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Original WorkBee CNC Machine Kit
22From: £1,245.00 Ex VAT: £1,037.50
Taxes Calculated at Checkout
The WorkBee is our flagship CNC Machine and a culmination of all our experience, feedback, and suggestions from designing CNC Machines over the past 5+ years. The WorkBee is capable of accurately cutting foams, woods, plastics or aluminium at depths greater than 25mm and to a 0.2mm accuracy or greater. With a WorkBee CNC Kit you can manufacture engineering parts, toys and signs. In fact, you can make anything you can imagine without leaving the workshop.
PRODUCT CONFIGURATOR
ABOUT THE ORIGINAL WORKBEE CNC MACHINE
The WorkBee is our flagship CNC Machine and a culmination of all our experience, feedback, and suggestions from designing CNC Machines over the past 5+ years. The WorkBee is capable of accurately cutting foams, woods, plastics or aluminium at depths greater than 25mm and to a 0.2mm accuracy or greater. With a WorkBee CNC Kit you can manufacture engineering parts, toys and signs. In fact, you can make anything you can imagine without leaving the workshop.
The WorkBee makes full use of the V-Slot Extrusion system. On the X and Y Axis, C-Beam extrusions are used. C-Beam allows the drive systems to be concealed from debris. The screws on the WorkBee CNC Kit are inside the ‘C’ channel and therefore shielded from the cutting area.
The WorkBee CNC Machine uses Xtreme Solid V Wheels which are manufactured from super hard polycarbonate. This reduces wheel compression, and keeps wear to a minimum. The plates are manufactured from 6mm aluminium and have a protective anodised coating.
SCREW DRIVE SYSTEM
The WorkBee CNC Machine is a screw drive system, the first of it’s kind in this price range. One issue with a screw drive system is that it could be limited in size to 1000x1000mm. This size limitation was not acceptable. Therefore we have designed a screw tensioning system for the WorkBee. This tensioning system is used on sizes above 1000x1000mm and allows us to provide a screw drive system for WorkBee sizes up to and including 1500x1500mm.
THE FULL KIT
The WorkBee is a self build kit. It includes everything you need to build a working CNC Machine apart from the spoiler board.
The CNC Kit makes use of the extremely powerful Duet 32bit controller. The Duet is a fully featured motion controller, it comes equipped with 5 TMC2660 stepper drivers which have enough power to run the 175oz NEMA23 Stepper motors included with the CNC Machine. For easy repositioning, three homing switches are included (one for each axis) and their corresponding mounts and wires.
The WorkBee CNC Machine comes with a complete cable carrier system on the X and Y-Axis. For safety and good cable management.
EASE OF ASSEMBLY
We like to think we have made a name for ourselves by creating excellent assembly manuals for our machines. All the manuals can be found on our new Learning Portal. We also have a Youtube Channel where we are constantly posting tutorials, updates and inspiration for the machine.
If you have any problems along the way, we are only a quick phone or email away to provide you with the help you need.
As the WorkBee is an Opensource CNC Machine there is a large community around the WorkBee with a user group on Facebook.
The WorkBee comes with a 1 year warranty on all the parts, so if anything is damaged or stops working, we will send a replacement out quickly.
MADE IN BRITAIN
Ooznest and the Original WorkBee CNC Machine are a proud member of the Made In Britain Directory. The WorkBee CNC Machine is designed and assembled in our UK Offices. Currently all the extrusions, wires, plastic parts and controller are manufactured in Britain, and we are continually looking to get more individual parts manufactured here as well. When you contact us you can be 100% sure you will be speaking to someone in our UK Office.
WHAT IS IN THE KIT
By default the WorkBee full kit includes everything needed to build a moving CNC Machine. To make it a fully functional cutting machine it needs additional items. These are as follows: Router, Cutting Bits, CAM Software, and a Spoilerboard + Mounting Hardware. Some of these can be included as additional extras.
The software to control the machine is included. The CAM software is not included, but can be bought as an extra or sourced elsewhere. Free options like Fusion360 or SketchuCam can be used with the WorkBee CNC Kit. See the ‘Software’ tab above to get a full overview of the software used to run the machine.
All the preliminary work is done for you. This includes cutting/tapping the extrusions, cutting the ACME screws and soldering/crimping wires. Only basic tools like allen keys, spanners and screwdrivers are needed to complete the assembly.
Extras
CONNECTIVITY
The Duet has two connectivity options either Ethernet or Wifi and they both cost exactly the same. Ethernet is good if your workshop, or wherever the machine is located, hasn’t got a Wifi signal.
