MR-1: IN STOCK

MR-1™ CNC GANTRY MILL FOR METAL

A small CNC mill that cuts aluminum, steel, stainless, and titanium, starting at $5,195.

Build Your Machine →

Estimated Shipping: About 1 Week

Affordable 3-Axis CNC Milling Machine for Aluminum and Steel

The MR-1 is a 3-axis vertical CNC gantry mill built to machine real metal parts in a home shop, small business, or classroom. Its concrete-reinforced steel base, cast iron carriages, and 3.4 hp AC servo spindle give it the rigidity to cut aluminum, steel, stainless, and titanium, and to remove 30 pounds of steel per hour. Precision linear guideways and ball screws hold 0.0005" positional repeatability across a 23" x 21.8" x 6.1" work envelope. Every MR-1 includes CutControl software for Windows or Mac and lifetime technical support from our team in Texas. Starting at $5,195, MR-1 lets you prototype and run small batches in-house instead of waiting on a machine shop.

Explore MR-1 Machining Capabilities

High Speed Machining (HSM)

MR-1 can maximize your productivity and tool life taking deep cuts with low radial engagement at very fast feedrates. This modern machining strategy gets the highest Material Removal Rates (MRR) for when productivity matters most.

Traditional Machining

MR-1 has the power & rigidity to handle traditional low and slow machining toolpaths with full width cutting passes at deep axial engagements and slow feedrates.

Thread Milling

Mill multi-start, custom pitch, and custom diameter threads with a single tool on the MR-1 Gantry Mill. Thread milling is faster than tapping by hand and more accurate than rigid tapping and can be used for ID and OD threading of practically any size.

Hard Materials

MR-1 can be used to machine a wide range of harder materials including but not limited to: Grade 3 Titanium, Stainless Steel (303, 304, 17-4), Carbon Steel (1018, 1045), and Alloy Steel (4140, 4340).

Drilling

With over 3 lb-ft of spindle torque and 160 pounds of Z axis thrust force, MR-1 can drill large holes with ease in a wide range of materials. MR-1 has up to 9” of clearance between the spindle nose and table meaning that jobber length drills can be used with plenty of room to spare.

Slotting

Full width slot milling is a toolpath that most machinists try to avoid, but sometimes there is no other option. Thanks to the rigidity of MR-1, full width slot milling is not an issue, even in steel.

Boring

Boring is the process of enlarging an existing hole to improve its size, form, and location accuracy. When a particular project requires tenths level accuracy, boring is the natural option. Success in boring requires rigidity, very low spindle runout, and high spindle torque at low RPM. Because MR-1 has all of this, boring is never a problem.

Facing

While it can be done with an end mill, facing is usually accomplished with a specialized cutting tool such as a fly cutter or a facing mill. It is typically a finishing operation used to produce flat, mirror-like surface finishes. Running large diameter cutters like facemills takes plenty of horsepower, and MR-1 has plenty to give.

3D Surfacing

We all know that 3D printing is great. But if you want to make more than one sample, 3D printing makes little sense when time is money. If you want to make a lot of plastic parts quickly, you need to be looking at plastic casting or injection molding. And to make molds? You guessed it, 3D surfacing is needed. It involves the use of a ball end mill to produce accurate and smooth 3d surfaces.

Corner Finishing

The difference between a good looking part and a great looking part is how the corners are finished. There are two main corner finishing operations; chamfering and corner rounding. Use either process with our specially ground form tools to produce the desired corner geometry to take your project to the next level.

PROBING & TOOL SETTING

Massively improve your milling workflow with automatic touch probing and tool setting. Find your part origin automatically with the Touch Probe and perform tool changes in seconds with the Tool Setter. Both add-ons can be purchased from our online store and are plug-n-play with the MR-1 electronics.

