The Vortex Rotary Axis is a plug-and-play system to enable rotary axis capability on your LongMill or AltMill. Designed in-house, it is a compact and precise add-on that directly integrates with gSender, our machine interface software.
Open-loop Vortex ships in 1-2 weeks.
Close-loop Vortex ships in 3 weeks.
This product will ship in its own carton separate from the LongMill and AltMill.
30" Rail with Open Loop, 48" Rail with Open Loop, 30" Rail with Close Loop, 48" Rail with Close Loop, Upgrade to Close Loop
Product FAQ
FAQ
What is the difference between the 48in and the 30in versions?
These numbers describe the track length for the rotary axis. Customers should purchase the size that matches the working width of their LongMill.
What is the cutting volume?
Configuration
Max Stock Diameter
Max Stock Length
30” Rail Kit
101.6mm / 4”
558.8mm / 22”
48” Rail Kit
1016mm / 40”
Note that cutting volume will also depend on your table setup and you may have to modify your table setup to accommodate large pieces of material.
Which machines is the Rotary Axis compatible with?
The Rotary Axis is designed to be compatible with the AltMill and all versions of the LongMill, with the exception of the LongMill MK1 12×12, due to the track width (however it can be modified to work).
Please refer to the chart in the product Description for more info about compatibility.
Although users may be able to integrate the Rotary into other hobby CNC machines, we will only guarantee compatibility and support for AltMill and LongMill users at this time. For more information about machine clearance, CAD models will be published in the future in our resources.
How is the Rotary Axis driven?
In the current configuration, the Rotary Axis uses the X-axis and Z-axis to move along the rotational axis of the material, with the Y-axis drivers disconnected and reconnected to the Rotary Axis motor to provide rotational movement. This means that in this configuration, the system is not a full 4-axis machine, but more of a 2-axis + rotary system. Each kit will come with a switch to toggle 3-axis and rotary-axis modes.
Can I do simultaneous 4th axis machining with the Vortex?
In the future, we are planning to provide full simultaneous 4th-axis motion through the SuperLongBoard.
Does the Rotary Axis come with software?
We’ve implemented gSender to integrate the ability to control, set up, and home the Rotary Axis. Users will need to use or purchase CAM software that supports rotary carving. We recommend VCarve Desktop or VCarve Pro, as this is the software that we primarily use and do testing on.
45 reviews for Vortex Rotary Axis
4.5
Based on 45 reviews
5 star
71
71%
4 star
13
13%
3 star
8
8%
2 star
4
4%
1 star
2
2%
Rated 5 out of 5
Philip Prosser (verified owner)–
Not inboxes yet but going by the Longmill I’m sure it’ll be worthy of a 5 star. Ineed to master the cnc first but will let you know soon.
(0)(0)
Rated 4 out of 5
Brad Bogstie (verified owner)–
go after we got it going
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Keith Leatherwood (verified owner)–
Rotary is fun to watch. Haven’t run much on it. I do have a gremlin in there. More of a software issue in gsender I think.
(0)(0)
Rated 2 out of 5
James Taylor (verified owner)–
I love the concept but I’m having major issues getting it to work properly. I cannot get anyone on the phone when I have time to talk which is very frustrating. Have not got it working yet major issues same problems as the Altmill I think either the SLB is bad or the limit switches are bad. All I get is problems and dumb responses never any answers that have fixed the problems.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Avery B. –
Very happy with my rotary attachment. It was super easy to assemble. The videos on first use, were easy to follow. Been making spindles for rocking chairs. With 2.5D figures wrapped around them. It only took a couple of cuts to get comfortable with the unit. Very easy to get started.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Sébastien C. –
Parfait
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Stanley Derrick Cundy (verified owner)–
Great, simple to set up ,simple to run.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Hubert Blais (verified owner)–
one of my favourite tools in my fully equip shop had bee the lathe because you could put a piece of wood on it and end up with a finished piece when you take it off.Unfortunately it tends to be the one that gets everything staked up on it .So when I got the vortex I love it.Now I wish I had a wider bed.
