Using the CNC Machine

Once the file is uploaded to the Google Drive folder, I opened it into the CNC software. This showed my pocket cut and toolpath which the machine will follow. We used a jig for this as well to help refocus and home the machine. This was a tedious process because the measurements were not exact and were eyeballed. Once the file was uploaded into the software, we configured the axis to the origin of the wood board. After doing this we made that the home, this is so the machine will think that is the origin and will cut on the board instead of cutting somewhere else. After setting up the machine and following the workflow, it was ready to run an air cut. This was to make sure all the changes made to the machine work and there are no problems with alignment. After this step, the CNC was ready to be used!

CNC Workflow

Desktop Max Shopbot Cutting using Aspire/ VCarve Toolpath

March 16, 2021

Shopbot Machine
1. Put on eye and ear protection
2. Close the doors
3. Check to see that the machine has been warmed up
4. Check to see bit is not loose
5. Raise Z AXIS 2.5 inches using the JZ 2.5 command (this is different height than alpha)
6. Use the proximity switch to set Calibrate. (C3 keyboard command)
7. Calibrate Z AXIS on the table. (C2 keyboard command)
8. Raise Z AXIS 2.5 inches using the JZ 2.5 command
9. Measure thickness of material that you plan to cut.
10. Attach material to the table using screws
11. Set new X and Y Origins for your design
  1. Raise the Z-axis so the bit won’t drag on the table
  2. Using keyboard jog to the appropriate X and Y location. (J2 X,Y)
  3. Using keyboard to zero the appropriate X and Y Location. (Z2)
  4. You set origin.
12. Select Cut
Start up Aspire and VCarve software
1. Open your file
2. Select objects you wish to cut
3. Select Toolpath
4. Pin Toolpath
Click on material setup
1. Check Z-0 - it should be off the board not materials
2. Enter the thickness of the material *
  1. Model position material should be the same thickness of the material.
3. Go to home start position
  1. Confirm x and y axis are both zero
  2. The z axis should one inch plus the thickness of the material.
4. Click OK.

Go to TOOL PATH OPERATIONS
1. Select 2D Profile Toolpath
2. Under cutting depth, select the cut depth of the material (CLS tools).
3. Select the proper tool -CLS down bit 1/4
4. Click add tabs to tool pads.
5. Hit CALCULATE.
6. Preview toolpath
7. Click on CLOSE
8. Select SAVE TOOL PATH and save the file in a shopbot format
Start ShopBot Command Console
Conduct air cut
1. Select FILE-LOAD
2. Load the appropriate file
3. Select 1 3-D offset
4. Press ENTER
5. Turn on the spindle by pressing the big GREEN Button
6. You should hear a “SOUND” of the spindle now turning
7. Press ok
8. After checking that everything is good; press space bar
9. Return to origin (J2 0,0)
Perform cut
1. Select FILE-LOAD
2. Load the appropriate file
3. Select no offset rather than 1 3-D offset
4. Press enter
5. Turn on the spindle by pressing the GREEN Button
6. You should hear a “SOUND”
7. Turn on the vacuum
8. Press enter again to start cut
Cut is done
1. Turn off vacuum (which is so loud you shouldn’t forget)
Clean up after yourself

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