WorkBee

MachineInfoBox Ooznest WorkBee CNC

Synonyms:	DE: CNC-Fräse, CNC-Plattenfräse, Portalfräsmaschine
Type:	CNC Router
Material:	wood
Used with:	6 mm, 8 mm, 1/4" or 1/8" end mills; some kinds of router bits
Location:	CNC Area
Access Requirements:	CNC Router Introduction
Status:	Working
Software:	Fusion360 or other CAM Software
Firmware:	RepRapFirmware
Manual:	product page, click "documentation" tab
Tutors:	NitramLegov Pakue Johannes Luzian Leo
Similar (More or Less):	router, CNC mill

We have a 1500mm x 1500mm version of the WorkBee CNC router, which is based on the Openbuilds OX. It can currently cut sheet material of up to 50 mm thickness on a work area of approximately 1280 × 1200 mm. The surfaced (plangefräste) spoilboard area is 1260 × 1160 (x × y) mm. If you have a rather large piece first test if the raw material is positioned where the router can reach all ends. Your material fitting on the spoilboard is not necessarily a good indicator. The router might stop after 90% of the job and it will be hard/impossible to fix this afterwards. Have the router well above the board and run a gcode file which goes to the farest points, this way you see if it can be reached without ruining your raw material. (It basically routes in mid-air).

Its electronics have been swapped out to run RepRapFirmware and it can now be controlled via a on-machine touch interface or through any local device using its web interface, no extra software or "G-Code sender" needed! :)

Our plans for further improving it up can be found in our "WorkBee CNC" github project - maybe you would like to help.

Issues with complex paths/arc moves

As of now, users are reporting some problems when using the machine to mill complex geometries.

This does not seem to affect milling geometries with straight edges or circles/semicircles. Only Arcs/Splines.

This issue is yet to be fully investigated, the following are an best guess at what is wrong. Further investigation, documentation and fixes are very welcome.

As the Machine was originally shipped with a Mainboard running GRBL, the post-processor for Fusion 360 generates G-Code for GRBL. As we are running a RepRapFirmware board, it doesn't interpret this G-Code the same way which results in jittery movement.

To replicate, create and run a program that involves straight or circular cuts. You should have no problems.

Then, create one involving Arc moves (such as cursive text, spline contours, or similar). The machine reportedly now "jitters" and moves weirdly, resulting in worse quality cuts.

This would probably be fixed by searching for/writing a RepRapFirmware post processor for Fusion 360.

Using the WorkBee CNC

We have various wiki pages documenting how to use the WorkBee CNC. Take a look:

WorkBee Schnittdaten und Fräser Information on cutting parameters and endmill selection (in German)

WorkBee Machine Operation for general machine operation (on/off, starting jobs, jogging, etc)

FreeCAD for setting up FreeCAD and generate a suitable gcode file

Autodesk Fusion 2D Contour Machining for setting up Fusion360 and CAM operations (Creating G-Code for the Machine)

WorkBee organization for keeping things tidy

Workflow

This is just an overview and does NOT replace the personal introduction!

create the tool paths in a suitable CAM software (e.g. Fusion 360)
secure your workpiece on the machine's bed
insert the appropriate collet & bit as defined in your tool paths
home the machine, jog to your workpiece origin and zero your work coordinates
Upload your generated G-Code
put on personal protection
Run your Program
Once the Machine has homed, turn on the spindle & vac on the control panel (only works after homing)
Be ready to hit the Emergency Stop in case SHTF. Your Program is running!

Router

The router mounted to it is a Dewalt D26200 (GB; known outside Europe as DWP611). You need to consider the sizes of its collets (Spannzangen) when buying your router bits.

no-load speed: 16000 - 27000 rpm
max cutter diameter: 30 mm
available collet diameters:
- 8 mm
- 6 mm
- 1/4 inch (6.35 mm)
- 1/8 inch (3.175 mm)

The collets of the DW613, DW620 and DW621 also fit the router and are easier to get in Germany than the original ones.

RPM Chart

Dial Setting	Approx. RPM
1	16000
2	18200
3	20400
4	22600
5	24800
6	27000

Spoilboard

Ooznest recommends a 6mm spoiler board, our first one is 20mm thick. It is mounted to the frame using 4 drop-in T-slot nuts. Cutting into the boards will make it uneven, from time to time it is neccessary to surface the spoiler board again.

The total size of the spoilboard is currently 1445 × 1370 mm.

When there is time, we would like to drill workholding holes into the spoilboard.

Electrics

The Machine received a full electrical overhaul in the first half of 2024, here are its current electrical specifications:

Duet 3 6HC+ Mainboard running RepRapFirmware
Web- and touch interface
MT-2303HS280AW 2.8A NEMA23 Stepper Motors
Dewalt D26200 Router

Dust Extraction

The Workbee Vacuum automatically turns on with the spindle. We have added a cyclone dust separator before the shop vac so the bulk of the chips should be collected in an easily emptied box rather than the shop vac's bag.

The part that attaches the dust extraction hose to the router is called a "dust shoe". We are currently using this one designed by Patrick. The next version should ideally fit the dust extraction hose without an adapter and include a kind of transparent, flexible "skirt" to optimize the airflow.

Other interesting designs:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2802301

Change Log

Please note down all changes you did on the Workbee in case issues are being found it might be easier. Have the newest entry on the top.


Date	Changed By	Comment
9.7.25	Jochen	Spoilboard leveled, deepend by about 2mm. Previous leveling was not done to the max dimensions, stayed inside the old dimensions. In the future might be good to do the leveling across the complete area.
9.7.25	Jochen	config.g file change for step size, since x-direction was about 1.1% off. Old entry: M92 X3.361 Y3.331 Z400 New entry: M92 X3.324 Y3.331 Z400
4.6.25	Jochen	Electric crimps of duet board were faulty, newly crimped.