Important - You Break It, You Fix it

1. Get the latest updates by reading this page before you use it. ALWAYS!

2. For best results, reboot computer before each job.

3. Do an Air Cut. Always test your toolpath first.

4. Shut down CNC controller and computer when the job is complete.

5. Clean up after you are done. Follow the rules to keep your CNC router privileges.

Rules

• Bring your own router bits and end mills.

• Use a spoil-board. Spoil-board should be larger than the piece you are cutting so that it can be adequately secured to the surface. There may be some spoil-boards under the CNC Router.

• Bring your own lumber. There may be some scraps that are free to use and they will be marked accordingly:

  • Purple - Free to use by Members

  • Orange - Reserved for Makerspace Projects

  • Red - Reserved for Firestorm Robotics

• Always clean up. The dust collector will not capture 100% of the sawdust. You need to vacuum the surface, under and around the machine and any part where sawdust has accumulated.

• Leave no trace. Do not leave your scraps here unless it is big enough to be useful to others. Scraps should be trimmed square so the outline of your artwork is no longer visible. If our scrap area is full, then everything goes out with you.

Mach3 Controller

Router uses Mach3. Toolpaths generated by MasterCAM, VCarve Pro or any compatible CAM system can be used as long as they are configured properly.

Workholding

1/2" T-tracks, spaced 12"x12" provides a lot of clamping flexibility. Since the tracks are only 1/4" from the surface, a separate spoil-board is required when using the router.

Auto Tool Zero

The computer connected to the router has installed. Members can install the free VCarve Pro Makerspace Client Edition on their own machines. The client edition lets you do everything the Makerspace Edition except saving toolpaths. Just save your work to a flash drive and save the toolpath when you are at the makerspace.

How to Use

We are not going to reinvent the wheel. Vectric has a lot of on their site. Beginners must watch The Basics and finish the rest as needed.

Configuration

Our router is configured to use the long side as the X-axis (landscape mode). This way, when you are standing in front of the computer screen but facing the machine, the X-axis goes left to right, Y-axis goes from nearer to farther as expected. The machine homes on X-min and Y-min.

This toolpath uses a 3" surfacing bit. There is a -1.5" offset on the Y-axis so that you can Set Y Zero using the edge of the surfacing bit. It has a cutting depth of 0.02" (0.508 mm).

Instructions

• Make sure router surface is clear. Raise spindle about 2" off the surface.

• Click on Ref All Home

• Zero the X Axis

• Move the Y Axis until the edge of the cutting bit is on top of the edge of the board.

Links

• Hitachi WJ200 Product Page

• Hitachi WJ200 Quick Reference

• Hitachi Wj200 Instruction Manual

UGRA Spindle Settings

The following settings were provided by UGRA CNC. These are the last good known setting for the VFD. In most cases, you should not need to change these settings.

If any of the firmware setting was changed and the spindle no longer operates, you may need to do a factory reset and manually enter the settings below.

This toolpath uses a 3/8" end mill. Origin is at the lower right corner of the bed outside the MDF sheet. It has a cutting depth of 0.9".

Instructions

• Make sure router surface is clear. Raise spindle about 6" off the surface.

• Remove endmills.

• Install dust brush attachment.

• Click on Ref All Home.

• Zero the X and Y Axis.

• Lower the spindle until dust brush touches the surface then lower another 1/4".

• Zero the Z Axis.

• Run the program.