Embedded Files
HARDWARE INFO
HARDWARE INFO
ShopBot Gantry Tools Documentation
ShopBot Handbook
ShopBot Quick Start Guide
ShopBot User Guide (2015-2020)
Material Hold Down Guide
SBP Programming Handbook
SBP Command Reference - full guide
SBP Command Reference - quick guide
Power Tool Safety
Correctly Assemble and Use a Collet
Machine Basics
Machine Basics
2.2HP spindle
uses ER25 collets
can be wired for either single phase or 3-phase
Power Cable Identification
Yellow Cable -- circuit panel to control box
Black Cable -- control box to VFD
Orange Cable -- VFD to spindle
Power Input Wiring
1-phase - use Shopbot wiring diagram # 10258 / use 20GAA VFD from Shopbot
3-phase - use Shopbot wiring diagram # 10259 / use 12GAA VFD from Shopbot
SOFTWARE INFO
SOFTWARE INFO
Visit this link for info about LightBurn editing and control software
Visit this link for info about Vectric editing and control software
SHOPBOT CONTACT INFO
SHOPBOT CONTACT INFO
ShopBot Tools, Inc
3333B Industrial Drive, Durham NC 27704
919-680-4800
support@shopbottools.com
Talk ShopBot Forum (for help and advice on CNC projects)
Sallye Coyle, Ph.D.
Director of Community Outreach
ShopBot Tools, Inc
Sallye@shopbottools.com
919 906-7228 (cell)
919 680-4800 (ShopBot office)
Aaron
Technical Support Specialist
ShopBot Tools, Inc
3333B Industrial Drive, Durham NC 27704
919-680-4800
support@shopbottools.com
Talk ShopBot Forum (for help and advice on CNC projects)
DETAILS
DETAILS
AS DELIVERED:
VFD - Variable Frequency Drive
Yaskawa V1000 / NEMA4X/IP66
CIMR-VU2A0012GAA
200V 3-Phase 12.0A/11.0A
S/N J0188G238010004
SPINDLE
Model AT/MT 1073-070 - Asynchronous 3-Phase Motor
HSD Y142300095
220V 300Hz 1.7KW 7.5A 2.2HP
S/N 2018023200
USES ER-25 COLLETS
STEPPING MOTORS
Oriental Motor
Model A7328-9412KTG
0.5 degree step / 0.95 Ohms
SB_VMORDERFORM_CO-36056_20240131-084353.PDFCOMMUNICATIONS WITH SHOPBOT
COMMUNICATIONS WITH SHOPBOT
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sallye Coyle <sallye@shopbottools.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 20, 2024 at 9:37 AM
Subject: FW: Robot Garden makerspace
To: ShopBot Support <support@shopbottools.com>
Cc: Tom Manger <tmanger1@gmail.com>
Tom
Thank you for the conversation yesterday.
Support…I spoke with Tom yesterday. He has been gifted a ShopBot and called for power specs and will need tooling, etc. See also photo below.
Tom…if you told me who was doing the gifting, I wrote it on a piece of paper that has gone missing for the moment. If you know the name, we can look up the records in our files to see what we know. I see a Manufactory sticker on the side of the gantry in one photo, but there is no name like that in our current bookkeeping system.
From the photographs, the ShopBot is a standard model, not an alpha model. https://www.shopbottools.com/products/standard The Control Box is longer and narrower rather than more rectangular. The smaller size of the VFD makes it appear to be a 3 Phase VFD, not a single phase. The working area of the machine is 4’ x 4’, the footprint would be closer to 6’ along the rails x ~6.5’ along the gantry.
These are the electrical specs for the standard models of ShopBot. https://shopbottools.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/005340_r1.pdf
It is a single 220 line that is brought into the Control Box, then split to power the Control Box, and the spindle. The power cord from the VFD is fed into the Control Box, and a relay inside the Control Box allows the software to turn the spindle on and off as needed.
