We are honest when we say, “we make the machines you need, not necessarily what you want”. There are a few functions that would be missing, such as an auto tool changer and a vacuum bed, but other than that, our CNCs perform the same tasks as other 3-axis CNCs. You can 2D carve, 3D carve, engrave and V carve, albeit at a slower travel speed and with a smaller diameter bit. So, if you plan to cut sheets of ply at 15 meters per minute with a 12mm router bit, I highly suggest you look into other 2.5-tonne industrial CNCs. We cater to the hobby, small business, prototype, and small-scale commercial markets.

We try to cater for most needs through the offering of 3 unique inhouse designed CNCs.

Yes, we might be the best value (cheapest) CNC in Australia, but that is not by mistake; that is by design. Our core competencies are manufacturing and logistics, not marketing and advertising. Sure, we can raise our prices, call ourselves premium, tarnish our competitors, and spin the truth to suit, but that is not us. We make Australian-made CNCs and do not attach the “Australian Made tax”.

We pioneered the manufacturing of desktop CNCs back in 2017 beginning with the Bluey. Where others have copied, we have been well ahead with the next iteration of CNCs and kept on the forefront of technology and manufacturing techniques.

The areas we are class leaders include:

• Steel plates vs aluminium steel plates
  • Yes, our competitors have thicker aluminium gantry plates, but what they won’t tell you is that steel is exactly what your CNC needs, weight and rigidity. It so happens that, after investing tens of thousands of dollars and persisting in manufacturing in-house, we have a CNC that is extremely rigid across the entire range.
• Closed-loop stepper motors vs open-loop stepper motors
  • One of the most significant leaps in innovation has been the use of closed-loop stepper motors. Closed-loop motors have a sensor that tracks the actual motor position versus the desired position and readjusts on the fly. This allows for the elimination of lost steps, 30% higher torque and cleaner overall cuts and carves. The motors will enter a “motor fault” state and turn off all other motors if they experience a critical failure, such as bumping into a side gantry. This doubles up as a safety mechanism, as it operates as a much more reliable hard limit.
• Robotic high-flex wiring vs 4-core security cable
  • Much of the barrier to using closed-loop stepper motors is that the wiring requirement doubles and adds a lot more effort to the construction of our CNCs. We think it’s worth it, and as a bonus, our CNCs only require 40W to run!
• Proximity switches vs toggle switches
  • Proximity switches allow for a high degree of returnability back to 0,0,0, which allows for multi-part carves. We can achieve a 0.05mm return to 0,0,0 vs 0.4mm with toggle switches.

The BlueCarve range of CNCs has been designed with safety in mind using Australian-approved power sources. Unlike others, we do not use power supplies that require a 3D-printed cover to make them safe. On the rare occasion that transportation is required, we will need to separate the VFD for Blueys, where you will be required to engage an electrician to complete the final connection of mains power.

If you pick up your CNC at our factory in Laverton North, 3026 VIC, your Bluey and Turbo come fully assembled.  All I ask is that you bring your laptop and/or router along when you do. Together, we will install the necessary computer driver to run the CNC and ensure your CNC operates correctly. We will provide you with a comprehensive overview and ensure that everything is working correctly. I’ll help you load your CNC into your vehicle, and most new owners are cutting by that afternoon. Bluey, Turbo and the Trax, when picked up, will not be boxed or crated, so it is advisable to bring either a trailer, van or vehicle with a large boot.

Bluey V2 – Pick up only from our factory in Laverton North.

Turbo – If you purchase a Turbo and require it to be shipped, we will pack your CNC into a palletised crate. The Z axis is either lowered or removed altogether to reduce overall size, and therefore, the shipping charge is reduced. You will need to reattach the Z axis according to the provided instructions. The most cost-effective way to ship your Turbo is to a commercial address with a forklift, then to a depot near you, and finally to a residential address, which is the most expensive option.

Trax – The Trax is flat-packed into a 310 x 50 x 60 cm crate. We estimate that it will take about an hour to assemble your Trax. The only two shipping options are a commercial address with a forklift or a depot for pickup.

More often than not the driver will assign the delivery as a residential delivery and then invoice BlueCarve about $250 for the privilege which we will have to pass on. Best to include a comment in the Quote Request about your delivery circumstances so that we can determine the best transport solution.

