Maslow

RED equipment: Do not use without specific training.

Induction Required

See Toby

Ownership

Owned by the Hackspace

Current Status

Working and ready for use

What is it?

The Maslow CNC is a large format vertical orientation 8'x4' approx CNC controlled milling machine https://www.maslowcnc.com/

Be aware that it is a slow machine however the cost £500 for the large size makes up for that.

What can I cut with it?

Wood, primarily large sheets of plywood and MDF

What bits do I use?

You can use 1/4" shank router bits preferably such as this or this or 1/8" bits using the reducing collets or these

Safety

NEVER leave it alone while running fires have been started with Maslows left unattended

You will require ear defenders while using the Maslow the router is LOUD!!!

Safety googles/glasses are also recommended

A good filtering dust mask is advisable if cutting MDF

There is currently no built in extraction so use the small canister vacuum cleaner as you go to help keep the dust down

There is a tethered control box to start/stop/estop the power supply to the electronics and the spindle

To energise these components press and release the green button

To stop the machine normally and run down the spindle such as the end of an operation press and release the red button

To stop the machine in an emergency slap the estop button, to reset it twist it.

Workflow

As with any CNC machine there are 3 steps, Step 1: CAD, Design your part, Step 2: CAM, produce the GCode to run the machine, Step 3: Manafacturer, make the thing.

CAD

2D CAD software QCad, Fusion 360 etc.... output a DXF file

CAM

Fusion 360, Cambam, any software that enables you to specify a bit size and the operations that you want to do for example pocketing, drilling and profiling

Feedrate: 800MMM per minute equivalent to 30IPM

Plunge Depth: 1/2 the cutting diameter on a 3.175mm bit I use 1.25 just for a little bit more safety, this cuts 12mm MDF fine.

Speeds: The router speed cannot be controlled from the CAM it is fixed using the wheel on the router itself, put a value in if you want.

Tabs: If you are cutting parts all the way through you will want to add tabs manually or automatically to hold the parts in place, this is important because of the vertical nature of the machine

Manafacture

The sled will be hanging out of the way on a screw this is to relieve the tension on the chains and motors when it's not being used, lift the sled off and place it on the work area.

You can position your work piece and screw it down to the backboard

The software that runs the Maslow is called Webcontrol this is an evolution of the original PC based software that was created for the Maslow.

Webcontrol runs from the Raspberry PI in the Maslow control box.

To connect to it once your device is on the Hackspace wifi use a web browser and go to http://10.0.0.222:5000

It's handy to have a phone also with the webcontrol interface loaded as this can be used to jog the Z axis when standing at the machine

More information about webcontrol can be found here

Troubleshooting

What can go wrong!!!

• Chain slips on cog during cutting - Machine will need re-calibrating as it relies heavily on knowing the chain length exactly, refer to the Maslow_Calibrating page for full details
• Cutting bit breaks - Hit the EStop, replace bit start operation from beggining including replacing workpiece or moving start position as required.
• When cutting all the way through your material you have to think about gravity and how it may fall out, you should use tabs in your design but if they fail you need to pause the cut in webcontrol and then fix the loose part with tape or nails or remove it

Video Resources

Maslow WebControl Software Overview of some features

Sample GCode

Some sample GCode to cut a 40mm circle using a 3.175mm in a collet.

Maintainers

Main contact person currently is B Norcutt aka Plexer

Training

An induction will be required.

Inducted Members

These members have attended an induction (if you're name is not on the list arrange an induction before using)

• B Norcutt - B Norcutt
• James Mason - B Norcutt