MagSpin vs RoboClear: which CNC window wiper should you buy?
MagSpin is a $299 magnetic CNC window wiper that installs in seconds and needs no electricity, no control box, and no holes in the machine guard. RoboClear is an automated, powered window-cleaning system in the $1,500-and-up class that is permanently mounted and wired into the machine. If you want the coolant cleared on demand for the lowest cost and with zero machine modification, MagSpin is the better fit. If you need cleaning to happen automatically without an operator present, a powered system such as RoboClear is the category to look at.
MagSpin vs RoboClear at a glance
| Feature | MagSpin | RoboClear |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $1,500 or more (publicly advertised) |
| Power required | None - fully mechanical | Electrical power |
| Control electronics | None | Control unit |
| Installation | Magnetic, tool-free, seconds | Permanent mounting / drilling |
| Machine modification | None - fully reversible | Typically permanent |
| Operation | Manual handle, magnetically coupled through the glass | Automated, motor driven |
| Moving parts | Very few | Motor, bearings, wiring |
| Serviceable wear item | Replaceable rubber wiper blade | Motor and electronics service |
| Window thickness | 1/8" to 3/8" (3 - 10 mm) | Depends on installation |
| Moves between machines | Yes - lift it off and reposition | No - installed per machine |
| Lead time | Ships in 14 business days | Quote and install scheduling |
RoboClear is a trademark of its respective owner and is not affiliated with Globegrip. Details in the RoboClear column reflect publicly advertised information about automated CNC window-cleaning systems at the time of writing; confirm current pricing and specifications with that manufacturer.
Cost: $299 versus $1,500 and up
MagSpin sells for $299 with no installation cost, because there is nothing to install - the two halves hold themselves to the window magnetically. Automated window-cleaning systems such as RoboClear are advertised from roughly $1,500, and that figure is the hardware before any electrical work or mounting labour.
For a shop with several machines, the difference compounds. Equipping five machining centres with MagSpin costs less than one automated unit, and there is no wiring job scheduled around production.
Power and controls: mechanical versus motorised
MagSpin has no motor, no wiring, no control box, and no battery. Torque is transferred through the window by magnetic coupling: you turn the outside handle, the inside wiper turns with it. Nothing can lose power, trip a breaker, or need a firmware setting.
RoboClear-class systems are powered and automated. That is their advantage - the window can be cleared without anyone standing at the machine - and also their cost: a motor, control electronics, and wiring inside a coolant-soaked enclosure are all parts that can eventually fail.
Installation and machine modification
MagSpin installs in seconds. Place the inner half on the inside of the window, the handle half on the outside, and the magnets do the rest. There are no holes, no adhesive, and no permanent change to the guarding, so the machine can be returned to stock condition instantly and the unit can move to another machine at any time.
Permanently mounted automated systems are the opposite trade-off: once fitted they are always ready, but fitting them usually means drilling or bracketry on the guard door and routing power to it.
Fitment: check the door pocket first
The MagSpin wiper wheel extends approximately 0.5" (12.7 mm) from the mounting surface. Because of that profile, MagSpin may not fit CNC lathes or machines whose door slides inward into a pocket or closes against a recessed seal.
MagSpin works with window thicknesses from 1/8" to 3/8" (3 - 10 mm), which covers most vertical machining centres.
Coolant durability and maintenance
MagSpin is built for harsh coolant environments with a sealed magnetic drive, and the only wear item is the rubber wiper blade, which is replaceable. There is no electrical path into the machine enclosure at all.
Automated systems put a motor and its wiring inside or alongside the same environment, so service is an electromechanical job rather than swapping a blade.
Which one fits your shop?
Choose MagSpin if
- Shops that want better visibility this week, not after an install project
- Machines that cannot be drilled or modified - leases, resale, or shared equipment
- Multiple machines on a limited tooling budget
- Operators who are at the machine and simply want the window cleared on demand
Choose an automated system if
- Long unattended runs where nobody is present to clear the window
- Lights-out cells with a budget for permanent, wired equipment
- Installations where automatic cleaning cycles are a process requirement
MagSpin vs RoboClear: common questions
- Is MagSpin cheaper than RoboClear?
- Yes. MagSpin is $299. Automated CNC window-cleaning systems such as RoboClear are publicly advertised from around $1,500 before installation, so MagSpin is roughly five times less expensive.
- What is the main difference between MagSpin and RoboClear?
- MagSpin is manual and fully mechanical - you turn a handle and magnetic coupling drives a wiper on the inside of the glass. RoboClear is an automated, powered system that is wired in and permanently mounted. MagSpin trades automation for a far lower price, instant installation, and no machine modification.
- Does MagSpin need electricity or wiring?
- No. MagSpin has no motor, no wiring, no control box, and no battery. It is operated by hand and coupled through the window magnetically.
- Do I need to drill my machine to fit MagSpin?
- No. MagSpin is held entirely by magnetic force, so there are no holes and no permanent modification. It can be repositioned or removed at any time and moved to another machine.
- Can MagSpin clear the window automatically during a cycle?
- No. MagSpin is operated by hand when you want to see the cut. If cleaning must happen with no operator present, a powered automated system is the right category.
- Which CNC machines does MagSpin fit?
- MagSpin fits window thicknesses from 1/8" to 3/8" (3 - 10 mm), covering most vertical machining centres. The wiper wheel stands about 0.5" (12.7 mm) off the mounting surface, so it may not suit lathes or doors that slide into a pocket or close against a recessed seal.
- How soon does MagSpin ship?
- MagSpin ships in 14 business days and is bought directly from Globegrip online, with no quote or install scheduling.
MagSpin is $299, ships in 14 business days, and installs with no tools, wiring, or holes in your machine.
Buy MagSpin