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The CNC router is one of the most important tools as over 70% of our parts our manufactured on this machine. We have four Laguna routers, comprised of 2 IQ's, the Swift and Tubeeeeee. The Swift has a larger work envelope and can fit sheets as big as 4 ft x 4ft, as well as a vacuum fixturing system. The Two IQ's we have are have are used for sheets have a workspace big enough to fit sheets no bigger than 2ft by 4ft. The Tube IQ will be outfitted with a tube jig operates only on box tubes. The primary usage of these routers will be to manufacture Aluminum & Polycarbonate (plastic) sheets as well as Box tubes of various sizes. We will also occasionally use the routers on wood and SRPP composite materials.
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Here is a video on our organized drill bit and endmill drawer, it will explain what is the difference between a bit and an endmill and how to correctly select the right sizes of bits, endmills and collets.
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Here is a picture of the Swift, it is primarily used for our biggest jobs This is a picture of one of our IQ's, we have two placed This is our Tube Router, the sole and only purpose of this machine
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How to setup your part?
Setting up your job is tedious but is a very important part of the whole process. This video will show you how to secure your parts on the IQ's.
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How to operate the machine?
Main System:
Here Here is a picture of the Swift's main switches, these switches control Here is a picture of the Controller, once the machine is on this is the
the power to the machine itself and the vacuum fixturing system. going to be the primary tool you use to operate the machine.
video on how to turn on the and activate the vacuum on the swift.
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For fixturing parts on the Swift you will, using double sided tape, tape the part and place it on the router, once stuck onto the router the vacuum for the swift will use its suction to secure the part even more.
Here is a video on how to turn on the IQ.
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At the bottom of the structure there is the main power switch, simply turn it to the right. Next, we you need to switch the key from 0 to 1, and finally press the Green button, wait for a few seconds and the router will start booting up. To the left of the green button is the Emergency Stop button. Only press this if you are actually in an emergency/unsure of what the machine is about to do. Once the machine finishes booting up there will be an option on the controller to to HOME the axis, you MUST click this button as the router needs to have a general set point to begin a job.
As the machine is powering up, next you will need to make sure that your coolant is plugged in as well as turn on the dust vacuum.
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We also use a software called Vcarve to generate the Gcode required by the machine to run. In short, Gcode is the programming language for the machine (the same language as the 3D printers). These instructions tell the spindle where to move and when, to trace out the cuts that the machine needs to do.
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6. What type of toolpath requires tabs?
- Profile
- Drill
- Texturing
7. I should include a ramp on my profile toolpath.
- True
- False
8. When should a pocket toolpath be used to cut the internal shapes of a part?
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- Preview the toolpath
- Just send it on the Laguna
Skillset Verification
- Export DXF from Onshape
- Create new file/workspace in Vcarve
- Import DXF into Vcarve
- Join vectors
- Move vectors to required position in workspace
- Select vectors for toolpath
- Optimize settings for toolpaths
- Create and effectively place tabs
- Put toolpaths in correct order
- Preview toolpaths to ensure tabs are correct
- Save toolpaths with correct naming scheme
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