A CNC (Computer Numerical Control) router is a machine designed to carve out complex designs into a variety of soft materials like wood, plastic, or metal.
Image credit: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/art/3d-wood-carving
The Reimagine MakerSpace has an Inventables X-Carve machine available for use.
Software
The X-Carve requires the use of a free cloud-based software called Easel, which interfaces with the machine. Users can create their own account. Drivers for the program are downloaded on the MakerSpace laptops for use with the X-Carve.
Inventables has developed an entire site of instructions explaining how to design and carve with Easel.
Carving Bits
This Carving Bits 101 resource from Inventables, including a helpful video, walks through the various bits available and their uses.
Step-by-Step Guide
This handy guide created by Jessamine County Public Library provides helpful step-by-step instructions for using the X-Carve. One slight difference is that the Reimagine MakerSpace machine uses a Makita router, as opposed to a Dewalt.
This video tutorial from Johnson County Library is also a good resource for learning the step-by-step carving process using X-Carve.
Safety Guidelines
It is important that anyone using the X-Carve closely follow our Safety Guidelines, including wearing safety glasses over the eyes and tying hair back away from the face. The dust shoe attached to the shop vacuum should always be used when carving with the machine to prevent the inhalation of fine particles.
Materials
The Reimagine MakerSpace has a limited supply of wood material available for carving. Students are encouraged to bring in their own material to use with the equipment. The material must be approved (for size and type) by a MakerSpace staff member before using with the X-Carve.
Project Ideas
Inventables has a library of projects available to peruse on their website. There are many free designs and ideas available on other crafting and hobbyist websites as well.
All guides are available under the CC-BY-NC-SA license.