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Cut Any Material.

after-crop
  • Delrin
  • Brass
  • Aluminum
  • Steel
  • Stainless
  • Titanium
before

A CLOSER LOOK AT MR-1 FEATURES

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750–900 LBS

Dimensions: 72" x 55" x 45"

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Expansive Work Envelope

Work Area: 21.8" x 22.8" x 6.0"

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Expansive Work Envelope

2 Inch Bonus Z Axis Travel

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rigid machine structure

Concrete Reinforced Steel BASE Structure For Unparalleled Stiffness And Vibration Dampening

Learn More about the MR-1 Base →

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rigid machine structure

Gantry Constructed From 5/16" Thick Steel Plate. 1" Thick Steel Rail Supports Connected Directly To BASE Structure Via Tie Plates.

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rigid machine structure

Heavy Cast Iron X Axis And Y Axis Carriages.

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Accurate And Precise Motion

Precision Linear Guideways On X, Y, And Z Axes.

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Accurate And Precise Motion

Precision Ballscrews on X And Y Axes.

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Accurate And Precise Motion

Micro Limit Switches With Fine Adjustment Stops on X, Y, And Z Axes.

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Accurate And Precise Motion

Independently Adjustable Y1 And Y2 Limit Switches For Automatic Gantry Squaring.

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Power Drive Motors

Powerful Stepper Motors On Each Axis Are Fully Sealed And Deliver Up To 135 Pounds Of Cutting Force Each.

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SuperCharged Spindle

A Whopping 3.4 Horsepower AC Servo Motor Offering Massive Torque Throughout Rpm Range.

Learn More about the MR-1 Spindle →

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SuperCharged Spindle

Precision Ground Through Hardened Spindle Exhibiting Less Than .0003" Runout. 0-8000 Rpm Spindle Speed Range.

Learn More about the MR-1 Spindle →

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Workholding Versatility

.700" Thick Aluminum Bedplate With ¼-20 Tooling Holes On A 2" X 2" Grid Pattern Offering Endless Jig And Fixturing Options.

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Industrial CNC Electronics

Probing And Toolsetting Compatibility. Expansion Ports For Future Upgrades. Integrated Spindle Servo Control.

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Purpose Built Control Software

Factory Supported CutControl Software. Capable Of Running Programs That Are Millions Of Lines Long. Features And Enhancements Continually Developed.

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Sheet Metal Enclosure

Sheet Metal Enclosure For Coolant And Chip Containment (Optional).

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Touchscreen and Controller

Touchscreen And Controller Pc With Wireless Jog Pendant (Optional).

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Flood Coolant System

Flood Coolant System Increases Cutting Accuracy, Prevents Tool Breakage, And Clears Chips For Optimal Performance (Optional).

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Full Assembly Service

Full Assembly Service Including Precision Alignment. Ready For Work Upon Delivery (Optional).

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Choosing and Setting Up MR-1

Key specs, what each package includes, and what your shop needs before MR-1 arrives.

MR-1 at a Glance

  • 3.4 hp (2.5 kW) AC servo spindle, 0–8,000 RPM, ER20 collets
  • 23" x 21.8" x 6.1" travel, plus 2" of bonus Z travel
  • 20" x 20.25" table that holds up to 300 lb
  • 0.0005" positional repeatability and 0.0003" max spindle runout
  • Cuts aluminum, steel, stainless, and titanium

Base vs. Advanced

The Base package ($5,195) is the core MR-1 mill, ready for you to add only what you need. The Advanced package ($8,351) adds:

  • Enclosure, touchscreen and control PC, and flood coolant system
  • Leveling feet, wash down hose kit, and remote E-stop
  • Low profile modular vise, toe clamps, and parallels
  • Tool setter and touch probe bundle, ER20 collet set, and tramming tool

Factory assembly is available for either package.

Power

  • Machine: one 120VAC, 15A outlet on a dedicated breaker
  • Spindle: one 240VAC, 20A outlet on a dedicated breaker, or a 120VAC, 15A outlet with the step-up transformer (spindle limited to 2.0 hp)
  • Touchscreen and control PC (if purchased): two 120VAC, 15A outlets

All inputs must come from the same breaker panel.

