Difference between revisions of "How to use the Shopbot"

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A Shopbot is a large CNC milling machine.
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{{Languages|Fab_Lab_Reykjavík}}
 
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<br>
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== What is the Shopbot?  ==
 
== What is the Shopbot?  ==
  
 
The Shopbot is a large milling machine for cutting, phrasing and shaping wood and plastic in various 3-dimensional sizes. It can handle plates of up to 3 meters in size. The machine uses vector graphics and 3d models to get information on what to cut out.  
 
The Shopbot is a large milling machine for cutting, phrasing and shaping wood and plastic in various 3-dimensional sizes. It can handle plates of up to 3 meters in size. The machine uses vector graphics and 3d models to get information on what to cut out.  
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== Terms  ==
 
== Terms  ==
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*''Hz'' eða ''Hertz'' - frequency; 1/s  
 
*''Hz'' eða ''Hertz'' - frequency; 1/s  
 
*''Pedant'' -yellow pedant with ''emergency'', ''reset'' and ''start'' buttons.
 
*''Pedant'' -yellow pedant with ''emergency'', ''reset'' and ''start'' buttons.
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== Images  ==
 
== Images  ==
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Image:Shopbot wrenches.jpg|Fixing wrench for shopbot tool holder
 
Image:Shopbot wrenches.jpg|Fixing wrench for shopbot tool holder
 
</gallery>  
 
</gallery>  
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== Shopbot steps (short version)  ==
 
== Shopbot steps (short version)  ==
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<br> == Shopbot steps (detailed version)  
 
<br> == Shopbot steps (detailed version)  
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== Prepare your design  ==
 
== Prepare your design  ==
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<br>
 
<br>
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== Turning it on - checklist  ==
 
== Turning it on - checklist  ==
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#Set VFD to 150.0  
 
#Set VFD to 150.0  
 
#Turn on Shopbot 3 software
 
#Turn on Shopbot 3 software
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=== Warming up the spindle  ===
 
=== Warming up the spindle  ===
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#Press start  
 
#Press start  
 
#Slowly increase the VFD speed up to 270
 
#Slowly increase the VFD speed up to 270
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=== Zeroing the table  ===
 
=== Zeroing the table  ===
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#In the main window, select zero-&gt;zero three axis  
 
#In the main window, select zero-&gt;zero three axis  
 
#Move z axis to safe height
 
#Move z axis to safe height
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=== Starting a job  ===
 
=== Starting a job  ===
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#Turn on dust sucker  
 
#Turn on dust sucker  
 
#Click ok on screen
 
#Click ok on screen
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=== Emergencies  ===
 
=== Emergencies  ===
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*You can press space on the keyboard  
 
*You can press space on the keyboard  
 
*You can click with the mouse
 
*You can click with the mouse
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== Troubleshooting  ==
 
== Troubleshooting  ==
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**then, when you turn it on, select settings for PRS Alpha 120x60  
 
**then, when you turn it on, select settings for PRS Alpha 120x60  
 
**Set software to mm in the "other settings" tab.
 
**Set software to mm in the "other settings" tab.
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== Settings  ==
 
== Settings  ==
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| Hardwood
 
| Hardwood
 
|}
 
|}
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== Assembly  ==
 
== Assembly  ==
  
 
Assembly of the Shopbot can diverge significantly from the instructions in the enclosed instructions manual, mostly due to it being written in a "one size fits all" manner that doesn't really fit in with the different versions of the Shopbot.  
 
Assembly of the Shopbot can diverge significantly from the instructions in the enclosed instructions manual, mostly due to it being written in a "one size fits all" manner that doesn't really fit in with the different versions of the Shopbot.  
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== Proprietary protocol  ==
 
== Proprietary protocol  ==
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It is as of yet unclear whether the machine's control box itself interprets these Gerber files or whether the control is in the hands of the control software. Neither would be particularly surprising, but if the control box interprets the Gerber commands then it is far easier to hack the protocol and create a free interface to the Shopbot.  
 
