The team behind the Rownd Lathe consists of a diverse group of professionals including mechanical engineers, electronic engineers, a materials engineer, an architect, and an industrial designer. Together, they are driven by their shared passion for engineering and the mission to bring accessible machining to everyone. Four members of the team even left their traditional 9-5 jobs to pursue the creation of this desktop CNC lathe.
"We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to create the products they envision using a lathe. Currently, there are many mini lathes available, but they either cater to professionals with high price tags and a steep learning curve, or hobbyists with limited capabilities. Rownd Lathe addresses these issues by offering a user-friendly, cost-effective solution that is capable of producing high-quality products."
The Rownd Lathe features a large, 7" touch screen that provides users with all the necessary information about the machine, such as usage time, rotation speed, and feed rate. The screen also allows users to select CAD data from the library and start the machine without the need for a separate computer connection. Additionally, the screen offers a convenient way to manually control the machine by selecting manual processing from the menus and using the buttons that appear on the screen.
In addition to being accessible on the machine itself, all the functions on the screen can also be accessed via a web or mobile application. One of the standout features of Rownd is its compatibility with gamepads, which allows users to experience a smooth and safe machining process without the risk of injury.
The Rownd Lathe Kickstarter campaign was launched July 11, 2023 and offers a range of reward options for backers. While the retail price for a brand new Rownd CNC Lathe is $6,550, a limited number of 25 Super Early Birds will have the opportunity to purchase the lathe for $3,799. After the initial Super Early Bird tier sells out, the price will increase to $4,299 for a limited number of 200 Early Birds. The last reward price will be $4,799 for Kickstarter Special. Super Early Bird rewards are expected to be delivered by the end of February 2024.
As always with Kickstarter campaigns these things have risks and backers should expect predictable manufacturing and shipping delays. Nevertheless, for those who frequently need to create mechanical parts, the Rownd desktop CNC Lathe can be an interesting project to support.
Campaign: www.kickstarter.com/projects/rowndprecision/rownd-cnc-lathe-machining-for-everybody
www.rowndcnc.com
