CNC Routers

*Maximum: 2 hours over a 1-week period

You may cancel your appointment easily by removing it from your calendar.

The X-Carve table-top router does not require a reservation.

Ready to use the CNC Routers? Head over to the check-out window, ring the bell, and a staff member will assist you!

Permit Requirements are enforced with wiscard swipes or m-passes.

College of Engineering faculty and staff are not required to pay the materials fee though they must have a CoE permit.

Learning Modules (Optional!) Join the course in Canvas.

X-Carve CNC Router

X-Carve Manual

Laguna CNC Router

Software

V-Carve

The Laguna and xCarve routers both run gCode created in V-carve (PC only).

The UW Makerspace has a license that will let you create tool paths at home (before you come to the makerspace).

Follow these steps to get the UW makerspace version of Vcarve:

Download the trial versions of Vcarve here. (Download v11 Trial)
In the trial version go to “Help – About”, press “Enter Makerspace ID” button on the dialog and enter the UW Makerspace ID 92C2F-2BAE0-A645E-207E7-9E911-31644-1D7F6 (Note: Makerspace ID was updated on 12/19/22).
Restart Vcarve.

The last page of this PDF has the same instruction with images.

Note: The Makerspace Version of Vcarve does not post gCode. This is intentional, trained makerspace staff will check your tool paths before posting code to run on our machines.

V-Carve Tutorials

Start with this “Wing Spar” tutorial here to learn how to cut 2D profiles.

Vectric, the maker of Vcarve, provides very good tutorials here.

Makerspace Tool Library for V-Carve

A tool database for V-Carve with preset feeds and speeds for common materials can be found here. Currently this database only has imperial end mills.

To use this database you will have to have V-Carve installed (see Software above).

-In V-carve go to the Toolpaths panel and select Display Tool Database.

-Delete all existing tools and import the new tool database.

Easel

The Xcarve router uses a software named Easel. You can design your file in Easel or design it in Vcarve and export the file g-code into Easel. Easel works directly with the router; however, it has less features that Vcarve. If you use Vcarve, Makerspace staff will have to export the g-code due to licensing.

Materials

The Makerspace sells the follow sheet goods in the Mini-Mart. You can also use your own materials on the CNC routers if approved by the staff. If you have questions regarding the machinability of materials, please come to a Project Support Session to contact our CNC router managers.

Material	Material Type	Thickness	Length & Width	Cost
Plywood - Birch	Wood	3/4	48 x 96	51.70
Plywood - Birch	Wood	1/2	48 x 96	42.50
Plywood - Birch	Wood	1/4	48 x 96	26.41
Plywood - Birch	Wood	1/2	48 x 48	35.00
Plywood - Birch	Wood	1/4	48 x 48	19.00
Hardboard (HDF)	Wood	1/4	48 x 96	12.40
Hardboard (HDF)	Wood	1/8	48 x 96	8.00
EPS Pink Foam		1	24 x 24	3.50
Polystrene	Plastic	1/16	18 x 20	4.50
Polystrene	Plastic	1/8	18 x 20	9.00
PETG	Plastic	1/16	18 x 20	7.00
Hardboard (HDF)	Wood	1/8	18 x 24	2.12
Hardboard (HDF)	Wood	1/8	36 x 24	4.25
Hardboard (HDF)	Wood	1/4	18 x 24	3.45
Hardboard (HDF)	Wood	1/4	36 x 24	6.90
Veneered MDF	Wood	1/4	18x24	3.90
Veneered MDF	Wood	1/4	36x24	7.80
Plywood	Wood	1/4	18 x 24	6.00
Plywood	Wood	1/4	36 x 24	12.00
Foam Core		3/16	30 x 20	3.00
Acrylic - Black	Plastic	1/8	18 x 24	10.75
Acrylic - White	Plastic	1/8	18 x 24	10.75
Acrylic - Clear	Plastic	1/8	18 x 24	10.75
Acrylic - Black	Plastic	1/8	36 x 24	21.50
Acrylic - White	Plastic	1/8	36 x 24	21.50
Acrylic - Clear	Plastic	1/8	36 x 24	21.50
Acrylic - Black	Plastic	1/4	18 x 24	20.00
Acrylic - White	Plastic	1/4	18 x 24	20.00
Acrylic - Clear	Plastic	1/4	18 x24	18.25
Acrylic - Black	Plastic	1/4	36 x 24	40.00
Acrylic - White	Plastic	1/4	36 x 24	40.00
Acrylic - Clear	Plastic	1/4	36 x 24	36.50
Acetal	Plastic	1/4	12 x 12	26.47
Dimensional Lumber	Wood	2x2	8	5.25
Dimensional Lumber	Wood	2x4	8	9.50
Dimensional Lumber	Wood	2x6	8	16.70

Useful Links and Guides

Example Stool for CNC Workshop – Here.

Folder of 3D tabs sometimes used when creating 3D tool-paths – Here.