BenchPilot
BenchPilot is like autopilot for Origin: clip Origin into BenchPilot to turn it into a hands-free milling machine, capable of vertical or horizontal cutting. Let BenchPilot drive Origin so you can focus on other tasks at hand. Then simply unclip Origin to use it elsewhere when needed.
Note: Does not include, Origin, Workstation, or the Shelf Upgrade Kit
Estimated shipping in North America: Late September 2025
Meet your New Apprentice
Set up the job, dial in the fit you want, and then hand the rest off to BenchPilot so you can focus on other tasks at hand.
Meet your New Apprentice
Set up the job, dial in the fit you want, and then hand the rest off to BenchPilot so you can focus on other tasks at hand.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Tired of driving Origin around? BenchPilot enables automated, hands-free cutting for Origin (Gen1 and Gen2) so you can focus on other tasks at hand. Clip Origin into BenchPilot and let it drive Origin from point A to point B, while Origin continues to handle the small precision movements. Think of it like autopilot for Origin.
Dimensioned and sized to fit perfectly with Shaper Workstation, BenchPilot creates a gantry-like system with horizontal and vertical milling capabilities – flexible for cutting joinery, inlays, intricate engravings, or profiles. It can also be mounted without Workstation and fit directly to your bench. It’s great for batch work or simply tedious and time-consuming jobs. Best of all, it doesn’t require complicated software, g-code, or other types of CNC programming to operate. If you know how to operate Origin, you’ll know how to operate BenchPilot.
Drives Origin Automatically: Removes physical strain from long hours of Origin operation.
Clip In, Unclip: Transform Origin to hands-free operation when you want to, then take Origin on the go when you need it.
Variable feed rate control knob: Dial in the speed you want with real time control.
Timer display: Origin will display its progress and time remaining while cutting with BenchPilot.
A Streamlined Experience for Origin Owners
Variable feed rate control
Adjust the feed rate on the fly with real time control.
This CNC is EASY.
Clip Origin into BenchPilot, then click the Pilot button to begin operation. Design directly on Origin or import designs from your favorite software.
Drives Origin Automatically
BenchPilot moves Origin across your workspace with a belt drive system.
Dedicated E-stop
Emergency stop, if and when you need it.
Time-Consuming Projects?
Yes Please.
BenchPilot is great at the tedious or time-consuming projects like producing a run of tenons or engraving a large sign.
Time-Consuming Projects?
Yes Please.
BenchPilot is great at the tedious or time-consuming projects like producing a run of tenons or engraving a large sign.
Batch Work
Cut multiple tenons in one go
Signmaking
Knock out intricate engravings
Inlay
Cut the positive side with BenchPilot, then unclip Origin and take it directly to the workpiece to cut the mortise.
Joinery
Utilize Workstation’s clamping face to hold parts vertically and cut joinery with BenchPilot!
Large Profiles
Removes the need to use a pattern router as a second step
... and so much more!
Clip in one minute,
Unclip the next
Can your CNC do this? With BenchPilot, Origin is the only CNC machine that can be instantly converted from a benchtop gantry system to a fully portable handheld CNC the next minute.
Go HORIZONTAL.
GO VERTICAL
With Workstation’s vertical Clamping Face, BenchPilot is capable of cutting “on end,” an operation most CNC machines don’t support.
And, using the Shelf Upgrade Kit, it’s easy to profile large parts, horizontally.
We’re Serious,
It’s dead simple
Once Origin is connected to BenchPilot, set up the project like you would normally with Origin, then click Pilot to begin cutting.
Design directly on tool
Begin cutting in minutes
Interrupt a cut if needed
Resume cutting easily
Bundles and configuartions
$4,797.00 $5,072.00
$1,898.00 $2,173.00
$1,498.00 $1,698.00
BenchPilot Specs
A carefully designed and essential accessory to the Origin ecosystem.
176mm
H = Max. Height
848mm
W1 = Width without E-Stop
955mm
W2 = Width
568mm
D = Depth
12.85kg
Assembled Weight
BenchPilot Parts
BenchPilot ships with some assembly required. We’ll walk you through the process with detailed instructions.
BenchPilot Parts
BenchPilot ships with some assembly required. We’ll walk you through the process with detailed instructions.
Right- and Left-Side Arm
Motor housings, linear motion, and feed rate control.
Base Frame
Custom aluminum t-track frame mounts to Shaper Workstation.
Origin Harness
Mounts on Origin with quick-release attachment for BenchPilot.
Crossbar
Connects BenchPilot to the Origin harness for X/Y motion control.
E-Stop
Instantly cuts power to BenchPilot and Origin when, and if, you need it.
Power Brick
AC/DC power supply for BenchPilot and Origin.
Feet
Help keep BenchPilot stable when clamped to your workbench.
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Frequently asked Questions
BenchPilot ships with everything you need to automate cutting with Origin: aluminum base, gantry elements, Origin mounting harness, fixturing hardware, emergency stop box, power supply/cord, and assembly tools. Note: BenchPilot is dimensioned and sized to fit perfectly with Workstation, but Workstation is sold separately.
