Yu Kano (cinetronix) | Filmmaker & Product Developer, Japan
As a filmmaker, Yu Kano knows that the best fit tools are often the ones that don’t yet exist. Based in Japan and working under the name cinetronix, Yu designs and builds precision camera accessories shaped by real-world production needs. With no formal manufacturing background, he taught himself CAD, collaborated with external manufacturers, and eventually brought CNC machining in-house with Makera Carvera Air.
In this user story, Yu shares how Carvera Air transformed his workflow—from slow, outsourced prototyping to fast, precise, and reliable in-house production—making it possible to design, test, and iterate professional camera gear directly from his studio.
Q: Can you tell us more about your background and what you specialize in?
I am a filmmaker based in Japan. Although I had no prior manufacturing experience, I began designing camera accessories out of necessity—specifically, equipment that was needed on set but simply did not exist on the market.
I taught myself CAD and worked with external manufacturers to turn these ideas into functional, reliable products. Today, I am involved in joint development projects with a major camera rig manufacturer, focusing on practical accessories designed around real production workflows.
Ultimately, my goal is to launch a camera-rig brand dedicated to the film and television industry—creating products that offer features professionals genuinely need.
Q: What kinds of challenges did you face before using Carvera Air?
Before introducing the Carvera Air, I relied heavily on external suppliers, which created significant challenges in both lead time and cost. Many stages—including design finalization, ordering, outsourced machining, assembly, and testing—had to be handled externally, often leading to long turnaround times and higher costs caused by minimum order quantities and repeated prototype revisions.
Although I had several FDM 3D printers in the office, aluminum prototyping always required outsourcing. While 3D printing was useful for validating overall form, it could not accurately represent tolerances, threaded holes, mechanical strength, or real-world machinability. As a result, many designs that appeared viable when printed later proved impractical—or even impossible—to machine. Without an internal metal prototyping workflow, maintaining fast iteration speed—which is critical in film production—was extremely difficult.
Working in an office environment added another major constraint: dust-generating processes were not an option, leaving no clean or safe way to prototype metal parts in-house.
Comparison between a 3D-printed part (left) and a CNC-machined aluminum prototype (right).
3D printing is effective for verifying overall shape, but aluminum prototyping is essential for evaluating dimensional accuracy, threaded holes, tolerances, strength, and surface texture.
The 3D-printed part was produced using a 0.2 mm nozzle and required 20h 11min of print time, while the CNC-machined aluminum part had a total machining time of 2h 55min.
Q: How has Carvera Air changed the way you design or prototype?
Previously, I relied entirely on FDM 3D printers. They were helpful for checking shape and scale, but dimensional accuracy was limited due to filament thermal expansion, and threaded holes were consistently undersized and required CAD adjustments. Lightweight structures such as trusses could not be properly evaluated without real aluminum prototypes, which again meant outsourcing and delays.
With Carvera Air, I can now machine high-precision aluminum prototypes immediately. This allows real-world evaluation of strength, surface texture, and tolerances. The CAM workflow also reveals geometries that may appear feasible in CAD but are not suitable for subtractive machining, enabling early design corrections and significantly reducing rework.
This made it possible to establish an optimized hybrid workflow:
- Complex or large geometries are produced with 3D printing
- High-precision or strength-critical parts are machined with Carvera Air
The freedom of additive manufacturing combined with the precision of CNC machining works extremely well. This hybrid pipeline dramatically accelerated design, prototyping, and verification, while reducing development costs and improving decision-making.
The machine’s versatility has exceeded my expectations—it handles small-batch production, single- and double-sided PCBs, and even laser processing, all within one compact unit.
Example of a hybrid workflow combining 3D printing and CNC machining.
3D-printed components are used for complex geometries and layout verification, while CNC-machined aluminum parts are employed for high-precision, strength-critical elements.
Small-batch production of camera parts (rosette).
Double-sided PCB with complex geometry for audio applications.
Q: What are some favorite projects you’ve made using Carvera Air?
One of the most memorable projects was my very first one. After receiving Carvera Air, I learned the workflow by machining the sample ship relief, then moved directly into real production work the same day. Thanks to Makera Controller’s intuitive interface, I was able to work smoothly without hesitation.
