Difference between revisions of "X-Carve: Example Carve"

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(Created page with "Category:Woodshop Category:X-Carve Category:Woodshop Class This tutorial is Part 3 of the X-Carve Router practice example. This portion of the example will exp...")
 
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** 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.  
 
** 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.   
 
** Additional information on the work zero is found in the carving portion of the example, below.   
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|-
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==Carving!==
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Finally, it's time to actually make chips. There are three portions of this step: preparing the cut, setting up the work zero, and cutting the part.
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===Preparing===
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 1:
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|[[file:|center]]
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|
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Press the Carve Button
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 2:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Confirm Material Thickness
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 3:
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|[[file:|x150px|center]]
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|
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Confirm material correctly clamped
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 4:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Confirm bit is correct and installed
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|-
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|}
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=== Setting Work Zero: Probe ===
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 1:
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|[[file:|center]]
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|
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Choose the Probe option
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 2:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Jog spindle over material
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 3:
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|[[file:|x150px|center]]
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|
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Plug lead into Z-axis carriage
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 4:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Attach clip to collet
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 5:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Touch plate to bit
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 6:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Place plate below bit
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 7:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Press go!
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 8:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Watch system probe Z
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 9:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Remove probe and return to tool tray
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 10:
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|[[file:|x300px|center]]
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|
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Set X-Y Zero by jogging
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|-
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|}
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=== Setting Work Zero: Manual ===
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 1:
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|[[file:|center]]
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|
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Press the Manual button
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 2:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Touch the bit to the corner of the part
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|-
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|}
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=== Carve Start and Operation ===
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 1:
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|[[file:|center]]
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|
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Check the router speed
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Power router on
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 2:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Confirm spindle is running
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 3:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Press Carve button
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 4:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Mid-carve controls
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 5:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Done!
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|-
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! scope="row" | Step 6:
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|
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[[File:|center]]
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|
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Clean up
 
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|-
 
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Revision as of 21:17, 27 May 2023

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:
WS X-Carve ApproachMarkup.png

Log into the computer using following credentials:

  • User Name: Spark
  • Password: User
Step 2:
WS X-Carve EaselLogin.png
  • 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:
WS X-Carve E-StopMarkup.png
  • 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:
WS X-Carve CarveButtonBlue.png

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:
    1. 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
    2. Ensure the USB cord is fully seated in the front of the controller, and the front of the computer
Step 2:
WS X-Carve CarveButtonMarkup.png

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:
WS X-Carve JogLockMarkup.png

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:
WS X-Carve JogPanel.png

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:
WS X-Carve JogPanelAxes.png

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:
WS X-Carve JogIntervalMarkup.png

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:
WS X-Carve JogPanelLocations.png

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.

Carving!

Finally, it's time to actually make chips. There are three portions of this step: preparing the cut, setting up the work zero, and cutting the part.

Preparing

Step 1: [[file:|center]]

Press the Carve Button

Step 2:

[[File:|center]]

Confirm Material Thickness

Step 3: [[file:|x150px|center]]

Confirm material correctly clamped

Step 4: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Confirm bit is correct and installed

Setting Work Zero: Probe

Step 1: [[file:|center]]

Choose the Probe option

Step 2:

[[File:|center]]

Jog spindle over material

Step 3: [[file:|x150px|center]]

Plug lead into Z-axis carriage

Step 4: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Attach clip to collet

Step 5: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Touch plate to bit

Step 6: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Place plate below bit

Step 7: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Press go!

Step 8: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Watch system probe Z

Step 9: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Remove probe and return to tool tray

Step 10: [[file:|x300px|center]]

Set X-Y Zero by jogging

Setting Work Zero: Manual

Step 1: [[file:|center]]

Press the Manual button

Step 2:

[[File:|center]]

Touch the bit to the corner of the part

Carve Start and Operation

Step 1: [[file:|center]]

Check the router speed Power router on

Step 2:

[[File:|center]]

Confirm spindle is running

Step 3:

[[File:|center]]

Press Carve button

Step 4:

[[File:|center]]

Mid-carve controls

Step 5:

[[File:|center]]

Done!

Step 6:

[[File:|center]]

Clean up

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