The short answer is that your tool will need what is called a toolpath file that contains the movement instructions for cutting or machining a project (this can be a “g-code” file or an “OpenSBP” file). Such files are generated by the V-Carve Pro (CAD/CAM) design software that comes with your Handibot, or by most any CAM program. Toolpath files will also be the type of file that is sent from apps on various types of devices to your Handibot or run from its own PC.

The longer answer is that for the future, Handibot and ShopBot are moving toward a new, open source, motion control system that will support a more generic file type. The planning for this long-term goal is discussed in detail in the “Developers” section of the ShopBot website. Our goal is that all ShopBots and Handibots will have the option of being upgraded to the new system by replacement of their control card (probably less than $250).

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We expect apps to be priced in the $10-30 range — more expensive than typical smart phone apps because the market is significantly smaller and so we’ll need to provide adequate incentive for developers. To help get the catalog of apps started, we expect to seed or subsidize the development of many early apps. Stimulating the creation of wide ranging apps will depend significantly on how successful we all are in building the community of Handibot users.

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We assume that for the typical Handibot app, once you own an app it is yours forever to use as many times as you have jobs that need doing. This does not rule out some special-purpose apps that a developer may choose to license in a different manner.

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You certainly are not required to use apps. In fact, when you first get your Handibot tool, there will not be many apps to work with yet. The powerful “old-fashioned” way of creating or finding a design and turning into a toolpath with your CAM program will always be available to you.

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The number of apps and timing of their availability depend upon how many early adopters start contributing ideas and how soon they begin development. At ShopBot, we are doing our best to prime the pump. We will be launching app developer support pages on the Handibot website in the coming weeks. Right now we encourage you to participate at Apps HQ, a system for collecting, recognizing, and rating app ideas for interested application developers to help stimulate collaboration in the community and get more apps developed.

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The software suite that is included with purchase of a Handibot tool is the same that is used with full-size ShopBot tools, so you can find extensive descriptions of both design and control software on the ShopBot website. In addition, because Handibot tools are functionally small ShopBot tools, the extensive CNC information resources of the Talk ShopBot Forum is available and will be useful to Handibotters for inspiration. Once critical mass is reached, the Handibot forum will be the primary repository for information on Handibot software. The current ShopBot Control Software is always available as a free download from our website and can be run in “preview” mode to get a feel for how it works. Free demo versions of V-Carve Pro are also available.

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Currently the Handibot/ShopBot software runs on a Windows® platform (XP-W8). As described in the file-type discussion above, we have a long-range project underway that involves moving Handibot and all ShopBots to a new, open source, motion system that will allow for interfaces from most system platforms. These plans are discussed in the “Developers” section of the ShopBot website.

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For Handibot software application development, we will be creating a system for developers on the Handibot website. This will include SDKs, examples, and we hope, a growing list of application ideas at Apps HQ with guidance ratings ready for application developers to put into great apps. For Handibot hardware development and control system development, we will host the primary discussions in the “Developer” section of the ShopBot website with much of the core documentation being posted to a GitHub repository.

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The attractiveness of being able to add capabilities to the Handibot tool is why we’re fitting the tools with a full-featured ShopBot controller, capable of running up to six axes of motors (with additional motor drivers) and with extensive I/O, and why we have not compromised on the tool’s power or rigidity (within the constraints of its practical size). The features and pin-outs for our control card can be found in the “Developer” section on the ShopBot website.

We have already prototyped an automatic indexing/registering device for working over larger areas (see the video section of Handibot.com ) to see videos about this and other applications. We believe that there are a lot of different ways to accomplish this kind of registration. We’ll expect to offer a couple accessories of this type, and we are hoping others emerge from the Handibot community. We expect to also soon offer an optional “rotary indexer” 4th axis that will allow working on projects in the round (the Handibot will sit over the indexer axis – it looks like a small lathe but is digitally controlled), just as with the rotary indexer attachments for larger ShopBot tools.

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It’s hard to give an exact decibel number. The router makes the noise of a hand-held trim router, but the louder noise comes from the cutter in the material and is thus dependent on material, bit, and speed.

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The Handibot runs on ordinary 110V power. Just plug it into a non-GFCI, 3-prong outlet and you are ready to cut. It draws (up to) approximately 15 amps.

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You will need a PC that is running Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (Home Premium / Business, or higher). We recommend the equivalent of a dual core or higher, Pentium processor, and a minimum of 2GB RAM (4GB preferred). You will need at least one USB port. We have been running our Handibots with a Win8 tablet having only an Atom processor. These seem to work well if you want to be really portable.

We will be providing an attachment pocket on the front of the Handibot to hold a Windows tablet. If you plan to do real CAD/CAM work, you will probably find working on a tablet a little frustrating. For example, a Handibot used in education might be set up as a mini-desktop tool sitting next to and connected with a full size PC for design and instruction. It is also no problem plugging one type of PC into the Handibot for one type of project and another type of PC for another.

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Without needing to move the Handibot base, the active cutting area is 6”x8”x3.25”.

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We have almost 20 years experience helping people get going with CNC. We’ll be providing a “Getting Started with Handibot” package developed by our documentation team, Randy Johnson and Nate Zellmer (Until recently, Randy was Editor of American Woodworker magazine, where he wrote wonderful articles on using CNC; see: www.popularwoodworking.com/author/randyjohnson). We also expect to develop videos for those just starting to use Handibots, similar to our “getting started” videos for our Desktop CNC tools that can be found on the www.100kSchools.org website.

One of the most challenging aspects of traditional CNC is mastering the design work with CAD/CAM. For working with V-Carve, Vectric provides wonderful free video tutorials for doing CNC design; see: http://support.vectric.com/training-material/vcarve-pro. Handibot web support will be available on the Handibot Users Forum from ShopBot personnel and Handibot users … “Handibotters” are likely to become our best resource for information and help.

Visit the Handibot Online Support page for detailed information.

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ShopBot provides a limited two-year warranty on Handibot tools. See Warranty section in the Handibot store for details.

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Yes. We are currently shipping Handibot’s to the United States as well as the following list of countries. We will be updating this list as new locations are added.

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