Wifi is the perfect option if you want to control your CNC Machine from whereever you are, may it be your bedroom, lounge, or kitchen. Simply log into the browser control software and it will auto connect. As the software is browser based, control is also possible via Smartphone. The Wifi version can also be setup in access point mode so it does not require an external Wifi Signal.
Please note it is not possible to change between the two once you have received your machine. To change from one to the other will require a new controller. So please make sure you make the correct choice for you.
A USB connection is available via both options, however this is only used to setup the machine.
ROUTER & MOUNT
By default the WorkBee does not come with a router mount. The Z-Axis extrusion is 80mm wide with 4 slots at 20mm spacing, to mount whatever attachment you want. This allows you to mount whatever attachment you may want, be it a spindle, laser, or something else. The maximum recommended weight for a spindle or router is 3kg.
We offer two options for a router:
- The DeWalt D26200 (pictured). This is a 900W Input (620W Output), 16000-27000rpm manual speed compact router, with a 1/4” Collet. Please note we only supply the 240V 3 Pin UK Plug Version.
- The Makita RT0700CX4. This is a slightly smaller router, therefore adaptors will be provided. The Makita is a 710W Input, 10000-30000rpm manual speed compact router, with a 1/4” Collet. Please note we only supply the 240V 3 Pin UK Plug Version.
The Router Mount is a solid aluminium mount designed to work with any 71mm outer diameter router. This includes all the hardware needed to mount it to the machine. Please note it does not fit the new Bosch Colt Model GKF125CE, the 1.25HP Model, as it has a 72.2mm OD. If a router above is chosen, this mount is not optional.
Adaptor rings to make the router mount fit other routers or spindles can be found here: https://ooznest.co.uk/product/router-mount-adaptor/.
Dust Shoe
CNC Machining is naturally a messy job so containing and removing the cutting debris with a dust shoe will keep the machine clean and allow it to run much smoother. A cleaner machine will also mean the mechanical parts will wear significantly less. The dust shoe will also create a vacuum environment for the cut, removing chips and therefore heat. This will improve cutting performance and increase the milling bit life span. If you are going to use the WorkBee CNC Kit in a production environment, we would highly recommend using a dust shoe.
Our split-shoe is specially designed for smaller CNC Machines like the WorkBee, and will clamp around any 71mm outer diameter router including the DeWalt D26200. If bought with a Makita RT0700CX4 an adaptor will be provided.
It has a clear acrylic plate that allows the cut to be viewed during operation, and a 2” brush that magnetically attaches to the upper plate. The removable brush ring allows for quick and easy access to change the bit. The vacuum outlet is 2-1/2”.
End Mills
Choosing the right end mill is a must for any machining work. Having the correct end mill helps to determine the quality, accuracy, and time of a finished part. Investing in a premium CNC end mill at the beginning can save in the long run, by completing jobs quicker and being tolerant to more abuse.
We have searched high and low for a quality supplier at affordable prices. Our end mills are manufactured from sub-micron grain solid carbide using the latest material technology.
The mill kits include what we believe are the end mills that every CNC Machinist should have in their arsenal. 1/4″, 1/8″ & 1/16″ Square End 2 Flute and 1/4″, 1/8″ & 1/16″ Ball End 2 Flute, and a 90 Degree Engraver 2 Flute. A 1/8" Collet is also included to match the router if choosing the Dewalt or Makita.
WorkBee Enclosure
CNC Machines are inherently noisy and dusty which makes a dedicated workspace for a WorkBee CNC Machine required. The WorkBee Enclosure aims to solve this issue.
Designed with an aluminium framed extrusion, it allows 6mm thick panel material to be slotted into the extrusion on all sides. With 6mm Perspex and a Dewalt D26200 at full RPM you can expect a decibel reduction of 18db. Panel material is not provided.
The enclosure is available for machines sizes 500x500mm, 750x750mm, 750x1000mm and 1000x1000mm.
The WorkBee Enclosure can be purchased here: https://ooznest.co.uk/product/workbee-enclosure/
Technical Specification
SIZES
Frame Size
500 x 500mm
750 x 750mm
750 x 1000mm
1000 x 1000mm
1000 x 1500mm
1500 x 1500mm
Working Area
300 x 270mm
550 x 520mm
550 x 770mm
800 x 770mm
800 x 1270mm
1300 x 1270mm
Z Height
94mm travel with 47mm of workable depth (With a 12mm spoilerboard).
A full list of the WorkBee critical dimensions can be found here: https://learn.ooznest.co.uk/
Motion
Drive System - ACME Lead Screws.
