ShopBot 5-axis Tool

A 5-Axis CNC Router for less than $40K?

YES. Introducing ShopBot’s 5-Axis PRSalpha CNC

We're proud to introduce The ShopBot 5-Axis CNC. This is another demonstration of our technology leadership, as the ShopBot 5-Axis CNC delivers multi-axis capability at an affordable price. The ShopBot 5-axis is ready for production cutting, drilling, trimming, as well as prototype-and fixture-machining in a large work envelope, accessible from all angles.

Our 5-Axis CNC is built on rigid ShopBot modules with extended height that allows good 5-axis reach. The X axis is a moving table based on ShopBot’s innovative PowerStick system. The Y axis makes use of ShopBot’s precision extruded beam. The practical work envelope of the tool is: 48” (1220mm) X (extendable with a longer PowerStick to 8' [3050mm]), 34” (860mm) Y, and 24” Z (610mm) (from lowest horizontal machining position to highest vertical position assuming a 1.5” [38mm] cutter).

ShopBot 5-axis tool simplified
ShopBot 5-axis tool simplified

All 5 axes are powered by advanced technology, closed-loop, alphaStep motors providing production speed and precision. The tool includes a 2.2hp HSD spindle fit to ShopBot’s 5-axis head. The 5-axis head, or wrist, utilizes 2, alphaStep DG motors (from OrientalMotor). These are “hollow rotary actuators” providing a wide rigid base and stable motion for the two additional axes of rotation.

ShopBot 5-axis tools - wrist in action

Wrist in action

The tool is designed for 5-axis machining of prototyping materials, urethane foams, and soft woods. It should also work well for trimming, drilling, and slotting operations in a variety of materials. It does not have sufficient rigidity or aggressiveness for production machining of hardwood or aluminum.

The ShopBot 5-Axis PRSalpha CNC tool is priced at $39,500 (complete, including spindle & VFD). It will ship fully assembled (except for needing to mount pneumatic lift cylinder for the Z axis after uncrating). It arrives ready to roll out of its crate on its own casters and start work (220VAC single phase or 3 phase power).

ShopBot’s Software Controls provide full, simultaneous, 5 axis machining and run from the popular and straightforward ShopBot interface. It is a highly programmable interface. ShopBots run from industry-standard G-code or from ShopBot PartFile code, which is one of the easiest to read CNC languages for operators on the shop floor (ShopBot PartFile code is output by all major CAM programs; e.g. MasterCAM, CabinetVision, VisualMill, DelCam/ArtCam, most signage programs, etc). The controls make ShopBot very configurable in productions settings and make it possible to set up simple, push-button interactions for operators.

5-axis tool in action

Because of the many ways this tool can be used and varied design environments of production operations, we do not include 5-axis design or CAM software with the tool. However, the tool is easily integrated with your current engineering and CAM software (most major CAM systems post to ShopBots; those that don’t can be straightforwardly configured). If you are just getting started with 5-axis, for general production and machining we recommend and sell Rhino and RhinoCAM (with 3+2, 5-axis toolpathing) as an entry-level CAD/CAM approach for working with 5-axis capabilities.