Maker FX X-Carve 1000mm CNC Router Instructions
Contents
Overview
Operating the X-Carve requires both setting up the hardware and preparing your design files for the X-Carve. This page is divided into two main parts:
- Preparing your Design
- Machine Setup
Preparing your Design
There are many different ways to get your design ready for carving on the X-Carve CNC. Some of the common tools that can be used for designing include:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Inkscape
- Fusion 360
- VCarve
- and more...
The goal of design prep is to take a drawing / design and convert it to machine readable commands called G-Code. This Wiki will show you how to open an existing VCarve file to prepare it for milling by creating the G-Code that will be used to control the CNC. For a brief overview of creating a very simple design using V-Carve, you can click here or view one of the several videos on YouTube on using VCarve.
Open VCarve
To get started:
- Open VCarve using the shortcut on the desktop
- Open Model (*.xxx)
Select Tool
- Existing Tool: Select tool
- New Tool:
1. Measure Tool
Save Toolpath
- EMC2 Arcs(inch} (*.ngc)
Machine Setup
Load Material
- Use carpet tape (or other 2x-sided tape)
Load Tool
- Unscrew Spindle
- Load Tool
- Lock Spindle
- Hand tighten
- Spindle Tool tighten
- Put spindle tool away
Setup
- Turn Spindle Off
- Apply Safety Glasses
- Turn Machine On
- Hold down |Shift| to run as Admin
- Open Joy-To-Key
- Open CNC USB Controller
- File->Import GCode
Zero Tool
- Jog Tool to your material origin
- Z down almost to material
- Using paper, step down until paper hard to move
- ->Machine->Offset->Current XY
- ->Machine->Offset->Current Z
- ->Machine->Zero XY
- ->Machine->Zero Z
Final Check
- Apply Safety Glasses
- Install Dust Collection
- Turn Dust Collector On
- Turn Spindle On
- Press START
- Monitor part w ESTOP & Pause
- Override Feed Rate if going too slow
