3018 CNC Router Make and Take Class

Duration: 6-7 hours (10am-5pm)
Price: $495 / Machine
Bring a build buddy for free!
Ages: Motivated 16+ (If younger, guardian must assist)

In this class, you—or your group—will be walked through how to construct a desktop CNC router (Genmitsu 3018 Pro) that you will take home. (Why is it called a 3018? Because its bed size is 30 cm x 18 cm!)

Agenda:

  • Introduction & Overview (15 min): We go over the assembly process and identify key components. We quickly walk through the reasons behind each instruction so that every step from here on out makes sense.

  • “What is CAD, CAM, and CNC?” (15 min): We explain how these technologies work together to create precise and complex designs, and how they will apply to your new CNC router.

  • Building and Assembling The 3018 Router (2 hours): We start assembling the base and frame of the CNC router, which includes attaching the main structural components and ensuring everything is square and secure. Detailed guidance + tips and tricks makes sure you get a solid foundation.

  • Lunch Break! (30 min): We’ll take a break for lunch around 12:30pm. Bring your own lunch or grab something from nearby options (less than 5 min drive) like Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Taco Bell, or Costco.

  • Motor and Electronics Setup & Test (1 hour): Back from break, we focus on installing the motors and wiring the electronics. You’ll learn how to connect the SD card, offline controller (allows you to run files from the SD card without a PC), USB drive, and cabling. Then test it so far!

  • Install Home Switches & Test (1 hour): We cover the installation of home switches on each axis, which makes the router easier to use, along with an emergency stop. We teach you how to operate the router when it’s connected to a PC running Universal G-code Sender (UGS). Test it again!

  • Designing and Machining Your Custom Design (1-2 hours): Before you go home, you’ll carve a simple design you’ve created. We guide you through the process of setting up your design and executing the carve.

More information about the 3018 CNC Router:

  • What is it? The 3018 is a lightweight CNC router ideal for learning the same basic CNC operations you can use on full-size CNC machines (like our 4’ x 8’ ShopBot CNC Router). The kit we’re building comes with an offline controller, SD Card, USB drive with files, and 10 carbide V-bits.

  • What can it make? The CNC router can cut woods, plastics, acrylics, soft aluminum, PVCs, and PCBs to a depth of 1.8 inches. This gives you an extraordinary range of craftable items: decorative items, engraved plaques, toys and games, custom signs, display stands, custom enclosures for electronics, etc.

The price for this class is per kit. Bring your family or a friend. (Please let us know if your group is larger than 4! This experience may be better with 1-3 builders.) This is a detailed build — children under 14 will likely need assistance from an adult.

Files used in the class can be found here.

The Universal G-Code Sender download can be found here. (Important—scroll to the bottom under “Assets” to download the file. The links at the top are currently not working as of 5/2022.)

Check the calendar below to see if we’ve already scheduled a class that works for you!

No classes available or none that fit with your schedule? We may be able to schedule one by request. Note that requests may require a 4+ week lead time.

The future is yours to make!