Space and Delivery

MR-1 is about 72" high, 55" deep, and 45" wide. Add about 18" of width for the computer stand or touchscreen. It weighs 750 to 900 lb, depending on options.

It ships by freight from Conroe, TX. Kits ship in about 1 week, and assembled machines ship in 3 to 4 weeks.

Computer and Software

CutControl software is included and runs on any Windows PC or Mac over USB, or on the optional touchscreen and control PC. For CAD and CAM, we recommend and support Autodesk Fusion.

CutControl software guide →

Tooling and Stock

MR-1 uses an ER20 spindle that holds tools with 0.039" to 0.500" shanks. Start with a ferrous or non-ferrous end mill kit, a vise, and some 6061 aluminum billet to practice on.

Shop MR-1 tooling →

Choose Your MR-1 Package

Starter Package

Mr1 Starter

Base Machine

Core MR-1 milling machine ready for custom configuration.

$5,195

Advanced Package

advanced package

MACHINE & ENCLOSURE

  • MR-1 Enclosure
  • Touchscreen / Control PC
  • Flood Coolant System
  • Flood Coolant Relay
  • Leveling Feet Kit
  • Fusion Flood Coolant
  • Wash Down Hose Kit
  • Remote EStop Kit

WORKHOLDING

  • Low Profile Modular Vise
  • Toe Clamp Kit
  • Vise Clamp Set
  • Baseplate Threaded Plugs
  • Modular Vise Parallel Set
  • Collet Wrench Holder
  • Collet Wrench Hanger
  • 1x 6061 Aluminum Billet

PROBING & TOOLING

  • Tool Setter & Touch Probe Bundle
  • Dial Indicator w/ Base
  • Precision ER20 Collet Set
  • Tramming Tool
  • Wireless Keypad Holder
  • Filling Kit / Coolant
$8,351

$10,846 With Factory Assembly

high quality components

MR-1 Accuracy

MR-1 is packed with the high quality components that are needed to produce high quality parts. The precision grade linear guideways and ball screws work together to ensure that the cutting tool is exactly where it needs to be. The incredible rigidity of the machine structure makes sure that the tool remains on path with little deflection, during both heavy cuts and light finishing passes.

 

The machine boasts XYZ straightness error of less than 0.00015” per inch and positional repeatability of 0.0005”. Every spindle is precision ground in house to less than 0.0003” runout. MR-1 is the right choice for when thousandths matter.

MR1-machine-system-14

MR-1 Affordability

As a company, our mission has always been to make powerful manufacturing technology more accessible to everyday enthusiasts and small business owners.

 

MR-1 has the performance the business owner needs while being offered at a price the budget minded garage warrior can afford. The incredible value doesn’t stop at just the machine. Our online store features tons of affordably priced enhancements, options, cutting tools, and workholding accessories. Langmuir Systems is your one-stop shop for all of your milling needs.

Shop MR-1 Tooling →
Shop Aluminum Billets and Bar Stock →

mr1-base-spindle

MR-1 RIGIDITY

Boasting spindle deflections less than 40 millionths per pound of cutting force, MR-1 is more rigid than any other machine in its class. This stiffness is what allows MR-1 to cut nearly any material between plastic and stainless steel. We believe CNC machines should be made out of steel and iron, not aluminum. That's why the entire structure of the machine is made out of thick steel plate while the carriages are made out of heavy duty cast iron for incredible stiffness and vibration damping. Weighing 750 to 900 pounds, depending on options, MR-1 is a real machine that's ready for hard work.

