If you’re looking for a compact CNC solution that delivers affordable, full-production performance for digital fabrication, ShopBot’s Buddy tool is the right tool for your needs. Buddys have a small footprint, and can be positioned easily into your production flow.
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The ShopBot Buddy is designed for industrial, commercial, or residential applications cutting in wood, plastics, aluminum and other materials. The Buddy incorporates many of the same features as ShopBot’s full-size industrial systems, yet weighs less than 600 lbs. and occupies as little as 16 sq. ft. of floor space — and it comes with optional casters that allow you to move the tool easily for different applications in your shop. That makes them useful on the shop floor. They can be configured and reconfigured for specific production needs—Buddys are the agile production CNC solution.
Fully assembled and ready to work when rolled out of the shipping crate, the Buddy design makes use of a rigid, stationary gantry over a moving table. The gantry is a heavy custom extrusion, precisely machined for sturdy linear rails. The steel and solid aluminum Z-axis also rides on linear rails. The Buddy is available in 32” or 48” widths (actual cutting/machining widths are 32” and 49”) and have a front-back distance of 24”.
The front-back length can be optionally expanded to 48” with a longer PowerStick™ (actual cutting and machining distances are 26” and 50”, respectively for this axis). The PowerStick is our award-winning motion and drive substrate of the moving table; PowerStick technology allows quick swaps between multiple tables and fixturing systems.
For more depth of cutting, Buddys are available with extended-height clearance while 3D cutting. The Buddy 32 and 48 are available with extended-height tablesides and a 14” Z-axis. The 14” Z-axis makes the Buddy the perfect tool for mold making, carving, and prototyping. See the specification table for summaries of the work envelope for various Buddy configurations.
| Tough precision linear bearing on Y- and Z- axes with hardened steel rails and “V”-bearings for the moving-table, X-axis. |
| Ships with a standard, 24” work-area PowerStick for the moving table (this PowerStick itself is 48” in the front back length as the overall standard deck length). |
| Reliable rack-and-pinion power transmission on each axis. |
| Positional repeatability of +/- .002”. |
| Sealed industrial control box. |
| Z-zero touch-off plate and XYZ proximity switches. |
| Dust skirt ready to connect to your dust collector. |
| Advanced ShopBot developed and ShopBot supported Control System software runs your CNC. |
| ShopBot Control System software to run your CNC. |
| Support Resources and Documentation |
| Two-year warranty . |
| Each new ShopBot tool includes powerful design software to create to create CNC projects. |
| Model | Cut/Movement Area | Footprint | |
| BT32 Buddy 32" | 25” x 33” x 8” 640mm x 840mm x 200mm | 36” x 56” x 67” 990mm x 1422mm x 1701mm | |
| BT48 Buddy 48" | 25” x 49” x 8” 640mm x 1244mm x 200mm | 36” x 76” x 67” 990mm x 1930mm x 1701mm | |
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Nominal Cutting area and Total Movement Area refer to the areas that can be covered using a single z-axis.
