Nomad Technologies was founded in 2016 in Valladolid, a city in the northwest of Spain. The goal from the beginning of this project has been to provide easy-to-use digital fabrication tools to makers, artists, small workshops, and hobbyists alike, helping them to modernize their manufacturing process and unleash their creative potential with the help of these technologies.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Nomad Technologies: We believe in facilitating access to digital manufacturing processes and help users overcome the challenges these might bring. This is the core of our business mission. We tackle this by, 1st designing and manufacturing easy-to-use CNC machines, and secondly, we have a small online educational program where we teach the basics concepts behind all of these technologies and fabrication methods. That way our clients not only get access to the technology but also learn how to make the most out of them. We also share various tutorials and educational content through our Youtube Channel, Instagram, and Facebook Group, where we have built a community of over 4000 users on all these platforms combined.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
Nomad Technologies: In August 2021 we launched our most anticipated and ambitious project so far, the OKU Desk, a device that packs the power for cutting and precision for engraving in a desktop format, just like a regular printer. We’ve been working on this machine for over 2 years and we are currently running a crowdfunding campaign to get more international exposure. It’s been well received so far, reaching over 400% of our funding goal so far. The campaign is still running on Kickstarter until September 30th.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
Nomad Technologies: In Nomad Technologies, we have 4 lines of products: The Red Fox CNC, a medium-size milling machine, Atheon CO2 Laser a fast and versatile laser machine perfect for medium and large size business, Ion Plasma designed to cut metals such as steel, aluminum, copper, and others, and the Laser OKU Family, which features the new OKU Desk. All these products have one thing in common, they are all easy to use, include simplified software that allows almost any user to get results in less than 30 minutes. They all come assembled and ready to go!
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
Nomad Technologies: Here in Spain, which is our main market, the field of digital fabrication is steadily growing beyond 3D printing, and more and more non-technical users are making CNC technologies a key part of their business and projects. When we started, only very curious carpenters were those who approached us to buy our products. But now the range of users in our community goes from school teachers to graphic designers and everything in between. In just 4 years, we have delivered over 600 machines only in Spain. Not even the pandemic has stopped this growth!
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
Nomad Technologies: We see a growing number of fabrication tools that are more versatile, and very competitive in price. The main focus seems to be on personal fabrication, devices compact enough so you can transform any space in your house in an all-in-one workshop. There seems to be a “modular” mindset around, allowing users to improve upon their device by just changing some parts of it.
Our OKU Desk plays on this realm, a powerful tool to engrave on basically any surface and can cut with precision on over a dozen of materials. All this while being compact and lightweight. The machine is designed to be upgraded thanks to its easily detachable laser cartridge. In the near future, we want to release different laser modules with better specs, different color lights so users can work on other kinds of material, as well as expansion ports for add-ons such as a rotary device and more.
Another trend we see – but that we haven’t ventured into – is the reliance on cloud services to make these devices more and more connected. But with more connectivity comes security and privacy concerns.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
Nomad Technologies: We think the proliferation of Diode Lasers like the one featured on our OKU Desk, have helped propel the reach of laser technology for fabrication, making these types of machines more affordable, compact, and suitable for the everyday user, and not only for the tech-savvy with large buying power as was the case a few years ago.
In the realm of CNC milling machines, we are really impressed by the Shaper Tools, which somehow redefine our prior conception of what a CNC tool should be. It does literally break the mold and we love that.
When it comes to 3D printing, we love what the folks at Form Labs have achieved, and how they’ve been continuously pushing the boundaries for 3D printing.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
Nomad Technologies: In 2021, we see a growing number of users approaching digital fabrication tools for their personal endeavours. This technology is getting cheaper and better, and that seems to be the trend.