ShapeOko, a low cost desktop CNC machine is now being tested with Makerslide and open source linear bearing system. The ShapeOko CNC Router is unique because it is made from Laser Cut plywood parts. It was  successfully funded  in July on Kickstarter.com, a crowd funding website.  The project received nearly 8 times more than it’s initial goal for funding. During the course of development the designer, Edward Ford has been flexing his brain muscles and coming up with many variations of the original project. Ford’s goal is to produce an easily replicated system of parts which will allow the builders freedom to customize the project to their liking.

ShapeOko CNC Router Table.

One project that is already well on it”s way to becoming a reality is a Makerslide Version of the Shapeoko CNC Router table.  The designer of the Shapeoko has been hard at work creating a Makerslide variation of his product.

To that end Ford has contacted Barton Dring of Makerslides and arranged to receive a supply of the Makerslide material for experimentation. Within days of receiving his Makerslide Ford had posted two videos which display what he has accomplished so far. First Edward Ford created a movable gantry using the Makerslide  and a belt drive to move the plate. Once he had the system worked out he proceeded to mount the gantry to the frame and   attached a second belt drive to power that axis. Ford is still developing the Z axis gantry but things look promising.