Hybrid Atelier - EQUIPMENT

Machine • Studio

Safety Training is REQUIRED before using this resource and must be cleared by Hybrid Atelier personnel.

Stations

Digital Fabrication Electronics Prototyping

Important Links

This CNC mill is well-suited for milling Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) from FR1 (FR4 is prohibited). It can precisely machine 6-mil traces with micro-stepping down to 0.000125” while holding a repeatability of .001”. This machine is integrated with an auto-probing feature to accurately measure your tool length and will probe stock material to ensure precise and accurate results, every time.

WORKING VOLUME: 5.5” × 4.5” × 1.6”

Materials that work great:

FR-1 printed circuit board blanks
Machining wax
Linoleum
ABS
Acrylic
Brass (for engraving)
Aluminum (for engraving)
Silver (for engraving)

Materials that work great if you're intermediate/advanced:

Hard plastics (e.g., Delrin and HDPE)
Aluminum
Brass
Hardwood (e.g., mahogany)
Soft stone (e.g., soapstone)
Leather (for engraving)

Don't mill these materials: * FR-4 (not supported) * Steel (stainless or otherwise) — Dull/melts the cutting tool * Iron — Dulls/melts the cutting tool * Magnesium — Chips can ignite and are difficult to extinguish * Titanium — Dulls/melts the cutting tool * Fiberglass (including FR-4 circuit boards) — Makes unhealthy dust. FR-4 should not be milled unless while using the Bantam Tools FR-4 Milling System. * Hard stone and precious gems — Dulls/melts the cutting tool and creates dangerous dust * Glass — Shatters, creating dangerous shrapnel * Silver chloride or other powdery materials — Very crumbly, doesn’t hold its shape * Chocolate, cheese, or other food products — Milling machine is not food safe.

Operation Instruction

Hair Tie

Tie back long hair.

Gloves Recommended

When removing your piece from the mill with the **scraper**, wear gloves in case the scraper should slip. Position scraping motions away from hands.

Hazards

Sharp Element

Do not touch the sharp ends of end mills, even when the milling machine is not in operation, as they may cause injury. Wear gloves when removing parts from the milling machine since a slip of the scraper could cause cuts.

Pinch Hazard

Do not touch or place hands near moving parts — such as the carriages, rails, frame, spindle, and pulleys — while the milling machine is in operation.

Rotating Parts

When using the milling machine, tie back long hair and avoid clothing or jewelry that may get caught.

Dust Inhalation

Avoid breathing in debris from the milling process. Vacuum-clean the milling machine before and after each operation.

Things to Avoid

Do not use liquids in the milling machine.
Do not operate the milling machine if you are tired, distracted, or otherwise impaired.
Do not operate the milling machine if the material is not secured to the machine bed.

Use the Emergency Stop button to immediately stop the machine when necessary

Safety Checks

Do not leave the mill unattended while in use.
Make sure to use the mill on a flat, stable surface.
Do not use the machine if the safety windows are cracked.
Do not mill materials that are not supported.

Safety Overview

Operational Checks

Make sure the milling bed is free from debris using vacuum.
Prior to operation, make sure the collett and tool are secure.
Remove wrenches and other tools from inside the milling machine.

Cleanup

Turn the machine off when not in use.
Using the vacuum, clean up debris from the milling process. Use the Loading option in the BantamTools software to move the bed for easy cleanup.

Bantam Tools Desktop Milling Machine