CNC Woodworking Room/Precautions

The following is a general overview. Please consult training documents and SWPs for more specific information as there is a lot that can go wrong with the CNC equipment.

Safety

Do not operate the CNC machinery unattended.

The law (see 16.13) says that we can not leave a machine unattended unless the machine or part has been (a) immobilized and secured against movement; or (b) enclosed by a safeguard to prevent access by any other worker to the machine or part The Shopbots themselves are not enclosed. The CNC Woodworking Room contains tools in addition to the shopbots, and those tools may be used by other workers. This means we must not run our CNC machinery unattended. And here is some anecdotal evidence on top of it We have actually had at least 2 fires on CNC equipment at the fablab

• Fire: always use appropriate feeds and speeds, use appropriate tools for the job, always watch the CNC so you can respond quickly
• Dust (wear min. N95)
• Noise - wear hearing protection. Note that it can be hard to tell if the tool has stopped when you're wearing hearing protection.
• Projectiles: tools and workpieces can shatter. Use appropriate feeds and speeds, make sure the tool and spindle won't crash into the workpiece, fixtures/clamps. Clean the tool holder with compressed air so the tool doesn't slip.

Housekeeping

• The CNC equipment generates lots of dust. Please clean the floor and equipment thoroughly
• Fire code prohibits storing wood stock in the CNC room (fixtures and spoilboards are OK). Store fixtures and spoilboards on the red cart - make sure it is labelled with your name and phone number or it may be thrown out.
• Overfilled dust collectors can cause fires. Empty the Cyclone dust collector after every job. Empty the main dust collector when the dust is halfway up the viewing window (around 1 garbage bag worth).
• Turn off the vacuum and dust collector when you're done.
• Turn off the room exhaust if you are the last one in the room.

Workholding

• Do not glue, nail or screw into the main spoilboard.
• Don't cut more than 1/16" into the main spoilboard - do a small test piece with a secondary spoilboard if required.
  • Rule of thumb: Add 0.01" to your depth of cut when cutting all the way through - this should go through the material while minimally cutting into the spoilboard
  • Always measure your stock with calipers (don't rely on nominal thickness or tape measures)
• Vacuum system may not work with pieces smaller than 24" x 48"