Guide to the small CNC milling machines at Fellesverkstedet + parts we designed to improve the machines
- Tiny precise milling machines with a 160mm x 80mm x 15mm work area. Slow and weak, but nice for PCB milling, engraving and 3D milling small projects.
- Commonly called 1810 CNC. Many different variations are sold. We bought ours as kits on Aliexpress
- V-Carve pro works well. Make sure you use the GRBL post processor when exporting.
- Bark Beetle also works well. Files with auto setting for the 1810 machines here.
- You can use almost any CAM software that can output plain g-code, like Fusion360 etc. Easel by Shapeoko is an online user friendly simple alternative.
- Universal g-code sender works well: https://winder.github.io/ugs_website/
- Alternatively you can use any g-coder sender for GRBL
- We like to set up a macro button that homes the machine and sets the correct offsets after homing. Example in the repo here
- Double sided tape works well. We like the tape dispenser type from 3M that can be bought at Jernia
- Max spindle RPM is 9200. Feedrates should be half of what you use with the same bit on a ShopBot (max 18000RPM), and pass depths should be lots shallower.
- The machines are very precise, but very weak. For precision results you almost always need to set up a finishing pass removing the last 0.05-0.1mm.
- Skim cuts can also work sometimes (running the same job again)
- Absolute max X travel is 172mm - Useful work area with 6mm safety at start and is 160mm
- Absolute max Y travel is 91mm - Useful work area with 5.5mm safety is 80mm
- Absolute max Z travel is 43mm - Useful work area with collet nut on is about 36mm. Max thickness of material to cut through (Bit needs to clear the stock) is about 15mm.
- Max spindle speed seems to be 9200RPM
- Spindle speed is not linear, so a g-code with for instance a 5000RPM instruction will get a higher RPM than specified.
- Spindle speed 9000RPM is recommended for convenience and max productivity.
- Use of a tachometer app or a real tachometer is recommended for lower RPM needs.
- We have developed 3D printed parts for adding homing sensors to the X,Y and Z axis. Files are in this repo here. We bought these homing sensors at Aliexpress.
- We have developed a 3D printable controller case with a transparent acrylic lid. Files in the repo here
- An enclosure is also under development. Files here
- Make more robust mount for Z homing switch (can easily move upwards now and not trigger or give inconsistent triggering, screw triggering X limit switch can also shift)
- Add e-stop button
- Add on/off switch
- Add safety warning graphics and simple instructions on the machine
- Finish enclosure, add handle and hinge
- Tidy up wiring, shorten limit switch cable lengths
- Add probing plate and wiring for bit length probing (ala our shopbot setup)
- Grease leadscrews?
- Improve springloaded preload on acme thread nuts (for increased stiffness)
- Adjust X and Y axes to be square
- Adjust Z axis angle to be 90 deg to XY plane
- Add dust collection solution?
- https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki
- https://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.6/html/gcode/gcode.html
- https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/G-Code
- https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/G-Code#Using_the_Work_Coordinate_Systems
A 32mm x 40mm graphic engraved with a 1mm ball nose and a 60 degree v-bit
The same motive in sterling silver, cutouts at 0.1mm pass depth