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| Contact CNC Area Host for information on who conducts authorizations. If you are unable to get a response within 48hrs, post a request for authorization on the Pumping Station: One private Google Group. | | Contact CNC Area Host for information on who conducts authorizations. If you are unable to get a response within 48hrs, post a request for authorization on the Pumping Station: One private Google Group. |
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− | == Preflight Checklist ==
| |
| | | |
− | 1. Visual quick-inspection of the machine to confirm nothing is broken or out of wack
| + | == Operation == |
| | | |
− | 2. Plug in both the white (spindle) and black (Motion Control Board) power cords
| + | === Setup === |
| + | * With power off, ensure that you can move the carriage smoothly without it catching or having too much play. If it skips or bumps, clear out debris with a vacuum. (The machine generates a ton of dust, so having the vacuum on hand is helpful.) |
| | | |
− | 3. Confirm
| + | * Check that the belts aren't loose. |
| + | |
| + | * Ensure that all surfaces are clean so that the workpiece sits flat. |
| + | |
| + | * If you will be cutting all the way through your piece, put a piece of scrap between the work surface and your piece to protect the surface. (No wasteboard on this machine.) |
| + | |
| + | * Visually inspect the machine to make sure nothing is broken or out of wack. |
| + | |
| + | * Plug in both the white (spindle) and black (Motion Control Board) power cords |
| + | |
| + | === Workpiece Setup === |
| + | * Clamp work to the surface with the toe clamps (in the black bag or clear plastic tub.) |
| + | ** Toe clamps need to be pushing down - so that the toe is angled down towards the workpiece - not angled up. |
| + | ** After setting the height with the toe's rear bolt, lightly finger-tighten the bolt near the piece. |
| + | ** Do not over-tighten: if you over-tighten, the force can pull up the work surface. |
| + | * Check the envelope of the machine to ensure it will not crash into the rear dust guard - the grid of the work surface does not necessarily correspond to the grid in Easel. |
| + | |
| + | === Collet & Bit Setup === |
| + | * Put the bit (1/8" shank) into the collet. |
| + | ** The further in it goes, the more secure the bit is, but make sure that the flutes are not inside the collet. |
| + | ** If the bit is too deep in the collet, it can bottom out inside the spindle when you begin to tighten the collet. |
| + | * Use 14mm wrenches (in the black bag) to tighten the collet. You don't need to over-tighten the collet - hand tighten, not gorilla tighten. |
| + | |
| + | === Carving with Easel === |
| + | * Select the correct material for the workpiece. |
| + | * Set the appropriate bit parameters (e.g. upcut, ⅛" shank, number of flutes, bit shape). |
| + | * Create your design, ensuring that you are leaving enough space from toe clamps. |
| + | * Click carve. |
| + | * Turn on the machine by pulling up on the button. |
| + | * Click Unlock Without Homing. ("Home Machine" will send the machine to where it thinks is home.) |
| + | * Home the machine: align the endmill with the bottom left corner of the workpiece (or wherever you want to set as home). Bring the bit down to just touch the workpiece. |
| + | ** (You will need to reset the Z every operation. The machine loses Z calibration after each run, though it keeps XY home information.) |
| + | * Click "Confirm home position" |
| + | * Set the spindle speed with the control knob to desired speed. |
| + | * Click Carve. |
| + | * You may want to have the vacuum on hand to avoid overaccumulation of waste and dust. Avoid starting fires. |
| + | |
| + | ==Chip Load Calculation== |
| + | *[http://www.pdsspindles.com/engineering-speeds Bit Parameter Overview by PDS Spindles] |
| + | *[http://www.monstertool.com/monster_tool_calculators.html Monster Tools Chip Load Calculator] |
| + | *[http://www.pdsspindles.com/admin/modules/page_editor/uploads/image/Chip%20load%20for%20common%20tool%20diameters%20(Inches).jpg Chip Load Chart by PDS Spindles] |
| | | |
| == Known Issues == | | == Known Issues == |
| + | * You will need to reset the Z after every carve operation. The machine loses Z calibration after each run, though it keeps XY home information. |
| + | * If you're having issues connecting to the Arduino, reboot the PC. It's good practice to start work by rebooting the PC regardless. |
| | | |
| == Modifications == | | == Modifications == |
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| [http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/G-Code GRBL G & M Codes] Great G and M-code library of GRBL-supported codes (worth familiarizing yourself with) | | [http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/G-Code GRBL G & M Codes] Great G and M-code library of GRBL-supported codes (worth familiarizing yourself with) |
| | | |
− | ===Chip Load Calculation===
| |
− | *[http://www.pdsspindles.com/engineering-speeds Bit Parameter Overview by PDS Spindles]
| |
− | *[http://www.monstertool.com/monster_tool_calculators.html Monster Tools Chip Load Calculator]
| |
− | *[http://www.pdsspindles.com/admin/modules/page_editor/uploads/image/Chip%20load%20for%20common%20tool%20diameters%20(Inches).jpg Chip Load Chart by PDS Spindles]
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| == Certified Users == | | == Certified Users == |