X-Carve: Example Carve

This tutorial is Part 3 of the X-Carve Router practice example. This portion of the example will explain how to set up the coordinates for your carve, and carve your example part. If you haven't yet, go complete Part 1 and Part 2 first.

Login to Easel and Start a New Project

Part 1: Creating Geometry and Features

Part 2: Setting Up the Machine

Part 3: Carving the Part

Connecting the Computer to the Controller

Only the computer in the Woodshop should be used to run X-Carve programs. It is freely accessible for any members with Woodshop Access.

Step 1:		Log into the computer using following credentials: User Name: Spark Password: User
Step 2:		Open a web browser Go to the Easel login page (the image to the left is a link) Enter your Easel user name and password to log into your Easel account Open the class project you programmed in Part 1
Step 3:		Ensure the E-stop on the X-carve controller is reset by twisting it clockwise.

Homing and Jogging The Machine

You're almost ready to cut your project on the X-Carve. Before you get to carving, there's a few things you'll need to know about controlling the X-Carve spindle position using the computer.

KEEP HANDS AND FINGERS CLEAR OF THE X-CARVE WHEN IT IS OPERATING

Step 1:		There are two buttons in the upper right corner of the Easel window. Depending on the state of the X-Carve controller, they may be blue or green. If the buttons are blue, the X-Carve controller is not connected to the computer. After resetting the E-stop, it may take up to 60 seconds for the controller connection to recover If the buttons are still blue after 60 seconds: Ensure the green Power LED is glowing on the front of the X-Carve controller. If it is not: Ensure the power cord is firmly inserted into the back of the controller Ensure the power cord is plugged into the power strip next to the computer Ensure the power switch on the back of the controller is turned on If the Power LED still does not light, contact the Woodshop Leads for help Ensure the USB cord is fully seated in the front of the controller, and the front of the computer
Step 2:		Once the buttons have turned green, the X-Carve controller is correctly connected to the computer. The Carve... button will be used later. Right now, click the button with four arrows to open the Jog controls.
Step 3:		Easel will ask you to unlock the machine prior to allowing access to the jog controls. Be aware that the machine can start moving by itself from this point forward. Keep hands, fingers, etc. clear of the machine table. Click the Unlock button to access the jog control panel.
Step 4:		Jogging is a method of moving the spindle manually, by directly controlling the machine motors. Jogging the machine does not respect the limit switches. The machine will follow user directions, even when it will damage the machine. Users must use the jog commands carefully and responsibly to prevent breaking the X-Carve. The Jog Machine panel has several sections, which are described in additional detail below. Two general controls should be mentioned first, however. Keyboard Controls: It is easy to overrun the machine travel limits using keyboard commands. Users are requested to limit themselves to the mouse interface. Layout: The layout of the jog panel was recently changed in Easel. The new panel is recommended, and will be used in this guide.
Step 5:		The first part of the jog panel shows the buttons for direction controls. Each set of arrow buttons control a single axis. Home: The Home position of the spindle is in the lower left corner of the table, closest to the controller, with the spindle raised to it's highest possible position. The Home position, relative to the other axes, is represented by the house icon. X-Axis: The X-axis is from the left to right of the machine. Y-Axis: The Y-axis is from front to rear of the machine. Z-Axis: The Z-axis is from up to down relative to the machine table. Also shown is a set of coordinates on all three axes. In this image at left, the machine is in the Home position, and all three coordinate values are zero. Clicking the arrow buttons for each axis will move the spindle in the associated direction. Care should be taken when near the edges of the table to prevent exceeding the limits of machine travel.
Step 6:		The next part of the jog panel shows the options for travel rate, or interval. The interval is the distance traveled by the spindle for each click on one of the directional controls. The standard settings are factors of 10 in inches, but the interval can be set in to millimeters, or set for custom interval values. Due to control issues, users are advised to use only the lower three settings. The travel rate, particularly in the Z-axis, using the highest setting is dangerous for the machine.
Step 7:		The last portion of the jog panel has two buttons on it. Home: This will bring the spindle to the Home position. Pressing the Home button will first bring the Z-axis to the uppermost position, then the X and Y axes to the Home corner. "Homing the machine" is recommended, but not required. It is particular advantageous when multiple carving steps are required, or the same carve is being repeated several times. Work Zero: This will bring the spindle first to the Home position, then to the last Work Zero position. The work zero position is set as part of the Carve setup. The Work Zero button is useful if cutting a project is interrupted. It allows the user to check the work zero, without having to set it again. Additional information on the work zero is found in the carving portion of the example, below.