Is anyone able to offer training on the multicam? Have been needing to use it for quite some time now, it is a really big feature of the woodshop. I would gladly pay for a lesson. I don’t see one scheduled online.
@SWA Has been working on getting this together. Are you up to speed on VCarve? If not, their videos are a great place to start. Once you’re comfortable with that, a table side session and check-out can happen pretty quickly.
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Yes, I have used VCarve before for a project on the multicam that I had assistance with. How can I set up a table side session and checkout? Who should I contact? Thanks
Colby Sherman
Yeah that was I who helped you with that 
I’ll PM you and we can discuss.
Yes I thought so! Ok great, thank you. Looking forward to getting trained on this tool
Yes I would like to be certified on the multi-cam also. I have a small CNC and VCarve pro and I have had a few instructions on the multi cam, but just never have found the “Dude” that can grant me clearance.
Please include me also,
Keith Hall
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Have you taken the Multicam training at DMS, but just not tested out?
I have never talked with anyone that was official and could tell me what I needed to complete to get tested. If there is a training class I have never been apart of, I have 4-5 times where someone spent 1-2 hours going over stuff with 2-3 of “us” about machine and procedures. I would like to take whatever training and test out. What do I need to do ?
Casual conversations are great. However they aren’t a replacement for formal training. We will require that you actually understand things pretty well before you can run jobs solo. This is very different than the Woodshop Basics type training. When you graduate, and with a several hours of operation experience, you could probably land a job as an operator.
Signup for the training classes when they are posted.
First of all you will require the ability to create DXF files. If you are proficient in CAD such as Solid-works, or Fusion360, great. If not, don’t despair. This is where Vcarve Pro 11 fills the gap. Although not really a CAD software, you can create drawings in it that will allow you to design most everything the machine can produce.
Become familiar with one of the packages above and practice drawing things. Just pick something flat and draw it.
Watch CNC videos. Learn the concepts and terminology.
Decide what you are going to create once cleared. Design it.
Signup for the training classes when they are posted.
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Adding on to this - keep an eye on Talk so you’ll know when training will be coming up. There’s a lag between submitting a class and it appearing on the calendar and instructors will often put a heads-up on Talk. Multicam classes fill up quickly.
Well I took a couple of CAD classes recently but in no way am I proficient, but I do have a small CNC and know my way around VCarve Pro 11 pretty good. Thanks for the heads up on classes, that’s been the problem, finding a class, or finding someone that has the authority to give a 1 on 1 class (I would pay for) then be able to test out and get clearance on the machine.
Keith
I’m interested in getting on the Multi CAM as well. I think between the three or four of us who’d really like to learn we could really make it worth someone’s while.
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Sounds enticing. This is the pathway we are following:
- Creating a DXF of the item to be milled.
- If you already know CAD(well) then great.
- If you don’t, the first official Multicam Vcarve class is about halfway through being setup.
- CAM the DXF file
- This class is next up after the Vcarve class is launched.
- Machine operator class.
-Teaching a person how to actually run the machine without causing damage. Miss one setup step and you can’t hit the stop button before the expensive damage has occurred. The machine moves too fast.
These aspects used to be all rolled up in a quick three hour class. Now we know where that got us. The reason the Haas in machine shop isn’t continuously broken is they sort of follow the same training playbook.
There really aren’t any shortcuts on this. Heavy users became really tired of poorly trained infrequent users making mistakes that knocked the machine out of commission. The cost of failure has gone up considerably since the rebuild.
You should expect a considerable investment in time prior being turned loose unsupervised on the Multicam.
If you know already know CAD, then you can still download Vcarve pro and play around with the CAM aspect to gain a little situational awareness. Otherwise you must learn a software that creates DXF files. Vcarve, Solidworks, Fusion 360, etc.
The team is as excited as the general membership to get everyone on the machine.
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Read below
If you have a training request please re-read this thread.
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Totally understand the training concerning this machine and the time investment needed to get certified. User error happens more than enough in the wood shop and the cnc multi-cam is only as good as it’s user and can be unforgiving in the blink of an eye. I appreciate “y’all” for putting this together and will check the calendar daily for the first class to come available for this process.
Keith
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We (a team) are actively developing two of the core classes.
-
Vcarve Basics (For those just starting or that might enjoy a refresher)
-
Multicam Machine Operator (For both new and existing Multicam qualified operators)
We are exploring the idea of placing a familiarization course on our LMS(courseware) server with the help of @skyspook. We feel it would be beneficial for everyone that wanted to learn if they had a basic understanding of what is about to be taught, along with familiarity of the program layout and major operations. We hope to spend the classes on actually learning skills, instead of what an icon means or where it might be hidden.
If we are able to do this, a member would first be required to take the online mini-course prior to being allowed to signup for the in person class. This will also assure students that the other members in attendance are also serious, instead of just trying to fill an otherwise empty evening.
Another benefit will be that the classroom materials will be available to graduates for future reference.
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It goes without saying that this machine is very easy to break, very expensive to fix, and can hurt people. @SWA’s team is working rapidly to get training together that is comprehensive and designed for you to succeed. Please be patient a little while longer - once @SWA ‘s team is ready and the materials are done, you can be confident that you’ll be properly prepared. In the meantime, if you need something cut on the machine, reach out, because there are volunteers willing to help you get your projects made while you wait for the training.
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I am glad we are putting something comprehensive together that will ensure the longevity of the Multicam. Please let me know as soon as a class is ready to be taught!
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