It is as of yet unclear whether the machine's control box itself interprets these Gerber files or whether the control is in the hands of the control software. Neither would be particularly surprising, but if the control box interprets the Gerber commands then it is far easier to hack the protocol and create a free interface to the Shopbot.  
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== Power requirements  ==
 
== Power requirements  ==
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   4 HP Spindle        33A 1ø 230V    24A  3ø 230V    20A 3ø 380/460V
 
   4 HP Spindle        33A 1ø 230V    24A  3ø 230V    20A 3ø 380/460V
 
   5 HP Spindle        33A 1ø 230V    24A  3ø 230V    20A 3ø 380/460V "
 
   5 HP Spindle        33A 1ø 230V    24A  3ø 230V    20A 3ø 380/460V "
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== Links  ==
 
== Links  ==
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*[http://www.sgstool.com/catalogs/PDFs/SGSMegaCatalog.pdf SG tools catalog (.pdf)]
 
*[http://www.sgstool.com/catalogs/PDFs/SGSMegaCatalog.pdf SG tools catalog (.pdf)]
 
*[http://fab.cba.mit.edu/content/tools/shopbot/index.html How to use the shopbot: step by step]
 
*[http://fab.cba.mit.edu/content/tools/shopbot/index.html How to use the shopbot: step by step]
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== Videos  ==
 
== Videos  ==
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<video type="youtube">wSHQsthRajg</video>  
 
<video type="youtube">wSHQsthRajg</video>  
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=== Spindle Collet Assembly  ===
 
=== Spindle Collet Assembly  ===
  
 
<video type="youtube">D2-wL8jAxVI</video>  
 
<video type="youtube">D2-wL8jAxVI</video>  
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=== Using Z zero plate  ===
 
=== Using Z zero plate  ===

Revision as of 11:13, 23 August 2014


What is the Shopbot?

The Shopbot is a large milling machine for cutting, phrasing and shaping wood and plastic in various 3-dimensional sizes. It can handle plates of up to 3 meters in size. The machine uses vector graphics and 3d models to get information on what to cut out.


Terms

  • VFD - Variable Frequency Drive;
  • Control computer -
  • Design computer - the computer you make your design
  • Spindel - f
  • Bit -
  • Hz eða Hertz - frequency; 1/s
  • Pedant -yellow pedant with emergency, reset and start buttons.


Images


Shopbot steps (short version)

  1. Open or Import the vector design
  2. Select the regions to VCarve or machine
  3. Specify the tool details and calculate tool paths
  4. Preview the job in any material
  5. Save the CNC code (save the tool paths)


== Shopbot steps (detailed version)


Prepare your design

  1. Open Partworks -> Create new file ->
    1. Define material size and units
  2. Import file to Partworks or make your design there. Partworks og Partworks 3D
PartWorks can import these types of files
* DXF Drawing Exchange Files for CAD systems
* EPS Encapsulated Postscript for example. Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.
* AI Adobe Illustrator
* PDF Portable Document Format for industry standard print data can be done in Inkscape

Remember to change text to path File types which Partworks3D supports

* PartWorks3D can open these types of files:
* V3D PartWorks3D and Vectric Cut3D files
* STL STL Mesh files - binary & ascii
* V3M Vector Art 3D files
* 3DS 3D Studio - binary & ascii
* X DirectX
* DXF AutoCAD 3D DXF
* LWO LightWave
* TXT MaxNC Digital Probe
* SBP ShopBot Digital Probe files
* WRL VRML
* OBJ Wavefront
  1. When the design is ready you should make toolpaths for the machine.
    1. Select Tool paths.
      • V-Carve: V-Carving Tool path form which is used to specify the type of carving required, tooling details, cutting parameters and name for the tool path.
      • Profile: Profile Machining options provide the flexibility for cutting shapes out with optional Tabs / bridges plus an Allowance over / undercut to ensure perfect edge quality.
      • Pocket: Pocket Tool path form for machining pockets. These tool paths automatically compensate for the tool geometry - diameter and angle.
      • Drilling: Drilling allows the centers of selected closed vectors to be drilled to a specified depth. The Tool database includes an option to specify the Drill diameter and cutting parameters.
      • Texturing: 3D Texture Machining functionality makes carving stunning sculpted surfaces very simple and perfect for making custom panels and interesting signage. Textures can be calculated inside any selected vector boundaries or if nothing is selected the complete job size.
      • Clearance: The "save" height for the Z-axis.
    1. Select Depth: Start Depth (D) specifies the depth at which the tool path is calculated, allowing Engraving to be machined inside a pocket region. Cut Depth (C) is the depth of the pocket or profile tool path relative to the Start Depth.

