Carvey is a 3D carving machine that allows you to make quality objects out of a variety of materials including wood, metal and plastic. Using Carvey and Easel software, you can make jewelry, signs, toys, circuit boards, anything you can imagine.
Table of Contents
SAFETY DO’S AND DON’TS
DO’s:
DO Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas can lead to accidents.
DO stay with the system while a job is being processed.
DO keep the area clear of clutter.
DO clean the Carvey. Use the MakerStudio Shop Vac to clean the inside of the Carvey and the surrounding area.
DO remove milling bits from the Carvey and return them to their proper designated comprtment in the Carvey Bit Bin.
DO remove all wrenches before turning Carvey on
DO use protective equipment while operating your Carvey.
DO keep hands clear of pinch points when opening and closing the front cover of Carvey. Also keep hands clear of pinch points on the panel behind the spindle. The ends of motion for the X, Y and Z axes are all pinch points
DO keep hands clear of the sharp edges on the milling bit at all times.
DO turn off the power switch when Carvey is not in use
DO keep cutting tools and bits sharp and clean.
DO exercise caution when using a vacuum cleaner to take up cutting waste. Taking up fine cuttings using an ordinary vacuum cleaner may cause danger of fire or explosion. If unsure, sweep out the debris.
DONT’s:
DO NOT operate Carvey in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Carvey can create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
DO NOT use Carvey while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating Carvey may result in serious personal injury
DO NOT wear loose clothing or jewelry
DO NOT attempt to cut magnesium or any other flammable material. Sparks or fire may occur if you attempt to cut flamible materials with Carvey. Investigate the composition of the materials you want to cut and confirm that they are safe for your use before trying to use them with Carvey
DO NOT leave the room unattended while the Carvey is operating.
Parts of this manual have been unashamedly stolen from Inventables’ “Carvey Manual” at http://carvey-instructions.inventables.com
Carvey Features:
- Seamless integration with Easel software simplifies workflow from design to finish
- Automatic calibration. Click “Carve” to start
- Enclosed for quiet operation and easy cleanup
- Color-coded bit system simplifies multi-cut jobs
- LED lighting inside the case to keep you aware of progress
- Carving area of 11.6” x 8” in the X and Y (horizontal) axes respectively.
- Clearance in the Z (up and down) axis varies depending on overall length of the installed milling bit, but the overall clearance from the waste board to the cutting head is 3.5” (90mm), the maximum travel of the Z axis is 3.1” (80mm).
Getting Started:
Carvey uses the Easel software provided by Inventables.com. In order to use the software you need to sign into inventables.com and open the Easel software.
- Go to www.inventables.com and either create an account or log in by clicking the “LOG IN” button in the top right of the screen.
- Select “EASEL” in the top menu bar. You will be presented with the EASEL splash page.
- Click “EXPLORE EASEL” in the middle of the page. You will be presented with the EASEL sign in page.
- Click “Sign in through Inventables”. You will be presented with the Inventables sign in page.
- Sign in. Create an account if you do not have one. Click “Continue”.
- You will be presented with your Easel “Projects” page.
- If you are new to Easel and the Carvey CNC, start by clicking the “Intro to Easel” project. It will help lead you through the process of designing and then carving.
- If you are starting a new project, simply click “New Project”.
- If you are continuing work on a current project, click on the project that you want to work on.
- You can have multiple projects open at the same time.
Start a Project:
You start a new project by clicking the “New Project”button (as mentioned above). You will be presented with a split screen; the left screen is the “Design” screen and the right screen simulates the carved project.
- Select the Material and Bit you will be using on your project by clicking on the associated items on the Easel menu bar.
- Set the Material Dimensions.
“X” axis is the Length,
“Y” is Width and
“Z” is Height (thickness). - If your project has a lot of area to be carved and small details, you may require two bits. Click on the “+” menu item to add a second bit. A 1/8” bit will be good for removing material, but will be incapable of making a cut less with less than 1/8 of an inch diameter.
- Create or import your project to the Design Sheet.
When you do so, a “Cut” and “Shape” menu will be displayed.
“Cut” will determine how deeply your bit will carve into the material. “Outline” and “Fill” on the “Cut” menu determine whether you only cut the perimeter (Outline) or cut the entire shape to the depth of the cut (Fill).
“Shape” will give you options for sizing and positioning your design. The dots next to “Position” indicate which point of your shape the “X” and “Y” measurements will affect, and will position your project on the Design screen accordingly.
- You can also click/grab objects in both the design screen and the layout screen to move, rotate or modify them.
- When you are ready to carve your project, click “Carve”.
Changing bits:
Carvey milling bits are held in by a collet. Collets are interchangeable, each designed for a specific diameter bit. Our bits are all 1/8 inch. To change a bit:
- Turn OFF the Carvey
- There are two wrenches in the Bit Box. Put them on the spindle flats and the collet nut. Turn the collet nut clockwise to loosen it, and then loosen further by hand. You should be able to install or remove bits from the collet.
- After a bit is installed, use the wrenches to turn the collet nut counter-clockwise to tighten the bit in the collet. The flutes on the bit SHOULD NOT touch the collet.
Clamping Materials:
Carvey comes with clamping hardware to secure materials to the waste board for cutting. The Smart Clamp is the main L-shaped clamp located at the lower-left corner of the carving table. It is secured by two hand-tightened bolts. This clamp has a sensor which allows Carvey to automatically zero your Z axis to the top of whatever material you are using. It is vital that this clamp is used to secure your material on every Carving job. If you do not use the Smart Clamp, you risk damaging the machine.
In addition to the Smart Clamp, your Carvey is supplied with clamps which are secured to the threaded inserts of the waste board by hand-tightened bolts and are supported on the other side by stepped blocks.
The clamps and bolts come in three lengths which are used in conjunction with the two sizes of support blocks to clamp materials up to ~1” thick. The Smart Clamp can be used with all three sizes of clamping bolt depending on material thickness
To begin, clear your cutting table of any obstruction and debris, then remove the Smart Clamp.
Position your material against the stops at the lower left-hand corner of the board, then use the Smart Clamp with the appropriately sized bolts to loosely secure the material. Note that the Smart Clamp has an L-shaped groove on its underside which must be mated with the similarly shaped protrusion on the base plate. When the material is thicker than the protrusion, take care to ensure that the clamp is properly aligned with the base plate.
Find the mounting waste board mounting holes you will use for rest of the material and choose appropriately sized clamps, bolts, and step-blocks. Set a step block in the upright position, then mate the toothed end of the clamp with the block just above the top of your material so the clamp presses onto the material at a slight angle. Use a bolt to loosely secure the clamp.
Repeat this process for the rest of the clamps then tighten down all of the clamping bolts, alternating sides to make sure that the material is strongly and evenly secured to the bed. To maximize clamping strength, always choose the shortest pieces of clamping hardware that will still allow for proper tool clearance.