Written by Oliver

What if you could move from a PCB design to a physical prototype without waiting days for a fabrication service?

Electronics maker Sujan recently put that idea to the test with the Genmitsu Cubiko desktop CNC. SainSmart provided the machine for review, but the experiences and opinions shared in his video are his own. By the time he recorded the review, he had milled more than 10 PCBs, built several prototypes, and even experimented with adding solder mask for a more professional finish.

His conclusion was encouraging but refreshingly realistic: Cubiko can be a capable home PCB milling machine, provided you approach CNC machining as a skill to learn rather than a push-button gadget.

"Treat this like a skill, not a gadget."

Watch Sujan's full Cubiko review and PCB milling series on YouTube.

Cubiko PCB Milling Review: The Short Answer

For makers who want a compact, enclosed CNC for same-day PCB prototyping, Cubiko offers a strong combination of rigidity, height-map leveling, offline control, and GRBL software compatibility.

In Sujan's testing:

• He milled more than 10 PCBs and produced multiple working prototypes.
• His first board was usable on the first day.
• The enclosed desktop format fit beside him at his workbench.
• Linear shafts and bushings on all three axes helped provide the rigidity needed for shallow PCB isolation cuts.
• Height-map auto leveling helped compensate for small variations across the copper board.
• The built-in controller allowed jobs to run from an SD card without keeping a laptop connected.

There is still a learning curve. Tool selection, board flatness, workholding, zeroing, feeds, speeds, and CAM settings all affect the result. The machine reduces several common barriers, but it does not remove the need to understand the process.

Why Mill a PCB at Home?

PCB fabrication services are an excellent choice for finished boards and larger batches. Desktop CNC milling serves a different need: speed during early-stage development.

With an in-house PCB milling workflow, a maker can:

• Test a circuit layout within hours.
• Revise a design without waiting for another shipment.
• Produce one-off boards for test equipment, fixtures, or experiments.
• Validate footprints and connections before ordering a production batch.
• Avoid chemical etching during the prototyping process.

For Sujan's project, the goal was to create a single-layer power-management PCB for a macro keyboard build. The board measured approximately 54 × 45 mm, making it well suited to Cubiko's compact work area.

What Comes with the Genmitsu Cubiko?

Sujan found the machine securely protected by a custom-molded foam insert, with no visible shipping damage after unpacking. His review package included the machine and the accessories needed to begin setting up a small CNC workflow.

Items shown in the video included:

• A detachable magnetic offline controller
• USB and power cables
• A 24 V, 5 A power adapter
• Sample workpieces
• A double-sided copper-clad board
• Milling and drill bits
• Two aluminum workholding clamps
• Mounting screws in multiple lengths
• Alligator clips for PCB probing
• Spare limit switches
• An SD card and card reader
• Allen keys and two ER11 collet wrenches
• A manual, quick-start guide, and tool matrix

Package contents can change by region or bundle, so check the current product listing before ordering.

The Features That Mattered Most for PCB Milling

1. A compact, enclosed desktop design

The machine's overall footprint is approximately 300 × 330 × 317 mm according to the reviewer's measurements. Its compact size allowed him to keep it on a desk instead of dedicating a large area of the workshop to it.

The enclosure also helps contain chips and fine PCB debris. That is valuable in a home workspace, although an enclosure is not a substitute for proper cleanup, ventilation, or personal protective equipment.

Cubiko also includes a door safety switch designed to stop operation when the enclosure is opened.

2. Linear motion hardware on all three axes

Sujan highlighted the linear shafts and bushings as one of his favorite parts of the machine. Compared with wheel-based motion systems often found on entry-level machines, this arrangement can offer greater rigidity with less routine adjustment.

That matters for PCB isolation routing because the cutting depth is extremely shallow. Even a small amount of unwanted movement or variation can make a trace too thin, leave copper uncut, or break a fine engraving bit.

3. Height-map auto leveling

Copper-clad boards are rarely perfectly flat once clamped to a spoilboard. A tiny height difference across the surface can be enough to change the width or continuity of an isolation cut.

Cubiko's height-map function probes multiple points and compensates for those surface variations during the job. For PCB work, this is one of the machine's most practical features.

4. Offline operation

The detachable controller displays coordinates, allows axis jogging, and can run a job stored on an SD card. Once the toolpath and machine setup are ready, the CNC does not need to remain tethered to a laptop.

Cubiko can also be controlled from a computer and is compatible with GRBL control software, giving users the flexibility to choose the workflow that suits them.

5. A practical work area for small prototypes

Cubiko has a working area of 150 × 110 × 40 mm. That is enough for many control boards, keyboard PCBs, sensors, breakout boards, and test fixtures.

The usable board size will be slightly smaller once clamps and safe travel margins are considered. Anyone planning to mill a PCB close to the machine's maximum dimensions should account for workholding space before beginning the design.

Sujan's PCB Workflow: From KiCad to CNC

The first video in the series covers unboxing, machine setup, and the beginning of the software workflow.

Step 1: Prepare the board in KiCad

Sujan designed the schematic and PCB layout in KiCad. For his single-layer board, the required fabrication data included the front copper layer, board outline, and drill locations.

Step 2: Export the Gerber files

From KiCad's PCB Editor, he opened:

File → Fabrication Outputs → Gerbers

He selected the front copper layer and Edge.Cuts, set the output directory, confirmed the drill/file origin, and plotted the files.

Step 3: Export the drill file

Because the design used through-hole components, he also generated a drill file and saved it in the same project folder.

