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Carbide 3D NOMAD 3 Getting Started Manual

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NOMAD
GETTING STARTED GUIDE

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Summary of Contents for Carbide 3D NOMAD 3

  • Page 1 NOMAD GETTING STARTED GUIDE...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Which Materials Can the Nomad 3 Cut? .................... 21 How Do I Install/Remove an End Mill? ....................22 How Do I Secure Material to the Nomad 3? ..................24 How Do I Set Job Zero? ........................27 What Are Toolpaths and G-code? ..................... 34 Where Can I Find Tutorials &...

  • Page 3: Welcome And Congratulations

    Welcome and Congratulations You are now the proud owner of a Nomad 3, an incredibly powerful and easy-to-use CNC machine. In this guide we will walk you through everything you need to know to get started using your Nomad 3.

  • Page 4: Important Safety Instructions

    Always ensure the end mill is securely held by the collet before machining. • Always use common sense. In the event that you need to stop the machine right away, press the Power Switch to turn off the Nomad 3. Additional Safety Recommendations •...
  • Page 5 Nomad 3 Interlock and Enclosure Nomad 3 has an interlock. When the spindle is running, opening the door will trigger the interlock which causes the project to pause, and the spindle to pause and move up to a parked position. When the interlock is triggered, Carbide Motion will display the pause screen.

  • Page 6: Parts Of Nomad 3

    Parts of Nomad 3 Spindle Motor Spindle End Mill BitSetter Interlock Power Switch Table Door BitZero V2 Power NOTE: We do not recommend leaving the door open for long periods of time, as this can weaken the door hinge. support@carbide3d.com docs.carbide3d.com...

  • Page 7: Step 1: Unpack Nomad 3 Box

    Let’s begin by making sure that everything is accounted for and free from any shipping damage. Open the Nomad 3 box by cutting the tape across the top seam. Take precautions to preserve the box while opening; if your machine needs to be moved or shipped, the box is the only way to ensure safe transport of the machine.
  • Page 8 PRO TIP: Your Nomad 3 kit was carefully packaged by hand. If, after completing your inventory, you find that something is missing or damaged, contact us at support@carbide3d.com and we’ll ship it to you ASAP. Open the Nomad Accessory Kit Open the accessory box and inspect its contents.
  • Page 9 Item Description Power Cord Power Supply USB Cable 8″ × 8″ × ½″ MDF Wasteboard 6″ × 7″ × ½″ Bamboo Plywood 2″ × 3″ × 1″ Renshape Double-Sided Tape Wasteboard Hardware: M6 × 10mm SHCS 4mm Hex Key 17mm Collet Wrench 13mm Shaft Wrench ″...

  • Page 10: Step 2: Download And Install Software

    MeshCAM MeshCAM is 3D CAM software that can convert 3D models such as STL files, into G-code for your Nomad 3. MeshCAM saves a proprietary G-code for Nomad machines, so no additional license code is required to use it with Nomad 3, but it will not generate G-code for other CNC machines.

  • Page 11: Step 3: Connect And Home Nomad 3

    2. Connect the USB cable to your computer. 3. Start Carbide Motion on your computer. 4. Press the Power switch on the front of Nomad 3 to power it on. 5. In Carbide Motion, click the Connect to Cutter button.
  • Page 12 Home Your Nomad 3 Now that you are connected to your Nomad 3, it’s time to home it. Homing your CNC machine is the process of sending it to a known, fixed, repeatable location. This means that every time you home the machine, it will move to EXACTLY the same position.

  • Page 13: Step 4: Install The Wasteboard

    Step 4: Install the Wasteboard Now that the homing sequence has moved the table to the front of the machine, it’s time to install the wasteboard. The wasteboard protects the machine’s aluminum table from damage. While you can attach stock material directly to the table, chances are high that you’ll accidently cut through the material and into the table at some point, so we highly recommend using the wasteboard.

  • Page 14: Step 5: Install The Collet And Nut

    Step 5: Install the Collet and Nut What Is a Collet? A collet is used to secure an end mill in the spindle. A collet is sized to hold one diameter of cutter. Your Nomad 3 comes with a ″ ER-11 collet which is capable of holding any ″...
  • Page 15 How to Install the Collet and Nut To install the collet and nut: 1. Snap the collet into the collet nut: a. Set the collet nut on the table with the threads facing up. b. Use your thumb to press the collet into the nut until you hear a “click.”...