(1)(0)
Rated 4 out of 5
Kevin (verified owner)–
Great product. I bought this with the Altmill,
auto zero touch plate along with numerous milling bits. It took a bit to learn but enjoying the process. Only complaint is that I broke a 1/4″ tapered ball nose bit when following the skull carving tutorial from Sienci on Youtube.
I Zeroed the endmill and did the surfacing no problem, then changed the bit to my 1/4″ tapered ball mill and re-zeroed on the chuck, then once complete started the skull program which then moved the bit down and to the right at the same time forcing the bit to break on the chuck before it could get to the project. I hadn’t even had a chance to use the bit yet which is the frustrating part. Maybe user error, but frustrating never the less.
(0)(0)
Rated 3 out of 5
Roda Lyndaker (verified owner)–
I would like to see more videos on how to get projects on vcarve to gsender. I would love to do a baseball bat project from start to finish. I do love the vortex but haven’t used it very much though.
(0)(0)
Rated 4 out of 5
José Sánchez Díez (verified owner)–
Todavía no he trabajado con él
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Sean Hagerty (verified owner)–
I can not say enough good about this system. The system, the cost, and the instructions are all great!! This thing has given me a new functionality on my CNC. Just like anything else in this CNC world, there is a learning curve. Once this is over came, you will be amazed at what you can do. I would buy this again!!
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
FRANK SCHRAY (verified owner)–
chess pieces, spindles, finials and others
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Gerard C. (verified owner)–
I like the Vortex, it is great to see rotary projects come to life. It is compact and affordable. I think there is a upgrade kit to this to add a closed loop stepper motor. If I understand it correctly, instead of the switch Y to A and all wires involved, I would be able to hook directly to SLB?
The Sienci Team have very good documentation, for assembly, as well as Youtube. Keep on being innovated and continue making present machines better, while keeping quality and price reasonable.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Patrick Baerts (verified owner)–
I like it to do small stuf
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Nicholas Boughen (verified owner)–
Love my rotary axis. So easy to use. Sooooo many possibilities
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
David Parkerson (verified owner)–
I love this Machine and I really enjoy working with the whole Sienci Labs team. My Longmill CNC, Laser and Vortex Rotery have opened up a whole new way of living life for me and I mean that in a good way. I can’t say enough about the whole Sienci Labs team. Everyone I’ve had the opportunity to talk to and work with has gone well above my expectations to a rather surprising level. The support I’ve received is so far above anyone I’ve worked with before and since. And the forum, OMG😱! Sienci Labs is always there and the folks are so incredibly helpful, even though they are not obligated to. I can only hope that I’ll be able to do the same for someone else someday. I wish other businesses would take a que from Sienci Labs. It’s clear to me that they really love what they do and care about people like me.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Colby Browning (verified owner)–
Great add on and fun to create with, wish there was a standalone setup for it though so not to tie up the cnc on longer projects
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Jonathan Rasmussen (verified owner)–
Awesome product. I have made some really cool items with the rotary axis
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Jason Arney-O’Neil (verified owner)–
I’ve run the most hours on my CNC using the Vortex. It’s exactly what I expected it to be. It was easy to assemble, the tutorials on Youtube helped with job setup, and it runs smoothly without problems. Great product for this level of CNC ownership.
(0)(0)
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Philip Prosser (verified owner) –
Not inboxes yet but going by the Longmill I’m sure it’ll be worthy of a 5 star. Ineed to master the cnc first but will let you know soon.
Brad Bogstie (verified owner) –
go after we got it going
Keith Leatherwood (verified owner) –
Rotary is fun to watch. Haven’t run much on it. I do have a gremlin in there. More of a software issue in gsender I think.
