ShopBot DT3624, Quick Start Manual

Page 1: ... Copyright 2017 ShopBot Tools Inc page 1 ShopBotTools com 888 680 4466 Desktop CNC Quick Start Guide ...

Page 2: ...d Direction of Axes 11 Software and Computer Configuration 12 Connect Power 12 Launch Software 13 Tool Movement 14 The Easy Control Panel 14 The Keypad 15 Zero the X and Y Axes 19 Zero the Z Axis 20 Move to Home Position 23 Warm Up Spindle Models Only 24 Desktop Spindle RPM Settings 25 Trim the Deck 26 Switch to ShopBot FULL 28 Surfacing the Deck 29 Beyond the Basics 31 Vcarve Pro 31 Maintenance 3...

Page 3: ... shoes at all times Make sure that your material is properly secured before cutting and be aware of any small parts that may come loose after being cut If a small part catches the edge of a spinning bit it can be thrown forcefully in any direction causing injury or damage Never place your hands on the rails of the ShopBot Be aware that the machine may move unexpectedly in any direction which can c...

Page 4: ...ent conditions This tool is intended for indoor use Do not run the tool outside or in wet weather This tool is intended to be used with wood plastic or other non ferrous materials It is not intended for use with ferrous materials Transportation This tool can be transported by two people by grabbing from the bottom front and rear locations ...

Page 5: ...017 ShopBot Tools Inc page 5 What s in the Crate Desktop Tool Shown with optional spindle and speed controller Manila Envelope which includes Desktop Quickstart Guide Desktop Enclosure Document if applicable User s Guide Binder Thumb Drive with Software ...

Page 6: ... Quick Start Guide October 6 2017 Copyright 2017 ShopBot Tools Inc page 6 1 4 and 1 2 Spindle or Router Collet Sets Collet Wrenches Bit Kit Optional Z Zero Assembly Power Cord Hold Down Bolts USB Cord Pendant ...

Page 7: ... Quick Start Guide October 6 2017 Copyright 2017 ShopBot Tools Inc page 7 ShopBot Desktop Overview Model DT3624 Shown Machine ON OFF Switch Optional Accessory Connection USB Cable Power Cord Pendant Connection ...

Page 8: ... 190 lbs Have AT LEAST one additional person help lift the tool Assemble Parts Adjust leveling feet with 5 8 wrench so the tool doesn t rock then use 9 16 wrench and nuts to lock the leveling feet into position If the Desktop is equipped with dust collector slide the sup plied hose over the vertical hose tube and attach hose to the upper bracket with hose clamp Note The bottom of hose should not b...

Page 9: ... Tools Inc page 9 Tool Orientation and Direction of Axes The pictures below show the axis orientation for the two ShopBot Desktop tools Normally the 0 0 0 point is located at the intersection of the three axes as shown and front is con sidered the side noted below ...

Page 10: ...on the pendant This will pause the tool while maintaining XYZ coordinates allowing the cut file to resume without starting over 3 An emergency stop switch Pressing the emergency stop is the same as turning off the main power switch The tool will immediately stop moving and the cutter will turn off Machine position WILL be lost during an emergency stop To release the emergency stop on the pendant t...

Page 11: ...of the machine Connect USB cable to computer and Windows will recog nize a New Device Note It is best to use the same USB port every time the ShopBot is attached to the computer Launch Software Double click the ShopBot 3 icon to open the machine s control program The first time the program is opened there will not be a settings file for the machine Click OK and a prompt will appear to load a setti...

Page 12: ...le it can also be found at http www shopbottools com mSupport control software htm Save file to thumb drive for future reference Tool Movement The Easy Control Panel This panel provides essential machine information and controls The fol lowing steps will walk through some of the most frequently used controls including installing a bit zeroing the machine s three axes and cutting a couple of sample...

Page 13: ...xis up and down Move the spindle router to a safe Z position below the Z proximity switch and near the middle of the deck Click on the X in the upper right corner to close yellow KeyPad Switch Off Router or Spindle First If a router is being used ensure the switch is turned off Then for BOTH ROUTERS and SPINDLES make sure the key switch on the pendant is turned to OFF count er clockwise This will ...

Page 14: ... the bit should fill up at least 75 of the collet to provide sufficient grip ping surface It s okay if the shank of the bit extends above the top of the collet maximum 3 8 of excess Make sure that the collet grips only the shank of the bit keeping the top edge of the flutes outside of the collet Remove bottom of dust foot by pushing it down It s attached with magnets which makes it easy to remove ...

Page 15: ...or Desktop Machine setup Files Open the zipped folder containing the setup DT MAX only and squaring sbp file These files will set the MAX proximity switch offsets for MAX tools only not necessary for Desktop then run a squaring program which will run the gantry until hits the end to make sure the gantry is square with the tool The motors will sound like they are grinding but in actuality this is N...

Page 16: ...s Inc page 16 For MAX tools only For Desktop tools skip these 3 steps Locate and open Desktop MAX Setup sbp Click START When prompted click Yes to run routine For Desktop and Desktop MAX tools Press Cut Part again Locate and open MAX Squaring sbp or DESKTOP Squaring sbp ...

