Craftsman CompuCarve 183.217540 Operator's Manual

Compucarve system

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Operator's Manual
CRIIFTSM
CompuCarve
TM
System
Model Number: 183.217540
Please save this manual for future
reference.
CAUTION:
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Operating
Instructions
before
using this product.
Sears,
Roebuck
and Co.,
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Warranty
Safety
Setup
Features
Operation
Maintenance
Troubleshooting

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Summary of Contents for Craftsman CompuCarve 183.217540

  • Page 1 Operator's Manual CRIIFTSM CompuCarve System Model Number: 183.217540 • Warranty Please save this manual for future reference. • Safety • Setup CAUTION: Read and follow all Safety • Features Rules and Operating Instructions before using this product. • Operation • Maintenance Sears, Roebuck...
  • Page 2 CompuCarve system. CRAFTSMAN ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY If this tool fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within one year or 200 hours of use (whichever comes first) from the date of purchase, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME ® to arrange for repair.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    INTRODUCTION ....................TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................SPECIFICATIONS ....................SAFETY ......................... ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ............... GLOSSARY ......................UNPACKING COMPUCARVE MACHINE ........... ITEMS INCLUDED WITH THE COIvIPUCARVE SYSTEM ........... HARDWARE FEATURES ................OPERATION ...................... USING THE COMPUCARVE SYSTEM ..............CREATING PROJECTS WITH THE CARVEWRIGHT SOFTWARE ......
  • Page 4: Specifications

    Package Size ..........28.5" Long x 20.25" Wide x 18" Deep Package Weight ................78 Ibs (35.4 kg) Machine Weight ................70 Ibs (31.8 kg) Cut Motor Speed (No Load) ..............20,000 rpm Cut Motor Horsepower (Peak) ..............1.0Hp Electrical Rating ............90-123VAC at 3.5 A, 60 HZ Power Cord Length ..................
  • Page 5: Safety

    General Safety Rules For Power Tools ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being A CAUTION thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe injury. Before beginning tool operation, always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and a full- face shield when needed.
  • Page 6 • NEVER LEAVE A RUNNING TOOL UNATTENDED. Turn the power off and do not leave the tool until it comes to a complete stop. • USE THE PROPER EXTENSION CORD. Make sure the extension cord is in good condition. Use only a cord heavy enough to carry the current the product will draw (see under Electrical Connections the proper gauges and lengths to use.) •...
  • Page 7 • DO NOT PLACE HANDS ON THE GRIT SURFACE DRIVE BELTS DURING OPERATION. Belts in motion could drag a hand into the machine and cause injury. • AVOID AWKWARD OPERATIONS AND HAND POSITIONS where a sudden slip could cause hands to move into the cutting area. •...
  • Page 8: Electrical Connections

    To reduce exposure to these chemicals: • Work in a well ventilated area • Work with approved safety equipment, such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles • Keep the machine and work area clean IMPORTANT NOTE: Servicing requires much care and specialized...
  • Page 9: Glossary

    Bevel Cut A cut made across a workpiece that results in an angle other than 90 ° to the table surface. Cross Cut A cutting operation across the grain or width of the workpiece. Head Screw The threaded shaft on each side of the machine by which the head is raised and lowered when activated by the head crank.
  • Page 10: Unpacking The Compucarve Machine

    Items included with the CompuCarve System A) CompuCarve Machine B) CarveWright Software C) Operation Manual D) CarveWright Memory Card Programmer E) CarveWright Memory Card F) 1/16" Diameter Tip Tapered Carving Bit with Bit Adapter G) 1/8" Diameter Cutting Bit with Bit Adapter H) 3/32"...
  • Page 11 Unpacking and Setting Up the CompuCarve System 1. Remove the top packaging foam: After opening the shipping box, carefully remove the top molded foam packing from the machine. Located in the top tray are items B through K listed above. 2.
  • Page 12 End Of Flexshaft Assembly Shaft Receptacle Ball Detent FIGURE 9" INSERTING THE FLEXSHAFT 6. Prepare cutting bits: If you have bits that are un-assembled please see the section titled Bit Adapter Assembly on page 26. Make sure the shaft of the bits extend all the way through the bit adaptor and always make sure the setscrews are tight and oriented to the flats on the shank.
  • Page 13: Hardware Features