  • Page 16: Step 6: Install A Probing Pin

    (to use the BitZero V2 to find job zero) or you can install an end mill. Typically, you will install an end mill only after finding job zero. To get ready to find job zero in the first project, the Nomad 3 Starter Project, you’ll need to install the probing pin: 1. Insert the ″...

  • Page 17: Step 7: Run The Starter Project

    Carbide 3D website will walk you through the steps to create a tool organizer tray which can hold all of your Nomad 3 accessories, such as end mills, ER-11 collets, and wrenches. The tutorial uses the 6″ × 7″ × ½″...

  • Page 18: Next Steps

    Next Steps Frequently Asked Questions On the following pages, you’ll find detailed answers to Nomad 3 frequently asked questions: Which End Mills Can I Use? Which Materials Can the Nomad 3 Cut? How Do I Install/Remove an End Mill? How Do I Secure Material to the Nomad 3?

  • Page 19: Which End Mills Can I Use

    Which End Mills Can I Use? Nomad 3 uses a spindle with an ER-11 collet system. The machine ships with a ″ collet and nut, which allows you to use any end mill, also known as a cutter, that has an ″...
  • Page 20 The maximum end mill diameter that you can use with your Nomad 3 is 7mm (0.275″); make sure to purchase an appropriately sized collet. NOTE: The Nomad 3 does not use a proprietary system for end mills. That means that any end mill, from any vendor will work.
  • Page 21 Up-Cut: Up-cut end mills 'pull' the chips UP and out of the slot. These tend to leave a smooth finish on the bottom of the material. Down-Cut: Down-cut end mills 'push' the chips DOWN into the slot. These tend to leave a smooth finish on the top of the material.

  • Page 22: Which Materials Can The Nomad 3 Cut

    *With the use of coolants, harder metals such as titanium and steel alloys and some stainless-steel alloys have also been machined with the Nomad Pro, our previous Nomad model. The Nomad 3 has a more powerful spindle, so anything that can be machined on Nomad Pro, can definitely be machined on your Nomad 3.

  • Page 23: How Do I Install/Remove An End Mill

    NOTE: BitSetter is an automatic tool offset probe, which measures the length of each tool. BitSetter makes it easy to run jobs using multiple tools without the need to stop and re-zero your Z-Axis manually. This makes toolchanges with the Nomad 3 simple and straight forward. How Tight Should the Collet Be Around the End Mill? •...
  • Page 24 4. Remove any debris from the end mill and store it in its original plastic packaging or a tool tray. NOTE: The Nomad 3 Starter Project on the Carbide 3D website will walk you step-by-step through creating a tool tray designed to hold multiple end mills, collets, and other tools. The Starter Project uses the 6″ × 7″...

  • Page 25: How Do I Secure Material To The Nomad 3

    The main objective for workholding is to secure your material to the machine in a way that will not yield to the forces of machining. The most common forms of workholding for the Nomad 3 are: • Double-sided tape •...
  • Page 26 Purchase Nomad Threaded Table This is a ½″ thick aluminum replacement table for your Nomad 3. It's got over fifty M6 × 1 threaded holes to give you plenty of clamping options. The Threaded Table comes with the table, clamps, and five M6 screws to attach it to your Nomad’s aluminum table.
  • Page 27 When you use up the last of the double-sided tape included in your Nomad 3 kit, you can purchase it through the Carbide 3D store. Tape is 0.75″ wide, 5 mil thick, 36 yards long, and it has 66 ounces per inch adhesion.

