Maslow CNC

Maslow CNC is an open-source CNC router project. It is the only commercially available vertical CNC router and is notable for its low cost of US$500.^[1][2][3]

Maslow CNC

Classification	Computer numerical control router
Inventor	Bar Smith, Hannah Teagle and Tom Beckett

Although the kit is advertised at $500, like many tools, additional initial material and hardware costs are required. The kits are now sold by three re-sellers range in price from $400 to $500. Lumber and plywood are required to make the machine's frame along with an appropriate and compatible router. Lastly, a personal computer or tablet is needed with Windows, Mac OSX or Linux as its operating system. Overall initial material material costs approximately $800.

The unique vertical design mimics a hanging plotter allowing it to have a 4' x 8' cutting area with a footprint 10' wide x 19" deep.^[2][3][4] Maslow CNC uses geared motors with encoders (8148 counts/rev) and a closed loop feedback system to achieve a resolution of ±0.4mm.^[2][5][6] To reduce cost, Maslow CNC comes in kit form, uses a commercial off-the-shelf handheld router provided by the user for the router spindle, uses an Arduino Mega microprocessor, and uses a large number of common hardware items rather than custom parts.^[7]

The Maslow CNC project was created 2016 by Bar Smith, Hannah Teagle and Tom Beckett. The project was funded with preorders on Kickstarter, raising $314,000.^{[4][8][9][10]} It was featured on Tested and was shown at Maker Faire Bay Area 2017. ^[11][12]

Maslow CNC ran a second Kickstarter campaign August 1-30, 2023 for the Maslow4, a revised Maslow design with the following differences from the original Maslow:

• The sled position is controlled using four belts which are anchored at four corners instead of two chains,
• The motors which attach to the belts are mounted on the sled rather than the frame,
• The motors use current feedback to detect the tension on the belts.
• Maslow CNC Participants in the campaign were Bar Smith and Roman Gromov.

The Kickstarter campaign was successfully funded with 1,486 backers pledging $822,580. Delivery of Maslow4 kits was estimated to occur starting in December, 2023.^[13]