CNC 3020 Router

CNC 3020 Router

Owner/Loaner	?
Serial Number	?
Make/Model	?
Arrival Date	?
Usability	yes
Contact	Elizabeth
Where	CNC table in the shop
Authorization Needed	yes
Hackable	no
Estimated Value	?
Host Area	{{{hostarea}}}

Documentation

Machine:

• MIB 3020
• Work Area ?? x ?? x ??
  • Max Stock Height over bed.
• 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.
• 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
  • 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 - allows you to cut things out without damaging the bed.
  • Clamping

• Learn about Mach3 Machine control
  • Use profile on desktop called "Use This One" (MIB_CNC)
  • Ignore start up error
  • Resetting
  • Jogging - Slow and Fast
  • Zeroing

• 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

• 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 toolpaths

• 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