Large CNC Router:
Live Image of CNC Mill Room
Transferring Files to Mill Instruction on how to transfer files to the Large CNC Mill
Schedule Time Online Calendar for scheduling time on the CNC Mill.
MadCAM Reference MadCam is an easy to use CNC tool path generator for the large mill that works inside Rhino.

Reference On 3 Axis CNC Milling:

Setting Up A 3 Axis Toolpath (PDF)

Reference on various 2 Axis CNC Milling:

Setting Up A 2 Dimensional Profile Toolpath (PDF)

Setting Up A Drill Pattern (PDF)
Setup Procedures Step by step instructions on how to setup a cutting Job.
Access to Mill Procedures for access and operating the CNC Mill.
Materials Materials that can be cut on the machine Materials that cannot be cut on the machine
  Aluminum
Wood (Solid Wood, Hardwoods,etc.)
Engineered Woods (MDF, Butter Board, etc.)
Plexiglas
Acrylic		 Do not cut any kind of ferrous metal. (Steel, Iron, etc.)
Spindle Speed Settings The motor on the CNC Mill is controlled through the CNC Mill Computer Interface. IN the Spindle Speed Slider, you can adjust the RPM of the Motor. The Spindle Speed is measured in RPM (Revolutions per Minute). The following materials should be set to the following speeds:

Hard Woods and MDF - 9000 to 12000 RPM
Acrylic - 6000 RPM
Foam - 4800 RPM
End Mills (Router Bits) The School has in Stock the following End Mills, and are available for purchase. Once you purchase the end mill it is yours to keep.
Bit Number Bit Diameter Cutting Length Shank Diameter Overall Length Materials
40-101 1/8" 3/8" 1/4" 2" Wood/Plastic/Foam
40-107 1/8" 1 1/16 " 1/4" 2 1/2" Wood/Plastic/Foam
40-107 1/4" 3/4" 1/4" 2 3/4" Wood/Plastic/Foam
40-111 1/4" 1" 1/4" 3" Wood/Plastic/Foam
40-112 1/4" 2 1/8" 1/4" 3 1/2" Wood/Plastic/Foam
92-414 1/2" 3" 1/2" 5" Foam Only
40-564 1/2"  4 1/8"   1/2"  6 1/2"   Foam Only  

Recommend Uses for various End-Mills:
End Mill Specs: Use these types of Bits: Do Not Use these types of Bits:
  End Mill Bits for Machining:
These bits are designed to work with high RPM spindle speeds and with the sideways forces the CNC router will exert on the bit.		 Drill Bits or Basic Router Bits:
If you use a basic router bit, the bit will break in a matter of minutes due to the sideways force of the mill. If the bit does not break right away, in a matter of a couple of minutes it will probably dull and then break. A drill bit should NEVER be used and will break with any kind of sideways force.
  High Speed End Mills:

The Spindle spins at 21,000 RPM, and an ordinary machining bit or a bit from Home Depot/Lowes is not designed to cut at these speeds.

When you buy a bit, make sure it is designed to operate at these higher RPM settings.
 Machining End Mills:

Bits from sources like MSC or McMasters, are intended to operate on machining mills like Bridgeport's etc. They are typically designed to cut at around 2000 RPM, and will not hold up long at the speed the mill operates at.
  Centering Bits or Upcut Bits:

Centering bits can plunge vertically into a piece of material while keeping its vertical axis in line. This is done by the angle setting on the cutting teeth of the bit. A centering bit can also cut horizontally into a piece of material.		 Non-Centering Bits or Downcut Bits:

Non-Centering bits are designed to only cut horizontally into a piece of material. If you try to plunge cut (cut vertically) into a piece of material, the bit will spin sideways and break. Do not buy or Use Non-Centering bits.
 

High Speed Steel (HSS) Bits -vs- Carbide Bits:

High Speed Steel bits or HSS bits are a lot cheaper than carbide tipped bits, but they will loose their cutting edge faster than a carbide bit. If the bit looses its edge while it is cutting then it will break. Carbide bits are very brittle, and will break very easily to sideways pressure. If you are just starting out with the mill use HSS bits.
  Number of Flutes on the End Mill: You will find conflicting opinions on the number of flutes you should get on an end mill. Most people go with a two flute end mill because it is cheaper than a three or four flute end mill. However, a four flute end mill will give you a slightly cleaner cut and will run a little cooler on the machine.
  Square End Vs Ball End: There are two basic shapes you can choose for an end mill, a square end and a ball end. A square end will cut flatter portions quicker, but on curved edges it will leave a rougher surface. A ball end will cut curved surfaces smoother, but will leave a scallop texture on flatter surfaces. A ball end will also take longer to cut, because of the increased number of passes it has to make.

These two types of bits can be fine tuned using the Surfcam software to maximize each bits potential.