Redefining Boundaries: Compass CNC Pushes the Envelope for Workspace Limitations in Human Operations
The Compass CNC, a new entrant in the world of CNC machines, is making waves in the maker community with its innovative design and affordable price point. This handheld CNC router, currently in development, offers a unique approach to precision crafting, setting it apart from its counterparts such as the Shaper Origin.
Design and User Interaction
The Compass CNC is designed for tactile, maker-oriented use. It combines a handheld router with real-time robotic assistance that corrects your manual guiding input, allowing direct user involvement in the crafting process. This is in contrast to the Shaper Origin, a higher-priced commercial handheld CNC with a more closed system and established commercial presence.
Positioning Technology
Compass CNC uses four optical flow sensors, similar to those in computer mice, along with a 3-axis motion system to auto-correct the router's path without requiring any external markers or setup. This makes it more portable and flexible in the work environment. Shaper Origin, on the other hand, relies on physical external reference markers placed on the work surface for positioning.
Cost and Availability
The Compass CNC is more affordable and DIY-friendly. Parts for the Compass CNC cost about $600, and kits can be purchased for under $800. It’s available as an open-source project on GitHub, with plans and firmware freely accessible, targeting makers and hobbyists who want a customizable solution. The Shaper Origin, however, is priced around $3,000, positioning it as a premium product.
Portability and Workspace
Compass CNC fits in a backpack, supports a wide range of working environments, and is not limited by a fixed work envelope or consumables like markers. This makes it an ideal tool for those who need a portable CNC solution. Shaper Origin, relying on physical markers and a more rigid commercial setup, is somewhat less flexible in spontaneous or marker-less scenarios.
In summary, the Compass CNC highlights maker-oriented, open-source design, marker-less positioning, and affordability. The Shaper Origin offers a polished commercial product relying on external markers and a higher cost. The Compass CNC is newly launched for pre-orders with a community-driven development model, while the Shaper Origin has been established longer in the market.
Components and Innovation
The Compass CNC features a compact core-XY gantry that moves the router only a few inches in each direction and has Z-axis control to set the router's depth. A Teensy 4.1 serves as the control unit, managing the gantry motors. The innovation of the Compass CNC lies in its reliance on the operator to handle gross positioning of the gantry over the workpiece, while the machine manages the precise, detailed movements required for cutting.
A circular screen provides instructions to guide the operator on where to position the tool. A commercial router performs the cutting in the Compass CNC. Most of the Compass CNC is constructed from 3D printed parts. Unlike the Shaper Origin's camera system, the Compass CNC uses four mouse sensors for position tracking over the workpiece.
Open Source Project
The Compass CNC is an open-source project, with design files freely available for self-build. Kits containing most of the necessary components for the Compass CNC assembly are available. This makes it an attractive option for those who want to build their CNC machine from scratch or customise it to their specific needs.
[1] Source: Maker's Muse [4] Source: Hackster.io
Sensors are integrated into the Compass CNC, using four optical flow sensors similar to those in computer mice for position tracking over the workpiece, setting it apart from the Shaper Origin's camera system.
The Compass CNC is an open-source project, making it possible for users to build their own CNC machine or customize it to their specific needs, showcasing the technology's compatibility with data-and-cloud-computing by being available on GitHub for download.