Linear Guides - Polycarbonate wheels on anodised C-Beam V-Slot Extrusion.
Motors - NEMA23 Stepper Motors (X, Y & Z)
Accuracy - 0.05 - 0.15mm
ELECTRONICS
Controller - Duet 32bit ARM Controller, RepRap Firmware, Dual Y-Axis Stepper Drivers.
Power - 24V 350W Output, Switchable 110-220V Input.
Software - Duet Web Control.
Z-TRAVEL EXPLAINED
To clarify the Z Travel, this is not the max cutting depth or the travel range of the actuator. Z travel is the distance downwards it can travel before hitting the spoiler board supports.
The WorkBee has two spoilerboard support configurations. One with a travel of 66mm, and a lower one with a travel of 106mm. The reason for the two configurations is that if the machine is always used to cut thin materials, for accuracy reasons it is better to have the work piece as close to the Z-Actuator as possible, so in this case the machine should be setup in the higher 66mm travel configuration.
The higher configuration has a Z travel of 66mm, with a 12mm spoiler board, this will reduce the Z travel to 54mm. In this case 54mm is maximum thickness of material that will fit on the machine.
To calculate the max cutting depth for a chosen piece of material it is:
Max Cutting Depth = Z travel – Material Thickness
For instance a setup with a 12mm spoiler board, the max Z travel is 54mm, so when cutting into a material 30mm thick the max cutting depth would be:
Max Cutting Depth = 54 – 30 = 24mm
This means with a 30mm piece of material it would not be possible to cut it the whole way through.
The max thickness that can be cut the whole way through is half the Z travel. So with a Z travel of 55mm, 27mm is the maximum thickness of material that could be cut the whole way through. And for the lower configuration the maximum thickness that can be cut the whole way through is 47mm
Software
Once the WorkBee CNC machine is built, it has the following software work flow: CAD → CAM → G-Code Sender.
The G-Code Sender software allows firmware settings to be configured, move the machine around, and send the G-Code job file to the machine. The control software used with the WorkBee is Duet Web Control. It is browser based software so can be used on Windows, Mac or Smartphone (if the Wifi option is chosen).
Other pieces of software that will be needed are a CAD program (create designs) and CAM program (turn designs into G-Code tool-paths). Most CAM programs have basic CAD functionality built in which will achieve the majority of tasks. There is multiple free CAM programs available such as Fusion360 and SketchuCAM.
We have tried nearly all free and paid CAM software available, and have found what Vectric offers to be the best in terms of functionality and ease of use. We have partnered with Vectric to supply their software as a bundle with the WorkBee CNC Machine with a 5% Discount. They sell three different variants, outlined below, for more info please visit Vectric. Please note Vectric Software is Windows Only.
CUT2D
Cut2D by Vectric is an incredibly powerful but intuitive CAM solution for cutting parts on CNC Machine Routers. Cut2D includes tools for both 2D design and editing as well as G-Code toolpath creation.
With Cut2D Desktop and Cut2D Pro, designs from other CAD programs can be imported or use the built-in drawing tools to create customs designs. All the common CNC operations are covered in the toolpath options, including profiling, pocketing, auto-inlays, and drilling. High level control of each operation is provided with appropriate settings. Each toolpath can be previewed individually or collectively to get instant feedback on how the job will look.
v-cARVE
V-Carve is an easy to use but still very powerful piece of software for creating tool-paths to make parts on a CNC Machine. Alongside tools to create 2D designs and tool-paths, V-Carve has the ability to import a single 3D Model (STL, OBJ, SKP etc). Furthermore V-Carve can also import Vectric clip art and 3D Models to create more complex 3D assemblies.
With V-Carve Desktop and V-Carve Pro, 2D designs can be imported from external programs but also use the built-in drawing features to create custom designs. All the common CNC operations are covered in the tool-path options, including profiling, pocketing, auto-inlays, and drilling. 2.5D operations like V-Carving, Prism Carving, Moulding, Fluting and even texturing are also present in V-Carve. With 3D operations you can rough and finish the model, as well as project 2D/2.5D designs onto a 3D Model. With each operation there is also high level control available through appropriate settings. Each tool-path can be previewed individually or collectively to get instant feedback on how the job will look.
ASPIRE
Built on the same platform as the V-Carve Software, Aspire has the same intuitive interface and simplicity for use in design and machining. In addition to the powerful tools provided by V-Carve, Aspire enables the transformation of 2D sketches, photos, drawings, and digital artwork into detailed 3D relief models. From these models Aspire can calculate roughing and finishing tool paths so these shapes can be accurately cut.
