Most CNC machines weren’t designed for the classroom. They were designed for factories, fabrication shops, or hobbyists working solo in their garage. They are sold in an industry that traditionally doesn’t require a lot of after-sales support, and you certainly don’t need software training for your new band saw. On the flip side, we at Simply Technologies talk a pretty big game about how our CNC solutions are “Built for Education” – but can we actually back that up, or is it just a smart marketing ploy?  Do we claim to have found the solution for the exhausted teacher and their 25+ students?
We built our entire company around it, so we better be prepared to prove it.
1. Safety First. Always.
An open-frame design might look cool on YouTube, and you can get those great close-up shots for Instagram, but in a classroom, it’s a liability. Sharp bits spinning at 24,000 RPM don’t mix well with curious hands, backpacks, or distracted students (long-hair certainly won’t help, either). In Canada, it’s not just a recommendation, it’s the law: CNC machines in educational settings must be fully enclosed, or they get locked out. Period
Mistakes can be made in the software. In fact, we encourage it. That’s where trial-and-error is great. But when a student is standing in front of a dangerous CNC machine, it is our responsibility to protect them at all costs. A “Built for Education” CNC machine should feature a locking, transparent enclosure that protects students without isolating them from the learning process. Our brand new ACADEMY 2 is fully-enclosed and features an interlocking system that prevents the Spindle from ever operating with the doors open. Strong polycarbonate panes prevent loose material from ever projecting towards anyone near the machine. Safety isn’t optional for us, it’ a requirement.
2. Simple, Not Simplistic.
If you have any teachers in your life, you can be sure of this: They don’t have a lot of extra time for another steep learning curve. A good educational CNC system should feature an intuitive interface, easy-to-learn navigation, and software that makes sense, even if it’s your first time using it. That’s why ALL of our CNC machines include colour touchscreen controllers and Vectric software, designed to make things easier, not harder.
3. Plug & Play Setup
A “Built for Education” CNC machine shouldn’t require a scavenger hunt for accessories. Dust collection, tooling, clamps, LED lighting, software licenses – they should all be included and compatible. Bonus points if it fits through a standard classroom door (our bad on the old ICONIC machines!) and plugs into 110v power. The ACADEMY 2 ships fully-assembled and ready to go. Plug in the built-in dust collection system, and plug the machine into any standard outlet, and you are ready to make some projects.
…OK we lied, you DO have to find some material. You do have one job.
4. Support Beyond the Sale
This might be the great separator. Schools don’t need a supplier, they need a partner. CNC machines are not like the hand drill that you will figure out on your own, they are advanced digital manufacturing equipment. That means schools need lifetime technical support, curriculum resources, and ongoing training. We have seen countless machines collecting dust in the corner of a shop class, and that breaks our heart. Someone invested valuable resources into that machinery, and had dreams of teaching students skills that will be applicable in the workplace. Educators need easy and consistent access to a support system that will ensure that equipment is being utilized regularly. Email us, call us, reach out through our website, communicate with our upcoming AI Bot (teaser!) to make sure you’re getting the answers that you need.
5. Curriculum Included
Buying the machine is step one. Teaching with it is step two. A “Built for Education” system should come with a full course or certification path that fits into the school year. We built EMPOWER[ED] ACADEMY for this exact reason: a 16-session training course with editable lessons, printable guides, and teacher certification built in. All lessons are accessible online, so that educators can learn at their own pace. It is a lifetime subscription, so new teachers can adjust to faculty changes and still continue the CNC program.
And it is included in every education package that we offer. 
When we got started in the CNC industry nearly 20 years ago, we recognized that it was a fairly competitive market. If we wanted to find long-term success, we needed to find a niche or a unique offering. As we maneuvered through trade shows and met several of you, we quickly realized that CNC manufacturers did not want to deal with educators. In fact, they found it quite annoying… working through layers of decision makers and budget constraints, the additional support required (1 cnc machine in a school often equates to 100+ users), the lengthy sales cycle, meeting inconsistent quote requirements, becoming an approved vendor, the fear of liability issues due to untrained students… actually, now that I think about it, it is quite annoying. And we love it. It became our goal to create CNC solutions that aren’t just classroom-friendly, but classroom-proven. A machine built from the ground up for educators, backed by real curriculum, real support, and real-world insight from years spent in the field. Not just another CNC, but one “Built for Education”.
Let us prove it to you.
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Peace & Grace
Jeremy Stevenson