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.
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)
Rated 5 out of 5
Robert McNanley (verified owner)–
I am enjoying my Vortex — for me there is an ongoing learning curve using the Vortex — but that is part of the joy.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Marcus (verified owner)–
Greatly made and a must have love it
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Franco Nogarin (verified owner)–
I love it, and cant wait to explore more ideas with it!
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Allan G. (verified owner)–
I’m new to the vortex and found it easy to follow instructions were a big help to set up and get running
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Mike Herbert (verified owner)–
really good unit it needs to have a closed loop stepper motor I fitted a masso unit to my machine. It would be good if you could buy it with no motor as I wanted to. Over all a great product. kind regards Mike
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Glen Chapman (verified owner)–
Very good quality overall. Had some missing bolts but they were sent out no problem
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Jeff E. (verified owner)–
I have not had a lot of time with it yet but with the time I have spent with it I am very pleased so far!
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Louis Boulay (verified owner)–
I love my vortex, I had been working with my longmill for just over a year when I ordered the vortex and I’m also a woodturner but I had never tried rotary CNC.
Assembly instructions are clear and easy to follow especially with the video.
Sienci originally sent 2 wrong parts but they were quick to answer my suppot ticket. They had already sent the correct parts before I contacted them and they arrived a couple days after the first package.
So far with the vortex, I’ve made some hardwood dowels, 2 garden gnomes, a Dumbledore wand, a Harry Potter wand, another magic wand, a princess peach and 2 rockets.
There’s some important limitations to consider when choosing a model to carve that I didn’t fully understand before starting. It cannot cut past the center of the rotary axis and it can’t move on the Y axis while in rotary mode.
This often means the models would need a bit of hand carving to get them completed.
For example it didn’t carve all the way between the gnome legs and the hat needed a bit of hand shaping because it was tilted past center.
Over all I’m learning and having fun. It remains to be seen if I can “turn” a profit with the vortex but I’m working on carving out a slice of the market.
(1)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Marcel Gagne (verified owner)–
Facile d’assemblage, fonctionne extrêmement bien
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Craig Hashey (verified owner)–
I have not set up my Vortex yet but, going over the contents of the box it is very well made. Should be setting it up this week.
(0)(1)
Rated 5 out of 5
Frank Navarro (verified owner)–
Only used it once to practice but it worked great.
(0)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
James P. (verified owner)–
This thing is well made and easy to assemble. I purchased my 48×30 MK2 in May of 2022. While waiting I took Kyle Ely’s Masters Course in Vcarve and now have moved up to Aspire. The journey continues I purchased the Laser module a few months ago and that was also a great experience. Now on to the Rotary but wait, I just received my PWNCNC 1,5 water cooled spindle to add to my Longmill. You might consider doing a video care and considerations of using spindle of the Longmill using the original longboard vs. Up coming New Longboard. I fully support your products and will recommend them to everyone. Please stay in touch.
(1)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Charles Huey (verified owner)–
My programming skills are poor but your machines are great, having fun learning how to use them
(1)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Keith Medas (verified owner)–
Game changer. Epic
(1)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Doug Moore (verified owner)–
I have not run any programs on the fourth axis yet but the unit itself is solid and there are more and more posts on it’s use.
(1)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
tom perry (verified owner)–
having a lot of fun with it.
(1)(0)
Rated 5 out of 5
Terry Brummitt (verified owner)–
I have already made several rotary items with my Vortex and my creativity has exploded when it comes to how I’m able to use it within my projects!!!
(1)(0)
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
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.
Robert McNanley (verified owner) –
I am enjoying my Vortex — for me there is an ongoing learning curve using the Vortex — but that is part of the joy.
Marcus (verified owner) –
Greatly made and a must have love it
Franco Nogarin (verified owner) –
I love it, and cant wait to explore more ideas with it!
Allan G. (verified owner) –
I’m new to the vortex and found it easy to follow instructions were a big help to set up and get running
Mike Herbert (verified owner) –
really good unit it needs to have a closed loop stepper motor I fitted a masso unit to my machine. It would be good if you could buy it with no motor as I wanted to. Over all a great product. kind regards Mike
Glen Chapman (verified owner) –
Very good quality overall. Had some missing bolts but they were sent out no problem
Jeff E. (verified owner) –
I have not had a lot of time with it yet but with the time I have spent with it I am very pleased so far!
Louis Boulay (verified owner) –
I love my vortex, I had been working with my longmill for just over a year when I ordered the vortex and I’m also a woodturner but I had never tried rotary CNC.
Assembly instructions are clear and easy to follow especially with the video.
Sienci originally sent 2 wrong parts but they were quick to answer my suppot ticket. They had already sent the correct parts before I contacted them and they arrived a couple days after the first package.
So far with the vortex, I’ve made some hardwood dowels, 2 garden gnomes, a Dumbledore wand, a Harry Potter wand, another magic wand, a princess peach and 2 rockets.
There’s some important limitations to consider when choosing a model to carve that I didn’t fully understand before starting. It cannot cut past the center of the rotary axis and it can’t move on the Y axis while in rotary mode.
This often means the models would need a bit of hand carving to get them completed.
For example it didn’t carve all the way between the gnome legs and the hat needed a bit of hand shaping because it was tilted past center.
Over all I’m learning and having fun. It remains to be seen if I can “turn” a profit with the vortex but I’m working on carving out a slice of the market.
Marcel Gagne (verified owner) –
Facile d’assemblage, fonctionne extrêmement bien
Craig Hashey (verified owner) –
I have not set up my Vortex yet but, going over the contents of the box it is very well made. Should be setting it up this week.
Frank Navarro (verified owner) –
Only used it once to practice but it worked great.
James P. (verified owner) –
This thing is well made and easy to assemble. I purchased my 48×30 MK2 in May of 2022. While waiting I took Kyle Ely’s Masters Course in Vcarve and now have moved up to Aspire. The journey continues I purchased the Laser module a few months ago and that was also a great experience. Now on to the Rotary but wait, I just received my PWNCNC 1,5 water cooled spindle to add to my Longmill. You might consider doing a video care and considerations of using spindle of the Longmill using the original longboard vs. Up coming New Longboard. I fully support your products and will recommend them to everyone. Please stay in touch.
Charles Huey (verified owner) –
My programming skills are poor but your machines are great, having fun learning how to use them
Keith Medas (verified owner) –
Game changer. Epic
Doug Moore (verified owner) –
I have not run any programs on the fourth axis yet but the unit itself is solid and there are more and more posts on it’s use.
tom perry (verified owner) –
having a lot of fun with it.
Terry Brummitt (verified owner) –
I have already made several rotary items with my Vortex and my creativity has exploded when it comes to how I’m able to use it within my projects!!!