CNC Router Procedures

Power UP

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
#Tool_Change
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"

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

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