  • Page 28: How Do I Set Job Zero

    You can use BitZero V2 to find the X, Y, and Z zero position, or you can use it to find only Z, only Y, or only X. As you get started with your Nomad 3, you will likely want to set job zero on one corner of your stock, so you’ll need to find X, Y, and Z.
  • Page 29 1. Make sure the BitZero V2 is plugged into the top connector on the outside of the machine enclosure. 2. Connect to and home your Nomad 3. 3. Place the included interlock key on the face of the interlock. The interlock key is specifically provided to allow you to set job zero with the protective door open.
  • Page 30 5. In Carbide Motion, click the Resume button. The spindle will move to the BitSetter and will automatically measure the length of the probing pin. 6. Set the BitZero V2 on a corner of your stock with the locating edges overhanging, but pressed up against the sides of your stock.
  • Page 31 7. In Carbide Motion, click Jog in the top menu bar to open the Jog screen. Jog Shortcuts 8. Jog the machine until the tip of the probing pin is just Up Arrow: Move Y-Axis toward the front. inside the circular pocket (or bore) on the corner of Down Arrow: Move Y-Axis toward the back.
  • Page 32 9. In order for the probing pin to register against the BitZero V2, it needs to be grounded. Attach the magnetic grounding clip, which exits the body of the BitZero, to either the collet nut or the probing pin in the spindle. If using the probing pin, make sure at least ½″...
  • Page 33 13. In the Probe Type dropdown list, select BitZero V2. 14. In the Cycle Type dropdown list, select Probe Corner (Z+, X+, Y+). NOTE: Make sure your spindle/BitZero setup matches the image shown on the Work Probing screen for the Cycle Type you have selected.
  • Page 34 16. Once the probing sequence completes, click the Done button at the bottom of the Work Probing screen and Carbide Motion will set your zero location for X, Y, and Z. 17. Remove the BitZero V2 and grounding clip from the machine enclosure. 18.

  • Page 35: What Are Toolpaths And G-Code

    What Are Toolpaths and G-code? When your CNC machine is running, it is executing G-code, which was created by defining toolpaths. Think of toolpaths as your visual guide to “programming” your CNC machine. Toolpaths tell the machine how to cut your design into the material.
  • Page 36 Now, let’s take a look at the first three toolpaths again, this time with a little visual context: • Inside Cut: Offsets the cutter to the inside of the feature • Outside Cut: Offsets the cutter to the outside of the feature •...

  • Page 37: Where Can I Find Tutorials & Project Inspiration

    Where Can I Find Tutorials & Project Inspiration? Find Additional Tutorials After you have completed the Nomad 3 Starter Project, visit the Carbide 3D Tutorials page for more Nomad tutorials, including: • 3D Head Project (MeshCAM) • Two-Toned Wood Sign Project (MeshCAM) •...
  • Page 38 Find Projects and Inspiration on CutRocket Check out CutRocket, the Carbide 3D project sharing site, to explore even more cutting projects for your Nomad 3. On CutRocket you’ll find a wide variety of projects: signs, toys, games, tools, art, and storage and organization—and the project files for each.

  • Page 39: Which Accessories Can I Use With Nomad 3

    Which Accessories Can I Use with Nomad 3? The Nomad 3 is designed to be part of an ecosystem of products that make machining as simple as possible. Your Nomad 3 works with: Nomad Replacement MDF Wasteboards Replacement wasteboards for your Nomad 3 are available in the Carbide 3D store.

  • Page 40: What Maintenance Should I Do

    Nomad 3 is maintenance free! Lubricating the X- And Y-Axis The only oil we use and recommend for lubrication of the Nomad 3’s X- and Y- rails is Super Lube Synthetic Oil with PTFE. It’s available from Amazon...

  • Page 41: Machine Operating Checklist

    Power up the computer. b. Connect the USB cable to your computer. c. Start Carbide Motion on your computer. d. Press the Power button to turn your Nomad 3 on. e. In Carbide Motion, connect to the machine. Home the machine.
  • Page 42 Once the job is complete, the spindle will automatically stop and return to its parked position. Remove the finished piece. Remove any waste and vacuum the inside of the Nomad 3. Store end mills carefully when not in use to protect the cutting edges. Collets and end mills should be cleaned when they accumulate milling debris.

  • Page 43: Glossary Of Terms

    Collet: A collet is a cone-shaped sleeve that holds an end mill in place in the spindle. End Mill / Cutter / Tool: End mills are the cutting tools used by your Nomad 3. End mills are similar to drill bits, though, typically they can cut in all directions.

  • Page 44: Machine Use And Maintenance Log

    Machine Use and Maintenance Log support@carbide3d.com docs.carbide3d.com 12/22/2020...

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