CNC Router

Carbide 3D CNC Router

The Carbide 3D CNC Router has the ability to cut through soft metals, wood, and plastic. It looks a lot like a 3D printer, but instead of printing a figure, it carves one. This machine has the ability to academically benefit not only STEM majors, but students from a variety of disciplines

Specifications

Travel (X): 8in

Travel (Y): 8in

Travel (Z): 3in

Max Speed (X, Y): 100in/min

Max Speed (Z): 50in/min

Mechanical Resolution: .0005in

Mechanical Repeatability: .0015in

Mechanical Accuracy: .005in/ft

Spindle Power: 50watt

Spindle Speed: 2000 - 10000RPM

Max Cutter Diameter: 1/4in

Power Supply: 240 watt

Voltage: 120/240

Weight: 60lbs

Setting Tool Paths

1. Select the part of your design that you want to cut first
2. Create a tool path by choosing either contour or Vcarve
3. Select the tool you are using for each tool path
4. Leave on automatic speed
5. Set max depth to slightly thicker than desired cut depth
6. Set your offset direction as needed
7. Repeat until all sections of drawing are completed
8. Once all tool paths have been set either save the Gcode to a file. If carbide motion is open and printer is connected send to carbide motion

*if using on Mac make sure screen is maximized so that you can see the save to Gcode and send to carbide motion options

Carbide Create

1. Carbide Create is located on the upper right side of the desktop screen
2. Start by choosing the setting icon in the upper left part of the application
3. Then select the Stock Size, here is were you upload the length and width of the piece of material you are cutting into REMEMBER the length is in inches
4. Next is Stock Thickness, this is how thick the material is
5. The Toolpath Zero is were you're going to set the zero on Carbide Motion (more on this)
6. Then choose the material you are cutting into
   1. Make sure the units are in inches
7. Click okay
8. Next you'll be able to either 'Create Vector' by choosing the options or 'Import' you're own design
   1. When you choose 'Create Vector', select which you want, then make it the size you want
   2. To go back to 'Create Vector' and/or to import another design click 'Unselect'
9. To clear any unwanted designs go back to settings and choose 'clear drawing', this removes everything

choose to make a design, this is located next to the settings icon

1. Then select your design and choose Toolpath
2. Then select V Curve
3. If the tool is correct then click okay
4. If not choose 'edit' and select the correct tool bit size
5. Then choose contour
6. Edit the Max Deph
7. Then choose Offset Direction
   1. This is how the machine will cut into the material
8. Select Okay
9. Then 'Save GCode'
10. Name and save to the desk top
11. Then Open Carbide Motion

Carbide Motion

1. Select 'Load" and load your project to Carbide Motion
2. Then choose 'Jog'
3. Then 'click to Begin Homing'
4. Then 'click to Measure Tool'
   1. If 'Limit Switch Hit' error pops up turn off the machine, unplug it, and push the drill and/or the base then try again. Repeat till it works.
5. Remember where the Toolpath Zero position was set because this is where you set the zero using the X+ X- Y+ Y- and Z+ Z- and how fast it moves. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
   1. If you selected 'Lower Left' in Carbide Create then move the drill bit to that position.
6. Then select 'Set Zero'
7. Choose 'Clear All Offsets' then choose 'Done'
8. Run will then appear, select 'Run'
9. Then wait for your project to be done