I’m including support in this so that they can see where to go with a VFD that is configured for 3 Phase rather than the single phase that you have. The Control Box itself can be set up either way, so that it not a problem. I’m guessing that it is a 2.2HP spindle because that would be the less expensive version of the available spindles. From the gantry, it is a machine built in late 2017 or later.
ShopBot does not have a version of the Auotmatic Tool Changer (ATC) that is a standard control box rather than an alpha control box. So, this is a manual tool change, as are most ShopBots. Easier to set up, no need of a compressor to run the pneumatics for the ATC, no need to teach users of the Maker Space the added layer of tech needed to keep an ATC happy.
That RBK Control box is very stable. It’s a good machine. And, the price is right, so I’d go with it.
Am I seeing that there is a support board and sacrificial board on the table? 2 layers. What about dust collection?
If you have no bits or collets, you will need new ER 25 collets for the spindle, and bits. You might want to start with a “starter bit kit” and some replacement bits. I can help with that once I know what you can find, and what your clients might want to make.
I would also suggest going to the SB website >Support Resources>Documentation>Gantry Tools>Most Popular Documents and Download the CNC Handbook. The digital copy will have lots of information. If you would like a printed copy including laminated cheat sheets to keep by the machine for Maker Space customers, you can order one for $75.
Thank you,
Sallye
Sallye Coyle, Ph.D.
Director of Community Outreach
ShopBot Tools, Inc
Sallye@shopbottools.com
919 906-7228 (cell)
919 680-4800 (ShopBot office)
On Tue, Jan 30, 2024 at 3:22 PM ShopBot Support <support@shopbottools.com> wrote:
Tom,
Thanks for reaching out.
We do not currently have a 110VAC spindle kit for this type of tool.
If you want to switch to a single phase set up for the cutting head that is certainly possible. You will need a different VFD, but the spindle itself can be used for either single phase or 3 phase.
That is the appropriate electrical diagram, which your current tool configuration will be set up for use with the information for the 10259 control box.
To switch to single phase you would instead need the 20GAA VFD, and would use the 10258 electrical configuration.
I never recommend using a plug for any of the incoming power to the tool. It should be hard wired from a breaker panel by a licensed electrician directly into the main disconnect inside of the control box.
If you choose to stick with the 3 phase power then you would need to set it up according to the 10259 diagrams there.
VCarve is not proprietary to the tool specifically, but to the person whom the license is registered to. If you bought this as a Used tool, then the previous owner will need to transfer their VCarve license to be under your name. All Vectric license transfers, downloads, or upgrades must be done through the Vectric Users Portal.
Once the Vectric software license has been transferred under your name you will then be able to log in to the Vectric portal and download the software from there.
Please let us know if you wish for us to quote single phase VFD for this application. If so then we will need the Billing and Shipping addresses that will need to be on the quote.
Best Regards,
Aaron
Technical Support Specialist
ShopBot Tools, Inc
3333B Industrial Drive, Durham NC 27704
919-680-4800
support@shopbottools.com
Talk ShopBot Forum (for help and advice on CNC projects)
On Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 7:20 AM Sallye Coyle <sallye@shopbottools.com> wrote:
Tom,
If the manuals for the ShopBot didn’t make it to your space, here is the link for the documentation https://www.shopbottools.com/support/documentation/gantry. You will want the documentation for standard tools.
When you get the new VFD, you will take off the 3 Phase VFD and then move the bottom bracket holding the VFD to the lower set of holes on the table leg. My suggestion is that you take off the top bracket from the table leg, and attach it to the back of the VFD first. Attach the lower bracket to the table leg, and the hardware for the bottom of the VFD loosely. Lift the VFD and slide it onto the hardware on the bottom bracket. Then, have some help holding the VFD up while you manage to match up the holes on the top bracket to the top holes on the table leg. Sometimes, I jam a small screwdriver through a set of holes to hold the bracket/VFD in place while I mount the hardware in the other set of holes. In other words, the single phase VFD is a heavy beast, and getting it mounted is awkward, but doable.