Learn More about the MR-1 Base →

MR-1 Specifications

SPECIFICATION
DETAIL
Travel (X x Y x Z)

23.0" x 21.8" x 6.1" (+2" bonus Z travel)

Table Size

20" x 20.25" x 0.700"

Tooling Holes

1/4-20 tapped holes on a 2" x 2" grid (100 holes)

Max. Weight on Table

300 lb

Max. Workpiece Footprint

31" (X) x 37" (Y)

Spindle Nose to Table

0.9" min., 9.0" max.

X Axis Carriage to Table Clearance

5.5"

Machine Size

72" H x 45.2" W (add about 18" for the computer stand or touchscreen)

Machine Weight

750–900 lb, depending on options

Base Structure

Concrete-reinforced steel (patent pending)

Machine Power

120VAC, 15A min., dedicated breaker

Spindle Power Input

240VAC, 20A min., dedicated breaker, or 120VAC, 15A with the step-up transformer

Touchscreen / Control PC Power

(2) 120VAC, 15A min. outlets on a dedicated breaker (if purchased)

Flood Coolant Pump Power

(1) 120VAC, 15A min. outlet (if purchased). All inputs must come from the same breaker panel.

Lubrication

Grease-lubricated linear guideways and screws

Y Axis Rail Coplanarity

Correctable to zero over the full travel with the included shims and coplanarity check gage

Y Axis Rail Parallelism

0.001" max.

Z Axis Alignment Error

0.003" over 6" of travel as assembled, correctable to zero with shims

Spindle Tram Error

0.001" per inch of radial sweep as assembled, correctable to zero with shims

Spindle Motor

3.4 hp (2.5 kW) 220V AC servo with integrated encoder

Spindle Power on 120V

2.0 hp (1.5 kW) with the optional transformer

Spindle Speed

0–8,000 RPM, set in software, closed-loop encoder feedback

Spindle Torque (240V)

3.5 lb-ft at 500 RPM, 2.2 lb-ft at 8,000 RPM

Spindle Torque (120V)

2.1 lb-ft at 500 RPM, 1.3 lb-ft at 8,000 RPM

Spindle Transmission

GT2 timing belt (1:2 overdrive)

Spindle Taper

ER20, tool shanks from 0.039" to 0.500"

Spindle Runout (Max.)

0.0003"

Spindle Deflection

0.00006" per lb (X) and 0.00004" per lb (Y), with the spindle nose 1.5" above the table

X/Y Axis Motion

20 mm linear guideways and 12 mm C7 ball screws

Z Axis Motion

15 mm linear guideways and 12 mm Acme screw with anti-backlash nut

Feed Rate (Max.)

100 IPM X/Y, 40 IPM Z

Thrust (Max.)

135 lb X, 135–270 lb Y (depending on load split between Y1 and Y2), and 160 lb Z (downward)

Linear Step Resolution

0.00015"

Linear Travel Error (Max.)

0.004" per 12" of travel (ball screw pitch compensation in software reduces it further)

Positional Repeatability

0.0005"

Backlash (Max.)

0.001" X/Y, 0.002" Z (the Z axis weight takes up backlash)

Straightness Error

0.00015" per inch X and Y, 0.0001" per inch Z

Control Software

CutControl, runs on any Windows PC or Mac via USB

Software Features

Auto-squaring gantry, 3D G-code visualization, canned milling and probing cycles, MDI, remote spindle and coolant control, real-time spindle load monitoring, and programs millions of lines long

Watch MR-1 In Action

Machining a Steel Part

Roughing and finishing a part in steel.

Cutting an Aluminum Sprocket at 5 MRR

Demonstrating the fast machining speeds in Aluminum.

Roughing Steel at 4MRR

Heavy roughing passes in steel at 4 MRR.

Full Slotting Tests in Aluminum

Pushing the machine to the limits with full slot passes in aluminum.

Custom Mounting Bracket - Full Machining

All machining footage of a part from start to finish.

Billet Aluminum Valve Cover

Langmuir Systems Founder Daniel cuts a custom Valve Cover out of billet aluminum on MR-1 for his Triumph GT6 build.

