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CNC Machines

"Numerical control (also computer numerical control, and commonly called CNC) is the automated control of machining tools (such as drills, boring tools, lathes) and 3D printers by means of a computer. A CNC machine processes a piece of material (metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or composite) to meet specifications by following a coded programmed instruction and without a manual operator"

Otago Polytech B.I.T

 

Here in the I.T. workshop we have a number of CNC Machines ranging from 3D printers, to a mini pcb cnc mill, and also a mini laser etcher cnc.  The farmbot itself is also a CNC machine.

Our team utilised the inhouse 3D printers to print parts for the farmbot project.



CNC Machine Documentation

3D Printing

Mobirise

CNC Router & Setup

Mobirise

  • Open the folder containing the driver and the GRBL software.
  • Install the driver first, then the software.
  • Install a third software for choice i.e. Scan2Cad (for converting images to the .nc file type that GRBL uses)
  • Use the third party software to creat the needed .nc file type for the machines.
  • Vectorizes and save the file you have just created.
  • Open the GRBL software and then open the .nc file you have created (this should bring up the image you just saved and have a scrollable list of gcode line below which the machines will use to naviagte)
  • plug and power on machine of choice.
  • connect the machine via USB cable to the computer.
  • In the GRBL software the the machine should automatically connect and the 'send, pause and abort' buttons should be available.
  • If GRBL software dosnt connect open device manager(windows) and find the com port the usb is conneted to.
  • Then go into GRBL, click Service, then settings, the connection and type in the correct port.
  • Use the above buttons to control the machine.

CNC Laser Engraver & Setup

Mobirise

  • Create a file in InkScape, and follow this tutorial to generate the Gcode https://winder.github.io/ugs_website/
  • Follow this tutorial https://www.ctoom.com/tutorial/how-to-create-g-code-file-with-inkscape/
  • Once the gcode is generated,  move onto the hardware computer and import the gcode file into the universal Gcode Sender java app. 
  • Laser engraver should be connected, if not restart computer (this is for issues with com port)
  • Use the on screen controls to move the laser to a home point and set home.
  • click send to start gcode script.
Farmbot 2020 Team Farmbot