CNC Digest - February 10, 2026
Published
The CNC industry enters 2026 with maturity and consolidation themes. C.R. Onsrud marks its 50th anniversary with a Demo Day on March 25th featuring live 3- and 5-axis demonstrations. Phantom CNC Systems expands its modular 'Shadow' platform for scalable precision woodworking. Industry-wide, AI-native machining is becoming mainstream with adaptive toolpath optimization, while digital twins are evolving into full-process simulation ecosystems.
C.R. Onsrud Celebrates 50 Years with Demo Day — March 25, 2026
C.R. Onsrud, a U.S. manufacturer of CNC routers and machining centers, is hosting its annual Demo Day on March 25, 2026 at its factory in Troutman, North Carolina. The event doubles as the company's 50th anniversary celebration and will feature live demonstrations of 3-axis and 5-axis machines, educational seminars, and vendor showcases for CAD/CAM software, automation, and tooling.
Onsrud surviving and thriving for 50 years while countless CNC manufacturers came and went is notable. They occupy the 'serious woodworking shop' tier — think cabinet shops, aerospace composite cutting, and sign making — not the hobbyist desktop market. Their longevity suggests they've adapted well to each technology wave (manual to CNC, standalone to networked, basic to 5-axis). Demo Day is worth attending if you're evaluating industrial CNC equipment; live demonstrations reveal things spec sheets don't.
💡What this means for you
Onsrud manufactures 3-axis and 5-axis CNC routers for wood, composites, aluminum, and plastics. Demo Day features live cutting demonstrations, educational seminars on CAD/CAM workflows, and vendor partners showing tooling and automation solutions.
Market Position: Mid-to-high-end industrial CNC manufacturer. Competes with Biesse, SCM, and Thermwood in the woodworking/composites segment. Not directly relevant to desktop CNC users but represents the professional tier that desktop machines (Shapeoko, Onefinity) aspire to.
- Specific machines being demonstrated
- Registration requirements and capacity limits
- New product announcements expected at the event
⏸️ Wait if: You're a hobbyist — Onsrud machines start in the $50,000+ range
✅ Buy if: You run a production shop and want to evaluate 5-axis capability firsthand
Phantom CNC Expands Modular 'Shadow' Platform for 2026
Phantom CNC Systems has announced a 2026 expansion of its modular CNC machine lineup, including enhanced versions of 'The Shadow' precision wood CNC machine. The modular approach allows manufacturers to scale capacity and precision by swapping components rather than replacing entire machines. The platform is compatible with popular CAD/CAM software including Fusion 360, Mozaik, Aspire, and VCarve Pro.
The modular CNC concept is smart: buy the base machine, then upgrade the spindle, control board, or work area as your business grows. This mirrors what we've seen in 3D printing (Bambu Lab's modular accessories) and laser cutting (xTool's ecosystem approach). For small shops and makers, modular means lower initial investment with a clear growth path. The key question is whether Phantom's upgrade path is practical or a marketing promise — can you genuinely swap a 2.2kW spindle for a 3.5kW and get meaningful capability improvement without rebuilding the frame?
💡What this means for you
Modular platform supporting component-level upgrades (spindle, motion control, work area). Advanced motion control system for precision wood machining. Software compatibility: Fusion 360, Mozaik, Aspire, VCarve Pro.
Market Position: Targets small-to-medium woodworking shops wanting industrial precision without full industrial investment. Competes conceptually with Avid CNC, ShopBot, and Laguna's desktop-to-industrial bridge products.
- Specific upgrade paths and pricing
- Base machine specifications and starting price
- Accuracy specifications and real-world tolerances
⏸️ Wait if: Independent reviews are limited — wait for user feedback on upgrade path claims
✅ Buy if: You need a woodworking CNC with documented growth potential and want CAD/CAM flexibility
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening at C.R. Onsrud's Demo Day 2026?▼
C.R. Onsrud's Demo Day on March 25, 2026 in Troutman, NC combines their 50th anniversary celebration with live demos of 3-axis and 5-axis CNC machines, educational seminars, and vendor showcases for CAD/CAM software and tooling.
What is a modular CNC machine?▼
A modular CNC machine allows you to upgrade individual components (spindle, controller, work area) without replacing the entire machine. Phantom CNC's 'Shadow' platform uses this approach so workshops can scale precision and capacity as their business grows.