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mr1-cc-cropped

Our Software

Included with every MR-1 Gantry Mill is the powerful CutControl software package that runs on both Windows and macOS. It takes the engine from our widely successful FireControl software and pairs it with the utilities required to blast through milling projects on MR-1. Total control of every aspect of the machining process is provided right at your fingertips including Spindle Control and RPM setting, Flood Coolant, Program Speed Overrides, Automatic Tool Setting, Touch Probing Routines, Milling Canned Cycles, and many others. To top things off, the 3D visualizer allows the user to see all toolpaths past, present, and future to ensure a quality result. Our team of incredible software developers are working constantly to add new features and optimizations while improving the user experience.

CutControl Software Guide →
Autodesk Fusion Milling Software Guide →

Mr1 Support

OUR SUPPORT

Years of selling the country's most popular line of CNC plasma tables has taught us the importance of having an engaging and thoughtful relationship with each of our customers. Customer satisfaction only comes with the successful completion of parts and products made on the machines that bear our name and by the folks that have entrusted us with their business. That’s why when you order MR-1, you gain immediate access to our customer and technical support team for life.

 

In addition to direct support from our engineering team, you will also have exclusive access to plentiful educational content and videos that will teach you everything you need to know to develop a basic level of CNC milling proficiency. Learn and share with MR-1 owners by participating in our ever growing online user community.

Our machines are designed, assembled, and supported by Americans right here in Texas.

MR-1 FAQ

How much does the MR-1 CNC mill cost?

The MR-1 Base package starts at $5,195. The Advanced package is $8,351 and adds the enclosure, touchscreen and control PC, flood coolant, workholding, and probing. Factory assembly is available for either package, and freight shipping typically costs $300–500.

Can a small CNC mill cut steel?

Yes. MR-1 machines carbon steel (1018 and 1045), alloy steel (4140 and 4340), stainless steel (303, 304, and 17-4), and grade 3 titanium. Its steel and concrete base, cast iron carriages, and 3.4 hp spindle give it the rigidity to full-width slot in steel and remove 30 pounds of steel per hour.

How big of a part can MR-1 machine?

MR-1 has 23" of X travel, 21.8" of Y travel, and 6.1" of Z travel, plus 2" of bonus Z travel. The table is 20" x 20.25" and holds up to 300 lb. Workpieces up to 31" x 37" fit on the machine, and there is up to 9" between the spindle nose and the table.

What power does MR-1 need?

The machine needs one 120VAC, 15A outlet on a dedicated breaker. The spindle needs one 240VAC, 20A outlet on a dedicated breaker. If you don’t have 240V, the optional step-up transformer runs the spindle from a 120VAC, 15A outlet, with peak spindle power limited to 2.0 hp. All inputs must come from the same breaker panel.

I want an MR-1 Gantry Mill but I don't have any CNC machining experience. Is it still a good choice for me?

We think MR-1 is the best choice for CNC machining education. Anyone willing to put in the time can learn to run MR-1 well. Most of our customers start with no CNC experience, and that’s okay! As long as you are eager to learn, our video tutorials and guides will teach you what you need to get started. The best part about learning on MR-1 is that the skills apply directly to full-size CNC milling machines.

Start with our milling software guide and CutControl guide.

Can I finance the purchase of MR-1?

Yes. See our financing options for details.

How does MR-1 ship and what does it cost?

MR-1 ships exclusively via freight. Approximate dimensions of the shipping crate are 48”x48”x 40”. Depending on options and accessories, the crate will weigh between 500 and 700 pounds. All MR-1 machines will ship out of our Conroe, Texas facility.

Depending on location, shipping will cost approximately $300–500. Additional fees will be charged if liftgate service is required. Actual freight charges will be calculated prior to shipping to your specific address.

All add ons and accessories ship for free if purchased at the same time as the machine.

Can I pick up my machine in person to avoid shipping costs?

