In 2011, SainSmart started the way most makers do: with an open-source board, a soldering iron, and the belief that precision tools shouldn’t come with an industrial price tag. Years of Arduino-compatible boards, 3D printers, and late-night maker projects later, our community kept asking for one more thing: a way to cut and carve, not just print and solder.

That's how Genmitsu was born — and in 2018, the very first 3018 CNC router shipped. It wasn't perfect. Ours never are on the first try. But it was the start of a specific, eight-year education: thousands of beginners telling us exactly what almost stopped them from finishing their first project.
The 3018 REX carries both timelines forward — fifteen years of building for makers, and eight years spent learning what a first CNC cut actually needs to go right.


10-Minute CNC Router Setup:
Traditional 3018 CNC kits take over 2 hours to assemble by hand. The 3018 REX ships pre-assembled and modular, so beginners finish setup in under 10 minutes and start cutting sooner
Expandable CNC Router System:
Add a laser module or 4th-axis rotary attachment anytime through built-in ports, so you never outgrow this machine. Built-in WiFi sends jobs wirelessly, no cable required
High-Speed CNC Cutting Up to 3000mm/min:
Quiet, independent stepper drivers keep noise down. Speed nearly doubles the 1500 to 2000mm/min of standard CNC routers, so projects finish sooner
Reinforced X-Axis for Precise Cuts:
A 10mm optical shaft and HG15 rail on the X-axis hold cuts to within ±0.1mm. A reinforced Z-axis and 91mm clearance fit thicker stock, and the Y-axis upgrades to a dual-rail kit, sold separately
Enhanced Safety & Easy GRBL Control:
Equipped with physical X/Y/Z limit switches and an instant Emergency Stop button for max safety. Fully compatible with mainstream GRBL 1.1h software, ensuring an easy learning curve

Fifteen Years of Makers, Eight Years of CNC — Not Just Machines
We didn't design the 3018 REX in a vacuum. It's built on eight years of CNC-specific feedback, layered on top of fifteen years of being a maker brand first — from the same community that's been sharing their boards, prints, and first cuts with us since our earliest open-source days. That's a Facebook group thousands of makers strong, and a maker showcase we run every year.

Specifications
| Model | 3018-PROVer V2 | 3018-PRO | 3018 REX |
| Assembly Time | 20-35 mins | <2 hours | 10 mins |
| Working Area | 11.4" x 7.1" x 1.6" (290 x 180 x 40mm) | 11.8" x 7.1" x 1.8" (300 x 180 x 45mm) | 11.81" x 7.09" x 2.36" (300 x 180 x 60mm) |
| Spoilboard | One-piece machined and molded aluminum | T-slot 2040 Aluminum Profile | T-slot Aluminum Platform |
| Control Board | 32-bit | 8-Bit | 32-bit |
| Power Supply | 24V/4A | 24V/4A | 24V/4A |
| Max Speed | 1200 mm/min | 1200 mm/min | 3000 mm/min |
| MPG Port | √ | × | √ |
| 3 Pin Laser Port | √ | × | √ |
| Z-Probe Port | √ | √ | √ |
| Pre Assembled (Control Board, Emergency-Stop, Cable Management, X, Y axis Limit Switches) |
√ | × | √ |
| Frame & Structure | All Aluminum | All Aluminum | Sheet metal |
| Motion System | Linear Shaft & Leadscrew | Linear Shaft & Leadscrew | X Linear Guide & Y Leadscrew |
| X-Z Axis Assembly Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| 4th Axis Support | × | × | √ |
| Stepper Motor Jog Wheels | √ | × | √ |
| Offline Controller Included | Optional | √ | Genmitsu APP |
| Home and Limit switches | √ | × | √ |
| Emergency-Stop | √ | × | √ |
| Wireless App Control | × | × | √ |
What's in the box
- 1x 3018 REX DIY Router Kit
- 1x SainSmart 15h Anniversary Thank You Card
- 1x User Manual
FAQs
Is the 3018 REX a good CNC router for beginners?
Yes — the 3018 REX is purpose-built as an entry-level CNC machine. Pre-assembled construction, physical safety switches, and GRBL software compatibility mean you don't need any prior CNC or programming experience to get your first project cut.
How quiet is the 3018 REX compared to other desktop CNC routers?
The 3018 REX runs on a 32-bit board with independent silent drivers, making it significantly quieter than standard 8-bit 3018-class machines — quiet enough for apartments, classrooms, and shared workspaces.
What materials can the 3018 REX cut and engrave?
Like other Genmitsu 3018-series CNC routers, the REX is built for wood, acrylic, PCB, and soft metal (like brass and steel) — ideal for signs, personalized gifts, classroom projects, and small-business products.
Can I upgrade the 3018 REX later?
Yes. The frame supports a Y-axis linear rail upgrade and native 4-axis mounting, and the mainboard includes a 3-pin laser port — so the REX is designed to grow from your first project into more advanced ones.
Is the 3018 REX 15th Anniversary Edition really limited?
Yes — only 300 units exist, each with its own serial number badge mounted on the machine. Once the run sells out, this specific edition won't be made again.