Written by Ian Funk
A Big Punch in a Small Package
We’re not working out of a high-end fab lab—just a modest, student-run school workshop with limited space and tight budgets. That’s what made the SainSmart 3020-ULTRA a game-changer.
Despite its compact size, this machine turned out to be a powerhouse.
Its all-metal construction and mod-friendly design meant it could handle tough jobs right out of the box. Within a week of unboxing, we were machining real aluminum parts for our competition robot—not just prototypes, but brackets and gussets that went straight onto the final bot and survived the rigors of gameplay.
Technical Specs We Used
We upgraded to a 500W spindle, and when machining 6061 aluminum, we found the sweet spot at around:
- Feed Rate: 300 mm/min
- Spindle Speed: 12,000 RPM
- Depth of Cut: 0.2 mm per pass with a 2-flute 1/8" end mill
The 3020-ULTRA handled it smoothly, and the cut quality was better than we expected. Students with zero prior CNC experience were able to run jobs confidently after just a short introduction.
Designed for Growth—Literally
Our initial concern was the relatively small work area (300x200x72mm). But the 3020-ULTRA is built with tinkerers in mind. Thanks to the open-source community, we found expansion kits, customizable spoil boards, and even longer axis rails—all of which let us scale the machine over time without having to start over.
It’s rare to find a CNC in this price range that’s so hackable, flexible, and futureproof. It grows with your team’s skills, not against them.
Empowering Students with Real-World Tools
Before the 3020-ULTRA, we relied heavily on outside machine shops and mentors with access to larger equipment. Now, we’re fully in control of our fabrication pipeline—from CAD to final part.
The machine became a gateway to real engineering. Students learned how to:
- Generate toolpaths in Fusion360
- Export and run G-code via Candle
- Understand the importance of workholding, tool selection, and feeds & speeds
- Iterate designs faster and more confidently than ever before
For many of our team members, this was their first exposure to subtractive manufacturing—and it sparked interest in mechanical engineering, aerospace, and design careers. That’s something no textbook can teach.
Final Thoughts: Why We Recommend It
If you’re part of a student team, makerspace, or small workshop looking to step up your game, the SainSmart 3020-ULTRA is worth every penny. It’s reliable, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly capable when pushed.
For us, it wasn’t just a tool—it was a turning point. It gave our team autonomy, skills, and the confidence to bring our visions to life, all under one roof.
![[Part 2] How the SainSmart 3020-ULTRA Became the MVP of Our Robotic](http://www.sainsmart.com/cdn/shop/articles/How_the_SainSmart_3020-ULTRA_Became_the_MVP_of_Our_Robotics_Workshop_1_275bb939-69dd-4373-9519-08c750a7a8fc.webp?v=1752228400 "[Part 2] How the SainSmart 3020-ULTRA Became the MVP of Our Robotic")
