ShopBots

ShopBots Information

A ShopBot is a CNC machine that uses a multitude of drill bits to cut and engrave into materials, such as a variety of wood and foam. In the MakerSpace we have two ShopBots, the ShopBot Desktop and the ShoBbot Buddy. The ShopBot Desktop has a bed size of 24 inch by 18 inch by 3.5 inch and a built in hood to contain debris. The ShopBot Buddy has a bed size of 24 inch by 32 inch by 5 inch and does not have a cover. 
SHOPBOT DESKTOP
SHOPBOT DESKTOP
Shopbot Buddy
SHOPBOT BUDDY
  • MakerSpace Safety Orientation and ShopBot CNC Router Training are required to use this machine.
  • It is recommended that you learn and get comfortable using the Othermill before using the ShopBot.
  • Fusion 360 (Recommended for generating toolpaths from 3D geometry)
  • PartWorks (Similar to VCarve, used for creating toolpaths from vectors or bitmaps)
  • PartWorks3D (Similar to Cut3D, used for creating toolpaths from .STLs)
  • ShopBot 3 (Used to run ShopBot Part files, similar to GCode)
Nominal Cutting Area (X ⋅ Y ⋅ Z)
  • ShopBot Desktop - 24" x 18" x 3.5" (610mm x 460mm x 89mm)
  • ShopBot Buddy - 24" x 32" x 5" (610mm x 813mm x 127mm)
 
  Allowed Materials (You must bring your own material to cut on the ShopBot)
  • Plywood
  • MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
  • Softwoods
  • Hardwoods
  • Soft Plastics
  • Hard Plastics
Available Cutting Tools
  • 1/2" 90° V Bit
  • 1/8" Upcut Ball Nose
  • 1/4" Upcut Super "O"
  • 1/4" Downcut
  • 1/16" Tapered Ball Nose
  • 1/2" Two Flute Straight V Flute
  • 1/8" Straight "O" Flute
If you provide your own bit, it must have a 1/4" or 1/8" shank and should be designed for use with a CNC Router. Feeds and Speeds Spindle RPM (speed) and tool movement (feedrate) should be chosen carefully based on the tool used and material to be cut. If you're using MakerSpace cutting bits, a tool library is available for Fusion 360 below, which includes reasonable values. The same tools are available in PartWorks. Check that the pass depth (AKA maximum roughing stepdown, multiple depths, etc.) is set to no more than the radius of the tool. Fusion 360 Tool Library These include tools available in the MakerSpace, and are programmed with feeds and speeds already. Be aware these speeds may need to be adjusted based on the actual composition of the material being cut. These can be imported into Fusion by right clicking on the 'Local' tool library -> Import Tool Library, or: How to import a cloud tool library. Some Fusion 360 Tool Libraries can be found here (Google Drive).

Inspiration

Wooden parts of the infinity mirror milled out and glued together to form a cylindrical shape.

How to make an Infinity Mirror
January 26, 2020
By Florentina Sergiou

A piece of wood with Cyprus milled out and encased in blue resin to represent the ocean around the island.

Cyprus Milled with Resin
May 17, 2020
By Florentina Sergiou

A piece of wood with Anilu milled out. LED light strips are placed into the milled out section.

How to make an LED Light Board
December 18, 2020
By Edward Quito

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