CNC 3020 Router

Instead of using this template consider typing "Removed" in the "Where" category of the Template:EquipmentPage Back to list of Equipment

  This equipment is no longer available at Pumping Station: One

Label

General

• Owner/Loaner: ?
• Serial Number: ?
• Make/Model: ?
• Arrival Date: ?
• Usability: yes
• Contact: Elizabeth
• Where: No longer at PS1
• Certification Needed: yes
• Hackable: no
• Estimated Value: ?

Documentation

Machine:

• MIB 3020
• Work Area 8" x 12" x 3"
  • Max Stock Height over bed: 2.25"
• Spindle: ER11A Collet (1/8 installed typically) 48VDC 200 watts 51mm diameter
• Rotary Axis
  • Max Diameter: ??
  • Height off Bed: ??
  • Construction:
    • Bearings: TBD

Controller

• Mach3 (Bart's License)
• Use configuration: MIB_CNC.xml

CAM

• Aspire (Bart's License)

Training Checklist

• Review Safety
  • Equipment
    • Safety glasses should be worn by anyone within about a 1 meter radius
    • Hearing Protection is optional but recommended
    • Mask should be worn when cutting dusty materials (MDF, Composites)
    • Vacuum. Hold a vacuum right up to the cutting area when using dusty or dangerous things (fiberglass, composities, MDF)
    • Bits are razor sharp so be careful handling or installing them. Most of the injuries I see are when the machine is off. #1 is bumping you hand into the bit in the spindle when setting up your work.
    • Pinch Points all over the place that can crush fingers.
• What Can Go Wrong
  • Piece of material stuck on bit. If a piece of material breaks loose and gets caught on the bit turn off the machine and get away. The bit could snap and the material plus sharp bit could fly off.
  • Bit can break
  • Crash into clamps - damage spindle
    • It happened before...they are not too expensive.
  • Overheating Material - Smoldering embers can start a fire. Some super cheap plywoods and strand board have glues that cause this to happen

• Learn about Machine
  • Power On (don't worry about limits button)
  • Turning on Spindle - It now works via Mach3 control!
  • End Stops - I don't know how reliable they are. I don't suggest using them.
  • E-Stop (kills power to drivers and spindle, but Mach3 does not know)
  • Sacrificial Surface on top of bed - allows you to cut things out without damaging the bed.
  • Clamping
  • Lubrication: If you use it, clean it up thoroughly

• Learn about Mach3 Machine control (not gcode (cut files) yet)
  • Use profile (icon) on desktop called "Use This One" (MIB_CNC)
  • Ignore start up error
  • Resetting. It starts in e-stop (reset) mode. Click reset to clear that
  • Jogging - Slow and Fast Arrow for X,Y and pgup/pgdown for Z. Shift for fast jog.
  • Zeroing. Click buttons next to DROs to zero.
  • Does not matter if you "save the fixture" when you quit
  • Show the rotary attachment under the table

• Notes on Bits (tools, end mills, etc)
  • In General - low flute couts (1 or 2)
  • Woods
    • Straight flutes are preferred
  • Plastics
    • Spiral upcut - Large "O" flutes if possible
  • Pro Tip: Get the Inventables End Mill Starter Kit.

• Learn about CAM (Aspire)
  • Profiles
    • Material Tabs (keep work attached)
  • Pockets
  • Drilling
  • Feeds and Speeds
  • Use "Mach2/3 Arcs (inch) (*.txt)" post processor when saving the tool paths

• Transfer GCode to Mach3
  • View toolpath
  • You can jog around while the toolpath is showing to see it it is going to cut where you thought it would.
  • Regen Toolpath (after jogging)
  • Checking clamps
  • Feedrate offset. This can be used to slow down a job. Use might want to start below 100% to verify the machine can handle the feedrate you chose.

• Running Job
  • Make sure spindle is on. Mach3 will turn it on, but it is best to do it manually (via Mach 3 button) to verify the speed.
  • Start
  • Pause (Controlled stop that could move a few inches before stopping)
  • E-Stop - Can destroy your project because there is no controlled deceleration
  • Listen to the machine and adjust feedrate.

Feed Rate Tips

Add your experiences here

Oak Cut well with a 1/8 end mill, 18 inches per minute and 0.08 depth per pass.

Certified Users

qualified member	trained by
Bart	Himself as he got it working
Ryan Pierce	Bart Dring
Ron Bean	Bart Dring
Josh Cooper	Bart Dring
Arturo Duarte	Bart Dring
Elizabeth Koprucki	Bart Dring
Juan Robles	Bart Dring
Justin T. Conroy	Bart Dring
Abel Villanueva	Bart Dring
Eric Maxon	Bart Dring
Rob Riggs (Colorado Rob)	Bart Dring
Michael Skilton	Bart Dring
Sloan Lavery	Bart Dring
Dean Anderson	Bart Dring
Jesse Reynolds	Bart Dring
Tom Forajter	Bart Dring
Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin	Bart Dring
Ken Schutte	Bart Dring
David Ditzler	Bart Dring