Shopbot Desktop CNC Router
SafeTy
Wear safety glasses before use
Do not wear any loose articles of clothing when using tool and keep hair away from moving parts - hair ties available if needed
Tools are sharp! Avoid moving hands and arms below tool
Tools/ bits can be hot wait before grabbing bit after a job
Connect shop vacuum hose to exhaust port on right side of enclosure
Ensure that tools are securely mounted. Do not over tighten
Always check that your material is securely fixtured to the spoil board using clamps or double sided tape
Keep hands clear of rails when Control Box is switched on.
Keep hands clear of the spindle and any mounted endmills when the Spindle Interlock Switch is engaged.
Endmills and other bits are very sharp do not reach under tool if a bit is inserted
Never run the tool faster or deeper than the recommended tool settings.
Always supervise your cut at all times while it is running.
If you are unsure if you are operating the ShopBot correctly, stop and ask a staff member for help.
If your router performs any undesired behavior, press the emergency stop button immediately.
Rules
Ask a staff member before using
Use double-stick tape to mount your workpiece to the spoilboard (MDF base)
If using clamps, make sure your tool will not come in contact with the clamps
Connect shop vacuum to exhaust port and turn on before use
Workspace is clear and has sufficient work area
Must get staff approval when bringing in new materials
Material Costs
We sell some material that can be used in the Shopbot
Hard / Softwood $6.00/board foot
Plywood 18x24x1/2" $12.00/sheet
Plywood 18x24x3/4" $18.00/sheet
MDF 18x24x3/5" $5.00/sheet
There are also many scraps that can be used for free
Always refer to the Material Store page for the most updated pricing.
How does it Work
A CNC router is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses a high speed tool to remove material from wood, expanded polyurethane foam, and plastics. The CNC router will move along the X, Y, and Z axis removing material based on generated toolpaths from either vector or 3D files.
3D carvings involve a roughing and finishing pass. The roughing pass removes the majority of material with a larger tool and the finishing pass removes the last bit of material with a small tool to the final size.
A CNC router can also be used with 2D toolpaths similar to a laser cutter but can cut through material that may not be laser safe or too thick for the laser to cut through. It can also more accurately pocket 2D shapes than the laser cutter.
More Resources
Learn the basics of operating the machine once you already have a toolpath.
Designing for ShopBot
The shopbot and other CNC machines utilize Toolpaths in order to make certain cuts and paths. Toolpaths are the information needed for the CNC router to direct the drill bit through the material in various types of cuts. The software used to create the Toolpaths is Vcarve Pro. When creating toolpaths in Vcarve Pro you can import designs as an svg or 3D model as an stl. Another software to generate toolpaths is Fusion 360 which has the added benefit of easy CAD to CAM conversion but a higher learning curve than Vcarve.
Vcarve Pro svg file
Vcarve Pro 3D model