Pocket NC
Pocket NC (Penta Machine Company) designs and manufactures the Pocket NC, a 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine, selling to education, prototyping startups, and makers globally via direct e-commerce and resellers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersBelgrade, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Pocket NC does
Pocket NC, legally Penta Machine Company, designs and manufactures the Pocket NC, described as the world's first 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine. Founded in 2011 by engineers Matt and Michelle Hertel and headquartered in Belgrade, Montana, the company produces its machines in-house at a Montana warehouse and sells globally under the Penta Machine Company brand following a 2023 rebrand from Pocket NC Company. The core hardware accepts standard G-code, operates on standard wall power, and is sized to fit on a desktop while machining materials up to aluminum hardness. The platform is differentiated by proprietary Kinetic Control software that implements TCPC (Tool Center Point Control), the 5-axis industry standard, and is complemented by a browser-based Penta Simulator and a post-processor for CAM workflows. A premium LANG Self-Centering Vise Kit (LANG Makro•Grip Micro 46, $1,400) is bundled as a precision workholding accessory via a partnership with Germany's LANG Technik.
The company operates a product-led growth motion targeting three primary segments: education and training (high schools, universities, research labs, vocational programs), industry and manufacturing (startups and established companies needing rapid prototyping and small-batch precision parts), and the maker community. Distribution combines direct e-commerce, a global reseller network, and a quote-based enterprise sales pathway, with marketing centered on content, an interactive machine-selection quiz, video demonstrations, and an active community forum at community.pentamachine.com. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales (Pocket NC machines and accessories) with supplementary one-time software licenses (Kinetic Control, post-processors) and paid training courses. The organization remains small (1-10 employees), privately held, founder-controlled, and bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding, M&A activity, or external ownership.
Pocket NC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pocket NC
- Legal name
- Penta Machine Company
- Website
- https://pocketnc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pocket NC (Penta Machine Company) designs and manufactures the Pocket NC, a 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine, selling to education, prototyping startups, and makers globally via direct e-commerce and resellers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pocket NC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Desktop CNC Milling Machines
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), CNC Machining & Programming (EDAOAGAA), Industrial CAD/CAM for Manufacturing (EDAOAGAG)
Keywords
Where Pocket NC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belgrade
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pocket NC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of 5-axis desktop CNC milling machines and accessories including the Pocket NC V2 and third-party workholding solutions like the LANG vise kit
- Software Products: Sale of Kinetic Control software and related post-processors for machine control
- Training Courses: Educational courses for learning CNC machining on Pocket NC equipment
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LANG Self-Centering Pocket NC Vise Kit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Pocket NC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pocket NC designs, manufactures, and sells the world's first 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine (the Pocket NC V2) and supporting software, including the Kinetic Control TCPC-enabled controller, a browser-based Penta Simulator, and a Post Processor for G-code generation. The company also offers premium workholding accessories such as the LANG Self-Centering Vise Kit and CNC training courses, with products made in-house at its Belgrade, Montana facility.
Product overview
Penta Machine Company (formerly Pocket NC Company) offers a portfolio of hardware and software products centered on 5-axis desktop CNC machining. The core offering is the Pocket NC machine, the world's first 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine, which accepts standard G-code and is manufactured in Montana, USA. This is complemented by Kinetic Control proprietary software that provides TCPC (tool point control center) for intuitive 5-axis programming. Additional products include the Penta Simulator for virtual machining preview, a Post Processor for G-code generation, and the LANG Self-Centering Vise Kit as a premium accessory. The company serves education, industry, and maker segments with rapid prototyping and training solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pocket NC: The world's first 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine, designed and manufactured in Montana, USA. Now positioned as the flagship product line under Penta Machine Company.
- Kinetic Control
Products and services
- Pocket NC (5-axis desktop CNC milling machine) The company's flagship 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine, designed and manufactured in Montana, USA. It fits on a desktop, accepts standard G-code, and machines materials with hardnesses up to aluminum. Targeted at startups, makers, and educational institutions for prototyping and training applications.
- Kinetic Control Proprietary software control and user interface for the Pocket NC machine that supports TCPC (Tool Center Point Control), the 5-axis industry standard, making programming more intuitive while delivering high precision.
- Penta Simulator Browser-based simulation tool for the Pocket NC machine that allows users to test and preview machining operations virtually before running them on hardware.
- Post Processor Post processor software that generates machine-specific G-code from CAD/CAM designs for use with the Pocket NC.