The orange cable from the spindle goes into the VFD. The black power cable from the VFD goes into the Control Box, and the cable wired into the relay…see instructions in the assembly manual. The electrician will wire the power from the wall into the control box as per the spec sheet sent before. You are responsible for wiring the power from the VFD into the relay contactor, and the “logic cable” from the VFD onto the control board. Then, when everything is powered up and the computer connected to the ShopBot, the SB3 software turns on and off the spindle.
When you are loading the ShopBot software on your computer SB3, if it is a new computer to the software, you can download the latest version from the website. I believe it is 3.8.92. The drivers to run the ShopBot don’t load automatically, so pay attention during the install and read the instructions at the end on how to load the drivers. If the computer has had SB3 on it, then the drivers should be there.
The CNC Handbook can be downloaded. If you want a hard copy for $75, let Support know and they will add it to the VFD shipment. It would be very helpful for your Maker Space to have one on hand…there are cheat sheets for running a file, information on bits/feeds/speeds, hold down, etc. Plus information on tuning up your machine when you get it going.
Good luck,
Sallye
Sallye Coyle, Ph.D.
Director of Community Outreach
ShopBot Tools, Inc
Sallye@shopbottools.com
919 906-7228 (cell)
919 680-4800 (ShopBot office)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sallye Coyle <sallye@shopbottools.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 1, 2024 at 1:42 PM
Subject: RE: FW: Robot Garden makerspace
To: Tom Manger <tmanger1@gmail.com>
Cc: ShopBot Support <support@shopbottools.com>, arlinjv@gmail.com <arlinjv@gmail.com>, Jim Berry <berryjam57@gmail.com>, Victor Wong <vwong@majesticnet.com>
Tom
I can add things to your quote when you are ready to order. If you want to see what they are, you can go the ShopBot store and type in the number I have put next to each item.
I’d start with the ShopBot Starter Bit kit #13699.
It will have a selection of wood bits and bits for plastic, buy only one of each.
Rather than ordering more starter bit kits, I’d suggest replacement bits for often used/often broken bits. Like downspiral for wood #13507
A pack of inexpensive 1/8” bits, cuz they break if you look at them wrong #006588 (that may not be in the store yet.) They require an 1/8” collet
Then, you need collets. You can buy them from ShopBot, or on line. Since you are having a maker space, and members are notorious for misusing collets, you may want your members to purchase their own collets and bits for personal use, and only have the space provide them for classes. That is what the Tech Shop in Durham went to, because it was costing a TON for the space to replace the collets. Purchasing cheap collets dropped bits, so members were not happy at breaking a $35 bit (or more) and being charged for repairing the table. (Ask me how I know=))
ER25 is the model number. Then, the size of the shank of the bit. So ¼” and ½” are going to be the most common, with 1/8” useful. Some people like 3/8” bits.
ER 25 1/8” #13007
ER 25 ¼” #13004
ER 25 ½” #13001
ER 25 3/8” 13010
No problem with moving the control box and VFD to the other side. BTW, they don’t have to be on the same side. With a 4 x 4 machine, the cables are long enough. If you do decide to move the Control Box to the other side, and need to remove the motor cables and input cables to do so, the blue terminal blocks at the bottom of the board can pull straight off rather than having to remove the wires. Contact me when you are ready to do that, because you don’t want to damage a trace behind the terminal block. The one thing that you need to be aware of is that the USB cable from the Control Box to the computer can only be 10’. Do you have the USB cable, or should I add that?
Computer sounds good. You can download the ShopBot software from the website for free. 3.8.92 is the latest. The instructions for downloading the drivers is on the last page of the install.
Enough for now.
