What group is in charge of the Shapeoko CNC Router and how can I get training on it?
Woodshop. They have classes often. Check the Events calendar for the classes.
Not to be contrarian, but I think the Shapeoko is in no man’s land, committe-wise.
Check with John Kulenschmidt, per this thread, for the best info.
@JohnK hopefully will respond if he’s no longer the best choice…
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Are you sure on this? I had to reach out and do something one-on-one in December (with @JohnK) just as Mike is doing. I’ve been trying to help out with it a bit by creating a Wiki page, getting it added to the tool status board, adding it to the tool list and so on.
Mike, if you want to get up to speed on it I’d suggest reviewing the manufacturers Wiki, watching some of the videos out there perhaps, then you could meet up and go through the physical aspects with one of us who are checked out on the machine. It’s a handy little training CNC machine and seldom used, no waiting!
I’d be open to help with a class if there was ever enough interest.
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To be clear, he’s talking about a 2’x2’ tabletop router (not the 5’x10’ Multicam) behind the Haas in the machine shop. There has been some talk about moving it under the woodshop purview, but there is also talk about moving it elsewhere in the machineshop area.
As far as classes go, AFAICT there has never been any, and it has been more about ad hoc personal instruction. I haven’t really used the Shapeoko, and I am more familiar with the PCB mill beside it. John K might be a good person to ask about the Shapeoko.
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I’d be interested in the class or even one on one training.
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Ahh. My synapses aren’t firing correctly this am.
Jast’s comment is correct in that, as far as I know all 3 (PC EMCO, PC mill & Shapeoko) machines on the back wall are in no man’s land, committee-wise, unless it is the Machine Shop. You would need to ask Bryan.
If there is ownership it may be the board, the Makerspace Shapeoko was obtain by an Inventables contest in June 2014. As for the location of the CNC’s, the PC was in the electronics room and when we moved to the new building it was put in the big room by the laser area. The Shapeoko started out there but both were moved to the front of the foundry area when the auto area was reconfigured. Then they were moved again to the front of Jewelry/Small Metals until Jewelry was resized. Currently they are behind the HAAS. Evenly with them being obscure, we have people ask about them and use them for light wood & metal projects. (See ex by Jay done is December which is on the machine). For more info of what the machine can do see the wiki page or explore Instuctables cnc/Shapeoko pages.
Mike, as Jay said, “if you want to get up to speed on it I’d suggest reviewing the manufacturers Wiki, watching some of the videos out there perhaps, then we could meet up and go through the physical aspects with one of us who are checked out on the machine. It’s a handy little training CNC machine and seldom used, no waiting!” Maybe we all could meet up on a Thurs. evening. That is the best time for me.
Ps there is a book for the EMCO & PC mill that may help, or talk with Kent Bowling he does some CNC maybe can help out.
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@steve_a (If I’m not mistaken) provides classes from time to time on the EMCO, which is nicknamed “Kenny” 
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Mike, Hope you got to review the manufacturers Wiki for the Shapeoko, watching some of the videos out there perhaps, If so I plan on being at the space this Thur and go over some of the physical aspects. Also jphelps if you wish to help him if can come out Thur.
Thanks
Shapeoko is presently homeless. Seems to compliment the Multicam but woodshop seems to have a number of other priorities at the moment.
When will you be out on Thursday?
Actually I think woodshop is taking owership.
Woodshop has not communicated that to the Logistics chair person, Machine shop chair person, Board member, Or the membership of DALLAS MAKERSPACE.
Creative Arts is willing to take over the Shapeoko and I’ve already put it on the BoD meeting. Waaabam.
Once we have a cover and stand made for it - we will make it available for individuals to use in the CA room. But we need to figure out a way to keep it clean and manageable inside this workspace
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It’s rather loud and may often have long job run times. Soundproofing it may be rather involved. I’m not sure the CA room will be a good fit. Would you like a demo of it in action before committing?
Edit to add that dust collection is also an issue with this tool and generally a vacuum is involved either manually or integrated.
I think it would make a great addition to Creative Arts! I would suggest
an acrylic cage with a disposal option, perhaps that you can brush to one
side to a built in trash container.
Sincerely,
Tim Nielsen
Look forward to people helping design and build the enclosure. @bscharff the machine requires a computer, is there still a spare hanging around that could be used for it?
Re: The enclosure: space is at a real premium in CA (as is everywhere) if possible - it needs to be designed as narrow as possible. But enclosed and sound proofed as much as possible. It looks like a vacuum hose can be attached near the cutter, CA will get a example: small shop vac to help keep things clean.
Those that are interested in helping make let me know ad we can set up some time to meet and work out the details and arrange for materials to be purchased for building this.
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pretty sure there’s one with it. I might be wrong, though…
Sweet!
CA taking ownership of it is a great idea. excellent for smaller projects that require things the laser cannot do, and the CNC Multicam is too much for.
CA is proving very worthy of providing training, maintenance, and funding for popular member crafts and tools.
I would suggest storing and running the machine one wall over, in the WoodShop. We in the WoodShop are accustomed to the droning high pitched whine, or have hearing protection. Dust is already an issue there, but it is one being actively addressed. no need to expand that issue. Space there is also at a premium, but maybe the creatives can help us generate more space.
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