5' x 10' CNC Router

Hive13 CNC Projects

CNC Router Build, DIY CNC Router, Gigabot, Hive13 CNC Projects, Hive13 Stepper Motor Driver Board, Inkjet Eggbot, MakerBot, Mendel, Plasma CNC Cutter, Shapeoko CNC Router

Hive13 Equipment
List of All Documented Equipment
Owner/Loaner: Hive13
Hive13 Asset Tag: None
Make/Model: Joe's CNC Evo (google)
Arrival Date: 1/2014
Does it work?: Yes
Certification Needed?: Yes
Contact: Jon
Floorplan: 1C

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Future Revisions

• v1.0 - Fully working CNC (estimated March 2015)
• v1.1 - Vacuum Table
• v1.2 - Plasma cutting attachment
• v1.3 - Laser Attachment

Software Links

• tool path generation
  • http://openscam.com/
  • pycam http://sourceforge.net/projects/pycam/
  • cambam
  • HeeksCNC https://code.google.com/p/heekscnc/
  • Aspire http://www.vectric.com/products/aspire.html
  • Huge list here: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Cam

Certification

You'll need to be certified to operate the CNC machine. This will include a checkout of taking your project and converting it into GCode, copying it to the workstation, safety, dust collection, and tips/tricks. Unlike the other machines in the hive, you'll need to re-certify on this equipment every 3 months. More information, including class materials will be forthcoming.

The CNC machine isn't a toy, and it's something that can be dangerous if operated incorrectly. While I agree that we should require re-certification every three months for use, we should also take a very hard-line stance with working on/near/around the machine. It's also a tremendous asset for the space when used correctly, and I'm hoping that its benefits, when used properly, will outweigh any negative use or damage.

If you would like to become certified please contact Jon, Coy, or Ryan.

The CNC class is at CNC Router Class.

Electronics

We're using MA860H stepper drivers, a generic 5 axis breakout board, with an ethernet smoothstepper.

MA860H stepper

purchased from http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/

File:MA860H stepper driver manual.pdf

Generic 5 axis breakout board

purchased from http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/

Ethernet Smoothstepper

website: http://www.warp9td.com/

Manual https://www.dropbox.com/s/y0z5gkkogjkw9oo/ESS%20User%27s%20Manual%20Rev%200.1.pdf?dl=0

VFD

VFD manual

VFD wiring diagram:

Axis to XLR Connectors

	Pin 1	Pin 2	Pin 3	Pin 4	Pin 5
Motor to Male XLR	Yellow	Blue		Green	Red
Cabling (Female XLR)	White	Black		Green	Red
KStep	B-	B+		A-	A+

Elephant Trunk Wiring

Wire Color	Function
Bare + Shield	Earth
Orange/Blue	W	Spindle
Red/Blue	V
Black/Blue	U
Brown	B+	Z Stepper
Orange	B-
Yellow	A+
Red	A-
Blue	B+	Y Stepper
Black	B-
Brown/Black	A+
Orange/Black	A-
Yellow/Black	B+	X1 Stepper
Red/Black	B-
Blue/Black	A+
Brown/Red	A-
Orange/Red	B+	X Stepper
Yellow/Red	B-
Blue/Red	A+
Black/Red	A-

Signal Cable Wiring

Wire Color	Function
Bare + Shield	Earth (This is connected ***ONLY*** to one side by design!)
Red, Orange, Orange/White	+12VDC
Black, Black/White, Grey	Ground
Green	Emergency Stop #1
Green/White	Emergency Stop #2
Brown	Z Limit Switch
Blue	Y Limit Sensor #1
Blue/White	Y Limit Sensor #2
White	X Limit Sensor
Yellow	Tool Zero

Something else

I'm sure I'm missing something here. Feel free to add/nuke/delete things as needed.

V Carve Markerspace License ID

Please contact the current CTO or the person teaching the certification class for the license key.

Quick Check list

Setup

• Be sure your Rapid Z Gaps and Home Z are above the top of your material.
• Use the Mach2/3 Arcs (inch) (*.txt) postprocessor. Record spindle speed for each tool path.
• Mark your X,Y Datum corner & Z Zero (on the top or bottom of your material).
• Mark your safe nail/screw locations.

Use your eye and ear protection.

Power up: PC; Square D box; white switch: press RUN when “u000.0” blinks on the display Check that all 3 sensors are lit.

Boot Mach3; select “BigCNC”; click OK

Zero X & Y for gantry: Click Reset to green. Click REF ALL HOME.

Click Reset to red. Click Reset to green. Click Zero X and Zero Y to set both values to 0.

Raise the Z axis 2” (Page Up). Move the spindle +6” on X and on Y axes (Cursor keys).

Changing End Mill/Initial Setup Click Reset to blinking red/green.

Install collet: finger tighten collet nut.

Install mill: Loosen nut; Press mill into collet (flutes clear of collet); Finger tighten.

Hold the wrenches as close to the nut as possible & tighten the collet nut < 1/4 turn.

Put the wrenches back on the hooks, don’t leave them on the spoil board!

Do Not Overtighten - this will destroy the threads and render the $600 $pindle u$ele$$!

Zero the Axises

1. Connect Z Zero probe. Click Reset to green.
2. Zero Z: Click Auto Zero Tool; Remove probe.
3. Place your material on the spoil board; secure it square to the machine rails.
4. Move mill to the X,Y Datum corner; Click Zero X. Click Zero Y.

Turn on Dust Collection

1. Place dust collector collar.
2. Close D.C. drum gate.
3. Other gates closed.
4. Turn Dust collector on!

Zero the Z Axis

1. Page Up to put mill 2” above your material.
2. Move the mill for zeroing the in the Z axis.
3. Connect the Z Zero probe.
4. If Z zero set to base of material, place probe on spoil board. If set to top of material, place Z probe on material.
5. Click Auto Zero Tool.
6. Remove probe.

To test a toolpath with an “air cut”

1. set a block of scrap greater in thickness than your material on top of your material.
2. Zero mill to top of block.
3. Set block aside and run toolpath.
4. Re-zero the mill to your toolpath Z Zero.

Performing a Cut

1. Click Load GCode in Mach3;
2. Check GCode for tool path name & installed mill.
3. Click Rewind.
4. Set Spindle Speed to tool path speed;
5. Click Spindle Speed input box;
6. Type in tool path speed; press ENTER
7. Press F5. This starts the mill spinning
8. (->>) Be sure the mill is spinning! (Pressing F5 again will stop the spindle.)
9. Click Cycle Start; be ready to click Stop or Reset, or pull the Emergency Stop cable!
10. When tool path is completed, move the mill away from the material.
11. Click Close GCode.
12. Click Reset to blinking red/green.
13. Change mill. Click Reset to green.

If you have to Stop the machine before the tool path is complete

1. Raise the mill above your material
2. Correct the problem
3. Reset the E stop cable (2 places)
4. Click Rewind .

When project is complete

1. Chop the tabs (mallet & chisel);
2. Remove your project/remove your material.
3. Remove all hold-downs. Please make sure to remove all nails and screws!
4. Clean up chips on the table and the floor!
5. Return the collet to the tray.
6. Power down the router and the dust collector.
7. Quit Mach3. (alt f, shift x)