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When you want a consistant X and Y zero point the best way to do that on the CNC is by using a fence. I've designed a fence to fit into my custom wasteboard. Now you can get consistent clamping and zeroing with large or small pieces.
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 Ever wanted to control your CNC when your not in front of your computer. Here's one simple solution that's less than $20 and takes zero programming knowledge.  I usually design all my things in Vetric. Sometimes, I design in Carbide Create. While it is fantastic FREE software that pairs with the Carbide 3D Shapeoko and Nomad, it does have it's limitations. One of these is the inability to export .svg files for use in other CNC cad programs. So far, i've found 3 ways of doing it. None of them are perfect, but it's better than not being able to do it at all. Option 1. Convert C2D To SVG : An amazing member of the unofficial Shapeoko and Nomad Facebook group created this simple program wrapped in an .html that works in a web browser. It's worked well for simple projects for me but it technically does not support curves. Click HERE to download Option 2. Cutrocket.com : This is a website built by Carbide 3D as a way to share projects and download completed projects for free. If you upload the .c2d file to cutrocket.com it will make a .svg preview and you can download it in your web browser (if it supports .svg file types) Option 3. G Code Ripper : This is a free program. You'd have to create your .nc G-code file with Carbide Create, then open it up with G-Code Ripper and export it to .dxf. Then you should be able to open the .dxf with a compatible CAD application. I decided to create another clamping option to assist in holding down material. I came up with these L shaped brackets. One has 5 holes that will directly fit my threaded wasteboard file, and the other has slots so you can adjust the fit anyway you'd need to according to what the material needs (I'm imagining its good for round stock). This will work on any branded CNC, but are built specifically for my wasteboard and the Shapeoko 3. Carbide Create is required to open the file, but it will create g code for use on any g code sender (i.e. UGS, Carbide Motion, Easel) Part 3 of the series, I used some advanced features to design a wooden sign. I go over using multiple bits and toolpaths, importing vectors, offset vectors, v carving, aligning vectors, along with many others. In Part 4, I cut out the sign using the g-code created from this file. I created this video series aimed at the true beginner to hobby CNC's. Although Carbide Create is made for the Shapeoko, it can be used for any CNC because it just generates G-Code. Please leave any info i left out that you want to know about in the comments below. I'll be out with more videos soon. Here's the file I created so you can check it out for yourself : Cowart.c2d (requires carbide create to open) Carbide 3D Shapeoko 3 XXL : http://bit.ly/shapeoko Asus Rog Laptop : https://amzn.to/2R9uhvB Suck It Dust Boot: http://bit.ly/suckitdustboot Touch Probe : http://bit.ly/touchprobe J Tech Laser : http://bit.ly/jtechlaser (use code myers for 10% off)
I hope this has been helpful! Happy cutting! -Ben So you just installed a new wasteboard or you need to flatten your current one because its carved into way to much. In this blog post I'll walk you through just how to do it. When you first install your new wasteboard its important to flatten it. While the board my be visually flat, it will probably not be flat relative to the router. This is important because it will be different heights across the wasteboard. What could be 1 inch away from the router on the left side of the board could be 1 1/4 inches different on the right side. This is especially important when engraving or v carving fine details when the depth of cut is only 1/4 or less. It would end up cutting on one side and completely miss the board on the right. There are a few factors as to why it wont be perfectly flat to the router. The wasteboard thickness could be inconsistent from the factory, the machine could not be square, or you could have some sag in the span of the wasteboard.  I needed a mobile workbench for my heavy CNC machine. It's a shop build, so I don't want to spend a lot of time or money on it. I needed something quick and easy. I focused on making this build accessible to everyone's skill level and easy on the wallet. You could make this with only a drill and circular saw. I'll walk you through how to build it step by step. Total build time is around 1 hour. I built this to size specifically for my Carbide 3D Shapeoko XXL CNC machine, but you can put anything you'd like on it. It's perfect for the small shop where space is a premium. So you just got a Shapeoko touch probe and love it. However, you have no clue where to store it. Unfortunately, when not in use, the touch probe and the alligator clip can be a burden finding a safe and secure place to store it where they won't be in the way of moving parts. This mount helps solve that problem. Its 3D printed from PLA material. It can be mounted with glue, double sided tape, or with a few screws through the flat part of the base. Check out my Etsy listing to buy your own. Have your own 3D printer? Click HERE to download the file and print one for yourself! Don't have a 3D printer but want one? I recommend the Creality Ender 3! Click HERE to buy from Gearbest or HERE to buy from Amazon Check out my YouTube unboxing of it HERE Now that you followed my previous blog and created your own threaded waste board, it's time to make some clamps for it. You could buy some clamps like the Rockler Hold Down Clamps or Oops Clamps from Suck It but we want some clamps that will clamp from the side and not have to worry if we hit them accidentally with a bit. We're going to be making some Cam Clamps. We'll be using the hardware you bought from the waste board blog post to hold them down (but I'll link them below also). You'll need at least a 1' x 1' x 3/4 piece of mdf (or plywood) as the material to make them out of (it's ok if you have a bigger piece, there will just be waste left over). If you bought a 4x8 sheet of mdf to make the waste board, you should easily have enough left over for this project. Myers Woodshop Cam Clamps (right click, save as) OR Consider buying the file from my etsy shop. It helps support what i do so I can create more free content :) It also includes an .SVG file for those who want to use a different program. |
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