My first original project was an accessory mounted to a tripod video head. Seeing the precisely finished aluminum part—my first CNC-milled component—convinced me that choosing Carvera Air as my first desktop CNC was absolutely the right decision.
I am currently working on a series called the ARRI ALEXA “Run & Gun” Project, creating dedicated camera accessories entirely with Carvera Air. I share progress regularly on Instagram.
The first aluminum part Yu ever designed using CAD/CAM— there was still much to learn, but seeing the finished part was genuinely exciting.
Camera accessories created as part of the ARRI ALEXA “Run & Gun” project.
Q: What’s your vision for the camera-rig brand you’re developing—and how is Carvera Air supporting that?
I aim to build a camera-rig brand based on hands-on production experience and real on-set needs—things only working professionals truly understand.
Camera accessories for film production are surprisingly limited, even though the demand for niche, highly customized solutions still exists. Because film production moves quickly, fast turnaround is essential.
To meet these demands, rapid prototyping is critical. With Carvera Air, I can produce high-precision prototypes in-house and iterate quickly—prototype, adjust, refine, repeat. This capability significantly improves both development speed and product quality.
Camera rig components designed as cutting practice.
The parts feature intentionally simple geometries, allowing extensive testing of different toolpaths and machining conditions in preparation for meeting real client requirements.
Q: What advice would you give to others choosing a desktop CNC?
When evaluating a desktop CNC, many people focus on specifications like linear rails, ball screws, or spindle wattage. My advice is not to judge spindle performance by wattage alone. Real performance comes from torque, RPM, the machine’s physical characteristics (rigidity, inertia, and damping), tool selection, toolpaths, and overall system optimization.
At first glance, Carvera Air’s 200W spindle may seem underpowered, but its well-balanced combination of chassis rigidity, spindle characteristics, and control system allows stable aluminum machining in a compact footprint.
Because my workflow focuses primarily on aluminum parts, I prioritize safety and a clean working environment—especially the ability to machine without using cutting fluid—over maximizing cutting speed. As a result, I’ve never felt limited by the spindle’s power.
Carvera Air also excels in usability and workflow efficiency. With its quick tool-changer collet, built-in tool setter, and Z-probe included as standard, there is no need to purchase additional accessories or create complex macros. Unlike many GRBL-based machines, it suffers far less from electrical noise or software compatibility issues, enabling stable machining right out of the box.
The fully enclosed, dust-resistant design allows safe operation even in office or home environments. Pairing it with the Makera Cyclone Dust Collector further improves safety—its three-stage filtration system, including a HEPA filter, captures fine dust while supporting long, continuous operation at just 200W.
Makera CAM, which is included at no additional cost, supports 4-axis machining without requiring an expensive subscription. This significantly lowers the barrier for users who may be hesitant to invest in software such as Fusion 360. I am also looking forward to the upcoming Makera Studio.
Using the Carvera Air has shown me that it is capable not only of prototyping, but also of small-batch production. For those planning future scaling or improved workflow efficiency, the ATC-equipped Carvera represents a powerful next step. Automating tool changes reduces the need to remain beside the machine and helps accelerate development cycles. As my business grows, I am considering adding an ATC-equipped Carvera as the next stage of my workflow.
The entry-level Makera Z1 is also very affordable, and I am considering purchasing one specifically for use in the workshops I hold regularly.
After extensively comparing various CNC machines, I chose the Carvera Air—and I still believe it was the right decision. You don’t need to spend the same amount of time researching as I did. For anyone seeking a reliable desktop CNC that can be used confidently in office or home environments, I strongly recommend Makera’s lineup.
On to the Next Build
For Yu Kano, Carvera Air is not just a machine—it’s a foundation for building professional tools shaped by real production experience. By bringing precision CNC machining into a compact, office-friendly workflow, Carvera Air enables faster iteration, better design decisions, and the confidence to turn ideas into real-world products.
Follow cinetronix to see what Yu builds next—and how desktop CNC continues to reshape professional creative workflows.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinetronix/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cinetronix_labs
BTS (Behind the Scenes) Photo Gallery
Final Product Gallery
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