2.5 Axis Mill - xCarve - Easel, Fusion 360 & Chilepepr
Our in house mill is a 2.5 Axis 1000mm xCarve mill. it has its own CAM and CNC Software called Easel, but you can use Fusion 360 with chilliepepr if you want to cut something more complex.
xCarve Safety
xCarve 1000mm Overview
DO NOT CUT STEEL OR 7000 SERIES ALUMINUM ON OUR MILL
- Our Shop Mill is a 2.5 axis, meaning it can move in the X&Y directions with limited Z cutting(stairs but not ramps). 1000mm router mill.
- The working area is 800mm(31.49") x 800mm(31.49") x 65mm(2.55") if you want to cut something larger please tell a mentor.
- Our mill is great for plywood, sandee board, acrylic, polycarbonate, delrin, 5053 Aluminum and 6061 Aluminum. Not steel or 7071 AL
- if you have a question about a material, cut, or bits, please ask a mentor
Sign up for Easel
- Go to http://easel.inventables.com/
- Click "Sign in through Inventables"
- Check "I am a New Customer"
- fill in the form with your primary email and click next
- Go through the basic tutorial ( 11ish steps)
- Select Machine in the top left
- Set your work area to 31.5" x31.5"
Inventables video introducing Easel
Sign up for Fusion360
Prepping your Onshape part for milling
Replace all sharp corners with fillets
Because the mill uses a circular bit to go around the edges of your part you will need to add radius' to all your parts to speed the part creation up.
While it is possible to "mill a square" its not recommended with our set up and is very very slow to cut.
- Select the Fillet tool from your tool bar.
- set the radius to the size of your milling bit (1/8" or 1/4", normally 1/8")
- go through the part and replace all edge intersections with the fillet
Exporting your part from Onshape
Creating tool paths using Easel
Create a layout
Create your stock
Import your part
Lay out you part on your stock
Create your tool paths
Outside in Method
Depth Cuts
Dril/Peck
Helical
Pockets
Contour
Creating Tool Paths Using Fusion360&Chiliepepr
Create a layout
Create your stock
Import your part
Lay out you part on your stock
Create your tool paths
Outside in Method
Depth Cuts
Dril/Peck
Helical
Pockets
Contour
Select correct bit
Bit and Material Table
Changing a Bit
Prepping your stock
Measure your parts
Cut your stock
Do not use our table saw for cutting metal.
Secure your stock
Add hold downs
Set your Feeds and Speeds
Easel
- Find your bit and material and cut in the xCarve Feeds and Speeds Table
Chilipepr
- Find your bit and material and cut in the xCarve Feeds and Speeds Table
Final Prep for the cut
Oil the cutting area
Evaluate cutting area and tie downs
Turn on dust collection
Zeroing the Mill
Easel
Chilipepr
Cut
- Turn on spindle
Monitoring the part as it cuts
Always watch the mill while it cuts
be sure to be wearing safety glasses and light hearing protection