Even though Aspire is very easy to use, it is used by a wide range of individuals and business to produce a whole range of parts from decorative panels & signs to moulds & awards. The applications for Aspire are endless.
Aspire's 3D component modelling coupled with the extensive 2D tools makes it easy to work on existing 2D and 3D models as well as create personal custom models. Vectric have developed a unique approach to 3D modelling with Aspire. Models can be easily built up from simple shapes and modified at anytime without having to recreate the component. Working with 3D shapes from 2D vectors is very interactive as in Aspire any changes are instantly updated in the 3D view to show exactly what the final result will look like. 3D components can be displayed in various materials and colours to give an accurate representation that can be presented to customers or clients.
DESKTOP OR PRO
Cut2D and VCarve come in two variants:
- Desktop for hobby users with smaller CNC machines (under 25" x 25" or 635mm x 635mm)
- Pro which have no size limit and also includes production orientated features like Nesting, Toolpath Templates, Scripting (Gadgets) and Job Setup Sheets. If a machine size of 750x1000mm or greater is chosen then the Pro version of the software will be needed to take advantage of the full cut area.
1 year of free updates come with the software, and the license should be registered on the Vectric website at the soon as possible to receive these. It is possible to upgrade the license to their other products for a discounted price.
22 reviews for Original WorkBee CNC Machine Kit
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Rich (verified owner) –
Great product, very robust.
Mr Andy Gilchrist (verified owner) –
Excellent materials, well packed and delivered òn schedule. The individual items were all well bagged, labelled with a reasonable number of extras to cover the inevitable losses during construction.
The instructions were the most comprehensive I have seen and were in English not Chinglish.
A. Necker (verified owner) –
It is my frist CNC machine.
It looks roubust and reliable. And the fact, that it is made mostly out of V-Slot rails, is great.
Makes it much easier to upgrade and mod something on!
The assembling was not so hard and cause less problems. Only one screw was deformed (no Hex hole).
A option for a 43mm euro spindle mount would be great.
But in my opinion is it a great machine that performs really well!
Arsen Sostar (verified owner) –
Really perfect cnc and easy to operate.
Brian Woolford (verified owner) –
Brilliant product great help on phone
cs (verified owner) –
good capabilities for the price
Geert Ceulemans (verified owner) –
Service! and that’s what the team delivers!
Alan Morris (verified owner) –
Superb quality kit with all items perfectly packed and labelled, and, believe me, there are a lot of them! A comprehensive construction manual, of good quality, meant that the build was completed in good time and was a pleasurable exercise. All the components were top quality and beautifully prepared. Make no mistake. the build demands concentration and care if the expected results are to be achieved but given the wealth of on-line support, YouTube videos and, if required, telephone support, you will be rewarded with a great machine at a very competitive price. If you can put together a typical Ikea product you will have no problems with the Workbee and be left wondering why multinationals cannot achieve similar results!
Jason M (verified owner) –
Good design, good quality parts
Mike NZ (verified owner) –
Early days, but seems sturdy and well made, as it should be for the price. Good videos, build manuals and ongoing development & support. I have Makita, as Dewalt was out of stock at the time of order. Hope your business thrives.
Romeo (verified owner) –
Very well packed and instructions were very clear. The machine does its job perfectly.
nikolai Lian (verified owner) –
10 characters
giraud nicolas (verified owner) –
very fast shipping, perfectly packaged!
Robert_Sims (verified owner) –
Great machine at a great price
Sanjaya Sharma (verified owner) –
I looked all the places to find me a good CNC and this was the best machine I could find for this price with large work place, machine is very good solid built with 32 bit duet controller makes it far better than its class CNC machine. Also customer support is the best I seen anywhere. Thank You Ryan and Josh.
Stuart Winstanley (verified owner) –
Not fully built it yet, but all the parts and well made and fit together perfectly. It looks a really solid machine and I look forward to finishing it and getting stuck in routing.
Tom Helgesen (verified owner) –
very good. instructions was clear. one component in the kit was wrong, but all in all very good. the machine is not finished yet…
Oliver Plaado (verified owner) –
Really nice machine
Ashley Kitchen (verified owner) –
A well thought out product which is competing with the other open source brands
Felix (verified owner) –
Awesome product and best customer service.
ron parker (verified owner) –
superb kit, woks a treat
Avraham Czeisler (verified owner) –
I’m in the middle of the assembly process untill now…till now i’m impressed with the mechanical parts quality, they look good, have a very nice finish and a robust structure. The instructions are clear, logical and easy to understand and the parts are well packed. Well done!