CNC Router
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Contents
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
- Select the part of your design that you want to cut first
- Create a tool path by choosing either contour or Vcarve
- Select the tool you are using for each tool path
- Leave on automatic speed
- Set max depth to slightly thicker than desired cut depth
- Set your offset direction as needed
- Repeat until all sections of drawing are completed
- 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
Setting Up the CNC Machine
Carbide Create
- Carbide Create is located on the upper right side of the desktop screen
- Start by choosing the setting icon in the upper left part of the application
- 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
- Next is Stock Thickness, this is how thick the material is
Carbide Motion
- Select 'Load" and load your project to Carbide Motion
- Then choose 'Jog'
- Then 'click to Begin Homing'
- Then 'click to Measure Tool'
- 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.
- 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.
- If you selected 'Lower Left' in Carbide Create then move the drill bit to that position.
- Then select 'Set Zero'
- Choose 'Zero All' then choose 'Done'
- Run will then appear, select 'Run'
- Then wait for your project to be done