By li, chen TwoTrees – A long-term player in the desktop manufacturing industry.
Every 3D printing maker has probably faced a similar frustration: the gear you spent hours printing doesn’t fit the bearing. The meticulously designed drone motor mount cracks under stress. You want to make a metal nameplate but are limited by plastic materials. 3D printing brings your ideas to “life,” but always falls short of making them truly “usable.”
As makers demand higher precision, strength, and material versatility, desktop CNC has emerged as a vital solution to bridge the gaps in 3D printing.
The TwoTrees ED1 is built for precisely this purpose.
As a next-generation desktop CNC device (engraving/milling machine), the ED1 leverages subtractive manufacturing to complement additive manufacturing’s weaknesses, forming the perfect creative partnership with 3D printing. It takes your “printed” ideas and turns them into truly “functional” products.
01 – Desktop CNC is on the rise, and TwoTrees is already ahead
In 2025, more and more companies are entering the desktop CNC industry, with multiple products gaining massive popularity through overseas crowdfunding. This has made many realize: the era of desktop CNC is arriving.
More precisely, the era of collaborative additive and subtractive manufacturing for makers is beginning.
3D printing handles rapid prototyping and complex structures, while desktop CNC takes care of precision machining and functional realization. Together, they empower makers to move from “making models” to “manufacturing products.”
In this technological evolution, we also see a familiar name – TwoTrees, founded in 2018.
This Shenzhen-based company, which started with desktop 3D printers, ventured into the home CNC space as early as 2022, continuously exploring the convergence of additive and subtractive manufacturing in desktop fabrication.
Today, TwoTrees has built a complete product matrix spanning 3D printers, laser engravers, and desktop CNC systems, serving over 600,000 users globally. With its full-stack in-house R&D and self-built manufacturing capabilities, TwoTrees is committed to providing makers with a one-stop desktop manufacturing solution.
02 – TwoTrees ED1: The perfect partner for 3D printing makers
Positioned as a desktop CNC device tailored for 3D printing makers, the ED1 brings subtractive manufacturing capabilities to a desktop footprint. Through the synergy of “additive for form, subtractive for precision,” it helps makers upgrade prototypes into functional products.
Upgraded Strength: Solid Milling for Enhanced Functional Reliability
3D printing excels at shaping but has limitations in load-bearing structures. The ED1 uses solid material milling to preserve the material’s inherent strength and stability, enabling critical components like gears and bearing housings to achieve greater reliability. “3D printing handles the form, CNC handles the load.”
Enhanced Precision: ±0.01mm for Accurate Assembly
With machining accuracy down to ±0.01mm, the ED1 can perform precise operations such as drilling, tapping, and reaming. Makers can quickly validate designs with 3D printing, then use the ED1 for precision finishing of interfaces, holes, and other critical areas, eliminating assembly fit issues.
Expanded Materials: Over 30 Materials, Breaking Plastic Limitations
The ED1 supports over 30 materials including wood, acrylic, aluminum, copper, steel, and jade, enabling makers to go beyond plastic prototypes to create metal parts, functional components, and premium-finished products.
Simplified Operation: ATC Automatic Tool Change Lowers the Barrier to CNC
The ED1 features an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) system supporting up to 5 tools for automatic switching, combined with automatic tool probing, a 18,000 RPM spindle, and intelligent machining path planning, enabling continuous multi-process machining and making CNC operation simpler and more efficient.
Beyond hardware capabilities, the ED1 also leverages AI assistance and cross-platform software integration to lower the creative barrier.
Makers can quickly generate machining plans using text descriptions or reference images, and complete design, preview, and task management across the device, computer, and mobile platforms – making CNC creation simpler and more efficient.
03 – Collaborative Workflow: The ED1 Works Side by Side with 3D Printers
The ED1 is not a replacement for 3D printing, but rather forms a closed-loop hybrid manufacturing system of “additive for form, subtractive for precision.” 3D printing handles rapid prototyping and complex geometries, while the ED1 handles precision machining and functional upgrades. Working together, they give makers a complete manufacturing workflow from idea to finished product.
With its self-developed WeCarver software, the ED1 seamlessly integrates laser engraving and CNC machining modes, connecting directly with 3D printing workflows.
As a maker tool brand that started with 3D printing, TwoTrees deeply understands makers’ needs. The ED1 is the desktop CNC partner built specifically for 3D printing users – ensuring that 3D printing no longer works alone.
Final Thoughts
3D printers, laser engravers, and desktop CNC machines are often called the “trilogy” of desktop manufacturing by many makers. Today, as personal manufacturing demands continue to grow, the era of desktop manufacturing is accelerating.
And TwoTrees has been accompanying users throughout this journey, witnessing the continuous evolution of the maker tool ecosystem.
3dzyk