Lunyee 3020 Nova: Hands-On Review of a High-Performance Desktop CNC

Written by Grant Nelson

A while back, Lunyee reached out to me about their new desktop CNC, the 3020 Nova, and asked if I wanted to give it a spin. I’m always curious about compact CNCs that promise serious performance, so I said yes.

At first glance, the 3020 Nova already stands out from the usual hobby-grade desktop machines. It comes with ball screws on all three axes, HG15 linear rails, and an 800 W trim router — hardware you’d usually see on bigger, heavier CNCs. Seeing that kind of setup on a small desktop unit instantly made me wonder: how would it actually perform in real projects?

 

 

Design and Build Quality

Frame and Construction

The 3020 Nova shows up mostly pre-assembled, which is always nice. The main task is just mounting the Z-axis onto the frame, which takes a few minutes at most.

The first thing you notice when you pick it up is the weight. At about 15 kg, it’s heavier than most small desktop CNCs, and honestly, that’s a good thing. That extra heft keeps it stable on your bench while cutting, instead of bouncing around.

The frame itself is solid, made from thick aluminum plates and structural bars. Nothing feels cheap or wobbly, and moving the axes by hand gives you that reassuring “this is built to last” feel.

 

 

Motion System

Now the motion system is where things get interesting.

A lot of hobby CNC machines still rely on lead screws, but the 3020 Nova uses 1204 ball screws on X, Y, and Z, paired with anti-backlash nuts. That setup really helps reduce mechanical play and keeps motion smooth and predictable — especially on longer cuts.

Jogging the machine during setup, all three axes moved cleanly and consistently, ensuring precise movements suitable for soft metal cutting. Each axis rides on HG15 linear rails with fairly large bearing blocks. Compared to the little wheel-based systems you see on smaller machines, these rails make a noticeable difference in rigidity and alignment while cutting.

 

 

Stepper Motors

The stepper motors are rated around 650 mN·m of torque. For this size machine, that’s pretty strong.

In practice, the stepper motors move the gantry confidently for soft metal carving, with no skipped steps or hesitation.

 

 

Table and Workholding

The T-track table measures about 30 × 20 cm, which is a good size for a desktop CNC. T-tracks make workholding flexible: clamps slide along the grooves, so you can position them pretty much anywhere.

Whether you’re working on small wood pieces, engraving plates, or decorative items, the table feels just right for a compact setup.

 

 

Controller and Safety

All controller connections are tucked at the back instead of being exposed. It keeps the wiring tidy and gives it a slightly more professional feel.

The system runs GRBL, so it plays nicely with the software most hobbyists use. And there’s an external emergency stop button, which you can place anywhere on your desk for quick access — a small but nice safety touch.

 

 

Assembly and Setup

Setting up the 3020 Nova is pretty painless. The Z-axis aligns with two locating pins and is secured with four screws, keeping everything correctly positioned. Then you mount the spindle holder, insert the trim router, and tighten it down.

The router and controller use separate power supplies, so you’ll need two outlets. Before the first run, I applied the included grease to the ball screws and jogged each axis a few times — everything moved smoothly.

It also comes with a Z-probe, which makes setting tool height a breeze. Plug it in, and you can quickly zero your Z-axis whenever you start a new project or swap tools.

 

 

Project Testing

Instead of just running standard test cuts, I threw a few small projects at the machine to see how it behaves in everyday use.

Aluminum Engraving

To start, I tried a small aluminum plate with a V-bit. Aluminum is great for spotting vibrations or motion inconsistencies on lighter machines.

The word “NOVA” came out clean, with sharp edges and consistent engraving depth. There was no chatter, and the machine handled the metal surprisingly well for a desktop CNC, making it ideal for soft metal carving. Not heavy-duty metalwork, but perfect for light engraving.

 

 

Oak Tray Carving

Next, I worked on a small oak tray. The design features a curved yin-yang layout with two recessed circular pockets and a shallow groove down the middle.

This kind of project is pretty typical for desktop CNC woodworking — it combines pocket clearing with smooth contour carving. Using a standard end mill, the machine cleared the circular pockets first, then cut the center groove.

Initial passes left some visible tool marks, which is normal. Even so, the tray came out clean and symmetrical. Curves were smooth, and pocket depths were consistent. After a bit of sanding, it looked ready to use.

 

 

Relief Carving Test

Finally, I tried a more detailed project: a deer scene carved in relief on a piece of hardwood.

Relief carving means a lot of small moves with gradual depth changes, so it’s a good way to see how the machine handles more complex toolpaths.

The final carving turned out really nice. Antlers, facial features, and background elements were all clear, and the transitions between shallow and deep areas looked natural. The fine toolpath texture was still visible before sanding — exactly what you’d expect from CNC relief work.

 

 

Final Thoughts

After spending some time with the Lunyee 3020 Nova, my take is this: it’s a solid, well-built desktop CNC.

The combination of ball screws, HG15 linear rails, and fairly strong stepper motors gives it more rigidity than most entry-level hobby CNCs. The 800 W trim router handles hardwood, plywood, plastics, and light aluminum, perfect for detailed projects including soft metal cutting.

Features like the T-track table, external e-stop, and Z-probe make day-to-day use much easier.

If you’re looking for a compact CNC that fits on a workbench but still offers serious rigidity and capability, the 3020 Nova is definitely worth a look.