Joe's CNC Router
Background
Our CNC Milling Machine is based on Joe's CNC plans, and was built by Trevor Taylor, Lloyd Engebretsen, Bill Sandidge, and countless others. The working area is approximately 48" x 52", and the cutting tool is controlled with Mach 3.
Toolpaths for the CNC are typically generated in either VCarve or Fusion 360, but any software that can produce Mach 3 gcode should work. We recently (2023) tested GCode from Inventables' Easel CAD/CAM and Mach 3 executes the GCode just fine.
VCarve
VCarve is great for generating toolpaths for relatively 2D designs. It has an easier learning curve relative to Fusion 360, which means you can get cutting sooner. VCarve can import a single 3D .STL file into a job and generate code to carve it.
Decatur Makers has unlimited licenses for the makerspace client of VCarve Pro. This version is limited in that it will not export GCode to be interpreted by Mach 3. Click here to download the trial version of VCarve Pro. You can find the code to convert the trial version to our makerspace client license on the #cnc channel on Slack.
For a quick VCarve tutorial, head over here.
When you generate toolpaths in VCarve, you will need to specify the bit you are using. Click here to download the Decatur Makers tool database file, DecaturMakersbits.tooldb, which you can import into the toolpath in VCarve.
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a fully-featured CAD/CAM program that also allows for generating toolpaths for our CNC router, as well as many other CNC applications. There are several levels of licensing for Fusion 360 including an educator/student and hobbyist/personal use license. You can read about them on Autodesk's license site.
Decatur Makers has a monthly class on Fusion 360 - see Onboarding, below.
Onboarding
Use of the CNC is restricted to members who have demonstrated their mastery of the machine. There are several ways you can get checked out so you can use the machine on your own:
• Follow tutorials for VCarve or Fusion 360 linked from the pinned message on the #cnc Slack channel, then reach out on Slack to an area steward and share your tool path, and we'll make arrangements to onboard you.
• If you need a little help getting started in Fusion 360, sign up for the Fusion 360 101 class to learn how to generate toolpaths (and 3d printable stl files!) then share your toolpath with an area steward on Slack to get checked out.
• Sign up for the Hands-on CNC training class. These are limited to just a few people at a time since everybody gets to design a path and cut it on the CNC. Then you're checked out!
Workflow for working with the CNC
Turn on CNC Power switch (leftmost switch on the right side of the CNC) - do not enable power to the spindle (the other switch).
Turn on computer, login and launch Decatur Makers CNC - a shortcut is pinned to the start menu, the desktop, and the menu bar.
Click Reset to exit Estop mode
Secure your stock with clamps and a bit in the collet, and put the touch plate on the zero corner of your stock - test for conductivity by touching the plate to the bit and look for the green light in Mach 3.
Move the bit to within 1/4-1/2" above the flat surface of the touch plate, and press Z on the Zero XYZ section to zero the Z axis above the plate.
Bring the tip of the bit below the plane of the touch plate circle and click the yellow crosshairs in the touch plate test area; hold onto the touch plate until the XY touch test is finished, but make sure the CNC doesn't hit your hand!
Move the bit over the top of the touch plate and press the yellow Z- arrow
Remove the touch plate and press Goto Z to confirm your zero position
Press Load G-Code and load your G-Code
Turn on Spindle power switch (rightmost switch on the right side of the CNC)
Attach the dust shoe and open the baffle to start the dust collector.
Click Spindle CW, and Cycle Start, then Cycle Start again after the M6 tool change line (you should already have changed the tool to your bit)
Reservation System
If you have a cut that is going to take longer than 30 minutes including setup and cleanup time, please use Skedda to reserve the machine. You can find the reservation system via the member portal at decaturmakers.org
Last updated