Operating the Forest CNC

Machine Orentation Overview

Time to start cutting:

1: Open the CNC Software:

The software's symbol is a blue chip. It is located on the taskbar. Once you open it the screen should display as the picture shown

2. Watch this video to properly home the CNC Machine:

Left click the video to the left of this text
- Skip to 5:11 on the video
From there watch the video as it properly tells you how to home the machine

(Note: Homing the machine is a valuable step, DO NOT SKIP)

3. Grab a Slab of Wood and Clamps:

In the room where the CNC Machine is located, there are slabs of wood and clamps along the wall
- You will need a long slab of wood
- You will also need 2 clamps

4. Clamp Down the Slab:

Place the wooden slab along the edge of the CNC Machine (Vertically).
Clamp down the two corners of the slab just as the picture shows.

5. Ensure That You are Using the Right Drill Head:

There are two drills you will be using to cut your plaque. The first drill you will use is the one shown to the right of this text. If the drill on the machine does not look like the photo, skip to step 12 and then come back when the proper drill has been inserted.

6. Get Some Paper:

Rip a piece of paper from your notebook and place it on the piece of wood. (Follow the picture for reference)

7. Lower the Drill:

After you place your paper on the wood, lower the drill.

(Tip: Use the "Z-" key)

Afterwards, set all coordinates to 0.

(Your drill should be placed as shown in the image below)

8. Relocate the X:

Once all coordinates have been set to 0, you will adjust the X coordinates. Move the X coordinates by "+0.125" (It is alright if it is not exact). You will only be moving the X and Z coordinates, you will not need to adjust the Y. Once you have moved in +0.125, set all 0.

9. Sense Z Zero:

To sense zero you will need to locate the small black box with a wire extruding from it. (Image 1). From there you will plug it into the small hole besides the power button (Image 2). From there you will place the black box on the slab of wood so that it is underneath the drill and click "Sense Z Zero" on the computer. (Image 3).

(Your coordinates should show as "Y: 0","X: 0", and "Z: +0.5")

(Image 1)

(Image 2)

(Image 3)

10. Begin Roughing:

Once you have complete steps 1-9, you will load your rough file from before. You will click the "Load" tab that is located near the bottom of the screen. Once you have selected it, click "Graph" , which is on the same row as the Load tab. This will let you view your rough cut and what it will look like, this area also gives you an ETA. From here you will click "Cycle Start", once the machine prompts you to, click "Cycle Start" again. Then wait!

11. Replace Drill Head:

Now that your roughing is done you will raise the drill and replace it with the drill head that we use for finishing jobs.

(Do Not Move Wooden Slab!)

The image to the right is what you will replace the current drill head with.

12(Part 1). Unscrewing:

Once you find the new drill head you will need to locate the two wrenches (Image 1) we use to unscrew the drill head from the machine (Image 2)

(Image 1)

(Image 2)

12(Part 2). Replacing:

Once you have successfully removed the drill head, pop out the metallic base from the black cylinder. Once the black cylinder has been removed, you will add the other metallic base that holds the finishing drill head. From here you can rescrew the drill head back into the machine.

13. The End:

Once the new drill head has been inserted, you will repeat step 9 and then load your finishing toolpath from before. You will open the graph again and then cycle start. Give it time and your plaque will be complete.

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