Taig CNC mill
| Status | Works |
| Training | Mandatory |
| Hackable | No |
| Usage Restrictions | Members Only |
| Owner | Brian (Gear105 online) |
| If it Breaks | Put a “broken” sign on machine, post to Talk with details. |
| Loan Status | Loaned to VHS by Brian |
| Arrival Date | November 2016 |
| Location | Workshop |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
Forum thread, login info, etc.
Safety at a Glance
CNC machines don't care what they're cutting, whether it is steel, or human flesh.
Required:
Safety Glasses
Clamping devices (apply liberally; better to have more clamps at moderate pressure than few at great pressure, to avoid damaging the T-slot)
an experienced machine operator (if this is not you, you must get someone to help you!)
long hair must be tied back
Optional (but recommended):
Not recommended (must have a reason why):
Prohibited:
Gloves, loose clothing (NEVER near rotating machinery!)
Unclamped Material (can be thrown off the machine!)
Safe Operation
Startup
With the power disconnected, clear all non essential material from the CNC working area.
Turn on computer and open Mach3
Connect power & turn on motor controller
This machine has no limit switches, so it must be manually homed each time it is powered up
I should be left in the home position (g28) but if it is not…
Disable soft limits
Drive all steppers to their fully retracted position (using arrow keys, PgUp/PgDn) i.e. Bed should be closest to x and y stepper motors
Back off a couple steps (using ctrl + arrows)
Go to MDI tab, enable Machine Coord's, and click Ref All Home
Unclick Machine Coord's
Go to Program Run tab and re-enable soft limits
!!!Oil the machine before use!!! both sides of the ways
Zeroing The Stock
Note the work origin that you've used in your cam setup.
Drive the mill until it is touching the stock.
Use (shift + arrows) to go fast. Use (control + arrows) to go one step at a time.
For Z, use a piece of paper between the endmill and stock. When the paper can't be moved without ripping, consider that zero
For X & Y, turn on the spindle while slowly driving into the stock. Once you hear the endmill engage, zero that axis.
For X & Y, compensate for the diameter of the endmill
Drive Z up above the stock
G0X0.125Y0.125 (or whatever the tool radius is)
Zero the X and Y to make this the new home
E-Stop
This machine has no E-Stop button. Here are some important commands if things go awry:
ESC: Stops the G-code program
F5: Stops/Starts the spindle
CTRL-F: Stops/Starts the flood coolant
SPACEBAR: Pauses the G-code program
Running G-Code
After G-code is loaded and each tool change or setup, the first few operations should be approached cautiously to ensure everything is setup (and generated) correctly.
Point the flood coolant nozzles at the cutting tool
Click the CYCLE START button
If the program “exceeds soft limits” hit “regen toolpath” in the run window, if it still exceeds the soft limits the part is either tool large or will have to be repositioned
As the tool is approaching the workpiece, press SPACEBAR to pause the G-code
Press CTRL-F to stop the flood coolant
Toggle SINGLE STEP on
Click CYCLE START to continue to the next line of G-code
Repeat clicking CYCLE START as long as the cutting operation is proceeding as expected. Flush the cutting area with coolant by pressing CTRL-F as necessary
When satisfied that the setup and G-code is correct, toggle SINGLE STEP off and click CYCLE START to run until the next tool change (or end of the G-code program).
Shut down
Return home (G28 in MDI)
Remove your tool(s) from the chuck.
Clean up the cutting leftovers. The next user thanks you!
Shut off the motor controller and uplug it
Exit Mach3, turn off the monitor, and turn of the controller computer at the power supply
Collet Sizes
The Taig takes ER16 Collets.
Currently the following shaft sizes are available
1/32
1/8
3/16
1/4
5/16
3/8
For more info see ER16 Collets
Resources:
Maintenance History