Machining Tools
⚠️Training Zone Ahead⚠️
To safely use the following equipment, you must receive training by lab64 Staff prior to individual use. To get trained, please attend one of our Office Hours sessions↗. Estimated Length of Training: 15 minutes.
Introduction
The notcher and shear are mechanical machines used to cut metal. The notcher specializes in 90-degree corner cuts, while the shear is for general cross cuts. A pressing mechanism forces the blades down vertically that scissor through the material. Our notcher and shear are hand-operated.
lab64 training is REQUIRED before using the notcher and shear (mostly to prove you won't hurt yourself).
Read the brief guide below and come to CA office hours, catch Jeff in the lab, OR reach out to us in the #training-request Slack channel to receive training. Training is essentially showing us you can safely and responsibly use the equipment.
After training, you can safely use the notcher and shear to your heart's content during lab hours. Enjoy!
General Guidelines
DO NOT interact with any of our machining tools without safety googles -- they can be found in the main room in the lowest drawer opposite the Prusa Wall.
DO NOT stick your fingers under any of the blades.
DO NOT use Stainless Steel on our machining equipment
DO NOT cut round or bar stock -- Use sheet metal only!
Clean up any scrap material from the machines after using them.
Mark your material before cutting.
Notcher
Use the notcher for small cuts and notches in sheet metal.
Align your material with the edges of the cutting hole.
Don't hit your head with the upper arm
Put enough finger pressure on your material while cutting so it isn't sucked in. Space your fingers so that they are NOT inside the cutting hole/below the cutting blades.
When your material is aligned where you marked it, grab the end of the upper arm and slowly pull it down towards you. Once the blades make contact with your material, pull down with slight force until the material is cut. Raise your arm all the way up back again.
Remove your material from the front and bottom of the machine.
Push down the bottom lever to move the bottom plate and adjust the punch sizing
Pull the top lever to move the top barrel and adjust punch sizing
Ensure that the letters (which indicate size) match on the top barrel and bottom plate
Slide your material into the front hole, and hold it steal
Pull down the right lever to punch your hole
⚠️ After your material is punched, ensure you remove the extra material from the machine ⚠️
Shear
Use the shear for long cuts on big sheets.
Align your material inside the shear through the window (as pictured)
Don't put your hand inside! When you pull the upper arm down, the press brake will come down and clamp your material. You do not want to clamp your fingers.
Don't hit your head with the upper arm
Hold the material down behind the press brake.
When your material is aligned where you marked it, grab the end of the upper arm and slowly pull it down towards you. Once the blades make contact with your material, pull down with slight force until the material is cut. Raise the arm all the way back up again.
Remove your material from the front and the back of the machine.
Drill Press
Always have something under metal base to drill on, such as a scrap piece of wood.
The base is adjustable -- loosen its nut and turn the lever to alter its height.
The chuck is key-less, like a hand drill.
Make sure that the bit is centered before starting on your hole.
HOLD IT TIGHT OR IT WILL FLY
Keep the spindle speed as is if you're unsure. Generally, metals use lower speed, while woods use a higher speed.
Always secure the sheet metal or material properly in the machine to prevent it from slipping or shifting during operation.
Never use the finger break machine without proper supervision or training.