Page 17: ...s square If this process is not performed the cut program could be noticeably off Zero the X and Y axes The spindle router should now be in the left lower front corner of the deck X 0 Y 0 position Click the middle white button marked with the X Y The machine will now move through an automatic rou tine that zeroes the X and Y axes to the left lower front corner of the machine using the proximity sw...

Page 18: ...requires a few more steps than zeroing the X and Y axes so it should be practiced a few times to ensure it is properly understood Open the yellow KeyPad and enter X 6 Y 6 Close the KeyPad by clicking on the X in the upper right corner of the yellow keypad or by pressing the Esc key on the keyboard This puts the spindle in a convenient location for zeroing the Z axis Plug the Z zeroing assembly int...

Page 19: ...l go off when Z plate is removed It s important to check this each time the grounding clip is connected to verify that the contact is good If Input 1 doesn t light up ensure the grounding clip is well connect ed and try again Place Z zero plate on top of spoil board beneath the router bit Note Machine can be Z zeroed to the top of the spoil board or to the top of the project material depending on ...

Page 20: ...the bit and on top of the deck while the Z zero routine takes place The spindle router will lower until the bit contacts the Z zero plate It will then retract and repeat the process again Wait for the router bit to contact the Z zero plate twice before re moving the Z zero plate or the grounding clip After bit makes second contact bit will retract to a position of 1 2 above the deck The Z axis is ...

Page 21: ...o Home Position Click the white button marked 0 0 This will move the spindle router to the machine home position in the left lower front corner of the machine which is the default zero position for both the X and Y axes During operation keep area around machine free from people and objects ...

Page 22: ...rn the spindle interlock switch ON by turning key in clockwise mo tion Turn the knob on the VFD so it reads approximately F 100 F 100 equals 6000 RPM or about half of the typical operating speed for cutting wood To maximize service life a spindle requires a warm up cy cle to bring the bearings up to operating temperature Be fore cutting run the spindle at 1 2 of the intended cutting RPM for 10 min...

Page 23: ...e VFD so it reads approximately F200 The spindle increase in speed as the dial is adjusted F200 equals 12 000 RPM and is a common operating speed for carving and cutting wood Turn off the spindle by clicking on the output 1 button Click on the X to close the yellow KeyPad Desktop Spindle RPM Settings The display on the VFD will show the frequency To find RPM multiply the listed frequency by the He...

Page 24: ...000 100 6 000 Frequency to RPMs for 50Hz Europe and most other regions Display Spindle RPM 300 15 000 266 13 300 233 11 650 200 10 000 166 8 300 133 6 650 100 5 000 Trim the Deck Note Do not proceed with this section until X Y and Z axes have been zeroed and the spindle is warmed up This step will rout a rabbet around the perimeter of the basic deck to reveal the cutting area Ensure the X Y and Z ...

Page 25: ...ontaining the rabbet sbp file Extract the file from the zipped folder and save it to the desktop Click the Cut Part button on the position screen Navigate to the newly saved extracted file and select the file The file name will now appear in the display window in the ShopBo tEASYcontroller Click the START button to run file Verify that there is a 1 4 spiral upcut bit installed in the tool and clic...

Page 26: ...ower corner of this center section rep resents the home position for the X and Y axes By default the router returns to this position after it com pletes the cutting program This home position aligns with the center of the bit when the router is positioned above it Most X Y measurements for designing and routing are based off this location Switch to ShopBot FULL ShopBotEASY has limited functionalit...

Page 27: ... when necessary Surfacing the Deck The basic deck is made out of MDF It makes a good sacrificial deck but the thickness can vary due to the manufacture of the material and changes in humidity For most cutting this doesn t matter but for critical depth cutting pocket cutting or v carving the MDF should be sur faced first Use the Table Surfacer routine under Tools in the FULL ShopBot control It can ...

Page 28: ... the bit chosen 1 2 in this example Click the Make my surfacing file button Click Yes to proceed to the save window Save the file with a name that is easy to remember in a location that will be easy to find Include the tool in the name for convenience later Click Save A preview file will appear Open and run the cut file If an area of the deck is left un surfaced re zero to the area that was missed...

Page 29: ... through the start menu When first using VCarve Pro it will be necessary to enter the I D number at tached to the cover of the print version of this guide sent with the machine Tutorials will be copied to the computer as part of the installation process They are located in the Tutorial Video Browser section The graphic above is a basic overview of the program interface There are many resources ava...

Page 30: ...at has accumulated in the control area This is especially true if cutting aluminum On an as needed basis approx every six months Wipe clean collets collet nuts and collet end of arbor Apply a light coat of machine oil with an oil dampened rag not soaked or dripping to keep from rust NOTE Damage or wear due to misuse or an ac cident will require additional attention depending on the problem Transpo...

Page 31: ...Bot Training Classes www shopbottools com mSupport training htm Information on a variety of different CAD CAM software packages for design www shopbottools com mProducts software htm Tooling materials and more www shopbottools com mSupport resourcelist htm ShopBot Forum http www talkshopbot com forum forum php Technical support http www shopbottools com support htm ...

Page 32: ...Desktop Quick Start Guide October 6 2017 Copyright 2017 ShopBot Tools Inc page 32 ...