Yes, as long as a suitable vehicle is used such as a pickup truck or a trailer with at least 48” of bed width you are able to pick up your order from our Conroe, Texas warehouse. We will use our forklift to load the crate, but you are responsible for strapping. You must make an appointment for pickup by sending an email to [email protected] once your order is ready.

Is Lift Gate service available upon delivery?

Yes. MR-1 and all the associated accessories ship via freight to both residential and commercial addresses. A lift gate option is available for those that do not have a load dock to unload the crate from the delivery truck. When your order is ready to ship, you will receive an invoice email to complete the balance payment including shipping. Here you will be able to select the Lift Gate service option for your delivery. Note: a small fee will apply for Lift Gate service.

Do you ship MR-1 internationally?

MR-1 currently ships to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. International buyers are responsible for paying all duty fees in addition to the extra freight charges.

Are accessories and options more affordable if purchased at the same time as the machine?

All options and accessories take advantage of free shipping if purchased together with the machine. In addition, the freight cost is the same whether you order the base machine or all of our options so it is advantageous to include these items during your initial purchase.

Some items such as the machine enclosure are very expensive to ship if purchased separately at a later date. We highly recommend all customers do their best to order options and accessories with the machine to save on shipping.

How long does it take to assemble the machine?

Assembly time varies with skill level and selected options and accessories. We expect the average assembly to require 15-25 hours to complete.

If you prefer to receive a machine fully assembled and precision aligned by us, select the ‘Full Assembly’ option at checkout. It's a great option for those that want a turnkey system that's ready to run upon delivery; for the flat rate assembly fee we will put your machine together with all the options that were ordered.

Note that choosing the MR-1 Full Assembly Service will require custom crating and shipping leading to an increased shipping cost. We estimate the cost to be around $1,000 to most locations in the contiguous United States. Assembled machines are expected to ship within 3 to 4 weeks of the order date.

Now that my machine is assembled and operable, what’s next?

Our tutorial videos and guides cover:

  1. Choosing a CAD/CAM package (and why we recommend and support Autodesk Fusion)
  2. Drawing parts in Fusion for CNC milling
  3. Programming milling toolpaths in Fusion
  4. Post processing in Fusion
  5. Using CutControl to run MR-1
  6. Loading and running your first G-code program
  7. Setting part offsets and tool offsets
  8. Workholding
  9. Cutting tool selection

See the milling software guide and the CutControl guide to get started.

Are replacement parts available?

All machine components are offered as replaceable items for purchase if stock is available. Send us an email at [email protected] with your needs and we will prepare you an invoice.

Can the Base Plates be replaced?

Yes. Much like all other parts of the machine, the baseplates are also replaceable. The baseplates secure to the embedded anchors with 56 socket head cap screws. Removing these cap screws allows the baseplates to be lifted out. The new baseplate will require skim cutting after installation.

Can the machine be run on 120V Power?

Yes. We offer a step-up transformer option for MR-1. Purchase this item if your workspace is not equipped with 240V single phase AC power for the spindle motor. This transformer steps 120V outlet power up to 240V that's needed to power the MR-1 spindle motor. Note: Peak spindle power is limited to 2.0 hp (1.5kW) on a standard 15 amp outlet.

Is the Epoxy Leveling Kit required when assembling my machine?

No. There are no issues with leaving your concrete base as poured during your machine assembly and we have run many machines this way.

While not required on your MR-1 machine, the 1 Gallon Epoxy Leveling Kit has many benefits:

  • The epoxy self leveling characteristics help to create a near perfectly flat surface that fills in any low spots in the concrete and creates a smooth path to the corner drains when running flood coolant.
  • It seals the concrete from water and coolant.
  • The smooth nonporous surface is easy to clean between projects and looks visually appealing.
What is the warranty and return policy for MR-1?

Please see our Warranty, Refund, and Return Policy for full details on warranties, returns, and refunds.