Ultimate LEAD CNC

49x49x6.5" Upgraded OpenBuilds LEAD CNC machine.

LEAD CNC Glory Shot

Description

Our 1515 LEAD CNC from OpenBuilds has been upgraded with an Ultimate Bee upgrade kit from Bulkman3D. It now uses HGR linear rails and ballscrews, making it much faster, quieter, and more accurate. The spindle installed uses standard ER11 collets, and with the collets provided it is capable of holding 1/4" and 1/8" shank tools, though other sizes are available if required (ask a steward for more info). The spindle RPM is variable based on a dial found on top, from ~10,000-32,000 RPM.

VCarve is used for toolpath generation, though it is compatible with other solutions, such as Fusion 360. Ask a steward if you would like to use something else.

The work area for this machine has increased to 49.25x48.875x6.625" (1252x1242x170mm). Z clearance over the spoiler board is now 6 5/8" when the Z axis is fully retracted. Maximum material height will be less based on cutting depth, bit length, etc.

Approved Materials

Materials must be approved for use by a tool steward. The following materials are approved at this time:

• Most woods

  • Hardwoods

  • Softwoods

  • Plywood

  • MDF

• Plastics

  • Acetal/Delrin

  • HDPE

  • Acrylic

  • Polycarbonate

  • PVC

  • ACM

Non-ferrous metals are not approved at this time. If you would like help with a material, or what you want to use is not listed, ask a steward for more information.

Use

Preflight Checklist

Spindle RPM Settings

The spindle rpm is not computer controlled and must be set manually. Two things about that:

• The spindle rpm is set using a dial that's only labeled 1, 2, 3 etc.

• The labeled numbers don't quite match up with the number of clicks it takes to reach them.

Instead of setting the spindle RPM using the number shown on the dial, start the dial on the lowest setting and count the "clicks" to reach the RPM setting you need.

For example: If you need to set the spindle to 16,500 RPM. Start with the dial on 1, then move the dial up by three "clicks."

Number of Dial "Clicks"	Approx. Number Shown on Dial	RPM
0	1	11,000
1		12,300
2	2	14,500
3		16,500
4	3	19,500
5		22,700
6	4	25,500
7		28,300
8	5	29,500
9		31,300
10	6	31,300

Troubleshooting

"G-code motion target exceeds machine travel" error

This error may be accompanied by an "G-code locked out during alarm or jog state" error. Check the Console tab in OpenBulds Control for more info.

If this happens while running a program, it likely means that your workpiece/toolpath is too close to the machine extents. To solve this, you will either need to move your workpiece location, or edit your toolpath to not get as close to the machine extents. You can edit the retract/clearance heights in VCarve/Fusion if the Z axis is what's triggering the issue, otherwise you will need to rearrange the vectors/model(s) in VCarve/Fusion.

If this error occurs during probing a tool in the Z axis, the starting position for the probing move is likely too high. Jog the Z axis up small amounts until the Z probe move completes successfully.

If this error happens during an X or Y probing move, the workpiece is too close to the X or Y extremes. You will either need to move your workpiece or manually set X and/or Y zero by sight or another method.