Carbide 3D
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersTorrance, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
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.
Carbide 3D firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Carbide 3D industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Carbide 3D is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Torrance
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Carbide 3D business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- 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.
- Software Licenses: Carbide Create (free with machine purchase) and Carbide Create Pro ($120/year subscription or perpetual license). MeshCAM included with Nomad.
- Training Services: Live 1-on-1 video training sessions via Zoom. New machines include 4 free 30-minute sessions. Additional sessions available for purchase.
- Accessories and Consumables: Cutters, workholding accessories, spindles, maintenance kits, and other add-ons sold through the online store.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shapeoko 5.1 Pro - Professional-grade ballscrew/linear rail machine |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shapeoko 5.1 Pro 2x2 - Compact professional machine |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shapeoko Pro - Linear rails and belts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shapeoko 4 - Entry-level with V-wheels |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shapeoko HDM - High-performance production machine |
| Subscription | Annual | Carbide Create Pro - CAD/CAM Software Upgrade |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Training Sessions - 1-on-1 Video Training |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Carbide 3D product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Carbide 3D
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Carbide 3D technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature6 records
Carbide 3D partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carbide 3D competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Carbide 3D social profiles
Digital presenceCarbide 3D financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carbide 3D leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Carbide 3D funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carbide 3D M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carbide 3D
What does Carbide 3D do?
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.
Is Carbide 3D a public or private company?
Carbide 3D is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Carbide 3D founded?
Carbide 3D was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Carbide 3D based?
Carbide 3D is headquartered in Torrance, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carbide 3D make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses, training Services and accessories and Consumables.
Who are Carbide 3D's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bantam Tools, Onefinity CNC, Inventables (X-Carve) and Tormach. Broad incumbents are ShopBot Tools, Roland DGA and Haas Automation. Emerging players are Glowforge and Snapmaker. Fusion 360 (Autodesk) is listed as an others.
Does Carbide 3D have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carbide 3D.
What industry is Carbide 3D in?
Carbide 3D's product category is Desktop CNC Machines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAH, Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers), with a secondary code of IMAGACAH, Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis). Its NAICS code is 334418 and its SIC code is 3600.