Makerbot co-founder Bre Pettis is back in the maker game, this time with the CNC milling machine start-up Other Machine.

If you’re familiar with Makerbot or have seen the documentary Print the Legend, chances are you know who Bre Pettis is. The entrepreneur is the co-founder of Makerbot Industries, and was in charge of the company until he eventually sold it to the 3D printing titan Stratasys.

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from Pettis, but he’s finally reemerging onto the maker scene in a slightly different sector. TechCrunch recently revealed that he is acquiring the CNC milling start-up Other Machine.

Bre Pettis Ventures into New, But Familiar Territory

According to Danielle Applestone, the CEO and founder of Other Machine, the company has remained independent in order to thwart outside influence. However, with Pettis at the helm, the start-up will be able to grow without having to endure the sway of corporations.

Applestone will continue heading the day-to-day operations of Other Machine, while Pettis will contribute advice as owner. The company will remain located in the Bay Area, and will likely remained unchanged.

“If you focus on selling your business, you’ll build the wrong product. Bre and I had had a relationship for a little while, and when I thought about who would be the best partner from year three to year five, he was someone who I had reached out to for advice. Since he was done working with Stratasys, it’s just kind of a natural thing,” Applestone says about the acquisition.

Meanwhile, the Makerbot co-founder will now have stake in a promising company. Although Other Machine is focusing on CNC milling, there are still striking similarities with Pettis’ former 3D printing company.

 Other Machine Aims To Boost Desktop CNC Milling

Other Machine’s Othermill Pro is essentially aiming to make CNC electronics milling more accessible by bringing it to the desktop format. The start-up already has wide respect in the maker and engineering community. And, like Makerbot during the Pettis-era, the start-up also has major potential to grow.

But, unlike Makerbot, Applestone seems primarily focused on those who will find the most benefit from Other Machine products: engineers and makers. While she acknowledges that the Othermill Pro is far from a consumer product, there is a viable market for both expert and novice-level engineers.

With Bre Pettis onboard, Applestone will keep her start-up’s identity intact, while also adding the experience of an entrepreneur that has a pulse on the maker community. After establishing itself over the last few years, Other Machine will try to keep blossoming in this increasingly lucrative market.