    The key features of the CompuCarve multi-purpose tool and their locations are shown in the following illustrations. Flexshaft Top Safety Cable Cover Cutting Trucks Head Head Locking Head Crank Lever (Shown in Non-Locked Handle Position) Sliding Guide Plate LCD Display Release Lever Vertical Corner Post Keypad...
  • Page 14 HARDWARE FEATURES (cont.) Air Intake ,,Cutting Motor Squaring Plate Muffler and Dust Collector Bag Sliding Guide Plate Folding Outfeed Outfeed Table Table (rear) Height Adjustment FIGURE11 : FEATURES - REAR VIEW Top Compression Roll e rs '_"_:"_ FIGURE12: FEATURES, VIEW FROM BELOW (OUTFEED TABLE NOT SHOWN FOR CLARITY)
  • Page 15 HARDWARE FEATURES (cont.) Vertical Moving Truck (Z-Truck) Y-Truck Guide Horizontal Moving Truck (Y-Truck) Z-Truck Guide Rails FIGURE13: CUTTING HEAD ASSEMBLY Overhead View of Machine (with workpiece) Z-Axis is up/down Workpiec_ Far-side This corner (near left) of the workpiece is the coordinate origin for all board measurements FIGURE 14: DIRECTIONAL CONVENTIONS...
  • Page 16: Operation

    Using the CompuCarve System Before the CompuCarve can begin to function, the CarveWright memory card must be installed. With the power off, push the memory card gently into the memory card slot until it stops, making sure the label is up. WARNING: Never remove the memory card from the machine...
  • Page 17: Navigating The Menus Via The Keypad And Lcd

    Navigating the Menus Via the Keypad and LCD For input and display of information the CompuCarve machine employs tactile keypad and LCD display. ALL operations require the user to input information at the actual machine location via the keypad (as opposed information input and passed through the design software).
  • Page 18: Keypad Data Entlt

    Keypad Data Entry When a menu option asks for numerical data, such as length or depth dimensions, the keypad is used to enter the data. When fractional values are involved, data may be entered as either decimals or fractions. Decimals are the simplest.
  • Page 19: Rip Or Cross

    and output quality, ARNING: From the standpoint it is important of safety, machine to follow all instructions longevity, concerning the proper bit to be used for each built-in function. For approved router bits, visit the CarveWright website. Rip or Cross Cut This function is provided to allow a board to be sized by width and/or...
  • Page 20: Bevel And Miter Cuts

    If it is desired to square both ends, or joint both sides, of a board, simply reverse the board in the machine and repeat the operation. If there is a significant crown to the board, place the highest point of the crown under the cutting head.
  • Page 21: Measuring A Board

    Measuring a Board The Measure Board function allows the user to measure the width or length of an existing board. Simply load a board in the typical way and press Key #7 on the keypad or use the arrows from the main menu. display will then ask for the direction the user wishes to measure.
  • Page 22 Sliding Guide Plate Traction Drive Sliding Guide Plate Squaring Plate, Release Lever Board Tracking Sensor Board Sensor Detail Release Lever Detail FIGURE17: WORKPIECE INSERTION DETAILS Gently push the sliding plate up against the inside edge of the workpiece. DO NOT push the sliding plate against the workpiece with significant force.
  • Page 23 Next, lower the head by turning the head crank handle counter- clockwise until the clutch clicks several times (at least 5 clicks recommended). The clutch is intended to load the board against the traction drive with consistent force. In certain cases the machine can sense if the workpiece is not loaded enough and repeatably display "Please...
  • Page 24: L/Vorkpieee Preparation

    Workpiece Preparation Before carving can begin a number of menu prompts and machine operations must be navigated. The machine will ask if the workpiece is to Stay Under Rollers. Keeping the workpiece under the top rollers is a way of avoiding undesirable snipe in the cut and maintaining...
  • Page 25 If possible, measure the workpiece that you are going to carve before starting your project layout in the software. This will help guide your design and prevent unintended scaling issues if the project design is different then the available workpiece. If the inserted workpiece is larger than the project design then the available options are: Keep Original Size, Scale the project to fit the...
  • Page 26: Jogging The Cutting Truck

    Jogging the Cutting Truck As described above, the machine offers several options for positioning carving on the workpiece, one of which is "Jog to Position." This is accomplished using the up and down arrows on the keypad to move the cutting truck across the width of the workpiece (near to far), and the left and right...
  • Page 27: Workpiece Size Limitations