Sallye
--------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sallye Coyle <sallye@shopbottools.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Subject: RE: ShopBot Tools: Order # CO-36056 Tracking Information
To: Tom Manger <tmanger1@gmail.com>
Tom
I am going to go back and look at what we talked about a year ago, but this should get you started. See below in Blue
TESTING THE CONTROLLER BOARD
You had mentioned sending us instructionS on how to test the 120VAC controller board. You wanted us to do that before scheduling travel for anyone. So, please, send those instructions ASAP and we'll try to get the testing done this weekend.
There are two sources of power that come into the Control Box: 110 for the drivers, fan, etc, and 220 for the VFD for the spindle. For the VFD (220), the Control box itself can be wired up as single phase or 3 phase…the VFD is different for single phase and 3 phase.
I’ve attached the electrical specs for an electrician. The electrician just needs to pay attention to the upper left corner where it describes the different wiring diagrams.
For the 110, if there is not currently a cable coming from the Control Box, you can “hot wire” the box with an extension cord that has Line, Neutral and Ground. I usually carry one with me, but you can make one yourself…. Just cut off the female end of an outdoor cable and strip the wires back. Wire it into the control box in the area labelled Motor Power on this diagram. Note that this is just to test that the drivers are all working, and possibly the limit switches, etc and is not the final wiring. That must be done by an electrician.
<IMAGE>
Once the 110 is wired in, leave the door open, and turn on the Control Box by turning the big dial at the left. Black circle in the above diagram. If it’s an alpha tool, and there is a pendant with a big red button and a blue reset button and a green Start button, then press the reset button. The contactor should click on.
If it seems like there is power, snap a picture of the lights inside the Control Box, and text or email the picture. Probably best to set up a call, it’s fine to do that over the weekend. 919 906 7228.
Here’s the whole control box. Your basically looking for green lights on the drivers (black boxes circled in green). There are some other lights on the board. To do a full test of whether the motors are moving, the limit switches are good, the Z Zero Plate is working, you will need to have a PC with the ShopBot software loaded on it. You can download the most recent version from the website (www.shopbottools.com) under Support. It’s free. A USB cable (=10ft, not longer) runs from the CB to the computer. Admin privs have to be in place the first time the connection is made. Drivers will have to be loaded, but there are instructions at the end of the install.
Again, I need to look back at the pictures from before to make sure that this is the control box you have.
<IMAGE>
VERIFYING THE 220VAC CONNECTOR
It would be helpful to know the preferred 220VAC electrical connector for this shopbot. We can have verified before you get here. It currently has a 3-phase connector and we need to change it out to single-phase. (We might need to change the installed 220VAC female receptacle as well. That's why I'm verifying this info now.)
ShopBot does not provide the cable from the Control Box to the wall. Most of the time, the electrician hard wires it into the wall. If you want to be able to unplug it, a dryer plug and receptacle will work, but the electrician provides that. In my old shop in NC, I had one outlet for my glass kilns and my ShopBot, and wired up an A/C switch so I could shut off the power to the plug while swapping out the kiln or spindle. I’m not suggesting that that is code=).
TRAVEL
We are located inside the Livermore Municipal Airport (KLVK or just LVK). It's a General Aviation airport so there aren't any scheduled flights in our out. It is all private or private charter traffic. Your best bet is to fly into Oakland International Airport (OAK). It is the closest.
I fly into Oakland all the time, and there are several non-stops from PDX to Oakland. I went to school across the Bay, and there are several ShopBots in the area that I know pretty well. So, let’s work on dates, and we’ll get this thing back to working. I will be heading to NC Nov 7 for about a week, but can work around that.
(My dad was a pilot and I grew up around General Aviation airports.)
There are a number of small hotels located on the north side of the 580 freeway from us. Hilton. Marriott. Holiday Inn Express. Just hop on Google Maps, do a search on "LVK Airport" and you'll see all of the ones nearby.
We are in a hangar located in the NE corner of the airport near the intersection of Airway Blvd and Isabel Ave (aka Rout 84). The closest street address to us is 180 Airway Blvd, Livermore, CA 94551. This address has a small parking lot in front. Someone will need to meet you in this parking lot (outside the secure fence line) and escort you to the hangar.