The short answer is no. We would love to, but we are concentrating on local purchases and support.

We cannot guarantee the support of our CNC routers for overseas customers and therefore have chosen not to export.

There is little difference in what you can cut on a BlueCarve CNC vs. any other CNC in it’s class on the market. The most common materials include:

• Wood, ply, MDF, hardwood, softwood
• Plastics
• Composite panel (ACM)
• Aluminium and soft metals

The main consideration between the BlueCarve vs a $5000+ CNC machine is rigidity. This has an impact on quality of cut and speed of cutting. If you plan on cutting thick aluminium with minimal passes and achieve a flawless finish, most likely no 1mx1m rail CNC under $5000 will meet your requirements. What you are looking for there is a CNC mill, not a CNC router.

Other than that, your imagination is your limitation!  Of recent BlueCarve CNC customers have used their CNC to make guitar bodies, chopping board inlays, beetle catcher kits for bee hives, ply ribs for wooden surf boards, car parts, art displays, resin pours and the list goes on. You will see some great work in the Gallery, the BlueCarve Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Bluecarve and on Instagram with hashtag #Bluecarve for projects and videos.

Your BlueCarve CNC comes as standard:

• Fully assembled (disassembled for shipping) CNC with electronics tested
• Access to Easel by Inventables as standard
• Bits starter pack
• Spindle holder to accept a 65mm shaft (Makita RT0700C or your owns 65mm spindle)

You can purchase the following accessories:

• Spindle
• Dust boot
• T slot rails or aluminium bed (for Turbo only)
• T slot clamps
• Makita collets
• Blue diode laser

You will still need to add:

• A Makita trimmer RT0700C if you are not purchasing a spindle
• Table to sit the CNC on
• Laptop/computer Windows OS or Apple OS
• Shop Vacuum
• MDF or ply base board
• MDF waste board

We use 4 booking agents to give the best shipping option. We do not make a profit on freight, and it takes me about 2 hours to disassemble and pack your  Turbo or Trax, so freight is only available for interstate or regional Victoria buyers. Delivery takes up to a week but is quick in most circumstances. Sometimes items may be damaged in transit, so I ask that you completely assemble your machine and send me a message with what needs replacing.

The most expensive shipping option is delivery to the door, to the depot for pick up, tailgate commercial delivery and the cheapest, forklift commercial delivery. You may want to consider a depot delivery option for pickup. This option is usually $250 less than delivery to the door and allows pick up at your convenience.

Trax CNCs cannot be delivered to a location without a forklift. You may opt to pick up your Trax CNC from a depot.

Your BlueCarve CNC is made to order with each unit taking about a week to build and test. This is in addition to the wait times as we usually have a build list. Please check the front page regarding updated estimated delivery times.

Yes, any size smaller is possible. Some customers prefer this to accommodate a space constraint. Unfortunately, there is actually more work in adapting to a smaller size, so there is no cost saving. There could also be an extension to the lead time due to sourcing custom parts.

The BlueCarve suite of CNCs operates on the open source GRBL platform. This has the benefit of being flexible, allowing you to choose what software suits you best. The three components required to complete a project include Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Sender. There is one fully compatible program that handles all three components: Easel. An internet connection will be required to use this program. Easel is intuitive, easy to use, but limited to 2D/2.5D projects. Easel offers a Pro subscription that provides extra functionality, such as 3D carving and V-carving. It is a requirement to first use Easel with your BlueCarve CNC before using other programs or control software. If you want to venture into other software, be aware that we cannot guarantee the functionality or error-free operation. Just the same way that if you want to use your own navigation software in your new car, the manufacturer cannot guarantee that your experience will be error-free.

At BlueCarve we pride ourselves on having one of the best customer service experiences in the industry. Issues sometimes happen but we are here to help! You may be required to assist in diagnosing and replacing parts if necessary. Alternatively, you may want to bring your CNC in to have it looked at free of charge. If you do not feel comfortable in assisting or have no means to visit us at Laverton North VIC 3026 I will be honest and say that the BlueCarve series of CNCs might not fit your needs. Also, it is also good to get to know your BlueCarve CNC well and to be confident before accepting customer orders. We will endeavour to assist you in a timely manner, but patience is appreciated.

