7. PRESS THE USB BUTTON. With a USB drive insert-
ed into the Pendant, the USB button on the main screen
should turn blue. Press the USB button (Figure 7) to open
the file selection menu.
8. SELECT THE PROJECT FILE. From the displayed list,
select the project .tap file you want to cut (Figure 8).
9. VERIFY JOB SETUP. The next screen (Figure 9)
shows the parameters for the job including the CNC
name, material size, location of the Z origin, and the
location of the XY origin. Preview the settings to make
sure you’ve selected the correct .tap file. Also make sure
the settings match your VCarve file and CNC machine. If
everything checks out, press the Next button.
10. PRESS START! Review the safety check lists in your
CNC manual, then press the Start button (Figure 10).
Your Shark CNC will automatically turn on the router and
begin cutting the project.
If your project has more than one toolpath file, repeat
steps 4 through 10 for the remaining toolpath (.tap) files
for the project. When all of the .tap files have been run,
remove the project, sand off the rough edges, and apply
a finish.
Verify all of the set-up information for this job, review
the safety checklist, then press the Next button.
9
To begin the CNC operation, press the Start button.
If needed, the Stop button shuts down the CNC.
10
Review, Then Cut
After inserting the ash drive into the Pendant,
press the “USB” button to select the project le.
7
From the list of available projects, choose the ap-
propriate .tap le you wish to use.
8
17
16
CNC Setup
Insert the bit so that a small amount of smooth shank
shows between the collet and the cutting edges, but
also make sure the bit isn’t bottomed out in the collet.
Zero the Z axis by lowering the bit until it just
touches a piece of paper on the workpiece.
5
6
3. MOUNT THE WORKPIECE. To set up the origin of the
X-, Y-, and Z-axis on your workpiece, first mark the XY
datum (zero) position on your material. (Figure 3). The
marked datum point should match the location on the
workpiece you used in your VCarve design file. In our
example, the XY datum point is specified as the center of
the material.
Securely clamp the workpiece to the bed of the CNC
(Figure 3). Use enough clamps to ensure the workpiece
won’t shift during the routing process. It’s also important
to position the clamps so they're not in the way of the
toolpaths to be routed into the workpiece. A little careful
planning here will go a long way toward ensuring success
with your project.
4. INSTALL THE ROUTER BIT. Once the workpiece is
secured, properly install the router bit you specified in
VCarve for the toolpath you’ll be using (Figure 4).
5. ZERO THE X- AND Y-AXES. You’ll find an overview of
the main Pendant screen on pages 6-8. Use the four X
and Y buttons (Right X+, Left X-, Away Y+, Near Y-) of the
Pendant to jog the router close to the XY datum mark.
Notice the values in the Position boxes at the top of the
screen change values as you jog the router. Change the
jog speed to Slow and position the router bit directly over
the datum mark (Figure 5). Press the “Zero XY” button to
zero the X- and Y-axes. The values for the X- and Y-axes
should read 0.000 in the position boxes.
6. ZERO THE Z-AXIS. To zero the Z-axis, lower the bit
to within ½” of the top of the workpiece and set the jog
speed to Slow. Slide a piece of paper underneath the bit
and move it back and forth as you tap the “Dn Z-” button
to gradually lower the bit (Figure 6). When the bit “grabs”
the paper, stop. Press the “Zero Z” button. The Position
value for the Z-axis should read 0.000. Now, all three
axes are calibrated.
Raise the router bit approximately ½” to prepare for cut-
ting the project.
NOTE: A fast, easy, and accurate way to zero the Z-axis
is with the optional Z Zero Touch Plate accessory. See
page 11 and learn more at NextWaveCNC.com.
Zero the X and Y axis rst by jogging the bit until
it’s positioned over the center of the workpiece.
3
Collet Shank
4
