The Carvera has an excellent work-volume to machine size ratio. Afaict it's not the stiffest machine but quite decent. The spindle power looks about right for it's level of stiffness judging by the YT videos I've seen.
What I think will really change things are the 3-in-1 fiber laser sources that can be used for welding, cutting, and cleaning. Building a CNC gantry that can use the cutter means large pieces can be cut from stock plate, assembled like a 3D puzzle, and very quickly welded together. While much more expensive than a Milo it is be a totally different category for capability. Plus a handheld laser welding, cutting, cleaning are very useful tools in their own right. I think laser welding is soaking up most of the supply at the moment but I also think it's just a matter of time before people figure out how to hook up the cutter to a CNC gantry like many already do with hand held plasma torches.
It isn't even close to being the Bambu Lab of the CNC world, unfortunately, but I'd say only because of the software. If they open-source their controller, things might improve quickly.
What I did was write a post-post-processor of sorts that takes the .nc output, watches for tool changes, and using the tool library information automatically assigns ATC slots, renumbers tools, and generates pauses if collet changes are required (e.g. changing from a 6mm shank to 4mm or to 3.175mm).
That means I can now look at a list of assigned ATC slots, put in the correct tools, and let the machine rip, only pausing for collet changes. Pretty nice and how it should be.
However, I have to say, while the ATC is nice to have, I would not consider it to be the primary factor when buying a CNC machine. Those tool changes don't take long and are not difficult to do manually. It's much more important to get a rigid machine with limited backlash.
