Gerber Sabre 408 CNC¶
Description¶
1990’s CNC Router that can mill many plastics, composites, wood and aluminum! Located at Chicago Scenic Studios (CSSI). Located in the Special Projects Area. Used with EnRoute CAD CAM Software.
History¶
Benny, Juan, and Lou said that the Gerber CNC was the first CNC machine CSSI purchased and used. Later two more MultiCAM CNC Routers, for carpentry, and a water jet cutter, for metals, were purchased. This eventually led to the Gerber, a slower machine, being used less often.
Originally the Gerber was used with ArtCAM CAD CAM software.
After training and orientation from several CSSI co-workers we all agreed that it may be best set the Gerber CNC up for zeroing off the top of the work, just like the MultiCAM CNC routers. Currently, the zeroing procedure on the Gerber with EnRoute requires the use of file templates named after the nominal thickness of the material used (See screen capture below)
Photo place holder
Goal¶
Verify safe and effective operation of the Gerber Sabre 804 CNC and develop an operating procedure that is as close as possible to operating the two CSSI MultiCAM CNC routers.
Task List¶
- Fix e-stop
- Empty and check the PowerMatic dust collector
- Plug leftmost vacuum chamber leak
- Install new waste or spoiler board
Dust Collector¶
I cleaned off the PowerMatic Dust Collector and found out it is a model PM1900TX-3 serial number 1707126. The user manual is located at Instructions And Parts Manual PM1900TX Dust Collector
Zero off top of Plate (top of work piece)¶
Looking at the post processor code (called “driver” in the EnRoute software setting section) the following was noted in the file GERBER.CNF located at: C:\EnRoute6_1\Ndrivers per EnRoute help video EnRoute Webinar - Configuring a Post Processor (November 26, 2020)
EnRoute Machine Specifications¶
General CNC Settings¶
[Sabre408]
Description=Sabre 4x8
width=1358.9
height=2590.8
MachineXResolution=3937
MachineYResolution=3937
MachineZResolution=-3937
Length Units=in
Time Units=min
Speed Units=in\min
UseDefaults=1
ArcTolerance=0.0508
ArcMinAngle=0.1
ArcMaxAngle=359
MaxTurnAngle=2
HasArc=FALSE
HasDrill=FALSE
Communications settings¶
[Sabre408-Comm]
Line=COM1
Baud=9600
Parity=Even
DataBits=8
StopBits=1
Dtr=FALSE
Rts=FALSE
CtsRts=FALSE
XonXoff=FALSE
Cdriver=CGerber
Speeds¶
[Sabre408-EnRoute-Speeds]
speed=84.666663
speedMax=253.99999
speedMin=2.54
plunge=12.7
plungeMax=126.999995
plungeMin=1.27
dwell=0.000000
dwellMax=0.000000
dwellMin=0.000000
outFeed=253.99999
outFeedMax=253.99999
outFeedMin=2.54
outPlunge=126.999995
outPlungeMax=126.999995
outPlungeMin=1.27
spindle=14000
Parameters¶
[Sabre408-EnRoute-Params]
homePos=0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
toolChangePos=0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
autoTool=NO
zLift=6.35
turret=NO
toolsNumber=0
hasDrillBank=FALSE
HomeType=Plate
HomeCorner=0
ZDir=4
XDir=0
YDir=3
References¶
Gerber Sabre Owner’s Guide Sabre Owner’s Guide Addendum