ShapeOko2 CNC Router
Owner/Loaner | PS:One |
---|---|
Serial Number | 5549 |
Make/Model | ShapeOko 2 "The Works" version |
Arrival Date | 2014 |
Usability | yes |
Contact | CNC Area Host |
Where | Cold Metals |
Authorization Needed | yes |
Hackable | Consult CNC Area Host |
Estimated Value | $1000 |
Host Area | Industrial CNC |
Status
Open for authorizations.
ShapeOko 2 Specifications
- Nominal Cutting Area 250mm x 250mm x 50mm (~10" x 10" x 2")
- Max spindle speed: 12,000 RPM
- Note: PS1 provided tooling & feeds and speeds are based around a fixed 12,000 RPM spindle speed.
The spindle uses ER11 collets. These eventually wear out, so check before using them. Collets are a durable expendable.
Users are welcome to purchase their own collets and tools in case the PS1 provided ones are insufficient.
Authorization
Contact CNC Area Host for information on who conducts authorizations. If you are unable to get a response within 48hrs, post a request for authorization on Discourse
2D and 3D authorizations are on the way via Canvas.
Tutorial
Tutorial on Fusion 360 to Shapeoko2 toolpath
ShapeOko 2 Quick Start Guide (Digital Version of the Binder)
Operation
Setup
- With power off, ensure that you can move the carriage smoothly without it catching or having too much play. If it skips or bumps, clear out debris with a vacuum. (The machine generates a ton of dust, so having the vacuum on hand is helpful.)
- Check that the belts aren't loose.
- Ensure that all surfaces are clean so that the workpiece sits flat.
- If you will be cutting all the way through your piece, put a piece of scrap between the work surface and your piece to protect the surface. (No wasteboard on this machine.)
- Visually inspect the machine to make sure nothing is broken or out of wack.
- Plug in both the white (spindle) and black (Motion Control Board) power cords
Workpiece Setup
- Using blue painter's tape on the bed and underside of the part and bonding the two with superglue is an extremely effective workholding solution.
- The superglue never touches the bed itself nor the work, just the tape.
- Clamp work to the surface with the toe clamps (in the drawer under the machine.)
- Toe clamps need to be pushing down - so that the toe is angled down towards the workpiece - not angled up.
- After setting the height with the toe's rear bolt, lightly finger-tighten the bolt near the piece.
- Do not over-tighten: if you over-tighten, the force can pull up the work surface.
- Check the envelope of the machine to ensure it will not crash into the rear dust guard - the grid of the work surface does not necessarily correspond to the grid in Easel.
- The clamp down studs are 5mm.
Collet & Bit Setup
- Put the bit (1/8" shank) into the collet.
- The further in it goes, the more secure the bit is, but make sure that the flutes are not inside the collet.
- If the bit is too deep in the collet, it can bottom out inside the spindle when you begin to tighten the collet.
- Use 14mm wrenches (in the black bag) to tighten the collet. You don't need to over-tighten the collet - hand tighten, not gorilla tighten.
Using Vectric VCarve
The post processor for use is going to be Grbl (inch) or Grbl (mm) depending on your document units. Vector files in a variety of formats from a variety of softwares (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape, AutoCAD, etc.) can be imported to Vectric VCarve.
Members can use the VCarve Pro Trial Edition from home to set up their parts and save as a .crv file, though vector files can not be imported in the trial version. Files can only be posted from the Makerspace edition which we have at PS1.
GCode can be sent using Universal GCode Sender or Easel.
Using Fusion 360
You will need to install the Easel post processor in order to get usable GCode from Fusion 360 to the Shapeoko. The post processor is available here:
https://cam.autodesk.com/hsmposts?p=easel
When using Universal GCode Sender, you will get a "HOLD" error because it leads with a tool change (M6). The Shapeoko does not support a tool change command, and so simply hitting the "Play" button again will resume operation.
Carving with Easel
Easel is run in a browser, you must log in at Inventables http://easel.inventables.com/users/sign_in
The Industrial CNC Area Host has an Easel Pro account through Inventables. If you would like to use this platform, email cnc@pumpingstationone.org for the login credentials.
- Select the correct material for the workpiece.
- Set the appropriate bit parameters (e.g. upcut, ⅛" shank, number of flutes, bit shape).
- Create your design, ensuring that you are leaving enough space from toe clamps.
- Click carve.
- Turn on the machine by pulling up on the button.
- Click "Unlock Without Homing." ("Home Machine" will send the machine to where it thinks is home.)
- Home the machine: align the endmill with the bottom left corner of the workpiece (or wherever you want to set as home). Bring the bit down to just touch the workpiece.
- (You will need to reset the Z every operation. The machine loses Z calibration after each run, though it keeps XY home information.)
- Click "Confirm home position"
- Set the spindle speed with the control knob to desired speed.
- Click Carve.
- You may want to have the vacuum on hand to avoid overaccumulation of waste and dust. Avoid starting fires.
Chip Load Calculation
- Bit Parameter Overview by PDS Spindles
- Monster Tools Chip Load Calculator
- Chip Load Chart by PDS Spindles
Known Issues
- You will need to reset the Z after every carve operation. The machine loses Z calibration after each run, though it keeps XY home information.
- If you're having issues connecting to the Arduino, reboot the PC. It's good practice to start work by rebooting the PC regardless (especially if anyone else is still logged in).
- If the spindle jams on something and then won't restart, check the fuse in the spindle controller (on the back of the cabinet). There may be spares in the drawer under the machine. It is a 5x20mm glass fuse, should be 6A but we've been using 5A because Home Depot stocks them.
Modifications
Maintenance
Past maintenance can be found under Discussion tab.
Items that still need work:
1. Waste board supports purchased and installed. Entire board is unsupported in the middle, causing it to sag. Recommend getting two $7 20mmx20mmx300mm extrusions (from Inventables or elsewhere) and T-nuts to support it in the middle (this is a common upgrade for this particular machine).
2. V-wheels/bearings on all axis need to be adjusted to a tighter tolerance. Some are not making contact..
Documentation
ShapeOko 2 wiki for assembly, use, and source files.
GRBL G & M Codes Great G and M-code library of GRBL-supported codes (worth familiarizing yourself with)
GRBL pins GRBL pins described
GRBL board used GRBL board
Authorized Users
qualified member | trained by |
---|---|
Elizabeth | Herself as she built it |
Clarence Risher | Elizabeth |
Ron Olson | Elizabeth |
Darold Higa | Elizabeth |
Aaron Mintz | Elizabeth |
Michael Solheim | Elizabeth |
Eric Beauchamp | Elizabeth |
Roger Moore | Elizabeth |
Kyle Bieneman | Elizabeth |
Andrew Camardella | Elizabeth |
Todd Allen | Elizabeth |
Sam Reicks | Andrew Camardella |
Ray Doeksen | Sevin Strauss |
Leon Grossman | Sevin Strauss |
Ryan Taylor | Leon Grossman |
Simon Pyle | Sevin Strauss |
Ralph Brendler | Arturo Duarte |
Jeremy fay | Arturo Duarte |
Danny Blanchard | Andrew Camardella |
Brian Carstensen | Sevin Strauss |
Ashish Jasani | Sevin Strauss |
Daniel Martinez | Sevin Strauss |
Gabe Tavas | Sevin Strauss |
Brian Barnt | Jim Brink |
Brandon Bay | Jim Brink |
Karl Schmidbauer | Mike Thompson |