CNC Router Procedures

Power UP Procedure

• Power up CNC computer
  • Ensure Mach3 is running
• Plug in main power cord for machine
• Release E-stop
• Press 'RESET' in Mach3
• Press 'Ref All Home'
  • Machine will move up in Z, left in X, towards in Y, in that order
• Press E-Stop
• Install collet, collet nut, and cutter
• Release E-Stop
• Jog machine in X & Y to starting position
  • Press "Zero X"
  • Press "Zero Y"
• Jog machine down in Z to touch off cutter to either "Material surface" or "Machine bed" as user defined in VCarve
• Press "Zero Z"
• Load G-Code into Mach3
• Turn on dust collector
• Press "Cycle Start"

Power DOWN Procedure

• Remove material from bed surface
  • Pull out any nails/screws left behind
  • Vacuum up all remaining dust
• Press E-Stop
• Remove collet nut and cutter from spindle
  • Place in CNC tools bin
    • Return bin to drawer under computer
• Unplug main power cord
• Close Mach3
• Shutdown/Power-off computer

Tool Change

• Jog Z-axis up
• Press E-Stop
• Remove collet nut, collet, cutter from spindle
• Select appropriate new cutter
  • Select appropriate collet to match cutter shank diameter
    • Ref: CNC_Router_Collets
• Install collet in collet nut
• Loosely install collet nut/collet in spindle
• Insert new cutter leaving enough stickout clearance for thickness of work material
• Tighten using 2 wrenches in CNC tools bin
  • Excessive tightening is not needed
• Release E-stop
• Press "RESET" in Mach3
• Jog machine down in Z to touch off cutter to either "Material surface" or "Machine bed" as user defined in VCarve
  • May need to jog in X & Y first
• Press "Zero Z" NOT X OR Y
• Jog up in Z above material