Workbee - CNC Router
| 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: | FreeCAD, Fusion360 or other CAM Software |
| Firmware: | RepRapFirmware |
| Manual: | product page, click "documentation" tab |
| Tutors: | NitramLegov Pakue Johannes Luzian Leo Maker-Joe |
| Similar (More or Less): | router, CNC mill |
This page is specifically for the Workbee CNC router, first read the CNC Overview page to get some information common for all CNC routers and mills.
Introduction
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.
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
CAD / CAM
A "rrf" post processor is being used. If you are using FreeCAD follow the guide in this link for the exact settings. The standard FreeCAD rrf post processor is not working out of the box. If you are using Fusion360 follow the guide in this link, as well some special settings are needed.
The Workbee CNC is not the most precise CNC machine due to the way it is constructed. Practise on cheap material to get to know the limits of the machine. Be very conservative in regards to speed and depth.
As a starting point, use only 2mm depths per round, even with a larger router bit. As speed a good starting point is 600 mm/minute. If you use more agressive values you will see that the router starts to make little jumps. You can read some more details here WorkBee Schnittdaten und Fräser .
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. For example, the collet wrench should always return to its intended place:
In front of the machine these days inside the drawer there are Gridfinity baseplates:
Gridfinity is a 3D Printed organization system based on a 42mm grid. The bins in front of the machine are meant to be freely used, labeled and expanded upon. You can find additional bins to 3D Print on sites like Thingiverse, Printables and Thangs. For example, if we add more collets in the future, re-print the collet holder.
Powering on
To start the Machine, the Electronics Panel on the left have a power strip (Mehrfachstecker) with a toggle switch. This is the main on/off switch. After starting, ensure both E-Stops are not pressed. The machine will start up, and you can open the Web Interface on the Tablet, PC or any other device.
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 WorkBee CNC is controlled via a Web Interface accessible through the CoMakingSpace network. On any connected device, visit http://workbeecnc/ or http://10.2.0.3 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.
Next, start your job via the Web Interface. The machine will home once automatically before the actual job starts After homing, you can start the spindle with the button on the front panel interface. This button will not work before homing or if no job is running to ensure someone is present at the start of any operation. 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 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
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:
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. |
