Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- equipment:woodshop:woodcnc [2025/10/10 22:46] – fraserh
+++ equipment:woodshop:woodcnc [2025/10/16 21:17] (current) – dave
@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
   * 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.\\
-===== Installing probe pin or cutting bit =====
+===== Installing probe pin =====
 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.
+===== Clamping down stock =====
+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.
 ====Dave====
 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
+{{:equipment:woodshop:pi-office-carbide_create.jpg?400|}}
 Click the connect to cutter button
+{{:equipment:woodshop:connect_to_cutter.jpg?400|}}
 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.