Frequently Asked Questions
How can I buy a RAVEN?
RAVEN is sold at CarveWright.com. Use the Build Your RAVEN Bundle page to choose your software, accessories and warranty. Financing is available through Affirm.
Is RAVEN in stock and shipping?
Yes. RAVEN CNCs are in stock and shipping now.
What experience level do you need?
RAVEN and the Designer software were designed with ease of use in mind. We have been developing CNC machines and software for decades and built RAVEN to remove the difficulties most people face, without limiting what you can create. Designer 6 also includes CarveBot, a built-in assistant that answers 'how do I...?' questions and highlights the exact button you need.
What software comes with RAVEN?
Designer 6 is part of every RAVEN, and you choose how you get it. You can buy a one-time license for the current version, or subscribe to Designer Maker or Designer Pro. With a one-time license, a future new version is an additional upgrade fee. A subscription bundles the full feature set with ongoing AI capabilities and updates. The Build Your RAVEN Bundle page shows exactly what each option includes.
Can I try the software before purchasing?
Yes. Download Designer 6 and use the free version with no time limit. You get the full design toolset and can carve any project you hold a license for, including the included free project and projects licensed from CarveDEPOT. The free version cannot save or compile your own designs.
What materials does it work with?
RAVEN's servo motors and brushless spindle give it a wide range of control, so it can cut any non-ferrous machinable material. The pre-configured bits are set up for wood, plastic and foam, and you can change those settings or add your own bits in Designer.
What is the largest project RAVEN can make?
The build volume is 15.5 in wide by 5.5 in thick by 12 ft long. Because RAVEN uses an AccuTrack feed-through system, length is limited by your material, and Designer 6 can auto-tile oversized projects into strips with seam guides.
Do I have to buy my bits from your company?
The short answer is no, but you will probably want to for some bits. RAVEN allows you to add bits and configure them however you like, so the system doesn't restrict anything, but there are some things to understand to get the best results. There are a few different categories of bits used in CNC: high speed steel, carbide tipped router bits, and solid carbide end mills.
High Speed Steel Bits
We don't recommend using any high speed steel for hard materials, even if you slow the bit speeds down. They dull fast and don't produce great results. For soft materials like foam, they will work fine. We don't sell any high speed steel bits.
Carbide Tipped Router Bits
These are very standard plunge style router bits. Most often used in this category are V-bits for doing v-carve functions. Any quality supplier of this type of bit will work well. They don't have to be purchased from us, but we do offer a high quality selection of these bits and have settings for them pre-programmed into our software.
Solid Carbide End Mills
Solid carbide end mills are ideal for most CNC functions. They have a long life and are very sharp. RAVEN has many of these bits programmed into the software, but at very fast speed and feed rates. Solid carbide has one problem. It cannot be held tightly enough in a split collet to ensure it doesn't slip without slowing the settings down. To address this problem, we provide high quality solid carbide bits with a hard pressed, no-slip adapter to remove the slip possibility and allow users to maximize the capabilities of their system.
What is the limit of cutting tool shank diameter?
Our CarveTight chuck system handles 1/2 inch shank bits, but can accommodate smaller bits with adaptors and collets. For our 1/4 inch shank solid carbide bits we use a hard pressed no-slip adaptor that ensures the cutter can run at the RAVEN's speeds without being pulled out or slipping. Not using these no-slip bits will require running much slower.
If I need maintenance or help, what support is available?
CarveWright support is available by support email, our website knowledge base at support.carvewright.com, CarveBot (our AI assistant, built into Designer 6 and the support site), and a US-based support phone number.
The software: is it third party or did you develop it?
Designer is designed in-house by CarveWright for our CNC systems. Designer 6 is built for CarveWright and RAVEN machines and also works with a wide range of other CNC machines.
How does the tracking belt work?
The AccuTrack belt is an inexpensive, reusable toothed belt that is adhered to the bottom of the board using double-sided tape. The tape has a high strength adhesive that won't allow the belt to slip and can be easily removed leaving no residue. Rolls of both the belt and the double-sided tape are included with the system and are available for purchase at CarveWright.com. AccuTrack belt comes in 5 meter rolls and the tape comes in 20 meter rolls.
You apply the tape to the board edge, remove the tape backing, and then apply the belt to the tape. You trim the belt to fit the board. For repeatable operations, you can create a carrier board, or jig, that you permanently attach the belt to and never have to replace. This allows for quick changing of board material with no setup.
The cut motor is variable speed, so what or when does the speed change?
Spindle speed is set by the bit settings in the software, which you can change. The spindle is a brushless motor with feedback, so it can also sense load to help tell when a bit is getting dull or has broken.
How do you determine the feed cutting rate depending on the hardness of the wood and depth of cut?
Designer comes with preset bit settings, so the cutting speeds and material options are already worked out. Most users can use the defaults and never think about these settings. Advanced users can change them or define entirely new bits and materials, and our community regularly shares bit settings.
What file types does RAVEN use, and what can I import?
RAVEN projects use the .RVN file format. RAVEN files are too advanced for older CarveWright machines, so RAVEN projects do not run on earlier models. Designer can convert an older project for use on a RAVEN without overwriting the original, and it hides features that do not suit the machine you are designing for. Designer 6 imports SVG, STL and image files (PNG, JPG, BMP and GIF), and DXF import is available as an add-on module. RAVEN also works at a higher positioning resolution for smoother, more accurate results.
Does Designer 6 include AI tools?
Yes. Generate Pattern lets you describe what you want, or start from a photo, and get a ready-to-carve pattern, with a one-click upgrade from flat artwork to a 3D relief. With a one-time license, AI pattern generation is available as credit packs. Subscriptions bundle ongoing AI capabilities. See the product pages for exactly what each option includes.