Can I Put the New Elite Gen 2 Ball Screw Covers on My Gen 1 Onefinity Machine?
Before we can answer that question, it helps to understand how we were able to create such a clean, elegant ball-screw-cover system in the first place. The Gen 2 Elite Series wasn’t just a refresh—it required three major structural redesigns that make the new covers possible.
1. Completely Redesigned Gantry Blocks
Our engineers pulled off something genuinely clever here. On the Gen 2, the ball screw cover actually passes through the newly designed gantry block , keeping the cover tight to the screw and shielding it from dust and debris.
To make this work, we also recessed the ball nut into the gantry block itself , which solved two major issues at once:
- It eliminates the stick-out you see on Gen 1 machines
- It allows for greater X and Y travel while maintaining the exact same footprint
This redesign is one of the main reasons the Gen 2 enjoys a noticeably larger cutting area without requiring a larger shop space while still using the same QCW we’ve always had.
2. New “C-Shaped” Bearings (Think Pac-Man)
The bearings that ride the tubes are now C-shaped rather than fully circular.This allows them to nest closely around the ball screw covers and maintain the tight, rigid structure that defines the Gen 2 rail system. The older round-style bearings on Gen 1 machines simply aren’t shaped to make this work.
3. Re-Engineered Feet With Integrated Cover Clips
The feet received several small—but important—structural improvements.These upgrades allow us to mount end clips directly to the feet, keeping the ends of the ball screw covers secured and properly aligned.
Even though each of these updates might appear small on their own, together they represent a near-complete overhaul of the rail system. Other than the tubes, almost every surrounding part changed. Because all these elements interlock, Gen 2 ball screw covers cannot be installed on Gen 1 rails without replacing a large portion of the rail assembly.
Will We Offer Upgrade Kits for Gen 1 Machines?
Short answer: yes. But it’s not as simple as selling Gen 2 parts individually.
Gen 1 machines were built across several years using multiple tube combinations:
- 35 mm tubes
- 50 mm tubes
Meanwhile, Gen 2 uses:
- 50 mm Y-axis tubes
- 60 mm X-axis tubes
Since 60 mm didn’t exist on Gen 1 machines, we can’t simply bolt Gen 2 components in place. We need to develop new, compatible versions that fit the tens of thousands of machines already out in the wild—each with slight variations across years and models.
This takes careful engineering and time.
A Note on Inventory and Timing
Whenever we launch a new product, our first priority is ensuring full machines ship on time and lead times stay short. Launch Week demand is always massive (even with forecasting), so we must reserve parts for complete machine orders first.
Once machine production stabilizes, we’ll have a better handle on stocking upgrade components.
Our track record speaks for itself—upgradability has always been at the core of our philosophy. We expect to share more details on Gen 1-to-Gen 2 rail upgrade paths sometime in 2026 .
Want Gen 2 Features—Like Ball Screw Covers—As Soon As Possible?
If these new features have you excited and you want them in your shop right away , the fastest route is simple:
Order a Gen 2 machine when orders open Tuesday, November 25th at 11 AM Eastern.
We can’t wait to see what you build with it. See you on Launch Day!