ShopBot PRSalpha Quick Start Manual
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ShopBot PRSalpha Quick Start Manual

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PRS Quick-Start Guide
(for PRS and Buddy tools)
Introduction:
This document is intended to help you get started with your new Shop-
Bot. For more detailed information on any of these topics, please refer-
ence the ShopBot User's Guide (www.shopbottools.com/ShopBotDocs/
gantry.htm). See also the list of resources on the back page for more in-
formation.
SBG 00185
Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools
Copyright 2015
Date:
11/16/2015
Revision:
11/16/2015
Owner:
M. Cummings
1

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Summary of Contents for ShopBot PRSalpha

  • Page 1 Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools PRS Quick-Start Guide (for PRS and Buddy tools) Date: 11/16/2015 Introduction: Revision: 11/16/2015 This document is intended to help you get started with your new Shop- Bot. For more detailed information on any of these topics, please refer- Owner: M.
  • Page 2 Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Revision History: EC # Change Description Authority Date Release to new format, incorporating all documents M. Cummings 09/23/15 updates through 7/23/15 Updated document location, main parts picture, pro- M. Cummings 11/16/15 cess flow chart, TOC pages, removed acronyms page ShopBot Tools, Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Table of Contents General Safety and Precautions ....................... 5 PRS Quick-Start Process Flow ......................6 Main Parts of ShopBot PRS ......................7 Section 1. Software Setup and Orientation ..................8 Load Software and Drivers ......................8 Installing ShopBot Applications ....................
  • Page 4 Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Table of Contents (cont’d) Running the Cut ........................20 Pausing or Stopping the Cut ....................20 Software Controlled Stop ....................20 Emergency Stop ....................... 21 Section 3: Technical Basics ......................22 Bits ............................. 22 Calculating Feed Rates and RPMs with Chip Load ..............

  • Page 5: General Safety And Precautions

    Never place your hands on the rails of the ShopBot. Be aware that the machine may move unexpectedly in any direction, which can cause serious injury if your hands are in the path of movement.

  • Page 6: Prs Quick-Start Process Flow

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools PRS Quick-Start Process Flow Connect ShopBot to Load Software Load Settings File Computer (p. 9) and Drivers (p. 8) (p. 9) Set RPM Control Test Router/ (p. 16) Spindle (p. 13) Zero X and Y Axes Warm Up the Zero Z Axis (p.

  • Page 7: Main Parts Of Shopbot Prs

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Main Parts of ShopBot PRS Main Parts of ShopBot Buddy SBG 00185 Copyright 2015...

  • Page 8: Section 1. Software Setup And Orientation

    (motors, spindle, etc.) outside of a part file. Load software and drivers NOTE: Do not connect the ShopBot to your computer before installing the software and drivers! Special note for schools and large companies: ShopBot software runs best with full administrative permissions enabled.

  • Page 9: Connect Shopbot To Computer

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools When installation is complete, three new icons appear on the screen: ShopBot 3, ShopBot Editor, and VCarve Pro ShopBot Edition. Connect ShopBot to computer Connect USB cable from ShopBot control box to computer. Connect the RPM controller USB from vari- able frequency drive (VFD) unit into another USB port on the computer.

  • Page 10: Shopbot Control Software

    “Values” and “Limits for table”. Save the new setting as a custom settings file in the “Utilities” menu. ShopBot control software The ShopBot control software works in two modes: “Easy mode” (by default) shows only the necessary functions to set up and run a cut file. “Full mode” shows all available functions and settings. Switch be- tween the two modes by clicking on the Help/options button in the red position window.

  • Page 11: Axis Orientation

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Axis orientation It is essential to understand how the X, Y, and Z axes are oriented, and how this relates to job setup in the CAD/CAM software. Shown below is an example of a job in VCarve Pro and its corresponding orien- tation on each machine model.

  • Page 12: Test Each Axis With Keypad

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Test each axis with the keypad Turn ON the control box. Click on the yellow keypad window icon within the red position window. If the icon is not visible, click “move/cut” under “Mode” on the red position window.

