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+++ checklist:cnc_startup [2025/10/12 21:26] (current) – 8c244b37-0747-c193-0a4e-0967254778dd
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-** NOTE THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ***
+** NOTE THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ** \\ \\
+===== ** THIS IS STILL UNDER REVIEW. The following should be generally correct, please run though this with a knowledgeable member when running your first project** =====
+\\
 ===== Shapeoko Startup Procedure as of 01/02/2024 =====
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 ==== General Comments: ====
-* The new spindle acts a bit slower when initializing and shutting down so be patient. It is
+* The spindle acts a bit slower, when initializing and shutting down, than other machines you may be familiar so be patient. It is
 not a huge change but a change.
-* You must use the new collet. There is a 1/8th and ¼ inch version.
+* There are 2 collects available a 1/8th and ¼ inch version.
-* The precision of the cuts are awesome. I had some parts made that fit together to make
-a sleigh. With the old router I had a lot of sanding to do but with the new router the cuts
-and tabs were so precise they just fit together with very little effort.
-=== Here is a suggested startup order ===
+### General Comments about stepper motors driving the gantry
+''**NOTE:**
+The Shapeoko Pro gantry is powered by NEMA 23 stepper motors. When the power is off, moving the motors by hand will cause them to generate electricity,known as back electromotive force (EMF).''
+''WARNING: Avoid it if possible, but if moving the gantry by hand is required, go slowly and in short increments. The power generated by the stepper motors will feel like bumps and could be confused with debris in the rails.''
+''If the lights on the controller are lighting up, it’s very important to stop and slow down, because you are pushing electricity back through the board. Too much back flow __could__ damage the controller.''
+### Prestart Operations
+#### Thoroughly clean the machine of dust and debris
+''It is required that one performs the following cleaning procedures before starting the machine.''
+Dust/dirt/saw dust can be a major impediment to successfully carving your project. Debris in the guide rails/belts can prevent the smooth operation of the gantry.
+* Members have provided a set of tools that can help the cleaning effort, a small spray bottle of alcohol, a plastic scraper and stiff nylon brushes, lint free cloths.
+### Cleaning Prior to power on:
+''- The machine should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove as much saw dust and debris as possible. Any excess dust can get tracked into the bearing which then necessitate a more extensive cleaning and possible dismantling.''
+''- Then one can use compressed air to more thoroughly remove the dust. Be mindful of any moisture that may be expelled from the compressed air.
+NOTE: Try to avoid blowing compressed air toward any of the gantry bearings.''
+''- If needed the rails can be brushed off with the nylon brushes then wiped down with a lint free cloth containing a bit of dust collecting alcohol, trying to remove as much debris from the V rails as reasonably possible.''
+''- Inspect the drive belts, again cleaning off any saw dust/debris. ''
+''- Gantry smooth movement will be further tested below once Carbide Motion is started and the machine is powered on. Point 12 in the startup order below.''
+#### Example Cleaning Video
+NOTE: Please use this video as a "general" guide only. The machine in the video is not what is available in TheLab
+so one must use it for basic info only. It will provide discussion of the importance of cleaning and generally what to look for.
+** Please ignore any portion dealing with lubrication or machine adjustment.
+ That needs to be left to those most knowledgeable.Please do not dismantle any part of the machine, adjustments are super critical to proper operation.
+ If you feel maintenance is required please contact an area coordinator and report to the discord channel #cnc.**
+* [[https://youtu.be/wbgpXzvJ-8M?si=IaT4dRUIPFIgAxsO|A general Cleaning overview]]
+Continuing with the startup:
+#### Shop Vac
+ Empty the connected shop vac of any shavings/dust and ensure the vacuum hose is positioned to allow maximum air movement.
+=== Controls under the Shapeoko table ===
+{{cnc:vdfcontroller_controls.jpg}}
+Controls:
+* 1. Shop Vac control box
+* 2. VDF Controller Start/Stop button
+* 3. VDF spindle speed indicator
+* 4. Obsolete Start/Stop button
+### Initialize The Shapeoko Machine via Carbide Motion
+The following videos run though the basic procedures to initialize the Shapeoko machine using the machine controlling software, Carbide Motion. Before continuing please familiarize yourself with the initialization process.
+Each video provides some details that the other may not.
+This first one is from the Carbide3d learning center. It contains a series of getting started videos. Some do cover some basic machine setup and adjustment checks. Feel free
+to follow the verification items however, things should be set and adjusted properly so please **do not** make any changes to the machine software setup or make any machine adjustment without
+first contacting the area coordinator.
+* [[https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/running-shapeoko/|Running a Shapeoko by Carbide3D]]
+This second video walks one though the creation of a project using Carbide Create. That project is then taken to Carbide Motion for execution. Most folks in TheLab prefer to use a Makerspace version of Vectric Vcarve for project creation. Regardless of where the project is created it will be executed on the Shapeoko via Carbide Motion.
+The full video including project creation: \\
+* [[https://youtu.be/Z-8Im0vz8Rs|How to use the Shapeoko Pro XXL]]
+The actual machine initialization starts at the 25:09 min mark in the video
+ * [[https://youtu.be/Z-8Im0vz8Rs?t=1509|Shapeoko Machine Initialization]]
+Setting the projects X, Y and Z zero of your job using Shapeoko's Bit Zero Tool accessory starts at the 26:20 mark.
