Makera demos new $900 beginner desktop CNC cutting titanium
We recently covered the Makera Z1 desktop CNC and its Kickstarter launch, which has so far blown past the $99,973 funding goal, with over $5 million pledged and still 28 days to go. While Makera markets the Z1 as an entry-level CNC machine, it does claim that the compact desktop CNC machine can cut some non-ferrous metals, including copper, bronze, and aluminium, as long as you do so responsibly. While Makera does say you can cut steel and titanium on the Z1, there are questions about how a CNC machine with an aluminium construction will cope with a tougher metal, and it seems as though Makera is determined to answer those questions in its latest YouTube video.
Makera Z1 CNC machines mystery titanium with relative ease
It's unclear exactly what titanium alloy Makera is using to demonstrate the Z1's cutting prowess, but it is using a variety of titanium bits in the 1/4-inch collet and running the spindle at its maximum speed of 13,000 RPM. The cutting speeds also seem to be quite fast in some parts of the clip, especially during the roughing pass, although Makera still recommends special precautions and close observation when milling titanium.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the whole experiment is that Makera doesn't appear to be using any external cooling during the cutting process, relying exclusively on the new AeroDust system to clear chips and keep the cool and workpiece cool — seemingly to impressive effect. This dust collection and cooling system is, in a way, an upgrade over even the $2,199.99 Carvera Air desktop CNC, which requires an external air supply and vacuum for chip clearing and cooling.
Obviously, it's impossible to judge the accuracy of the part shown in Makera's video, but at the end, the company shows off the finished part, which looks to be a simple part clamp for the CNC machine itself, and the surface finish and all of the edges appear to be above-board.
The Makera Z1's Kickstarter page still stops short of making any grand proclamations of milling complex steel and aluminium parts, instead adding a note that those two metals should be reserved for "light-duty milling" only. The Z1 packs Nema 17 stepper motors, linear rails, and a 13,000 RPM high-torque spindle. It also has a quick-tool changer and built-in camera for convenient operation and monitoring the machine remotely, respectively. The Kickstarter campaign currently has the Z1 CNC available starting at $899, but the official MSRP will be $1,199 when it launches sometime in January 2026.
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