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Most definitions here are adapted from Carbide3D’s video series, with small changes for our machine and accessories.
Tip: These are the basics you’ll need for your induction quiz. Links to the original videos are at the bottom if you want to go deeper.

CNC – Computer Numerical Control
A computer-controlled machine that moves a cutting tool with high precision. Our laser cutter, 3D printers, and vinyl cutter are also CNC machines.

CAD – Computer-Aided Design
Software used to design your part. You draw shapes, add features, and prepare them for cutting.

• We use: Carbide Create (free version is fine)
• Why it matters: This is where you create the geometry of your project.

CAM – Computer-Aided Manufacturing
Software that converts your CAD design into movement instructions for the CNC.

• We use: Carbide Motion (pre-installed on the workshop Raspberry Pi)
• Why it matters: This is the “translator” between your design and the machine.

G-code The text-based “language” CNC machines read. Generated automatically by CAD/CAM software. You don’t need to write it manually.

Axes

• X: Left ↔ Right
• Y: Front ↔ Back
• Z: Up ↔ Down

Tip: Y has the “Y rails” and Z is the vertical axis — that leaves X as side-to-side.

Home Position – The fixed point the machine returns to after startup.
Work Zero – Your chosen starting point for a specific job (usually a corner or centre of the stock).

Vector Graphics
Drawings made of lines and points (e.g., SVG files). Ideal for CNC because the machine can follow their coordinates exactly.

Toolpaths
The routes your cutter will follow. Defined in CAD, turned into G-code in CAM.

Stock – The material you’re cutting.
Spoilboard – A sacrificial board under the stock to protect the machine.
Workholding – Clamps or other methods to secure your stock so it doesn’t move.

Feed Rate – How fast the cutter moves through the material (X/Y).
Plunge Rate – How fast the cutter moves down into the material (Z).
Spindle Speed – How fast the bit spins (RPM), adjusted on the router dial.

Why it matters: These three settings determine cut quality and safety. Carbide Create has safe starting values for common materials.

End Mill / Bit – The cutting tool.

• Flat End Mill – Flat tip, general-purpose cutting.
• Ball End Mill – Rounded tip, for 3D contours and smooth finishes.
• V-Cutter – Angled tip, ideal for engraving and sign work.
• Fly Cutter – Large flat cutter for surfacing spoilboards or material tops.

Flutes – The cutting edges on a bit. More flutes = smoother cut, fewer flutes = faster removal.

Upcut / Downcut – Direction of flute spiral:

• Upcut: Pulls chips up and away (better chip removal, but can lift stock).
• Downcut: Pushes chips down (better surface finish, but can trap chips).

Shank size – the size of the diameter of the solid part of the bit, two sizes are currently supported by our router:

• 1/8 - 1/8 inch (3.175mm).
• 1/4 - 1/4 inch (6.35mm).

2D Machining – Cutting shapes at a constant depth.
2.5D Machining – Multiple depths, but cutting one flat layer at a time (e.g., pockets + cutouts).
3D Machining – Machine moves in X, Y, and Z simultaneously to create complex curves.

Emergency Stop (E-stop) – Red button to immediately stop the machine.
PPE – Safety glasses, hearing protection, dust mask.
Dust Collection – Removes chips and dust from the work area.

• Carbide3D Getting Started with CNC - A text and video series that will give you a simple introduction to the world of CNC.
• Carbide3D Jumpstart course - A text and video series that takes you through designing and making several projects.
• Carbide 3D YouTube Page - Contains a large number of helpful videos with guides and tips.

• Remove the padlock and turn the isolator to power on the machine, the enclosure lights should turn on.
  
• Is the Raspberry Pi isn't already running press the silver button to boot it up.
  
• Rotate the emergency stop button clockwise to reset it if required.
  
• Check that the belts look in good condition, no cuts of frays.
  
• Check that there is no thick dust build up on top of the big silver gantry's.
• Check that there is nothing left loose inside the enclosure that could jam the movement of the router.

• Start Carbide Motion by pressing the raspberry button in the top left → Office → Carbide Motion
  
• Press the “Connect to cutter” button
  
• Press on “Initialise Machine”. The router will move to the rear rightmost point first and will then move to the front allowing you to install the probe pin or cutting bit.
  

The first step is to install the correct collet for the size of the bit you’ll be using. To change the collet, use a 17 mm spanner to loosen the collet nut on the bottom of the router. Press and hold the yellow spindle lock button (on the lower right of the router) to stop the shaft from spinning. Remove the collet nut and old collet together, then fit the new collet and collet nut using the same process in reverse.

Choose the probe pin that matches the size of the collet you’ve just fitted. The probe pins are straight metal rods. Insert the pin into the collet and tighten the nut by hand. Use the measuring guide to check the pin isn’t sticking out too far. Once correct, hold the spindle lock and tighten the nut with the 17 mm spanner.

In Carbide Motion press the Jog button to enter the Jog Screen. You can use the buttons on the screen or the pendant to move the router around.

Place your stock on the spoilboard so it’s aligned with the grid. The spoilboard has threaded holes spaced 100 mm apart, and the grid lines are aligned with the machine’s X and Y motion. This makes it easy to square your stock with the router’s movement. Use the small stop blocks on one side to position the stock — each block has two smooth sides and two with small serrations. The serrated sides give better grip but can leave small marks on the stock. Use the Crush-It clamps on the opposite side to hold the stock securely. Each clamp has replaceable front jaws (smooth or serrated) for different materials. Loosen, but don’t remove, the front screw on the clamp. Position the clamp tight against the stock and bolt it down. Then tighten the front screw to push the clamp face firmly against the stock. Make sure the clamps don’t block the toolpath and use bolts of the correct length — too long and they can bottom out in the threaded holes. Tighten evenly so the stock sits flat and secure.

Turn on isolator and boot raspberry PI.

Turn on red emergency button if needed

Start Carbide Motion by clicking the raspberry button in the top left → Office → Carbide Motion

Click the connect to cutter button

Give the CNC a visual check to make sure everything looks OK

Click initialise machine and the spindle moves forward

Remove dust shoe using clip on right and using the 17mm spanner and the yellow locking button on the side of the router fit the probe pin which is the same size as your bit bearing in mind you might have to change between the 1/8 and ¼ collet.

In Carbide Create press the Jog button in the top menu and using either the on screen pad or the pendant, move the router to the back of the enclosure.

Clamp stock to bed making sure it doesn’t move

Move the router into the bottom left corner, attach the probe magnet and touch the probe to the probe plate and you should see a red light.

Put the probe plate tight to the bottom left of your stock and using the jog screen or the pendant move the probe into the circle in the probe plate.

In Carbide Motion click Probe → corner → Begin Probe

Remove magnet and probe plate when it asks you to remove ground clip. Make sure you are clear as the head will move when you click OK.

Go back to run menu Plug in USB stick and click cancel to the popup. Click the load new file button and navigate to computer → / → media → cncuser → your USB drive and confirm from description that you have loaded the correct file, there are some preview tabs to see what is going to be cut. Press Done. press start job. Then press start on next screen Spindle will move to front right and the screen will ask you to fit your first bit, fit bit, make sure bit doesn’t stick out lower than the bitsetter measurer. you might need to adjust height of dust shoe.

Fit the dust shoe, close doors and press resume. Spindle will spin up and there will be a message to set the speed dial. If the dial is correct just hit resume, if you need to change it open the door, the spindle will stop, set the speed, close the door and hit resume, the first job will start and start cutting. Opening the doors whilst cutting pauses the job, you can close the doors and press start to resume where you left off. Hitting the Estop kills power to the controller and spindle.