  • Page 13: Test The Spindle/Router

    For PRSstandard models, press “OK” to start the router/spindle. For PRSalpha models, after toggling output 1, press the green “START” button on the three button pendant. To turn the spindle off, click the output 1 switch again or close the keypad window.

  • Page 14: Section 2: Running A Part File

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Section 2. Running a Part File This section covers setup procedures performed prior to previewing or running the part file. Zeroing the Z axis The Z axis must be zeroed each time that the machine is turned on or bits are changed. Zeroing can be done to either the top of the material or to the table surface.

  • Page 15: Zeroing The Xy Axes

    Click the XY Zero button or type a C3 command to use this feature. To make a permanent adjustment to the location of your 0,0 point based on the switches, click on [T]ools > ShopBot Setup, and “Next” until you see the screen that’s marked “ShopBot setup: Prox switches.” Then click “Click here to make it easy on me.”...

  • Page 16: Setting Up Rpm Control

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Setting up the RPM control This section only applies to PRSstandard and PRSalpha tools equipped with a spindle. Ensure the RPM controller USB plug (from VFD unit) is connected to the computer. In the main console window (should have a pic to identify this window), click on “Tools” and then “Spindle RPM Control.”...

  • Page 17: T-Track Tables And Rails

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools T-track tables and rails A system can be set up using T-track rails (available from woodworking supply stores), inlaid into the wood table. If using this method, be sure the rails sit low enough below the surface that they are out of the way when through-cutting.

  • Page 18: Vacuum Hold-Down Systems

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Vacuum hold-down systems A well-built vacuum system is ideal for repetitive cutting of plywood and other sheet materials. ShopBot offers several kits for full-table vacuum systems on our gantry tools. Holding parts within the material Tabs Large parts may shift as they are cut free, leading to a small gouge or notch along the edge.

  • Page 19: Onion Skin

    Warming Up the Spindle Note: This step is not necessary for ShopBot machines with routers. To maximize the life of spindle bearings, warm up the spindle before cutting, after letting it sit idle for longer than 4 hours.

  • Page 20: Running The Cut

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Running the cut If the test run looks good, click on “Cut Part” (or type FP command), and select part file. At the Part File (FP) setup screen (shown above), ensure “Offset in 2D or 3D” is set to “No Offset.” Click “START,” or Enter on your keyboard.

  • Page 21: Emergency Stop

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Emergency stop To immediately stop the spindle/router and all motors, use the red emergency stop button or switch, which will cut off power to all systems. To continue, you will need to re-zero all axes because the loca- tions will no longer be accurate.

  • Page 22: Section 3: Technical Basics

    Bit material: Router bits are made from a variety of materials. The most common bits are solid car- bide, carbide-tipped steel, and high-speed steel. ShopBot recommends either solid carbide or carbide- tipped bits. High-speed steel bits dull quickly and must be re-sharpened often.

  • Page 23: Calculating Feed Rates And Rpms With Chip Load

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Number of flutes: The number of flutes on a bit is essential to calculating proper feed and speed rates. For most applications, a bit with 1, 2, or 3 flutes can be used, but feed rates and RPMs must be adjusted to maintain proper chip load (see below).

  • Page 24: Switch From Inches To Millimeters

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Switch from inches to millimeters To work in metric units, click the help (blue question mark) button in the red position window, and choose the “Settings” button from the window that appears (below left). This brings up the window below right.

  • Page 25: Machine Maintenance

    Visually inspect all wiring and hoses. Check for cuts, scrapes, or pinch points on the cables. If motor cable is damaged, DO NOT run the machine as motor and driver damage is at risk. Call ShopBot tech support (919-680-4800) for advice on how to proceed.

  • Page 26: Resources

    Quick-Start Guide for PRSalpha and PRSstandard tools Resources To the best of our knowledge, these links are current. If you find that any of them are no longer work- ing, please contact us so that we can update them accordingly.

This manual is also suitable for:

PrsstandardBuddy

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