CNC Training
Use of the CNC is restricted to paying members that have attended a CNC workshop or has been trained and observed by a qualified trainer. Contact [[email protected]] for more info.
Training Checklist
- Introduction/walk around
- Dust Collection
- Machine Bed
- Router – Collets - Cutters
- Gantry/Moving Parts
- PC & Software Locations
- Material Storage
- Jogging control
- Health & Safety Risks
- Dust
- Noise
- Fire
- Trapping
- Burns
- Loss of Limb or Digit
- Safety Equipment
- Ear Protection
- Safety Goggles
- Machine Startup & Positioning
- Power on PC and start Mach3
- Power up main switch
- Check dust collection is functional and not full
- Job Setup – Demo piece
- Cambam quick guide
- Workholding, Clamping and work positioning
- Tool Selection & Collet sizes
- Zero work
- Load G-Code
- Air cut
- Turn on router and adjust speed
- Dynamically adjust stepper speed rate
Do Not Leave The Machine Unattended While Running A Job!
Goals of CNC training
CNC is all about processing gcode. The process is -
- Design
- Convert
- Cut
Design Options
- Inkscape
- TinkerCAD
- Sketchup
- AutoCAD
- Other CAD software
Convert
- gcodetools
- CAMBAM
- ???
Cut
- Mach3
- LinuxCNC
Using Mach3
- Pin/Port, motor, and GCODE configuration
- Jogging the machine
- Setting the home point
- Testing the cuts
- Changing the bits
- Dust collection
- Changing the speed
- Rewind/Reset
- The STOP button and limit switches
Preparing the machine
- NEVER move the motors manually while connected to control box - it can damage the electronics.
- Zero the spindle high above
- Test the gcode
- Zero the spindle for real
- Monitor the cut, adjusting speed as needed.
Preparing the workpiece
- double sided tape
- screws (and sanding smooth)
- clamps and dog holes?
- vacuum table would be cool
- dust control
- Leveling the table to the gantry
Common problems
- Run out
- Bad gcode
- Bad cuts - too fast, too dull, too deep
- wrong units (mm vs inches)
- wrong arc method (absolute vs relative)
- stuck limit switch
- cheap control box (prone to break or overheat?)
- watch out for obstructions (this also means screw and clamps)