    (which may result in undesired machine operation), manually jig the project, or allow the machine to automatically jig the project (Auto-Jig). When Auto-Jig is selected, the machine will prompt for a workpiece that is slightly wider or longer than the project's dimensions in order to prevent interference with the machine's mechanics.
  • Page 28: Bit Adapter

    Bit Adapter Assembly The CompuCarve utilizes a patented quick release chuck system to make changing bits fast and easy. To use this system the bits must first be installed into the bit adaptors. For 1/2" shank bits, insert threaded bit adaptor into the chuck assembly and then insert bit into threaded collet (See Figure 20) and tighten the...
  • Page 29: Proper Bit Installation

    Proper Bit Installation (I ncorrect) (I ncorrect) (Correct) FIGURE22: CORRECT BIT ASSEMBLY IS SHOWN IN EXAMPLE IS TOO LOW IN EXAMPLE AND TWO HIGH IN EXAMPLE Approved Bits ,ili ,ili Bit Family Name Sizes 1/8" Cutting 1/8" 1/16" Tapered Carving 1/16"...
  • Page 30: Bit Assembly Installation

    Cocking the Quick Release Chuck The quick release chuck must be cocked in order to install a bit. To cock the chuck, press all the way up on the chuck release flange (See Figure 25) and release. The outer flange will snap up when the chuck is prepared to receive the bit assembly.
  • Page 31: Bit Assembly Removal

    Bit Assembly Removal To remove a bit quickly, a thumb should be placed on the Z-Truck Grip Ridge (see Figure 25 below) and the Chuck Release Flange should be pulled up while pulling lightly on the bit with the opposite, gloved hand.
  • Page 32: Care And Maintenance

    The CompuCarve is a precision machine tool. With proper care and maintenance it will provide long, reliable service. WARNING: Always unplug machine before attempting troubleshooting or maintenance on the machine. Dust Removal: The CompuCarve is designed to tolerate considerable amount of carving system dust, but to ensure proper operation it should be kept free of debris as much as possible.
  • Page 33 adaptor and the chuck assembly during heavy use. Avoid over- lubricating the chuck as this will only attract dust and could result in staining the workpiece. The guide rods/rails upon which the cutting head assembly rolls need to be kept free of cutting debris. They should be wiped or blown off before carving a project, and wiped occasionally with a thin coat of light oil for lubrication.
  • Page 34: General Tips And Helpful Reminders

    "_" MAXIMUM CUT DEPTH for operation is 1.0 inch. The machine will not allow deeper operations. safety cover open. "_" ALL MOTORS ARE DISABLED when the front The cover must be closed before the machine can proceed. "_" USE A SUPPORT FOR LONG WORKPIECES.
  • Page 35 o Warped, bowed, or cupped pieces should be used only if this condition is minor and if the Board Tracking Sensor can follow it. A workpiece with slight cups or bows should be inserted curve down. o Avoid creating very thin features that protrude from the surface of the carving.
  • Page 36: Troubleshooting

    WARNING: Always unplug machine before attempting troubleshooting or maintenance on the machine. Checking the Board Sensor: There are several reasons why the machine will prompt the user to "Check the Board Sensor". There is dust obscuring the sensor. Please see the next section titled "Cleaning of the Board Sensor"...
  • Page 37 Troubleshooting the Board Sensor If the board sensor error cannot be resolved by cleaning the sensor as in the above steps you can further troubleshoot the problem. To check the status of the board edge sensor, go to the Main Menu-Options- Sensor Check menu (Item 7).
  • Page 38 Calibrating Machine Offsets: The "Calibrate Offsets" function is a simple procedure to allow the user to fine-tune the CompuCarve machine for improved accuracy. To perform the offset calibration will need: A board at least 2" wide by 10" long between 1/2"...
  • Page 39 Head Top Compression Rollers FIGURE 30" HEAD SHOWING COMPRESSION ROLLERS Checking the head pressure is very easy using a standard bathroom scale. 1. Before starting, make sure that the sliding plate is moved all the way to the far side of the machine and is out of the way of the scale.
  • Page 40 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Your Home iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ....HHHHHHHHH_ For repair -- in your home -- of all major brand appliances, lawn and garden equipment, or heating and cooling systems, no matter who made it, no matter who sold For the replacement parts, accessories owners m an asia that you need to do-it-you rself.

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