Working prototype — in development
Put your hands on real handwheels
Instead of a mouse and keyboard, imagine reaching for real handwheels to move the axes, just like on an actual machine. That is exactly what we are building: a dedicated hardware controller for Milling Machine Simulator, with real encoders and a 3D-printed housing.
The first prototype is alive and it already works — turning the handwheels moves the machine in real time.
Real rotary encoders
Each axis is driven by an actual encoder handwheel with a graduated dial — the same motion you make on a real machine, read in real time.
Shaped like the machine
A 3D-printed housing modelled on the milling machine itself, down to the T-slot table and the column, so your hands land where they would on the real thing.
Built for muscle memory
Turning a handwheel instead of dragging a mouse is what makes the practice transfer. Feed rates and depth start to feel like distance, not numbers.
The prototype
Early hardware, photographed on the bench. The housing, ergonomics and controls are all still moving.
Where it stands
- Works today
- Turning the handwheels moves the machine in the simulator in real time. This is a functioning prototype, not a render.
- Manual Milling Machine first
- The controller is currently set up for the Manual Milling Machine. Support for the other machines is something we want to explore, but nothing is promised yet.
- Still ahead
- Refined housing, better ergonomics and more controls. We are using these units in upcoming videos and showcases, so you will see it in action before it is finished.
To be clear: this is not an off-the-shelf product yet — there is no list price and no release date. But units can be built to order: if you want one for your setup or your classroom, get in touch and we will work it out together.
Would you want one?
We are deciding how far to take this, and how many people would actually use a physical controller on their setup. If that is you — a hobbyist, a student or a school — tell us. It genuinely shapes what we build next.