CNC Router. Cnc Course

Transcription

1 CNC Router A CNC Router is a computer numerically-controlled machine where the tool paths are controlled via computer. It can cut and mill various hard materials, such as wood, composites, aluminium, plastics, and foams. The CNC Router uses a 3 Axis rotating bit to remove material from stock in order to shape a part. 3 Axis means that tool can move simultaneously in all three directions X, Y and Z. Cnc Course Before you can make some great projects on the Cnc router, will you first need to take our Cnc course. Here you will learn the basic skills to use a CNC milling machine. You learn through a hands-on assignment to create toolpaths from CAD file and gain knowledge of gcode programming that controls the machine. You must bring your own computer with Windows. Please install CamBam ( and Camotics ( in advance so we can get started quickly with the course. The price of this course is 400 DKK

2 How to Use the Cnc Router : Step 1: Starting the machine There are a number of components to plug in before we can get started - four to be exact. They are: 1. Power on the Router controller box near the wall by turning the ON/OFF swift. 2. Then press the green start button to start the remote controller. 3. Turn on the dustcollector (remember to check the dustbags) 4. Start the vacuum table by pushing the white button

3 Step 2: Choose your endmill - intro There are a number of different blades to choose from when conducting a project on the CNC router. The router bits we are limited to using are known asendmills, and they take on a number of different shapes and sizes. I'll give a brief crash-course on endmills here. Following are the aspects I hope you will fully understand between completing this course and embarking on your first CNC routing project: 1.Number of flutes 2.Endmill shape: Flat vs. Ball nose vs. V-bits 3.Sizing

4 Step 3: Choose your endmill - flutes Take a look at the first picture included in this step and see if you can notice a difference between the two bits displayed. In case you can't tell, the bit on the left appears to have four edges, whereas the bit on the right only has two edges. These 'edges' are what we call flutes and each serves its own purpose in a CNC project. What is the difference then? I like to describe the difference between two-flute and four-flute endmills as the similar difference between a hacksaw (second photo) and a wood saw (third photo). A hack saw, in case you have never used one, has fine teeth, very close together, making it ideal for sawing though metal pipes or other hard materials. A wood saw has much larger and much fewer teeth than a hack saw - making it ideal for cutting through a softer material like wood. When choosing the correct endmill for the job, just remember that two flute endmills are used for softer materials (ie. plywood, MDF, cedar, etc.) and four flute endmills are used for harder materials (ie. plastics, mahogany, aluminum, teak, etc.).

5 Step 4: Choose your endmill - Shapes Aside from number of flutes, endmills come in a number of different shapes. Flat (aka endmill): Notice the flat profile at the end of the shaft. This flat profile makes this endmill ideal for cutting clean profile cuts, routing pockets, or drilling holes. Ballnose: Notice the rounded top at the end of the flutes. This shape makes this blade ideal for 3D surfacing ONLY. This type of blade is no good for profile cutting. V-bit: Notive the pointed tip of the bit. This shape makes this blade ideal for engraving. Words are especially easy with this bit. Mystery bits: Maybe while searching around for a bit in the 'Endmills' cabinet you came across some interesting bit not listed here. No matter how interesting or perfect for your job that bit may seem DO NOT USE UNCLASSIFIED BITS WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING EITHER THE SHOP MANAGER OR THE CNC ROUTER GURU

6 Step 5: Change the blade/endmill If the endmill you want already is in the machine when you approach.then just check for tightness the following instructions: 1. Place the remote controller in the holder, to secure that the spindle start button not is press under this process. 2. Take the two wrenches from the table and (carefully) loosen the collet from the spindle - mind your knuckles. 3. First remove bit then collet, and put the old endmill at the toolbox before replacing these items 4. Place the new endmill into the collet high enough to grasp a significant portion of the shank - the new endmill can (but need not) stick out of the back of the collet when properly placed (see photo). For smaller endmills, push the endmill into the collet to about 2mm from the start of the helix. 5. Tighten nut/collet/endmill back into the spindle - do not overtighten with excessive force.

7 Step 7: Set up workpiece on table When your are planing to cut your plate, are its importent to check that all the 4 vacuum zones (under the mdf). has the rubber strips place all around the zones edges, to ensure the strangth af the vacuum, he strength of the vacuum determines how much of the air pressure is actually going to work hold down your workpieces. Less vacuum less pressure If your are working with smail plates and its not is filling a whole vacuum zone, can you use plastic plugs and placing a shorter rubber strip in the slits to narrowing it down. Then you place the mdf plate back on the vacuum table, and you are ready to place your own plate on the top and select wishtes to the vacuum zones you would like to use and press the white button to activate the wacuum.

8 Step 8: Set up X and Y axis Now you have to set each axis to zero, so the mill bit only is cutting were its supposed på cut. The tip of the bit should be positioned over the surface of the material at the left back And when are satisfied with new zero you press [ XY=0 ] and [ OK ] Step 8: Set up the Z axis There is two difference ways you can set you can set up the Z axis: The paper method Find a piece of nomal A4 papir and put it between the part and the mill bit, bring the Z carefully down to the paper and when you are 5mm from the top shift to stepper movement by pressing [ ~ ] and you can now safely move closer so the tip just touch the surface of the paper when when you move it between. Then press [ Shift ] + [ XY=0] and [ OK ] and the zero is exactly 0.100mm over the surface now. And the toolsensor method place the toolsensor under the mill bit on the top of the part you wil cut in, and bring the tip of the bit down, so its 8-10mm abort the sensor plate and press [ Shift ] + [ ~ ] and the tool will automatically move down and set the zero point for you. *IMPORTANT! When changing bits between milling operations it will be necessary to reset the z zero coordinate. Do not reset the x, y coordinates.

9 Step 9: upload you file You are now ready to load you file into the cnc controllerbox by using a flashdrive with your NC cutting file from Cambam/fusion 360. Instructions: Put flashdrive into the reader Wait for the Read usb message Press [ok] Find you file by scrolling the usb library Press [ OK ] to upload and [ 1 ] to confirm Put on your ear protection and googles now you can press start [ } Step 10: Act safe CNC Router Safety : Wear eye and ear protection at all times. The Shop will supply you with both goggles and earplugs. Keep the table clean and free of tools and loose materials. Never leave the router running unattended. If you need to leave, please ask someone to watch it for you or pause the job Never lean on the table or rest hands or feet on the router while it is running. Do not attempt to make adjustments or reposition the material while the router is running. Use the dust collector or vacuum while the router is cutting. Good cutting joy...