This article was taken from the March 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Most professional computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines start at around £15,000 and are the size of a Mini. The Grow CNC kit is a more nimble proposition -- it's a portable, modular system controlled by a mobile app. Starting at £3,000, it can work wood, plastics and composite materials. The machine snaps together in minutes -- most parts, including a floating slave wheel, are attached via magnet. "It's a real tool for people who can't afford large machines or don't have the space for them," says Grow's creator, Michael Warren, 32. The system helps users make design changes on the fly and can be customised for each job. "You can buy the dog's-bollocks version, or the basic one, and then upgrade things as you want."
Warren came up with the idea while studying furniture design at the Royal College of Art in 2012 and created a prototype with parts sourced from eBay.
He started shipping last autumn. "It's what people will start using, especially in small workshops and the hacker community."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