- LANG Self-Centering Pocket NC Vise Kit Premium workholding accessory bundling LANG Makro•Grip Micro 46 Ultra-Compact 5-Axis Vise with a custom Pocket NC mounting fixture. Provides self-centering precision of .02mm, ultra-compact 46mm jaw width, 6KN clamping force, and bolts directly to the Pocket NC V2 table via the included fixture. Priced at $1,400 with a 2-week lead time.
- CNC training courses Educational courses offered by Pocket NC for learning CNC machining on Pocket NC equipment, supporting both individual learners and educational programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced prototyping cycle time through accessible desktop 5-axis machining
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pocket NC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Pocket NC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Pocket NC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- LANG TechnikcoreGerman engineering partnership supplying the LANG Makro•Grip Micro 46 Ultra-Compact 5-Axis Vise for the Pocket NC V2. The vise combines German-engineered workholding precision with American-made desktop machining. The custom fixture precisely matches mounting positions to the B-axis table. Partnership combines legendary German precision with Pocket NC's desktop 5-axis platform for enhanced reliability and performance.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Pocket NC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tormach: Tormach manufactures small-format CNC milling machines, lathes, and plasma cutters targeting small businesses, education, and hobbyist/maker segments. Most direct competitor to Pocket NC in the affordable/small-footprint CNC category, with overlapping customer base in education and prototyping.
- Carbide 3D: Carbide 3D makes the Shapeoko and Nomad desktop CNC machines, plus Carbide Create/Motion software for hobbyists and small businesses. Directly competes in desktop CNC milling with comparable customer base (makers, educators, small shops).
- ShopBot Tools: ShopBot Tools designs and manufactures desktop and mid-size CNC routers and milling machines for makers, education, and small businesses. Comparable desktop form factor and education/maker customer base, with similar value proposition around accessible CNC.
- Bantam Tools: Bantam Tools (formerly Othermill) builds desktop CNC milling machines and PCB prototyping tools for engineers, makers, and small businesses. Comparable desktop form factor, similar maker/education customer base, and overlapping value proposition around accessible desktop CNC.
Broad incumbents
- Haas Automation: Haas Automation is the largest American CNC machine tool builder, producing industrial vertical machining centers and lathes. Operates in the same CNC milling category but at industrial scale; competitive threat if Haas moves down-market into desktop/education.
- Roland DGA: Roland DGA produces a broad portfolio of small CNC milling machines, engraving systems, and 3D printers for education, dental, jewelry, and prototyping. Larger incumbent that overlaps with Pocket NC in education and small-part prototyping but with a much wider product portfolio.
Others
- Inventables: Inventables produces the Easel CAD/CAM software platform and sells desktop CNC/3D fabrication hardware through its xCarve and Carvey lines. Adjacent as a software ecosystem player and former hardware peer in the desktop maker CNC category.
- Lang Technik: LANG Technik is a German manufacturer of precision workholding (vises, clamping systems) for CNC machines, and is Pocket NC's named partner for the $1,400 LANG vise kit. Included as a strategic supplier rather than competitor — important ecosystem link for premium workholding.
Emerging players
- Glowforge: Glowforge makes desktop laser cutters/engravers for makers, small businesses, and educators. Different fabrication technology (laser vs. milling) but targets the same desktop fabrication customer base that Pocket NC serves with prototyping and small-part production.
- Formlabs: Formlabs manufactures professional desktop SLA 3D printers used by designers, engineers, and educators for prototyping. Different fabrication technology (additive vs. subtractive) but addresses the same rapid-prototyping and education use cases Pocket NC targets.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pocket NC social profiles
Digital presencePocket NC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pocket NC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Pocket NC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pocket NC 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 Pocket NC
What does Pocket NC do?
Pocket NC designs, manufactures, and sells the world's first 5-axis desktop CNC milling machine (the Pocket NC V2) and supporting software, including the Kinetic Control TCPC-enabled controller, a browser-based Penta Simulator, and a Post Processor for G-code generation. The company also offers premium workholding accessories such as the LANG Self-Centering Vise Kit and CNC training courses, with products made in-house at its Belgrade, Montana facility.
Is Pocket NC a public or private company?
Pocket NC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Pocket NC founded?
Pocket NC was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pocket NC based?
Pocket NC is headquartered in Belgrade, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pocket NC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Products and training Courses.
Who are Pocket NC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tormach, Carbide 3D, ShopBot Tools and Bantam Tools. Broad incumbents are Haas Automation and Roland DGA. Others are Inventables and Lang Technik. Emerging players are Glowforge and Formlabs.
Does Pocket NC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pocket NC.
What industry is Pocket NC in?
Pocket NC's product category is Desktop CNC Milling Machines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAA, CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAH, Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers). Its SIC code is 3569.