• 1. start Carbine Motion
• 2. turn on Shapeoko
• 3. Within Carbide Motion, click on “Connect to Cutter”
• 4. Optional - To load your prepared G-Code file at this point go to this link Generate/Load G-Code and then return here to complete the Initialization.
• 5. Within Carbide Motion, click on “Initialize Machine”
• 6. Machine should go to the home position at rear/right
• 7. Machine should move to bit change position and allow for tool change.
  • 1. There are two sets of collects for different sized bit stems, 1/8” amd 1/4”. The unused one should be found in a small round container. Please make sure the unused collet is returned to the proper small round container.
  • 2. There are two wrenches in the drawer, a 13mm and a 17mm. The 13mm attaches to notches in the spindle, the 17mm to the collet nut.
  • 3. If you need to change collet sizes you will need to press out the original and snap in/seat the new.
• 8. Next Set project X,Y and Z positions using the Carbide3d Bit Zero tool
  • 1. Remove the magnetically connected dust collection brush from around the bit
  • 2. Place the BitZero tool snug over left front corner of your work piece. The tools overhanging parts should be snug
  • up the the left/front corner of your work piece.
  • 3. Test the tool by momentarily placing the magnetic ground clip on the BitZero tool. The led should turn red.
  • 4. Insert Shapeoko Dowel Prob tool into the routers bit collet , this will give a more accurate zero location rather than using a true End mill. It will account for non perfectly round fluted bits
• 9. Hit resume in Carbide Motion, machine should auto jog to the bit setter/measuring tool probe and test the current bit length
  • 10. Manually jog machine to middle of the hole in the BitZero tool
    • 1. At Carbide Motion, select “Jog” tab
    • 2. Be careful of jog increment setting, start larger at first, then reset to smaller when the bit gets closer to BitZero tool to avoid crashing the bit into the tool.
    • 3. Jog with the software or Keyboard arrow keys until bit is just inside the Bit Zero tool probe's hole, it does not need to touch the tool's bottom
    • 4. Attach the BitZero tool probe magnet ground clip to the collet
  • 11. Hit “Probe” button within Carbide Motion
  • 12. Select proper probe type, if prompted
  • 13. Select “Corner” for probe cycle
  • 14. At the next dialog click “Begin Probe” to start the probing
  • 15. The machine will move the probe around within the BitZero tool and set the X and Y zero positions, it will then probe the top of the tool to set the Z position.
  • 16. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic ground clip
  • 17. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
  • 18. If you are not cutting all the way though your project board, rather are just cutting profiles or pockets the concludes the bit zero process, you can proceed to Completed Zeroing X Y Z. If you are planning to cut all the way though your project you must reset the Z zero setting by continuing with the next item.

• 19. If cutting all the way though your project piece
  • 1. Reset “Z” zero if cutting all the way through your project piece
  • 2. Now you need to insert the actual “End Mill” to be used
  • 3. Click on the Run tab at the top of Motion
  • 4. Select “Load New Tool”
  • 5. Machine should jog to the bit change position to allow insertion of the proper End Mill
  • 6. Insert the end mill tool and click “Resume”
  • 7. Machine will measure new bit
  • 8. Select Jog to move back over BitZero tool, again be mindful of the jog speed
  • 9. When close to the BitZero tool reconnect the magnet ground clip
  • 10. Place the Bit Zero tool directly on the spoil board, not on a corner. The tool will rock due to the missing top and right side overhangs on the tool ( Remember to add a temporary secondary spoil board to prevent cutting into the primary)
  • 11. jog the machine to a point just above the Bi Zero tool, “outside” of the round hole. The BitZero tool will rock on one corner when not placed on the corner of a project piece, you do not want the zero determined over an area that will rock.
  • 12. In Motion, Click Probe
  • 13. Select proper probe
  • 14. This time do not select corner, Select the “Z, number 2”,
  • 15. Select “Begin Probe”
  • 16. The machine should probe the BitZero tool and determine the Z zero position. It will not attempt to retest the X and Y zero.
  • 17. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic ground clip
  • 18. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
  • 19. When complete remove zero tool probe probe from work surface
  • 20. This concludes the bit zero process

• 21. Make sure all tools and miscl items have been remove from the work surface

Your home Makerspace version of VCarve Pro has the G-Code generation disabled. In order to execute your project you must have a G-Code version. This is done by loading your project into one of the machines at TheLab that has the full version of VCarve Pro installed. Typically the machine next to the Shapeoko.

1. At the computer start up the VCarve Pro software, when starting you will be prompted to login to your VCarve cloud account for license verification.
2. When logged into VCarve, load your project
3. Select the “ToolPath” tab on the far right
4. Select your desired ToolPath icon and calculate your tool path
5. Select/Verify your bit choice within the ToolPath dialog
6. Select/Verify the cutting depth
7. Hit the “Calculate” button
8. Select “Preview ToolPath to ensure all is well and that you are not cutting all the way through your project piece and into the “primary” spoil board.
9. If all is well close the “Preview ToolPaths” dialog
10. You should see a “diskette” icon at the bottom right hand side of the ToolPaths icons. This is the “Save ToolPath” button
11. Click the “Save ToolPath” button
12. Select one the the ToolPaths listed at the far bottom, Click “Save ToolPath(s)”.
13. Select a place to save the ToolPath G-Code where Carbide Motion can get to it.
14. Exit VCarve

• Start Carbide Motion
• Turn on the Shapeoko via the machines round button. ( Note the LED within the button does not function)
• At the main page run though the “Initialize” procedure detailed above
• When Initialization is complete, load your projects G-Code file that was saved from VCarve Pro

The following running a job needs expansion/verification

1. Select the Carbide Motion “RUN” tab
2. Click “Start Job”
3. then Click “Start”
4. Machine should remeasure bit
5. Machine should start spindle, dust collection vacuum should start, and job should run