Blackbox - CNC Router
| MachineInfoBox OpenBuilds BlackBox CNC | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms: | DE: CNC-Fräse, CNC-Plattenfräse, Portalfräsmaschine |
| Type: | CNC Router |
| Material: | wood |
| Used with: | 3mm, 6mm, 8mm end mills; some kinds of router bits |
| Location: | CNC Area |
| Access Requirements: | CNC Router Introduction |
| Status: | In Commissioning |
| Firmware: | grbl |
| Manual: | router, BlackBox-4x |
| Tutors: | NitramLegov Pakue Johannes Luzian Leo Maker-Joe |
| Similar (More or Less): | router, CNC mill |
This self-built CNC router arrived at the Space in early 2025 and waits for your help to shine ;-)
This tool is not ready for use yet since not all commissioning steps have been completed. The process is also tracked on GitHub. Feel free to contribute to making it usable, any help is very welcome!
| Task | comment | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Name the tool: | named after its controller | pending |
| Take a picture | - | done |
| Find the manual as PDF | BlackBox_CNC_router_mill.png | pending |
| Documentation | this page, status: in commissioning | pending |
| Print QR-Code | use the MachineQR Factory | Done |
| Introduction | - | pending |
| Security Check | to be done or witnessed by a manager | pending |
| Test | to be done or witnessed by a manager | pending |
| tool's name, owner and approx. value | provide to Johannes for inventorization | pending |
| Last step: make it available | physically and in the wiki - then delete this template | pending |
This page is specifically for the Blackbox CNC router, first read the CNC Overview page to get some information common for all CNC routers and mills.
All information on this page are preliminary until verified and the Blackbox router is being released to public.
Introduction
The Blackbox CNC router uses a Duet controller board. The maximum reachable area is 820mm x 1050mm. The machine has set hard limits for the speed you can configure in your g-code file, before using these maximum speed start with lower speeds before running into trouble. The maximum speed in x and y direction is 2500mm/min, in z direction 300 mm/min.
CAD / CAM
A "grbl" post processor is being used. If you are using FreeCAD follow the guide in this link for the exact settings. If you are using Fusion360 follow the guide in this link.
The Blackbox CNC is much more stable than the Workbee CNC due to the way it is constructed. Nevertheless practise on cheap material to get to know the limits of the machine.
Until more experience exist you can use as a starting point the same speed parameters as for the Workbee, but this machine should be able to handle higher speeds. For milling parameters take a look here.
Machine Control
Introduction
There are plenty of ways to keep all tooling organized. Use all of it! The things here (such as endmills) are for public use, so leave your surplus and use what is useful to you! As with all other tools, please leave the CNC more organized than you found it.
Securing the workpiece
If you use these little blocks to secure your workpiece, then note that there is a little arrow "1" printed on them.
Make sure that the arrow on all these blocks you use point into the same direction, this ensures that they are all well aligned. Do not drill or route into the base where you can stick in these blocks.
Powering on
The machine has two power buttons, one for the machine itself one for the spindle. Both are located on the right hand side of the CNC machine. Power up the spindle only as a very last step before you start your job.
To start milling, you begin by installing an endmill. Use the Wrench to insert the endmill of your choice into the spindle.
Web Interface
The Blackbox CNC is controlled via a Web Interface accessible through the CoMakingSpace network. On any connected device, visit http://10.100.164.247 to control the machine and upload jobs. But do so only when you are next to machine that you don't interfere with other people.
Use the Machine Movement Dashboard on the Web Interface to jog the machine XY over your workpiece origin (usually the left-front corner). Then, slowly lower down until the tip of the endmill touches the workpiece. You can use the paper method.
This is your workpiece zero point. Save this point by clicking on Set Work XYZ on the top right of the Machine Movement section.
Starting a job
You can upload your job to the machine through the Jobs tab on the left vertical menu. When starting a milling job, make sure the workpiece is secured well and you are wearing proper PPE.
Close the front cover, have the spindle not touching any material and start the spindle. Next, start your job via the Web Interface. If you forget to start the spindle then for sure you will ruin either your work material or break the router bit - whatever is weaker.
Router
The router mounted to it is a Mafell FM800 [1]. You need to consider the sizes of its collets (Spannzangen) when buying your router bits.
- no-load speed: 7000 - 25000 rpm
- max cutter diameter: 36 mm
- available collet diameters:
- 8 mm
- 6 mm
- 5 mm
- 3 mm
RPM Chart
The RPM value is set on the router via a dial, settings in the g-code are not obeyed. You can change the router RPM value during operation if needed.
| Dial Setting | Approx. RPM |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7000 |
| 2 | 10600 |
| 3 | 14200 |
| 4 | 17800 |
| 5 | 21400 |
| 6 | 25000 |