Actual cutting width is decreased by 10” when using a second Z axis. |
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Buddy Alpha |
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XY Move Speed
(with full cutting force) |
Variable, max. 600”/min. 15.24m/min. |
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Z Move Speed (with full cutting force) |
Variable, max. 360”/min. 9.14m/min. |
| XY Positioning Speed | Variable, max. 1800”/min. 45.7m/min. |
| Z Positioning Speed | Variable, max. 900”/min. 22.86m/min. |
| Step Resolution | 0.0005” 0.0127mm |
| Positional Accuracy (no load) | +/- 0.003in 0.076mm |
| Linear Cutting Force | Approximately 150 lbs. 68 Kg |
| X and Y Axis Drive System | Rack and Pinion |
| Z Axis Drive System | Rack and Pinion |
| Input Voltage | 110 volt (30 amp); or 220 volt (15 amp) [Single phase, 50-60Hz] VOLTAGE must be specified at time of purchase. The PRSalpha requires a fused disconnect installed by a licensed electrician. Spindle may require 3 phase. |
Buddy Standard |
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XY Move Speed
(with full cutting force) |
Variable, max. 360”/min. 9.1m/min. |
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Z Move Speed (with full cutting force) |
Variable, max. 120”/min. 3m/min. |
| XY Positioning Speed | Variable, max. 480”/min. 12.1m/min. |
| Z Positioning Speed | Variable, max. 480”/min. 12.1m/min. |
| Step Resolution | 0.0004” 0.015mm |
| Positional Repeatability | ± 0.002” 0.051mm |
| Linear Cutting Force | Approximately 50# 22 Kg at 60”/min. 1.52m/min |
| X and Y Axis Drive System | Rack and Pinion |
| Z Axis Drive System | Rack and Pinion |
| Input Voltage | 110 volt (30 amp); or 220 volt (15 amp) [Single phase, 50-60Hz] VOLTAGE must be specified at time of purchase. |
While there are endless possibilities of what you can do with the ShopBot PRSalpha, here are a few examples of areas where people are putting their CNC tool to use:
With CNC, cabinetmakers can drill shelf pin holes, cut rabbets and dados, and profile-cut a completed panel. The operator only needs to handle the full sheet once to load the machine, and then remove the perfectly cut parts when complete.
Learn more about Cabinetmaking with CNCRealize your team’s aesthetic vision and go quickly from hand drawing to CAD design to full-size scenery panels. Complexity is easily incorporated when using CNC, so you can execute all kinds of ideas—including creating components in 3D.
Learn more about Stagecraft with CNCSign makers are using CNC for 3D carving, V-bit carving, profile contouring, fluting, and engraving. It also provides them with the opportunity to cut their own channel letter components, frames, posts, and borders in-house.
Learn more about Signmaking with CNCHigh-volume furniture and millwork companies, as well as novice and master craftsmen, are embracing CNC technology. Craftsmen are quickly realizing that the CNC process doesn’t jeopardize their pieces' authenticity; it only adds to quality and uniqueness of the finished product.
Learn more about Furniture with CNCBelow are some of our most popular tool configurations. We have a wide range of accessories to customize your tool to meet your business needs. Contact your ShopBot specialist today at 1-888-680-4466. Request a Quote or Get in Touch for a general question or inquiry.
Still can't find the perfect tool? There are many other ShopBot tool configurations available. For custom quotes and questions with your pricing, contact our sales team. We’re happy to help.
| PRSalpha Buddy BT48 (caster kit included) | $15,589 | |||||||||||||||
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$2,660 | |||||||||||||||
| $925 | ||||||||||||||||
| $285 | ||||||||||||||||
| $295 | ||||||||||||||||
| $175 | ||||||||||||||||
| $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
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Includes:
ShopBot Control System Software. Vectric's VCarve Pro included with tool purchase ($699 value). Buddy tool ships fully assembled. Liftgate service is recommended. Quick quotes do not include shipping costs or any applicable sales tax.
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| PRSstandard Buddy BT48 (caster kit included) | $11,649 | |||||||||||||||
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$2,660 | |||||||||||||||
| $295 | ||||||||||||||||
| $1,492 | ||||||||||||||||
| $175 | ||||||||||||||||
| $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
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Includes:
ShopBot Control System Software. Buddy tool ships fully assembled. Liftgate service is recommended. Quick quotes do not include shipping costs or any applicable sales tax. |
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Toll Free: 1-888-680-4466
Phone: 919-680-4800
Fax: 919-680-4900
ShopBot Tools, Inc.
3333-B Industrial Drive
Durham, NC 27704
USA
Office Hours
Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm EST
After Hours Tech Support
Monday–Friday: 5pm–9pm EST
Saturday–Sunday: 8am–9pm EST
Office Closure
ShopBot Tools, Inc. is closed New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Outside of normal office hours, we regularly check for support requests,
email and phone messages. To make sure we can get back to you as soon as possible,
leave a phone number or return email address where you will be available.