Let us know of any tools or supplies you'll need to simplify this effort. We're happy to accommodate you as much as possible.
I carry a tool bag with most of the things I need.
<IMAGE>
This is for your electrician. The control box is currently set up for 3 phase power (right hand side) and you have single phase power. Basically, the electrician will just be running L1 and L2 (arrow) and ground above the on/off switch (left hand side, arrow in photo.) If there is a plug at the other end of the yellow cable that those wires are coming out of, only use two of the 3 lines (plus ground) and change out the plug to match a single phase 240 receptable. Better yet is to hard wire to the wall, but that’s up to you. Technically, I can plug something in, but I cannot wire up the control box.
That power supply splits withing the control box, with L1 going to the motor drivers, etc., and L2 going to the contactor that lets the software turn on and off the spindle at the appropriate time.
The black cable feeding into the contactor is coming from the current 3 Phase VFD (circled.) The single phase VFD will have only Black/white and ground (no red cable.) That is cold wiring, so is something I can do.
Once the wiring from the wall is in, you can turn on the Control Box and see if there is power. The motors, etc should come on, even if the VFD is not wired in. You could wait until I get there, but it would be nice to know if we need to replace anything.
As far as scheduling, I’m heading to NC on the 7th, so it’s a bit tight for me to get there before I leave. I’ll be back on the 13th. The 17th – 20th would work. The next week is Thanksgiving, I don’t know what your plans are. We don’t have any of interest.
Have you figured out what you are doing about CAD/CAM software (Vectric.) It would be good to have that settled, because I presume you want to have as much training as you can on that while I’m there.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sallye Coyle <sallye@shopbottools.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Subject: RE: Robot Garden - rust on z-axis linear slide
To: Tom Manger <tmanger1@gmail.com>
Cc: arlinjv@gmail.com <arlinjv@gmail.com>
Hello, Tom and Arlin
I believe December 5th would work just fine, but let me get back to PDX to make sure. I’m hoping to be back late Thursday night.
Steel wool and a little light machine oil like WD 40 would be great for cleaning up that rust. As long as everything is sliding just fine, the critical bits are that the pinion gears are tight in the rack on all 3 axes.
Since you know that 110 power is getting to the Control Box, and once you have the computer and software set up, you can start testing for mechanical adjustments.
Testing Drivers: With the Control Box on (no computer needed for this) and the red remote stop buttons released, stand at each motor and see if you can move the motor along the axis. If each motor is locked in place, that driver is working.
Testing that pinions are seated in the rack correctly: If there is a little bit of motion or clicking, then the driver may be locked in place, but the pinion is not seated in the rack correctly. That’s an easy fix. If the pinions have been used a lot, then they should be replaced. Again, an easy fix, but would require a new set of pinions from ShopBot. Support can quote a new set.
Then, get the computer connected to the ShopBot Control Box (I can help with that over the phone) and the correct .ini file loaded, and started moving the tool around using the Keypad Control.
I’ll check in this coming Friday.
S
DONATION INFO
DONATION INFO
This ShopBot and the Bel-O-Vac were obtained as donations through LiquiDonate.org. Tom subscribes to their service and immediately responded to the email notice when these devices were first offered. The donation info is as follows:
865 Hinckley Road, Burlingame, CA, US , 94010-1502
Jan - 510-847-0538
Jan is Leighland's supervisor
Alec Irion - alec@liquidonate.org
Peter Harten - peter@liquidonate.org
SHOPBOT
OEM site: https://www.shopbottools.com/products/alphaATC
L 72” x H 48” x W 60”
1000lbs
Used but idle shop bot PRS Alpha. Has manual, digital probe, shop bot CAM software, no tooling. OEM site:
BEL-O-VAC MODEL C
OEM site: https://www.belovac.com/model_c_class_4x4.html
L 72” x H 72” x W 48”
800lbs
Used Vacuum Former, has manual, may or may not be missing parts.
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