Yes. BenchPilot is compatible with Origin Gen1 and Origin Gen2. Note: Origin will need to be up-to-date with the latest available Free System Software Update to operate BenchPilot.
No. BenchPilot simply drives Origin from Point A to Point B. Origin will still handle the precision cutting operations with the accuracy you’ve come to expect.
You can think of BenchPilot like CNC for people who want what a CNC can deliver, but don’t necessarily want to invest the time required to learn a whole new trade of "programming a CNC machine". With BenchPilot, the much loved, simple setup and on-tool design capabilities of Origin remain intact, meaning there is no programming required and you can design directly on Origin. Additionally, by combining Origin and BenchPilot you have the freedom to unclip Origin and bring the tool to the workpiece when you need it, and leave it connected to BenchPilot when your time is better spent elsewhere. With Workstation, BenchPilot is also capable of vertical cutting operations (aka joinery) – an operation that most CNC machines at this pricepoint don’t support.
Yes. Clipping and unclipping Origin makes it easy to quickly move from a BenchPilot operation to a manual Origin operation.
No. While BenchPilot is designed to prevent Origin from free-falling in unsupported situations, in normal operation of BenchPilot, the base of Origin still rides directly on the surface of the material being cut. All the same physics rules of Origin still apply. However, please note that many users choose to creatively support Origin for specific applications with items such as bolt-on extended baseplates or custom-built planar sleds that are separated from the surface of the material being cut.
When combined with Workstation, BenchPilot’s cutting range is approximately 18" (wide) x 11" (front-to-back). [~460mm x ~280mm]
Configured without Workstation, BenchPilot’s overall mechanical range is approximately 18" (wide) x 17.5" (front-to-back) / ~460x445 mm]
You can still cut all the same materials with BenchPilot as you can with Origin, but BenchPilot makes cutting harder materials significantly more accessible since it can take multiple passes without handheld supervision. Think 30 shallow passes on ⅛-inch brass, no problem.
It actually doesn’t matter here! Although these distinctions make sense when trying to compare the accuracy of typical benchtop CNC machines, these aren’t applicable criteria when it comes to BenchPilot. BenchPilot leverages a rack-and-pinion system and a belt-drive simply to move Origin roughly in the right position, while the fine adjustments are handled by Origin’s onboard motors.
BenchPilot easily accommodates projects with cuts of differing depths. You can adjust pass count and cut depth all onscreen, even mid-operation.
Yes. Pockets are toolpathed automatically by BenchPilot. It handles all of the order of operations for you so you don’t have to think about it. And yes, it cuts pockets conventionally.
Absolutely! The mounting hardware can be used on any standard bench with at least 24” depth and 36” width.
BenchPilot’s feed rate can be adjusted from 1 ipm to 45 ipm using Origin’s display or via the feedrate knob on the side of BenchPilot.
Yes and No. Origin is closer to a 2.5D milling machine than a 3D milling machine machine. It typically moves in X and Y simultaneously at a set depth. Multiple depths can be achieved easily, but all three axes don’t typically move simultaneously. But examples of 3D exist within features like Helix and AutoPass mode. When connected to BenchPilot, Origin can easily cut multiple depths up to ~1.7” / 43 mm.
No software subscription is required to use BenchPilot. You’ll just need to keep your Origin up-to-date with the latest Free System Update.
No programming or G-Code required! If you can use Origin, you can use BenchPilot. You can design directly on-tool or import designs from ShaperHub or from your favorite design program. For designing, we of course recommend our own offering, Shaper Studio. But feel free to use what you’re most comfortable with to create SVG design files.
In order to connect Origin to BenchPilot, you’ll first attach a harness to Origin. This harness clips securely into BenchPilot’s Crossbar - it’s like latching a seatbelt. Then simply navigate to Pilot Mode on Origin’s screen and you’re good to go! The harness can remain on Origin when you unclip from BenchPilot for manual cutting.
Yes, BenchPilot comes with a 1-year warranty. Receive a free warranty extension to 2 years when you register your BenchPilot. You can read more about your warranty here.
No, it’s not necessary to buy AutoPass separately to use BenchPilot.
No. BenchPilot utilizes ‘Pilot’ mode. The Pilot interface is intentionally similar to AutoPass’s interface (we don’t want to confuse experienced operators), as is much of the functionality. Pilot mode is accessible only when Origin is docked with BenchPilot.
BenchPilot does not limit Origin’s existing Z-Axis travel range, which is approximately 43 mm /1.7 inches
BenchPilot’s mechanisms are assembled from a combination of anodized aluminum rails, powder-coated sheet steel, and injection molded plastic elements.
Yes, you can set depths for individual objects on screen prior to cutting, or you can default to a global cut depth to cut all shapes.
BenchPilot requires simple assembly with provided hand tools. An easy-to-follow comprehensive manual is included and a video showing all assembly steps is also available if that’s preferred. Most users are able to assemble BenchPilot and get up and running within an hour.
Yes. We design our products with self-repair in mind and do our best to enable access to user-replaceable spare components. You can check out our spare parts store here. And if you’re looking for something specific that’s not listed, reach out to support@shapertools.com so we can try to help.