James Taylor (verified owner) –
I love the concept but I’m having major issues getting it to work properly. I cannot get anyone on the phone when I have time to talk which is very frustrating. Have not got it working yet major issues same problems as the Altmill I think either the SLB is bad or the limit switches are bad. All I get is problems and dumb responses never any answers that have fixed the problems.
Avery B. –
Very happy with my rotary attachment. It was super easy to assemble. The videos on first use, were easy to follow. Been making spindles for rocking chairs. With 2.5D figures wrapped around them. It only took a couple of cuts to get comfortable with the unit. Very easy to get started.
Sébastien C. –
Parfait
Stanley Derrick Cundy (verified owner) –
Great, simple to set up ,simple to run.
Hubert Blais (verified owner) –
one of my favourite tools in my fully equip shop had bee the lathe because you could put a piece of wood on it and end up with a finished piece when you take it off.Unfortunately it tends to be the one that gets everything staked up on it .So when I got the vortex I love it.Now I wish I had a wider bed.
Kevin (verified owner) –
Great product. I bought this with the Altmill,
auto zero touch plate along with numerous milling bits. It took a bit to learn but enjoying the process. Only complaint is that I broke a 1/4″ tapered ball nose bit when following the skull carving tutorial from Sienci on Youtube.
I Zeroed the endmill and did the surfacing no problem, then changed the bit to my 1/4″ tapered ball mill and re-zeroed on the chuck, then once complete started the skull program which then moved the bit down and to the right at the same time forcing the bit to break on the chuck before it could get to the project. I hadn’t even had a chance to use the bit yet which is the frustrating part. Maybe user error, but frustrating never the less.
Roda Lyndaker (verified owner) –
I would like to see more videos on how to get projects on vcarve to gsender. I would love to do a baseball bat project from start to finish. I do love the vortex but haven’t used it very much though.
José Sánchez Díez (verified owner) –
Todavía no he trabajado con él
Sean Hagerty (verified owner) –
I can not say enough good about this system. The system, the cost, and the instructions are all great!! This thing has given me a new functionality on my CNC. Just like anything else in this CNC world, there is a learning curve. Once this is over came, you will be amazed at what you can do. I would buy this again!!
FRANK SCHRAY (verified owner) –
chess pieces, spindles, finials and others
Gerard C. (verified owner) –
I like the Vortex, it is great to see rotary projects come to life. It is compact and affordable. I think there is a upgrade kit to this to add a closed loop stepper motor. If I understand it correctly, instead of the switch Y to A and all wires involved, I would be able to hook directly to SLB?
The Sienci Team have very good documentation, for assembly, as well as Youtube. Keep on being innovated and continue making present machines better, while keeping quality and price reasonable.
Patrick Baerts (verified owner) –
I like it to do small stuf
Nicholas Boughen (verified owner) –
Love my rotary axis. So easy to use. Sooooo many possibilities
David Parkerson (verified owner) –
I love this Machine and I really enjoy working with the whole Sienci Labs team. My Longmill CNC, Laser and Vortex Rotery have opened up a whole new way of living life for me and I mean that in a good way. I can’t say enough about the whole Sienci Labs team. Everyone I’ve had the opportunity to talk to and work with has gone well above my expectations to a rather surprising level. The support I’ve received is so far above anyone I’ve worked with before and since. And the forum, OMG😱! Sienci Labs is always there and the folks are so incredibly helpful, even though they are not obligated to. I can only hope that I’ll be able to do the same for someone else someday. I wish other businesses would take a que from Sienci Labs. It’s clear to me that they really love what they do and care about people like me.
Colby Browning (verified owner) –
Great add on and fun to create with, wish there was a standalone setup for it though so not to tie up the cnc on longer projects
Jonathan Rasmussen (verified owner) –
Awesome product. I have made some really cool items with the rotary axis
Jason Arney-O’Neil (verified owner) –
I’ve run the most hours on my CNC using the Vortex. It’s exactly what I expected it to be. It was easy to assemble, the tutorials on Youtube helped with job setup, and it runs smoothly without problems. Great product for this level of CNC ownership.