Program-Independent > Mechanical

CNC Router

Contributors:

Etienne Tardif

Introduction:

The CNC Router is a powerful and dangerous machine in our workshop. Students must read this entry to be able to use the CNC router. There’s no quiz on MSA for this machine. We use this machine to cut out polycarp pieces for our robots.

The CNC router is the only machine in our shop that can work on its own, but we require people to watch it while it’s doing its job. In this article, you will learn how the CNC router works and how to use it properly and safely.

Introduction:

Section 1 | Safety Videos

Section 2 | Setting up and Controling Router

Section 3 | Setting the Origin

Section 4 | Loading G-code and starting the route

Section 1 | Safety Videos

Although there are no quizzes, I highly recommend watching the two videos below. The first one will explain what is a CNC router and what does it do. The second one is a safety demonstration. It is important to note that if your piece is getting routed incorrectly you should press the red "RESET" button that is on the screen. There is a physical red Button that is right below the screen in case of an absolute emergency. This should never be pressed because Mr. Hiller will have to recalibrate the whole machine. The reset Botton on the screen should be what you should press.

Section 2 | Setting up and Controling Router

Put the correct thickness of polycarbonate on the router and secure it down using the red clamps. If you put a used polycarbonate sheet on the router, make sure to screw it down to the wood, or else the sheet might shift while you are routing. us the screws that are placed in the gray bin that is near the router.

There are six keys to control the router head. The arrow keys move the head along a two-dimensional plane that is parallel to the ground. The other two important keys are the "page up" and the "page down" keys. These two keys move the router's head up and down on the third dimension which is perpendicular to the floor.

Section 3 | Setting the Origin

You must set the origin to route any piece on polycarb. Your origin will be the bottom left corner of the polycarb piece. So make sure there is enough space above and to the right of the origin to route you piece.

To set the origin of the of the router head you must move the router to the bottom left of your soon-to-be routed piece. then you lower the head so that is barely touching the top the the polycarb. Then you must click "Zero X", "Zero Y", and "Zero Z". this will set the origin of your polycarbonate piece.

Section 4 | Loading G-code and starting the route

The next step is to load the G-code. once the CAMed file is uploaded to the flash drive, plug it into the computer that is directly behind the screen. Sometimes the files pop up but you should "X" out of that. Now you move the cursor to the top left of the screen. Click File, then click load G-code. your files from the flash drive will show up and you will open your file to load the G-code. Now lift the router head up about 2-3 inches using the page up key and click start.

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