Step 4: Generate CNC toolpaths in FlatCAM

The next stage of his workflow uses FlatCAM to convert the Gerber and drill data into CNC-compatible toolpaths. This is where bit geometry, cut depth, feed rate, and isolation strategy must be configured carefully.

Step 5: Set up Cubiko in gSender

Sujan connects Cubiko to a computer and uses gSender to position the machine and prepare the job.

Step 6: Probe the board and create a height map

Before milling, the machine measures the copper surface at multiple points. Height compensation helps the engraving bit maintain a more consistent cut across the board.

Step 7: Mill, drill, and inspect

Once the origin, tool, workholding, and toolpath are confirmed, the board can be isolation-milled and drilled. The result is a prototype ready for continuity checks, cleanup, and component assembly.

What the Reviewer Liked

After more than 10 boards, Sujan identified several clear strengths:

• Compact size: The machine can live on a desk or small workbench.
• Enclosed machining area: Debris is easier to contain during PCB milling.
• Rigid linear motion system: The three-axis linear hardware supports the shallow, consistent cuts required for PCB traces.
• Height-map leveling: Surface compensation addresses one of the most common causes of inconsistent isolation routing.
• Flexible control: Users can work with the built-in controller or compatible GRBL software.
• Offline jobs: Files can be run from an SD card without a laptop remaining attached.
• Usable results early in the learning process: Sujan produced a usable PCB on his first day with the machine.

What Buyers Should Know Before Choosing Cubiko

An honest review should also explain the tradeoffs.

CNC has a learning curve

Sujan found CNC setup more demanding than 3D printing. A successful PCB depends on several variables interacting correctly, and FlatCAM settings took time to refine.

His experience suggests a realistic expectation: reserve an afternoon to learn the workflow, expect to make adjustments, and plan for the occasional broken V-bit.

The work area is intended for compact projects

The 150 × 110 × 40 mm work area is a good fit for many small prototypes, but it is not intended for large PCBs. Clamps also consume part of the available area.

Small consumables and parts will wear

Fine engraving tools are fragile, especially while a new user is learning zeroing and cut-depth settings. It is sensible to keep spare V-bits and copper-clad boards on hand.

Sujan also reported replacing a limit switch after roughly 10 or 11 PCB jobs. A spare included with his review package allowed him to continue.

The offline interface can improve

Although he liked having direct machine control, Sujan felt the controller buttons and interface could be easier to use. Current owners should check the latest firmware, as interface and navigation updates may improve the experience over time.

PCB Milling Safety at Home

Machining copper-clad laminate creates fine particles and sharp debris. Use the machine only with the enclosure correctly installed and follow the safety instructions supplied with the product.

Good workshop practice includes:

• Wear appropriate eye and respiratory protection during operation and cleanup.
• Use suitable dust collection or ventilation for the material being machined.
• Consult the board material's safety data before cutting it.
• Do not open or bypass the enclosure while the spindle is running.
• Vacuum debris with equipment appropriate for fine dust; do not blow it around the room.
• Wash hands after handling milled boards and machining waste.
• Use a spoilboard to protect the machine bed during milling and drilling.
• Never leave a running CNC unattended.

Is Cubiko a Good CNC for Milling PCBs at Home?

Based on Sujan's real-world experience, Cubiko is a strong option for makers who want to prototype small PCBs at home and are prepared to learn the CNC workflow.

Its compact enclosure, three-axis linear motion system, height-map auto leveling, offline controller, and GRBL compatibility address many of the practical requirements of PCB milling. More importantly, the reviewer demonstrated repeatable use across more than 10 boards rather than judging the machine after a single test cut.

Cubiko is not the right choice for someone who needs large boards or expects every CAM setting to be automatic. It is better suited to electronics hobbyists, hardware developers, educators, and makers who value quick iteration and enjoy learning how a manufacturing process works.

As Sujan's finished boards show, the learning time can pay off with same-day prototypes you can hold, test, and improve.

Ready to explore desktop PCB milling?

• Learn more about the Genmitsu Cubiko CNC Router.
• Open the Cubiko guides, firmware, and PCB milling resources.
• Watch the complete customer review on YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Genmitsu Cubiko mill PCBs?

Yes. Cubiko is designed to work with PCB material and includes height-map auto leveling to compensate for small surface variations. In the featured customer review, Sujan milled more than 10 PCBs and produced several functional prototypes.

What is the Cubiko working area?

The machine's working area is 150 × 110 × 40 mm. The maximum practical PCB size may be smaller because clamps and safe travel margins need space.

What software can I use for PCB milling with Cubiko?

Sujan's workflow uses KiCad to design and export fabrication files, FlatCAM to generate CNC toolpaths, and gSender to set up and control the machine. Cubiko is GRBL-compatible, so other suitable GRBL software may also be used.

Why is height mapping important when milling a PCB?

PCB isolation cuts are very shallow. If the copper-clad board is slightly uneven, a fixed Z depth may cut too deeply in one area and fail to remove copper in another. Height mapping measures the surface and compensates for those differences during machining.

Can Cubiko run without a computer?

Yes. After a compatible job is prepared, it can be stored on an SD card and run from Cubiko's built-in offline controller. A computer is still useful for PCB design, CAM processing, and initial setup.

Is PCB milling beginner-friendly?

It is learnable, but it is not completely plug-and-play. Beginners should expect to practice workholding, tool zeroing, probing, feeds and speeds, and CAM settings. Keeping spare V-bits and test boards available makes the learning process less frustrating.