{"id":4799,"date":"2023-11-19T20:43:46","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T20:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sc-fa.com\/blog\/?p=4799"},"modified":"2023-11-19T20:58:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T20:58:24","slug":"3018-cnc-notes-on-mac-os","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sc-fa.com\/blog\/3018-cnc-notes-on-mac-os\/","title":{"rendered":"3018 CNC notes, on Mac OS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Greetings! Here are my notes for how I used a 3018 CNC machine on the mac. I had two primary methods that I tried. One was using a .BRD import workflow for Chilipeppr, and the other way was to use a free Carbide 3d web tool to generate the copper trace toolpaths. Chilipeppr runs the gcode in both methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Chilipeppr Direct .brd Import Workflow<\/summary>\n

Chilipeppr<\/a> Direct .brd Import Workflow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generate gcode using Chilipeppr<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only thing you should really be watching out for is the routing depth. Make sure it goes below the surface of the board<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Run the gcode using Chilipeppr<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

whoa there, let’s talk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

here’s where the other half of the situation happens. We have the idea, the breadboard prototype, eagle cad designs, we have the gerbers, xcellon, and now we have gcode. Now we enter the physical world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

machine physical setup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

the 3018 isn’t exactly loud, but it could be quieter. I have spare discs of silicone hanging around, so I’ve cut some up to make rubber pads to go underneath the machine. You could easily just implement LRF<\/code>\u2020 support instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2020 little rubber feet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the machine facing you, the x<\/code> axis runs left to right with the yz<\/code> support frame being further away from you. This will make understanding the machine’s movement easier when we get to later steps in The Workflow<\/code>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

double sided tape \/ hold down options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, I prefer the super-glue’d blue painters tape trick, as described by this straight up wizard<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

spoil board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I’m using a sheet of ~1\/4″ thick acrylic, because I have a ton of that sitting idle, but it’s not too important what you use. You’re goingt to be robotically drilling holes, and lots of them, so use some kind of spoil board so you don’t drill into the aluminum bed of the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use some diy<\/code> double sided tape to stick the spoil board to the aluminum bed of the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

single sided copper laminate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I got mine from aliexpress<\/a> at about $5 a sheet for ~7″x11″ (200mm x 300mm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

thoughts on placement of the copper on the 3018<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’ll want to have a bit<\/em> of overhang of the copper board exposed off the bed of the machine, in order to attach the aligator clips for the upcoming autoleveling step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

drag and drop the .brd file into chilipeppr.com\/grbl<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tool paths should show up in a 3d environment in the web browser. Running gcode inside of a web browser. *welcome… to the world of tomorrow<\/strong>*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

autolevelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is not an optional step!<\/code> All copper clad boards are not-flat, and because of the extremely shallow depth of cut we’ll be making, we need to have the toolpaths be calibrated to follow the curve of the board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the 3018 CNC machine, the probe pin is #5<\/a> in the mostly-unused expansion pins in the back. There are two, and you need both. One is the signal, and the other is ground. When you run autoleveling, you attach one aligator clip to the copper, and the other to your endmill. Then the program will run a bunch of tests to see how un-flat your copper board is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

specific settings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n