Hey everyone, welcome back to our February 2026 Production Updates!
AutoSpin T1 Has Launched
We’re excited to finally launch the AutoSpin T1! Learn more about it here: https://sienci.com/2026/01/20/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-autospin-t1-router/
We received our shipment of approximately 2000 units on February 2 (it was supposed to be mid- February) and will get routers shipped out to customers shortly after.
AltMill 4×8 Production
We continue to wait and prep for the arrival of AltMill 4×8 components. Based on our schedules, the last remaining parts for the 4×8 are scheduled to arrive between Feb 20th to March 6th. Other parts are expected to arrive sooner, which means that assembly for the first units will start approximately mid-February, allowing us to make progress in advance before all parts arrive.
In other news, resources for the 4×8 assembly continue to be worked on, with filming for the assembly video scheduled for the second or third week of February in preparation for customers to start receiving their machines in March.
LongMill MK3 Development
Thank you all for the overwhelming response of applications for LongMill MK3 beta testing. We’ve now received the rails and started internal testing. We will be sending out beta testing units to selected individuals in the next few weeks.
As it stands, we’re super excited about the LongMill MK3 as we expect to bring a massive leap in performance over the LongMill MK2 and 2.5, while keeping it at a super competitive price point. Some additional work we’re doing to bring down BOM costs include:
- An easier to manufacture, significantly improved dust shoe with easy to replace bristles. This means not only is the overall cost of the dust shoe less, but users can extend the life of their dust shoe by replacing just the bristles. We will provide users with extra bristle in each kit.
- Integrated cables. With current cables being a combined bundle of motor signals, power, and inductive sensor signals sheathed in one nylon cover, we’re looking at molding a single cable to reduce the overall unit cost of the total cable.
- SLB-Lite. With the SLB-EXT being a major cost in the total BOM cost of the LongMill MK3, development (see in the next section of the article) is expected to keep all of the core functionality of the SLB and SLB-EXT, in a smaller, lighter, and more affordable package.
SLB-Lite
In our discussion about the LongMill electronics, we mentioned, especially with the Closed Loop Stepper Kit, that the overall cost of the electronics currently makes up a significant portion of the LongMill MK3 bill of materials. This is primarily because the electronics were specced and designed for the AltMill. However, for the smaller and less power hungry LongMill, the AltMill electronics are functional but overkill for the application.
Peter and Daniel and have continued to work on the newest generation of electronics to act as the successor to the SLB-EXT used in the AltMill. We expect a number of improvements for the new controller, currently code-named “SLB-Lite”, including:
- Lower cost, with the board expected to be around half the cost of the SLB-EXT
- Improved wire management
- Overall smaller footprint, allowing for lower shipping cost and easier integration into LongMills, AltMills, and other CNC machines.
- Ability to use power supply voltages from 24V-48V and the ability to provide up to 100 watts per motor.
- Ability to connect an additional board for added features and functionality beyond the SLB-Lite, while still being less expensive in combination than the SLB-EXT.
Lastly, by using the same controller on all of our CNC product lines, we expect to see savings through the economies of scale by essentially doubling the number of units produced. Plus we expect to reduce our inventory management costs with fewer unique components, and a more unified experience between the LongMill and AltMill lines.
Additionally, coming to all controllers is new SLB and SLB-EXT firmware, with overall performance and stability improvements, and specific features like faster and better handling of motor alarms and resetting, support for advanced plug-ins used for the Automatic Tool Changer, and unlocking of SD card features allowing for running gcode and files directly from the controller. More details on the new firmware and ability to have access to beta firmware before the wider launch available on our blog.
To coincide with SD card support, the upcoming gSender Edge (our beta version of gSender), will be coming out with the interface to communicate with the SD card. When both systems have been tested to be reliable, full support for the new firmware and all of the new improvements will come to the main version of gSender.
To hear Kevin talk about SD card support in the next gSender Edge release, check out this video here:
gControl Panel Computer Pricing Updates
Due to the recent RAM and memory shortages, pricing for the gControl has been increased. We are keeping an eye on the pricing for components as they change, and are hoping that pricing will come down soon. We will update pricing when RAM and memory prices come back to normal levels.
Certified VFDs are Now Shipping
After a long wait, certified VFDs have finally arrived and have undergone testing. Customers who are waiting on VFDs will receive them shortly.
ATCs Sells Out; New Batch Added
Due to higher than expected demand for the ATC, we have sold out of the first batch. Customers who place orders moving forward will be part of the second batch. The first batch is expected to start shipping in late March, and the second batch is expected to ship in June.
Curious on how this whole ATC thing works? Check out Johann’s breakdown video here: