# Ep. 33 - Guest: Bar Smith of Maslow CNC

- Show: [Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast)
- Published: 2024-11-21
- Length: 1h 28m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc
- Listen: https://www.opulo.io

## Summary

Bar Smith, founder of Maslow CNC, explains the evolution of the Maslow 4.1 large-format CNC router, detailing the transition from a scrappy, open-source garage project to a polished product via a successful Kickstarter. He discusses key engineering decisions, such as switching from stepper to servo motors and using a ring-based linkage system to solve complex kinematic math, while highlighting the importance of community feedback and transparent communication in iterative hardware development. Smith also reflects on his decision to step away from the project, work in the industry, and return to shepherd the product, aiming to commoditize large-format CNC technology to the accessibility of a standard chop saw.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=1) Introduction: Bar Smith and the Maslow CNC Origin Story
- [2:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=156) Engineering the First Prototype: Servo Motors and Belt Mechanics
- [7:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=448) The Open Source Philosophy: Handing Off to the World
- [12:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=744) Community Building: Discourse, Transparency, and Feedback Loops
- [22:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=1334) Iterative Design: Solving Kinematics with Hardware Linkages
- [29:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=1758) Stepping Away: Burnout, Real Jobs, and the DNA Sequencer
- [35:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=2104) The Return: Why Maslow Needed Its Founder Back
- [44:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=2686) Developing the Maslow 4.1: Speed, Calibration, and Packaging
- [1:09:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-21-ep-33-guest-bar-smith-of-maslow-cnc#t=4166) The Kickstarter Strategy: Narrative, Funding, and Community Engagement

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Maslow CNC (product)
- Maslow 4.1 (product)
- Discourse (tool)
- Kickstarter (other)
- Adam Savage (other)
- Tested (other)
- Arduino (other)
- Alibaba (other)
- Home Depot (other)
- DeWalt (other)
- Ryobi (other)
- Shop Bot (product)
- Glow Forge (product)
- Lumino (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Bart Dring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-04-15-an-interview-with-bart-dring) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep. 23 | Arduino Co-founder Massimo Banzi on How Arduino Took the World by Storm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-04-29-ep-23-arduino-co-founder-massimo-banzi-on-how-arduino-took-the-world-by-storm) (Moore's Lobby)
- [A Benchtop Pick and Place with Stephen Hawes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-01-21-a-benchtop-pick-and-place-with-stephen-hawes) (The Amp Hour)
- [3: Onward](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2015-10-28-3-onward) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Interview with Michael Ossmann - Gifted Grimgribber Grokker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-09-04-interview-with-michael-ossmann-gifted-grimgribber-grokker) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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