Getting started with the micromill
This workflow is set up to get you started becoming familiar with the micromill. Be aware that this tool process is in an evolutionary state. After some experience with this tool, you should be able to create physical models of your designs.
materials
Initially, you should use very abundant and forgiving materials like foam and wood. As you get familiar with the accurate and safe use of the tool, you can move to more scarce and durable materials such as wax for molding, plexiglass, plastics and printed circuit boards. Although metal is posible, it would require cooling the cutter and presents other issues regarding safety and mess.
Open the software:
Use Mach 2 There is an icon for it on the desktop
when you open the software, you will see a rather colorful and kind of complex screen
Jog the axis controls
Use the arrow keys to move the stepper motors.
The Up and Down arrows will make the tool bed move the Y axis (In/Out)
The Right and Left arrows will move the X axis (Right/Left)
The Page Up and Page Down keys will move the Z axis (Up/Down)
Files
There is a collection of demonstration files in the Micromill files on the desktop. These came with the mill, and are to help you see what the tool is capable of doing. It is very useful to run these files to see how they come out.
To make your own files, you can follow the process written by Mike M class of 05, grade 12. It was written when he was in the Computer Aided Design class - http://dhscad.pbwiki.com/MillWizardTutorial At that time, we were using Pro Desktop primarily. The process is dependent on creating a Stereo Lithography file which has a file extension of .stl
when you are making your own files, you should pay attention to the model dimensions. If your file is too wide, long or tall, the mill will run too far, which can cause problems with the equipment. To start with, you should not make any models larger than about 4 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches. Smaller models will be quicker to make.
You can also make files with Eagle PCB, a software package for making circuit boards. Eagle is kind of a challenging program to learn, but you can design some cool circuit boards. Here are a few links to tutorials on Eagle:
http://myhome.spu.edu/bolding/EE4211/EagleTutorial4.htm
http://vulcan.ece.ucsb.edu/ece189/tutorials.html
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/hdr.php?p=tutorials
http://www.instructables.com/id/EXU9BO166NEQHO8XFU/
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