Shapeoko 5

This page describes some of the specifics of this CNC Machine.

For more general resources please go to the CNC_Routers page.

About our machine

• Model: Shapeoko 5 (full specs here)
• Cutting Area: 48"(X) x 48"(Y) x 4"(Z)
• Gantry Shift distance for joinery: 3.15”
• Table workholding slots: uses M6 tee nuts
• Spindle: 65mm Air-cooled 1200W spindle (accepts variety of bits from 1/8" to 1/4")
• Spindle RPM: 8k - 24k RPM
• Computer: Mini PC Windows 11 connected via USB
• Control Software: Carbide Motion
• Acquired through a generous donation by Gabriel Markley.

Guides and Manuals

• Getting Started with Shapeoko 5 Pro - Many guides and resources from the company.
• Shapeoko CNC A to Z - Running a job - a very thorough community-written guide for using Carbide Motion.
• Feeds and Speeds

What's New

We acquired this machine in 2024 as an upgrade to the shop's CNC capabilities. It is largely the same as the Shapeoko 3, but bigger and more powerful. This comes with a few new considerations as noted below.

Features

1. Overall Machine
   1. Very large work area
   2. Sturdy metal frame will be more accurate
2. VFD Spindle, digitally controlled
   1. Programmed in your GCode, important thing to check that you haven't before
   2. Two wrenches to change tools
   3. Collet system accepts numerous different tool shank sizes
3. Dust collector
   1. Very quiet
   2. Large capacity two-stage system
4. Workholding
   1. M6 Tee Nuts
   2. Slots spaced apart 4.04” (103 mm) center-to-center
5. Bit Setter tool
   1. Automatically adjusts Z axis zero when switching tools
6. BitZero
   1. Quickly and accurately set zero positions

Important Notes

1. RPM is very important with this one. Make sure it is set appropriately for your project.
2. Never leave it running unattended.
3. Cut-throughs should have a sacrificial board underneath. Do not carve the main worktable unless you are prepared to repair it.
4. Workholding should be done with nuts and bolts or double-sided tape. DO NOT USE SCREWS, this will chew up the main board.

Shapeoko Operating Instructions

1. Pre-requisites
   1. Have your GCode file already made using your software of choice. We generally use VCarve Pro.
   2. Have your material ready and sized to fit on the machine you are using.
   3. Have your tool(s) for the cut(s) you are running.
   4. Have your safety glasses and hearing protection.
2. Power On
   1. Examine machine. Make sure it is clean, clear, no tools left on it or in the router.
   2. Ensure main power strip is on.
   3. Ensure computer is on.
   4. Turn on the CNC by twisting the red emergency stop button until it pops up.
3. Starting up with Carbide Motion
   1. Open Carbide Motion.
   2. Click the "Connect Cutter" button to connect to the machine.
   3. Click the "Initialize Machine" button to home your machine.
   4. Click "Load New File" and navigate to your prepared GCode file. Select the file and click "Open".
4. Preparing the tool
   1. Select the collet that matches the shank diameter of your tool (typically 1/4").
   2. Insert the appropriate tool for your GCode into the spindle and tighten it with the wrenches.
5. Preparing the material
   1. Grab a piece of material appropriate for your project.
   2. Many methods exist for securing the material to the work table. Briefly, these are: double-sided tape, hold-down clamps, and custom fixtures.
   3. Make sure your material secured to the table, ensuring it is secure enough for the operation you plan to do.
   4. If you are doing a shallow engraving, double-sided tape should hold well enough.
   5. If you are cutting all the way through something thicker than .5 inches, it needs to be very secure. If you try to move it while clamped and it shifts at all, it is not secure enough.
6. Zero the machine to the workpiece
   1. Go to the "Jog" screen in the upper right menu.
   2. Use the buttons to navigate the machine to the zero position. This will be determined in your GCode file, so be sure to remember what you set for a zero (or "XY Datum").
   3. Tip: Use the "Increment +" and "Increment -" buttons to change how fast the machine moves when you press the navigation buttons.
   4. As the tool gets within 1 inch of your material, reduce the increment to avoid crashing the tool into the material.
   5. When the tool is at the correct zero point relative to the material, go to the "Set Zero" button on the bottom row.
   6. Click "Zero All", then click "Done"
7. Start The Cut
   1. Click on the "Run" screen in the upper right menu.
   2. Click "Start Job"
   3. Click the "Feedrate -10%" button and reduce the "Override" value on the left to 50%. This will give you more reaction time to stop the machine if it is going to crash at the start of the job. (You can increase this after it has been running for a minute with no issues.)
   4. Turn on the vacuum for the machine. Ensure the hose is connected.
   5. Click "Start". The machine will move to the starting area and pause. A prompt will display.
   6. Click "Resume" to start cutting. Stay by the machine while it is running.
   7. Do not leave the machine unattended. If nobody is watching it and it crashes, it could do a lot of damage to the machine.
   8. Crash: If the machine crashes or otherwise needs to be stopped immediately, hit the red E-stop button to stop the motion. Report crashes to the #electronicslab channel on Slack.
   9. Cut not going well: If it is not an emergency, you can stop the cut by clicking "Pause", wait for the machine to move the router out of the cut, then click "Stop" and turn off the router.
8. After the cut
   1. Vacuum up the dust from the cut. Clean up on top of the machine, under the machine, the floor, and anywhere else dust went.
   2. Remove your material and any screws or clamps from the bed, leaving it completely clear.
   3. Remove the tool from the spindle and store it appropriately.
   4. Turn off CNC by pressing the red emergency stop button.
   5. Log out of computer
   6. Clean out dust collector, take to a garbage can in the main shop.

Troubleshooting

Router is not turning on	Check the Power switch. Check the plug. If the light is on but it doesn't spin, the motor brushes may need replacing.
It throws an error when running my GCode	Your code may be exceeding the maximum dimensions of the machine. Double-check the job size and the position of the workpiece to see if it is too close to the edges. If there was a lot of "chatter" or vibration before the error, it may have detected that and stopped the machine as a precaution.

External Resources

• Shapeoko CNC A to Z - excellent community-written guide.
• First Five Projects - suggestions from Carbide on the first 5 projects you should try.
• r/Shapeoko wiki