for all machines – 6″ (155mm), with 4″ of clearance space beneath the gantry.
They have a new hybrid table, that’s pass-through capable. Carbide 3D says users can slide a full 4′ x 8′ sheet of plywood through 4′ x 2′ and 4′ x 4′ machines.
The t-slot spacings and dimensions have been tweaked so that all of the MDF spaces in between can be completely machineable by the cutter.
In other words, you can flatten the entire top to ensure you can pass through oversized sheet metals, flat.
They moved away from belts and went with ballscrews.
They also upgraded the Shapeoko 5 Pro to linear rails, which are said to be a big upgrade over the V-wheels or rails of earlier Shapeoko machines.
There’s a new router motor spindle, plus accessory clamp (accessories are planned but not yet announced), and new BitSetter for quicker bit changes.
There will be a new optional Sweepy Pro dust boot, with grounding points to help with static-mitigation efforts.
A new power pendant with emergency stop allows for easy controls, even if the CNC router is placed inside an enclosure. This will let users pause or stop a program mid-job.
Additional upgrades include a new electronics box, drag chains for all of the wiring, and lights under the gantry.
Pricing
Shapeoko 5 Pro 2′ x 2′: $3200
Shapeoko 5 Pro 4′ x 2′: $3500
Shapeoko 5 Pro 4′ x 4′: $3750
Users will need to buy or supply a router or spindle motor separately.
Carbide 3D expects to start shipping the new machines by December 2022. They will start accepting orders on November 21, 2022.
They say the Shapeoko 5 Pro is built and supported in the USA.
Discussion
Here are all of the other current Carbide 3D machines:
- Nomad 3 desktop CNC mill
- Shapeoko Pro CNC router
- Shapeoko 4 CNC router
- Shapeoko HDM
It is worth reminding everyone that all of these CNC routers are meant for use with wood boards, sheets, and other such materials. Machines like this simply are not built for cutting stronger materials.
They say that this CNC can cut non-ferrous metals such as brass and aluminum, albeit slowly, but it will likely require more trial and error and user experience to dial things in.
I own a Shapeoko 3, and this new series-5 Pro machine does look to fix a lot of the small complaints I have about my machine, although at several times the price.
It’s interesting to see the direction the company is heading in. Their Shapeoko CNC routers start at $1700 – that’s for the Shapekoko 4 “standard” size, plus an $80 for a router motor (or about the same if purchasing from a different brand). The new Pro model costs about twice as much.
Carbide 3D says that there will not be a non-pro Shapeoko 5, and so the 4 will continue to be their entry-level CNC router.
The new Shapeoko 5 Pro is not Carbide 3D’s most expensive CNC router, however, a title still held by their pre-assembled Shapeoko HDM machine.
I don’t know enough yet to recommend for or against the Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC router, but I do thoroughly recommend Carbide 3D (so far).
