Knowledge Base

We recommend your machine being serviced once a year to ensure everything is running smooth. We change the belts, check the spindle, water pump, collets, gasket, vacuum pump,  vacuum pump filter, computer box clean, limit switches, check all rails are lubricated, check collet nut for any damage, check vacuum bed for damage and computer settings to make sure your machine is working to its best ability.

Price for service as follows:

£230.00+VAT and takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete, this price includes all belts to be changed and lubricating the machine. Any parts required outside of the service would be chargeable. We charge £1.00+VAT per mile to travel (round trip – this includes fuel, insurance, time etc).

If you require a service give us a call at 01453 297 374.

If you are loosing suction on your vaccum bed we recommend checking all pipes for blocks, changing gasket as air could be escaping from under the sacrificial bed. Check your vaccums filter for debris that could be blocking it from working at 100% and also change sacrificial bed.

On delivery we would need the following items in place:

3 phase machines:
2 x 16 amp sockets on the wall for plugging in the router and vac pump (a third may be needed for the dust extractor). (minimum D16 breaker)

Internet access is recommended but not essential, however we may need it to gain access to the machine should you require technical support.

Single phase machines:
4x 16 amp sockets
1 for the machine, 2 for vacuum pumps and 1 for dust extractor

The water pump cools the spindle.

All electrical installations must be undertaken by a qualified electrician.

Internet access is recommended but not essential, however we may need it to gain access to the machine should you need technical support.

There are a few options for delivery.

We deliver ourselves with a curtain side van or we use a carrier with many years of experience.

In either of these cases you will need a forklift to unload the machine and set in place.

Once the machine has arrived at your premises you are responsible for unloading and setting the machine in place.

We also recommend using a couple of pallet trucks (if you cannot get the forklift into the premises).

The other alternative is you can collect it directly from us.

The size of the material you cut will give you the model of your machine.

For example if you cut 8 x 4 sheets (1220mm x 2440mm) we recommend the CKJ R13. All of our machines come in both single phase and 3 phase !

The only limit to these machines is your imagination.
Cutting flats are its specialty, however it has the capability of doing 3D with additional software.

• For 3D cutting we recommend vectric Vcarve pro or Vectrics Aspire
• V Carve pro has the capability of taking pre made 3D files/models.
• Aspire on the other hand has the capability to create 3D models and files.

These machines are perfect for sign writers, joiners, cabinet makers, kitchen manufactures etc… Perfect for sheet material.

No! To run these machines all that is needed is basic understanding of computers. Learning the design software is everthing when it comes to working with these. Code is generated when you put toolpaths on your drawings.

Yes Ucancam can import any of the follwing files (.AI .DXF .EPS .PLT .BMP .JPG .JPEG .GIF .TIF .PNG) most design software have the capability of exporting in these formats.

This would all depend on what you are likely to be cutting or engraving. A CNC router would be used for sheet work MDF, Ply, composites, hardwood, metals, soft stone etc.. With a router you can change tools for a specific material and finish. However, if you are cutting acrylic you will not get a crisp finish. The laser is good for thin wood based material but will leave a black edge around the outside as the laser burns through or on material. Acrylic on the laser will have a polished edge if set correctly. The laser can etch into glass, wood, slate, granite, perspex and some metals. In an ideal world both together would be a match made in heaven as you could cut your desired shape and etch into it afterwards.

When it comes to cutters we have our own range of compression bits for MDF/Ply/OSB we also recommend speaking to SBC in Leicester. Depending on what you are cutting, having a good tool supplier that knows what they are talking about is crucial to success with a CNC router as the only people that can advise you on cutters would be them and they will know their product.

The size of the collet depends on what machine. All of our single phase routers have ER20 collets. Our standard 3 phase routers have ER25 collets and the ATC has ER32.

The code is generated from the toolpath you put on your drawings in your ucancam or Vcarve pro software. Once you output the toolpath the post processor creates a code file for the machine to work on. The machines need this information in order to cut.

In most cases we recommend calling a tooling supplier and telling them what materials you are likely to be cutting and they will point you in the right direction. However, there is a software called G-Wizard. We have many clients using this and is a very good piece of software.

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. What this means is that the machine is operated by a computer.

The advantages of having this system is it takes the guesswork out of setting your Z height on your work piece. Saving you time and making your depth cutting accurate

G code is the generic name for a control language for CNC machines. It tells the machine where to go and what to do.

Very ! With our machines it is just the case of take off the part in question and put the new one on its as simple as that no need to reconfigure anything.

This would depend on many things. The standard Z axis height is 200mm. You have to take into account for the cutter length and material thickness. You also have to take into account safe height. We set this to 50mm for new customers and they have the option to change it. You must also think about the thickness of the spoil board on the bed.

We recommend clients to this as it protects the bed underneath. We skim MDF as then it removes the sheen on the both sides to aid suction. This also ensures the sacrificial board is flat.

The beds on our machines are made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A synthetic thermoplastic material made by polymerizing vinyl chloride that provides good rigidity, high mechanical strength and moderate electrical insulation properties.

For the R series routers air is not needed. Our R series routers do not need any air due to the spindle being a self change and the machine has no pop up locators. We did this as many machines on the market need them and with our R series we try to keep your costs down

ATC stands for Automactic tool change. If the machine you are looking at has this in its title it means that it will change tools for you in a job rather than you having to change the tools after a cut.