CNC WOOD ROUTER

KCBF CURRICULUM

Prepared by GearBox Kenya

 CNC Wood Routing Machine
Curriculum Outline/ table of content
1. Machine and personal safety.
2. Basic Machine components and parts Introduction.
3. Machine Operations
- Starting procedure.
- Shutting down procedure.

4. G-Code loading
- Introduction to Mach3 mill software and its various components.
- Code loading.
- Machine axis introduction.
- Tool selection and setting.

5. Practical class
- Standard part routing: to be designed and tested by the instructor for demonstration
- Trainees guided on routing the part (the instructor should make different design
available for each student or a group).
- Personal projects: wooden tool box from previous class.

6. Basic introduction to design software: Fusion 360

- Instructor led class demonstrate to the trainees G-Code generation process and
basic design .

Training Programme
The training is to take about 20 days with classes of two hours each day totalling to 40 hours of
hands on training.
Objectives of the training
The objectives of the training include:
1. Training the people involved on how to operate the CNC wood router to produce high
quality wooden products at the shortest time possible.
2. Enabling the trainees to interpret and understand 2D designs as they will be used during
the routing.

Class schedule and timetable

The schedule below gives a detailed outline of what is to be covered and also the days that the
content should be covered.

Day 1(safety)
On the first day of the training, the instructor should ensure that by the end of the session the
trainees have been taught the following:
1. Introduction to the workshop, machine location.
2. CNC wood router- small background of the machine, what it does and its advantages
over the conventional router such as:
- Its fast
- Its precise
- Repeatability
- Less tiring
3. Workshop rules and regulations on safety.
This is the main content for the day, the trainer should ensure that the trainees understand
the risks involved with not following the safety procedures when operating the machine.
Day 2(Introduction to the machine- parts)
On the second day, an introduction to the machine, this part covers the following:
- The different parts of the machine.
- How to set-up the machine: the bed
- Location of the power buttons
- The emergency stop.
At the end of the day the trainee should be able to identify the different parts of the machine.

Day 3(Basic machine operations)

On the third day, the trainees will be introduced to the CNC router.
Topics to be covered on this day include:
-Starting the machine
- stopping the machine
- Mach3 mill software- brief introduction.
At the end of the lesson the student should be able to start, shut down the machine and identify
and start the software being used.
Day 4(Machine operations 1)
The trainee will be further trained on the machine operations and topic to be covered include:
- Mach3 mill software- further explanation on it.
- G-Code explanation on what it is- G-Code: numerical code in which machines run.
Directs the machine.
- Some components of G-Code- S for speed T- tool M3 start spindle.
- Machine axis- X- axis, y-axis and z- axis.
At the end of this lesson the student should be able to start the machine. Start mach3 mill
software and identify the code they are to use, identify the axis of the machine and have some
understanding of what the G-code is and some of its components.
Day 5(Machine operations 2)
This is a continuation of the last lesson and the following will be covered
- G-code loading(design loading on mach3 mill software).
- Tool setting(zero point).
- Demonstration(design will be labelled).
At the end of this lesson the student should be able to start and stop the machine, start Mach3
mill software, load the design (G-code). Set the tool.
The instructor will demonstrate.
Day 6 (Practical class 1)
The instructor should have different designs that can be used for testing and training.
The designs should be:
- Simple to minimize material use.
- Small
- Easily understood.
At the end of this session the trainees should be able to load a design(G-Code), set the tool(zero
point), and route a part.
Day 7(practical class 2)
The instructor should have different designs that can be used for testing and training.
The designs should be:
- Simple to minimize material use.
- Small
- Easily understood.
At the end of this session the trainees should be able to load a design(G-Code), set the tool(zero
point), and route a part with very little assistance.
Day 8(practical class 3)
At the end of this session the trainees should be able to load a design(G-Code), set the tool(zero
point), and route a part with very no assistance just guidance(observation).

Day 9(practical class 4)

The instructor should provide some design (different ones) for each trainee or a group
(depending on the number of trainees), and guide them on how to work on them.
Day 10( practical class 5)
Continuation of lesson 9, trainees working on assigned designs or groups.
Day 11(Practical assessment)
The instructor should evaluate each trainee or group to check whether the content and hands-on
training is understood.
Things to check include:
- The machine starting and stopping procedure.
- The software use- mastery of the software
- Tool setting and zero point selection to minimize material wastage.

Day 12(Practical class 6)

The instructor should rotate the trainees and groups to different designs and guide or observe
them as they work.
Day 13(Practical class 7 )
Trainees working on the assigned project, until completion.
Day 14 (Observation /Practical class 8)
Note- This class is optional for the trainer he/she can use the designs the already made for
the class i.e tool box.
With the opinion of the trainees, the trainer should ask them what design or product they would
like to be designed for them to route.
These way the trainees will observe and have some ideal of how the code is generated from the
design.
Day 15(Practical class 9)
The trainees will be provided with the material and proper guidance to start working on their
project.
Day 16(Practical class 10)
The trainees will continue working on the project
Day 17 (Practical class 11)
The trainees will present their product if its complete or continue working on it if not completed.
Day 18(presentation and feedback)
Interactive session- the trainer and trainees will engage and any question on the training or
machine will be asked and answered or demonstrated at this stage.
The products will be demonstrated at this stage.
Day 19(Recap and practical assessment)
The trainer will assess and determine if the trainees are able to confidently and comfortably
operate the machine.
Things to check:
- Is the trainee able to use the machine without supervision if the code is provided for
them?
Day 20(conclusion)
Last lesson
- Get feedback about the training from the trainees.
- Answer any questions.
- Presentation to any visitors available.
- Pack-up