CNC Digest - February 12, 2026
Published
Makera dominated CES 2026 with live demonstrations of the Carvera (metal cutting), Carvera Air (4-axis rotary), and the Z1 (high-detail relief carving). The Z1, which raised over $10M on Kickstarter and earned a 'Best of Kickstarter 2026' CES award, is positioned as a sub-$1,000 entry point to CNC. Makera also launched AI Craft, an AI design tool inside Makera Studio that generates reliefs and 3D models without CAD experience. Separately, the creators of LightBurn laser software announced Millmage, a dedicated CNC control application aiming to bring the same user-friendly approach to desktop milling.
Makera Dominates CES 2026 with Z1, Carvera, and AI Craft Demos
Makera showcased its complete desktop CNC lineup at CES 2026 with live cutting demonstrations. The Carvera demonstrated metal cutting, the Carvera Air showed 4-axis rotary machining, and the Z1 performed high-detail relief carving. Makera also debuted AI Craft, an AI-powered design tool integrated into Makera Studio that generates reliefs, designs, and 3D models without requiring CAD or CAM experience.
Makera is executing a textbook market expansion: the Carvera for pros, the Air for enthusiasts, and the Z1 for beginners — all sharing a single software ecosystem (Makera Studio). The AI Craft tool is the real story here. CNC has always had a brutal learning curve — CAD modeling, CAM toolpath generation, feeds and speeds, post-processing. If AI Craft can genuinely take a user from 'I want to carve this design' to 'here's your G-code' without intermediate steps, it removes the single biggest barrier to desktop CNC adoption. The $10M+ Kickstarter haul proves there's massive latent demand trapped behind that skill wall.
💡What this means for you
The Makera Z1 uses Acme lead screws (vs. ball screws on Carvera) and a manual quick-change tool system to hit the sub-$1,000 price point while maintaining high stiffness. AI Craft integrates into Makera Studio to generate designs from text prompts or reference images. The Makerables community platform launches early 2026 with model sharing and creator challenges.
Market Position: Makera now covers three price tiers: Z1 (~$799), Carvera Air (~$1,999), and Carvera (~$3,999). The Z1's 'Best of Kickstarter 2026' CES award validates the brand. Competitors include Inventables X-Carve ($1,399), Snapmaker Artisan CNC module ($1,799), and Shapeoko HDM ($2,995).
- Z1 production timeline for Kickstarter backers vs. retail availability
- AI Craft accuracy for machining-specific toolpath generation
- Makerables platform moderation for shared CNC files (safety implications)
⏸️ Wait if: You need immediate delivery — Z1 Kickstarter fulfillment is still in progress
✅ Buy if: You've been CNC-curious but intimidated by CAD/CAM — the Z1 + AI Craft combo is the lowest barrier to entry yet
LightBurn Creators Announce Millmage CNC Software
The team behind LightBurn, the industry-standard laser cutter control software, has announced Millmage — a dedicated CNC milling control application. Millmage aims to bring LightBurn's user-friendly interface philosophy to the desktop CNC space, addressing the longstanding UX gap between laser software and CNC toolpath generation.
This is potentially the biggest CNC software story in years. LightBurn succeeded because it replaced clunky, fragmented laser workflows with a single, polished application. The CNC space is where laser cutting was five years ago — users juggle Fusion 360 for CAM, a separate G-code sender (UGS, CNCjs), and manual feeds/speeds calculators. If Millmage can consolidate even CAM + control into one intuitive app, it could accelerate desktop CNC adoption the same way LightBurn accelerated laser cutter adoption. The LightBurn team has earned enormous goodwill in the maker community — their track record gives Millmage instant credibility.
💡What this means for you
Millmage is being developed by the LightBurn team as a standalone CNC control and CAM application. Details on supported machine controllers (GRBL, Mach3, LinuxCNC) and CAM capabilities are still emerging. The focus is on consolidating the design-to-cut workflow into a single application with LightBurn-quality UX.
Market Position: Current CNC software landscape is fragmented: Fusion 360 (free hobbyist tier, complex), Carbide Create (simple, Carbide3D-only), VCarve (expensive, $350+), and Easel (Inventables, browser-based). Millmage could become the 'LightBurn of CNC' — affordable, cross-platform, and machine-agnostic.
- Release timeline and pricing model (subscription vs. perpetual license)
- Supported CNC controllers and machine compatibility
- Feature scope at launch — CAM only or full CAD+CAM?
⏸️ Wait if: You're about to buy VCarve Pro — Millmage may offer similar capability at a fraction of the price
✅ Buy if: You already use LightBurn and want to add CNC — follow the Millmage announcement for early access
Desktop CNC Market Projected to Hit $1.9 Billion by 2035
A new market analysis projects the desktop CNC milling machine market will grow from $1.29 billion in 2025 to $1.89 billion by 2035, representing a 3.9% CAGR. Key growth drivers include STEM education adoption, integration of AI-driven diagnostics, broader material compatibility, and increasing demand from R&D and small-scale production environments.
The 3.9% CAGR looks modest, but the composition of growth is what matters. The market isn't growing because big shops are buying more Haas machines — it's growing because educators, makers, and small businesses are buying sub-$2,000 desktop units. This is the same trajectory that laser cutters followed: industrial-to-desktop migration driven by price accessibility. The Makera Z1 at sub-$1,000 and Millmage-style simplified software are exactly the catalysts this report is forecasting. For content strategy, this validates our CNC coverage investment — the audience is growing.
💡What this means for you
Market growing at 3.9% CAGR from $1.29B (2025) to $1.89B (2035). Growth segments: STEM/education (highest growth rate), small-scale production, R&D prototyping. Trends: AI-driven diagnostics for tool wear and chatter detection, sustainable design with recyclable fixtures, and broader material support (composites, ceramics).
Market Position: Desktop CNC is following the laser cutter adoption curve with a ~3 year lag. Key brands driving accessibility: Makera (Z1), Inventables (X-Carve), Snapmaker (multi-tool), and Genmitsu (budget). Premium desktop segment: Carbide3D (Nomad 3, Shapeoko), PocketNC (5-axis).
- Whether AI CAM tools will accelerate adoption faster than the 3.9% projection
- Impact of tariff policies on Chinese-manufactured desktop CNC machines
- Timeline for sub-$500 capable desktop CNC machines
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Makera Z1 and how much does it cost?▼
The Makera Z1 is a desktop CNC machine designed as an accessible entry point to CNC, priced under $1,000. It raised over $10M on Kickstarter and won 'Best of Kickstarter 2026' at CES. It uses Acme lead screws and a manual quick-change tool system to keep costs down while maintaining machining stiffness.
What is Millmage CNC software?▼
Millmage is an upcoming CNC control and CAM application created by the team behind LightBurn laser software. It aims to simplify the CNC workflow the same way LightBurn simplified laser cutting — consolidating design-to-cut into a single, user-friendly application.
Is desktop CNC a growing market?▼
Yes. The desktop CNC market is projected to grow from $1.29 billion (2025) to $1.89 billion (2035) at a 3.9% CAGR, driven primarily by STEM education, small-scale production, and improving software accessibility.