+ * [[https://youtu.be/Z-8Im0vz8Rs?t=1580|Setting your work piece X,Y,Z zero location]]
+**NOTE: This video sets the project's Z zero assuming the project requires cutting "entirely" though the project piece. If you are not cutting all the way through the measuring tool should be placed on top of your work piece.**
+Toward the end of the video you will notice the sample job did end up cutting into the spoil board. It's recommended to add a second spoil board on top of the primary if your job will cut entirely though your project piece.
+Now that you have reviewed the video, here is a link to a page you can print and take with you as a refresher
+[[shapeokoinitnotes|Shapeoko - Carbide Motion Initialization Notes]]
+Continuing with the startup:
+==== Here is a suggested startup order ====
 * 1. Turn on computer with pin 2021
-* 2. Turn on cutter
+* 2. Make sure the the shop vac connected to the Shapeoko has been emptied and vacuum hoses are unobstructed.
-* 3. Push green start button (this used to turn on the spindle immediately but now just
+* 3. Verify the table and all drive mechanisms are free of dirt/dust/debris as described above.
-powers the VDF spindle and dust collector).
-* 4. vdf controller should look like,
+* 4. Turn on Shapeoko cutter via it's round start button.
-{{cnc:vdfcontroller.jpg}}
+  * Note: The LED within the start button is not currently working. Verify power is applied by checking the rear of the control box mounted to the left side of the machine. One should see a blue led lite within the control box.
+  * There is a small in-line power button on a cord on the left side of the machine that also must be on for the machine to be powered on. This one is "normally" on.
+* 5. Push the round start button on the lower front of the VDF controller, if the lower light is off, push the button. When the lower light is lite the spindle is ready to power on when your program starts. The top led should flash 0.0.
+ *** NOTE: If the round button is lit but you still do not see the LEDs lit, make sure the VDF main power switch is turned on. It's
+located right next to/behind where the power cord enters the unit.**
-* 5. if the lower light is off, push the button. When the lower light is lite the spindle is ready to power on when your program starts. The top led is flashing 0.0.
+* 6. plug in thumb drive containing your project.
-* 6. plug in thumb drive
+* 7. Start up the carbide motion software on the attached computer.
-* 7. check your vcarve file and generate gcode
+* 8. import your vcarve file into Carbide Motion and generate gcode
-* 8. Select the carbide motion software.
+* 9. If needed, jog the cutter out of the way to setup your work.
-* 9. Initialize machine as you normally did.
+* 10. Attach your work piece to the spoil board via the hold down of choice.
-* 10. Insert cutter bit. this requires the use of new precision collets and tighten using two
+** NOTE Please try to avoid cutting into the attached spoil board. Due to the size requirements replacing it is not a fun project. If your project requires cutting all the way through your project piece, place your own, temporary, spoil board under your project piece.**
-wrenches, with cutter inserted.
+  * Front edge of the new spoiler boards may not square.
+  *Don’t use it to square your work piece.
+  *The spoiler board screw holes are definitely square so use them to align your work piece.
+  *Using the holes for alignment has proved effective in the past.
+\\
-The spindle
+* 11 Initialize the machine per the videos above.
-{{cnc:spindle.jpg}}
+''* 12 At this point it is advised to run the gantry through the X/Y movements to ensure smooth operation. Move the gantry via the Jog panel within Carbide Motion. You can use the Fast speed setting to test the movement, just be sure to avoid crashing the gantry into the X/Y stops.''
+* 13. When prompted, insert the desired cutter bit. For safety, ensure the machine is powered down before inserting. this requires the use of the precision collets and tighten using two wrenches when the cutter is inserted.
-Collets
 {{cnc:cnccollets.jpg}}
-* 11. hit resume to measure bit
+* 14. hit resume to measure bit
-* 12. jog the cutter out of the way to setup your work. Note: Front edge of the new spoiler
-board is not square. Don’t use it to square your work piece. The spoiler board screw
+* 15. TBD if more is required...
-holes are definitely square so use them to align your work piece. We may need to square up new spoiler or square your workpiece to the screw holes. hold down. I used
-the holes for alignment today on four projects and it worked fine.
+This concludes the physical startup and initialization of the machine. One should be able to run your job at this point. Please contact the area coordinator or post a note to discord request help with running the software, especially if this is your first time.
-* 13. Zero out x,y,z
-* 14. Load gcode file
+==== Load G-Code/Execute File ====
-* 15. Execute job, your program will control the rpms. You won't be prompted to turn on the
-router. If the lower circular light is not on (see step 4 above), the router will not spin and
+* 16. Load gcode file
-you will crash the bit. (Trust me I know from experience.)
+* 17. Execute job,
-* 16. When your spindle fires up, the VDF controller will look like this: This job happened to
+  * your program will control the rpms.
+  * You won't be prompted to turn on the router. If the lower circular light is not on (see step 4 above), the router will not spin and you will crash the bit. (Trust me I know from experience.)
+* 18. When your spindle fires up, the VDF controller will look like the following picture: This job happened to
 want 22,000 rpms per the program but showed 22,260 on the VDF.
@@ Line 70: / Line 180: @@
 {{cnc:vdfstarted.jpg}}
-* 17. The rest is as normal
+* 19. The shop vac should start once the spindle reaches a certain speed.
-* 18. When the VDF powers down it takes a minute or two to discharge the capacitor, so it will appear to be on for a bit.
+==== Power Down ====
+* 20. When the VDF powers down it takes a minute or two to discharge the capacitor, so it will appear to be on for a bit.
+The VDF controller should look like the following,
+{{cnc:vdfcontroller.jpg}}
-I have not included all steps in the process assuming you know some of them already. I tried to
-highlight what I saw as changes to what I normally do.
 \\ \\
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