Carbide 3D

What Carbide 3D does

Carbide 3D is a privately held, Torrance, California-based manufacturer of desktop CNC machines and complementary software, founded in 2013. Its hardware portfolio centers on two product families: the Shapeoko line of CNC routers (Shapeoko 4, Pro, 5 Pro, 5.1 Pro, and HDM, priced from $1,800 to $5,400) and the fully enclosed Nomad 3 desktop CNC mill. The company designs its machines in California and manufactures them in Illinois, relying on a vertically integrated stack that includes proprietary motion-control electronics (the Warthog controller), an automatic tool-length probe (BitSetter), and custom spindles. No information about external venture funding, institutional investors, or a parent company has been disclosed, and the firm is reported at 1-10 employees.

The software layer is treated as a strategic asset rather than a bolt-on. Carbide Create is bundled free with every machine as a 2D CAD/CAM tool; Carbide Create Pro adds 3D design, rest machining, and advanced engraving on a $120/year subscription with a perpetual-license option; Carbide Motion provides machine control; and Carbide Copper supports PCB milling. Carbide 3D also operates CutRocket, a free project-sharing site, the My Carbide 3D customer portal with 35+ training videos, and a Zoom-based 1-on-1 training program, all of which feed a content-led, direct-to-consumer GTM in which every product is sold through shop.carbide3d.com with no third-party resellers.

Customer segments are heterogeneous and span hobbyists, small businesses, engineers, woodworkers, jewelers, industrial designers, and educators, with the company claiming tens of thousands of customers and that more than half of Shapeoko owners monetize their machines. Revenue mechanics combine one-time hardware sales (the dominant stream), accessories and consumables, recurring software subscriptions, and paid training services, with pricing publicly disclosed across the website.

Name

Carbide 3D

Legal name

Carbide 3D

Website

https://carbide3d.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carbide 3D is a privately held, Torrance-based manufacturer of desktop CNC machines (Shapeoko routers and Nomad 3 mill) and proprietary CAD/CAM and motion-control software, sold direct-to-consumer to hobbyists, small businesses, and educational users across the US and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Desktop CNC Machines

NAICS

Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial CAD/CAM for Manufacturing (EDAOAGAG)

Keywords

• Desktop CNC machines
• CNC routers
• CAD/CAM software
• CNC milling
• Machine accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of CNC machines including Shapeoko line (5.1 Pro, Pro, 4, HDM) and Nomad 3. Machines range from $1,800 to $5,400. All machines include software bundle.
2. Software Licenses: Carbide Create (free with machine purchase) and Carbide Create Pro ($120/year subscription or perpetual license). MeshCAM included with Nomad.
3. Training Services: Live 1-on-1 video training sessions via Zoom. New machines include 4 free 30-minute sessions. Additional sessions available for purchase.
4. Accessories and Consumables: Cutters, workholding accessories, spindles, maintenance kits, and other add-ons sold through the online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carbide 3D manufactures and sells desktop CNC machines (Shapeoko CNC Routers and Nomad 3 enclosed CNC Mill), bundled with proprietary CAD/CAM software (Carbide Create) and machine controller software (Carbide Motion). The company also offers paid software (Carbide Create Pro), CNC accessories, and live 1-on-1 training services, all sold primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Product overview

Carbide 3D is a desktop CNC machine and software company offering an integrated portfolio of hardware products (CNC routers and mills), proprietary CAD/CAM software, machine control software, accessories, training services, and online resources. The product line centers on two hardware families: Shapeoko CNC Routers (in multiple tiers: Shapeoko 4, Pro, 5 Pro, 5.1 Pro, and HDM) and Nomad 3 enclosed desktop CNC mill. Software includes Carbide Create (free 2D CAD/CAM) and Carbide Create Pro (paid upgrade with 3D capabilities), Carbide Motion (machine controller), and Carbide Copper (PCB milling). The ecosystem is supported by extensive training resources, the CutRocket project-sharing platform, My Carbide 3D customer portal, and a full range of branded accessories including spindles, dust management, workholding, and automation tools. Machines are designed and manufactured in the USA (Torrance, CA and Illinois).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shapeoko: Line of desktop CNC routers available in various sizes (4x2, 4x4, 2x2) and configurations (Standard, Pro, HDM).
• Nomad
• Carbide Create
• Carbide Create Pro
• Carbide Motion
• CutRocket
• My Carbide 3D

Products and services

• Shapeoko CNC Routers A line of desktop CNC routers available in multiple sizes and performance tiers, ranging from hobbyist-friendly kits to professional-grade production machines. Includes Shapeoko 4 (entry-level, V-wheels), Shapeoko Pro (linear rails/belts), Shapeoko 5.1 Pro (ballscrew/linear rail, 2'x2' to 4'x4'), and Shapeoko HDM (fully assembled, water-cooled spindle, $5,400). All include proprietary Hybrid Table workholding, Carbide Create software, Carbide Motion controller, and 1-on-1 training sessions.
• Nomad 3 Desktop CNC Mill

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50% of Shapeoko owners make money with their machines
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bantam Tools: Direct competitor in the desktop CNC milling space, formerly Othermill, targeting engineers, makers, and small businesses with enclosed benchtop CNC machines at comparable price points. Competes head-to-head with the Nomad 3.
• Onefinity CNC: Direct competitor offering desktop CNC routers aimed at hobbyists and small shops, with overlapping price bands and feature sets comparable to the Shapeoko line.
• Inventables (X-Carve): Direct competitor with the X-Carve desktop CNC router and the Easel browser-based CAD/CAM platform. Targets the same maker/prosumer customer base with integrated hardware-software bundles similar to Carbide 3D's approach.
• Tormach: Competitor in the small-format CNC milling market, serving small businesses, makers, and educational customers with benchtop and light-industrial machines that overlap Shapeoko HDM at the higher end.

Broad incumbents

• ShopBot Tools: Long-established desktop and mid-format CNC router manufacturer serving makers, education, and small business. Competes in adjacent price tiers and overlaps with the larger Shapeoko configurations.
• Roland DGA: Established manufacturer of CNC milling machines, engravers, and 3D printers serving professionals, education, and industry. Offers desktop CNC products that compete with Carbide 3D's higher-tier offerings as part of a broader portfolio.
• Haas Automation: Dominant industrial CNC manufacturer whose smallest machines encroach on the upper end of Carbide 3D's HDM/Pro tier. Important reference point for small businesses graduating from desktop to full industrial CNC.

Emerging players

• Glowforge: Desktop laser cutter/engraver aimed at the same hobbyist/maker/prosumer buyer that Carbide 3D serves. While not a CNC router, it competes for the same discretionary workshop purchase and shares the integrated hardware-software-cloud model.
• Snapmaker: Multi-function 3-in-1 desktop machine combining 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC carving. Targets the same maker/prosumer audience with a single integrated platform, partially overlapping with Carbide 3D's CNC use cases.

Others

• Fusion 360 (Autodesk): Primary CAD/CAM ecosystem partner and competitor. Carbide 3D ships a Fusion 360 post-processor for Shapeoko, but Fusion's CAM capabilities also compete with Carbide Create Pro for users who prefer an all-in-one professional toolchain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/carbide3d
• Xx.com/carbide3d
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carbide-3d-community-site

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carbide 3D