ShopBot PRSalpha 144-60Prototyping Lab · University of Iceland
01 Rules
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01Rules

Before you touch it

Ten rules and two procedures. Know them before the induction.

  1. Trained and signed off.You run this machine only after the induction and the instructor's sign-off. Until then, only with a signed-off person at the E-stop.
  2. Never alone, never tired.Two people in the room; the second one knows where the E-stop is: the red button on the wall-mounted pendant by the monitor. It is the only one.
  3. Eyes and ears, for you and anyone watching.From the moment the machine is powered. No gloves, loose clothing, hair or lanyards near the gantry.
  4. Hands out of the cutting area while the control box is on.The only exception: spindle stopped, keypad closed, no file loaded or paused, and the key OFF in your pocket. It can move without warning, in any direction.
  5. Key out for hands-on work.Spindle stopped, interlock key OFF and in your pocket before you change a bit, touch the collet, or load, move or clamp material.
  6. Never leave a running job.Dust under the brush catches when a tool rubs, hits a screw or burns hardwood. Stand where you can see the cut and reach the E-stop.
  7. Know the two ways to stop.Spacebar for routine; E-stop when something is wrong. Use them without hesitating; a ruined sheet is cheap.
  8. Spindle at speed before OK.When the screen says “Press START on control before pressing OK”: pendant START, check the spindle runs at the commanded speed, then OK — cutting begins. No separate RUN on the VFD. A still bit dragged through plywood snaps.
  9. Extraction on.Switch the dust collector on at the collector itself (manual; SB3 does not switch it). It runs whenever the spindle runs. If the hose comes off the foot or the brush skirt is damaged, stop and tell staff.
  10. Clean up; leave the machine powered.Stop the file and spindle; key out before cleanup. Clear and clean the deck, stow the bit, report faults. Users never power down the machine; leave it for lab staff. Use E-stop in an emergency, not to finish a session.

How to stop

Two controls, two meanings. Use them without hesitating.

SPACERoutine · position kept

Spacebar

Or Enter, or on-screen Stop. Motion ramps down, Z lifts, position is kept, you can resume. Treat the spindle as live — it may keep turning, coast, or restart on resume. Before reaching in: spindle stopped, key OFF and removed, keypad closed, no file loaded or paused. Keep clear before restarting.[4,11]

RESETSTARTspindleE-STOP Something is wrong · position lost

E-stop

The red button on the wall-mounted pendant by the monitor — the only E-stop on this machine (the red-and-yellow rotary handle on the control cabinet is the power disconnect, not an E-stop). Spindle power off at once, motors ~5 s later. Position is lost: twist to release → pendant Reset → C3 → C2. If the software has frozen, E-stop is the only control that still kills the spindle.[2,10,11]

How to start a job

The one sequence. The pendant comes before OK.

  1. 1RPM typed, EnterSpindle RPM Control window (Tools menu or TR); leave it open.
  2. 2FP, pick file, StartOffset = No Offset.
  3. 3Pendant STARTWhen the screen says “Press START on control before pressing OK”. Green button.
  4. 4Spindle at speedCheck it runs at the commanded rpm (the VFD display). There is no separate RUN step on the VFD.
  5. 5OKCutting begins. Hand near the spacebar for the first plunge.
ShopBot's own safety list, from the manuals
  • Wear eye and ear protection. This applies to the operator and to everyone watching [QS 5].
  • Wear closed-toe shoes. Never wear gloves at the machine [QS 5].
  • Never put your hands on the rails. The machine can move without warning [QS 5].
  • Never leave the machine running unattended. A spinning tool makes heat and is a fire risk. Keep a working extinguisher within reach [QS 5; UG 5].
  • Know where the E-stop is before operating. This machine has one: the red mushroom on the wall-mounted pendant by the monitor. The red-and-yellow rotary handle on the control cabinet is the power disconnect, not an E-stop [QS 5].
  • During a cut, stand within reach of the keyboard or the STOP button and away from the tool path [UG 6].
  • Position the dust skirt correctly. It guards against flying particles [UG 6; UG 45].
  • Practise with the software before you turn on the spindle [UG 5].
  • Before reaching into the machine: spindle off and stopped, interlock key OFF and removed, keypad closed, no file loaded or paused. Keep the key in your pocket while loading or moving material, changing a bit or cleaning [UG 5; QS 5].