Name

Shapeoko 3 XXL

Date Acquired

Training

Training Required

Manufacturer

Carbide 3D

Description

CNC plastic materials and soft metals that do not require coolant.

Maching area: 830mmX x 850mmY x 140mmZ (approximately 33" x 33" x 5.5")

Volunteers

Jay Phelps

Related Pages

DMS Resources

- Shapeoko 3 XXL Safety & Operation v3.0: Shapeoko 3 XXL Safety and Operation v3r0.pdf
- Bitsetter v2 Manual (pages 11-14): bitsetter-v2-Shapeoko.pdf
- BitZero v2 Setup and User Guide: BitZero_V2_Shapeoko_Setup_User_Guide_03-08-2021_v1.pdf

- Carbide 3D Downloads (for Carbide Motion or Carbide Create)
- Video training, design and support resources
- Carbide 3D User Community Forums
- General milling/routing practices for this kind of machine


Basics

THIS EQUIPMENT REQUIRES TRAINING. DO NOT USE UNLESS YOU HAVE TAKEN THE CLASS AND BEEN SIGNED OFF BY A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR!

This machine is located in the Machine Shop and belongs to the Plastics Special Interest Group (PIG-SIG).

It is primarily designed for machining of primarily thin/flat materials. It is not intended for machining blocks of material that would be better suited to the Bridgeport, HAAS, or Nomad.

It's a Shapeoko 3XXL from Carbide 3D.

  • It uses a VFD spindle and has a belt-driven Z-axis.
  • All cutters, including drills, must fit into the provided 3/9, 1/4" and 1/8" ER16 collets provided.
    • Recommended: Using your own endmills is ideal however some basic options are provided in the yellow container under the machine.
  • There are four parallel T-slot tracks for clamping (one on each side edge and two equally spaced in the center). They will accept a 1/4" T-bolt. Eight low profile wooden "clamps" are available on the machine. Work holding is very important and users should plan their clamping and fixturing well.


Rules

1. Spoil board:

  • You must avoid damage to the machine's spoil board.  If you do damage it you must report it in Talk or to a volunteer in the Machine Shop.
  • You must provide and use your own sacrificial "spoil board" (MDF recommended) if there is any chance, or by design, of cutting through your material.

2. Only specific materials are authorized (listed below).
3. There is a dust collection system that works extremely well. Use it whenever possible.

You must clean up after yourself regardless.

Materials

ALLOWED:

  • Only non-toxic materials are allowed
  • Plastics (be mindful of what's in the plastic - some can contain materials like fiberglass which makes them "toxic" with regards to these rules.
  • Soft metal (aluminum, brass, etc)
  • Glass (diamond drag bit engraving only)

NOT ALLOWED:

  • Any cutting oil or coolant
  • Fiberglass, composites (including carbon fiber) or any materials containing toxic additives
  • Wood (only allowed for the spoil board)