We provide a 12 month warranty on all mechanical and controller parts. Lasers, water and air cooled spindle have a 6 months warranty. Support includes technical as well as general questions which could range from problems with your CNC as well as undesired cutting results. I am happy to provide you replacement parts within that warranty period. Back to factory postage is not covered but postage to customer is covered within warranty period.  The best way to get in contact is via BlueCarve CNC Facebook messenger so that I can send and receive photos for reference.

You are in luck here! I operate Adam’s Bits which is renowned to having the best valued and great quality router bits in Australia. You get $65 worth of router bits and accessories from www.endmill.com.au based on what you are planning to cut. If you think you it cannot get any better, I will provide you with a discount code to receive 20% of the entire range of CNC router bits on my site for life of your BlueCarve CNC.

With your purchase of a BlueCarve CNC you will receive 8 end mills and a 6.35 to 3.175mm collet adaptor to fit your Makita Trimmer. If you choose to purchase a spindle upgrade, you will receive a full set of the most common collets.

The starter bits can sometime vary due to supply but in essence they include:

• 1x 1 flute up cut for plastics
• 5x 2 flute straight for timbers
• 2x 2 flute down cut for timbers

You still have a chance up until shipping to purchase the surfacing bit and 6mm collet for $30 if you want to use a Makita trimmer. This will allow you to also utilise 6mm CNC router bits. Also you may want to consider the 3.175mm and/or 4mm collet for the Makita trimmer in lieu of the collet adaptor.

Operating a CNC is relatively safe but you need to adhere to the following precautions:

• Wear safety glasses when CNC is in operation
• Wear ear muffs when trimmer is operating above levels that can cause hearing loss
• Keep body parts a clear distance from the CNC while in operation
• Do not touch the trimmer when turned on
• Do not leave your CNC unattended while in operation
• CNC Controller is not to be kept in an enclosed area, allowing free flowing air at all times Router bits are sharp, take care when handling

During operation of your BlueCarve CNC laser you must:

• Wear suitable laser goggles when power is connected to the laser module
• Only allow other people also wearing laser safety goggles in the room when the laser is powered
• Restrict access to the room where your laser is operating
• Only connect power to the laser module once module is attached to the Z axis with the lens facing down to the waste board

Don’t be fooled by a supplier’s stated “tolerance”. Unfortunately, your actual tolerances don’t work that way. The factors that effect your actual tolerance include machine motion accuracy + machine backlash + speed and acceleration + spindle/trimmer tolerance + collet tolerance + bit tolerance.

The sure way to measure the tolerance is to cut a 100mm circle and 100mm square and verifying the result with a vernier which can only be checked after you have set your CNC up.

In real life, the following factors can create an inaccuracy:

• Machine motion – loose, uncalibrated or worn belts. A ball screw CNC like the Turbo will give you the lowest machine accuracy
• Machine backlash – CNCs driven at high speeds will create a backlash. The most backlash experienced will be from a belt driven CNC, then a rack and pinion CNC with the least from a ball screw CNC. Keeping your machine maintained will assist in reducing backlash
• Spindle/trimmer tolerance – A Makita trimmer is not really meant for CNC even though most CNCs in Australia running with a trimmer will be using a Makita. The collets are mass produced and are meant for router bits, not necessarily CNC router bits. The expected tolerance is under 0.3mm while a spindle will have a tolerance of 0.005mm and a spindle collet of about 0.05mm.
• Bit tolerance – Using a large diameter bit can cause a tolerance issue. If you are planning on making intricate parts or press fit parts, it is best to use a smaller diameter bit.

Our machine tolerances where we measure the return of the gantry back to 0 and typical performance (not guaranteed):

• Bluey – 0.1mm with a typical 0.3mm
• Trax – 0.1mm with a typical 0.3mm
• Turbo – 0.05mm with a typical 0.1mm

Both CNCs require regular cleaning of rails and drive screws, lubrication of drive screws and linear rails and periodical check of nuts and bolts.

The Bluey being a belt and wheel driven CNC requires regular maintenance enable peak performance. Wheels Using a 10mm spanner, check each wheel by turning with one finger. If you can freely spin the wheel, tighten the eccentric spacer. Belts Check the tension of the belt but homing your Bluey (or moving each axis to a corner by hand). If you can barely fit 2 or 3 fingers under the belt in the middle of the axis, tighten the end belt clip.

The Turbo has linear rails and ball screws that require to be clean an lubricated with white lithium grease spray.