The original design requirements involved performance characteristics reminiscent of the commercial Avid Pro 2×4 CNC Router, so it has always been the basis for comparison throughout the design process. While I did try to compare several other similar routers at the time, PrintNC was only just gaining popularity (eclipsing the MPCNC) and had slid under my radar while the high-end Shapeoko line was much less mature. Now both systems are a very good point of comparison to the router I set out to design.
The PrintNC (a community design) often ends up with capabilities very similar to an Avid CNC at a fraction of the cost. Ultimately, the PrintNC is the foundation of a machine design that can be taken in whatever direction is important to the builder. The entry price to a machine that ‘runs’ is barely $2000, but it can cut all of the aluminum parts you need to beef it up and make it comparable to an Avid. The barebones GRBL electrical system is simple and easy but lacks many nice-to-haves that turn a project machine into a reliable machine (but you can always add them!).
In the end I think the Avid and Shapeoko are great options for people who just want to assemble a bunch of parts in one weekend and have something that runs (and you can call support if it doesn’t). The Avid is only really necessary over the Shapeoko if you need to cut aluminum frequently, or you *really* want to hog out a lot of wood.
The PrintNC is a great option for someone on a budget who either doesn’t need much performance (from the base model) or doesn’t mind tinkering and turning their CNC into a project (by adding all of the features that make it competitive). I think the documentation (but not the community support) becomes scarce as you work your way from the base model to a more capable ‘fork’, and it isn’t always apparent how the modifications will impact your expected performance.
The Burks Builds CNC Router is a good option for someone who wants a high-performance machine from the outset with a complete reference design, documentation, and known capabilities.
| Burks Builds | Avid CNC | PrintNC | Shapeoko 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $6,200 Mechanical: $2700 Controls: $3175 Stand/Legs: $375 | $11,345 Mechanical: $4725 Controls: $5875 Stand/Legs: $745 | $2,100+ Mechanical: $950 Controls: $1150 Unaccounted Free/Used No stand/legs | $4,250+ No stand/legs |
| Work Area | 30″ x 51.75″ x 6.25″ | 24″ x 49.5″ x 8″ | 24″ x 48″ x 6″ | 24.5″ x 48.7″ x 6″ |
| Speed | Cutting: 6,000 mm/s Rapid: 7,500 mm/s | Cutting: 12,000 mm/s Rapid: 25,000 mm/s | Cutting:3,000 mm/s Rapid: 5,000 mm/s $ Upgradable NEMA 34 | Cutting: 2,540 mm/s+ Rapid: 5,000 mm/s+ |
| Mass | 550 pounds+ | 450 pounds+ | 200 pounds+ | 200 pounds+ |
| Footprint | 68″ x 74″ x 35/65″ | 41″ x 67″ x 43/77″ | 35″ x 52″ x 23″ | 35″ x 60″ x 21″ |
| Controller | Digital Dream DDCSE | Ethernet SmoothStepper + Laptop | GRBL + Laptop | GRBL? + CarbideMotion (Laptop) |
| Material Capability | Wood: Yes Plastic: Yes Aluminum: Yes Steel: Meh | Wood: Yes Plastic: Yes Aluminum: Yes Steel: Meh | Wood: Yes Plastic: Yes Aluminum: Yes Steel: Meh | Wood: Yes Plastic: Yes Aluminum: Meh Steel: No |
| Fabrication Requirements | 3D Printer Milled Aluminum Parts (can be bought or routed) | 3D Printer Steel Drilling Milled Aluminum Parts (can be bought or routed) | ||
| Stiffness Adders | Diagonal steel cables Extra gantry beam | Steel Structure | ||
| Stiffness Detractors | All Aluminum (no steel) | X/Z Axis Single Bearings Plastic brackets ($) | Thin structural extrusions Smaller (HG15) Bearings | |
| Accuracy Adders | Optical homing switches | |||
| Accuracy Detractors | Rail mounted on unmilled surface | Rail mounted on unmilled surface | Rail mounted on unmilled surface | |
| Reliability Adders | Drive alarm feedback Closed loop steppers Safe-mount limit switches Power Contactor | Drive alarm feedback ($) Power Contactor ($) | ||
| Reliability Detractors | Open Loop Steppers | Partial limit switches ($) Open Loop Steppers ($) | Partial limit switches Open Loop Steppers | |
| Support Sources | Documentation | Company Documentation Community | Documentation Community | Company Documentation Community |