Do not cut deeper than the material thickness.

      • Select tool
      • Clicking the Select button opens the Tool Database from which the required Tool can be selected.

All 4 of the cutter types (V-Bit, End mill, Ball nose, Engraving) are supported and the toolpaths will automatically compensate for the geometry of the selected tool.

  1. Save the tool paths (.shp file)
  2. Save the project. (.crv file)



Turning it on - checklist

Starting out

  1. Flip the big switch on the front (cooling fan on spindle will turn on)
  2. Press reset button on pendant (VFD will turn on)
  3. Set VFD to 150.0
  4. Turn on Shopbot 3 software


Warming up the spindle

(This doesn't need to be done if the machine has recently been used and chances are the bearings are still warm)

  1. Open yellow hand-control window
  2. Check that tool is at safe height above material
  3. Toggle output 1
  4. Press start
  5. Slowly increase the VFD speed up to 270


Zeroing the table

  1. Use hand control window to move bit to it's zero point
  2. In the main window, select zero->zero three axis
  3. Move z axis to safe height


Starting a job

  1. Select File->Part file execute
  2. ( Check scaling, you normally want scaling to be 1 on all axis )
  3. Click ok
  4. Press start on pendant
  5. Turn on dust sucker
  6. Click ok on screen


Emergencies

  • There are two emergency stop buttons that you can hit
  • You can press space on the keyboard
  • You can click with the mouse


Troubleshooting

  • If error 91 comes up, delete c:\Program Files\Shopbot\Shopbot 3\shopbot.ini
    • then, when you turn it on, select settings for PRS Alpha 120x60
    • Set software to mm in the "other settings" tab.


Settings

Depending on type of bits and materials,


Frequency on VFD Rounds per minute Material
x 3000 Aluminium
150 x Model Wax
200 10000 Plastics
270 13500 Most plywood, MDF, and so on.
300 15000 Hardwood


Assembly

Assembly of the Shopbot can diverge significantly from the instructions in the enclosed instructions manual, mostly due to it being written in a "one size fits all" manner that doesn't really fit in with the different versions of the Shopbot.


Proprietary protocol

The Shopbot is connected to a computer over USB (or serial link on older models). A proprietary program written in Visual Basic is used to communicate the Shopbot Parts Files to the machine. These files are written in Gerber language.

It is as of yet unclear whether the machine's control box itself interprets these Gerber files or whether the control is in the hands of the control software. Neither would be particularly surprising, but if the control box interprets the Gerber commands then it is far easier to hack the protocol and create a free interface to the Shopbot.


Power requirements

"The DC power supply in the Standard boxes is rated at 500VA. In the US on 110V power the current requirement is 4.5A. In the rest of the world running on 220V single phase the current requirement is 2.17A.


The rest of the power consumption for Routers and Spindles:

   110V Router         15A
 220V Router         11A
 2.2 HP Spindle     24A 1ø 230V     15A  3ø 230V    8A 3ø 380/460V
 3 HP Spindle        24A 1ø 230V     15A  3ø 230V    8A 3ø 380/460V
 4 HP Spindle        33A 1ø 230V     24A  3ø 230V    20A 3ø 380/460V
 5 HP Spindle        33A 1ø 230V     24A  3ø 230V    20A 3ø 380/460V "


Links


Videos

Shopbot Partworks Quickstart  


<video type="youtube">wSHQsthRajg</video>


Spindle Collet Assembly

<video type="youtube">D2-wL8jAxVI</video>


Using Z zero plate

<video type="youtube">IaUTzTVBFzs</video>