MAKER MADE M2 Automated Cutting Machine Kit User Guide
- June 7, 2024
- MAKER MADE
Table of Contents
M2 Automated Cutting Machine Kit
SETTING UP YOUR M2 AUTOMATED CUTTING MACHINE KIT
2021 Assembly Guide
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Last Updated 4.16.2021 Version 2.4 .1
M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
SETTING UP YOUR M2
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1. Intro – 3 SECTION 2. Parts Needed – 4 SECTION 3.
Assembling the M2 – 7 SECTION 4. Tips and safety warnings – 15
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
Thanks for buying the M2 CNC Automated Cutting Machine, welcome to the Maker
Made family! The following instructions are intended for beginners – with no
prior CNC experience.
Here are some notes on the layout…
1. Setting up the M2 can be broken down into three main parts: building the
M2, building the frame (or mounting it on an existing Maslow frame), and
calibration. This guide covers building the M2.
2. I’m Drew and I made this guide! My notes are tips and tricks to help you
along. They are in a different blue font and look like this:
Drew’s Note: Let us know how this guide can be improved for beginners. We love
to hear from you!
They are meant to answer some of the “why” questions you might have and give
you tips to get started. We suggest printing the guide in color, if you want a
paper copy.
3. Each step contains written instructions, a visual rendering of those
instructions, color coded pictures of substeps or parts needed for that step,
and the hardware bag where you’ll find the parts you’ll need.
Here’s me and Spaghetti, he’s not impressed with CNC
Like this Bag G in orange
We hope you enjoy setting up your kit! As always, check out our Resources page for the most updated version of our support articles and links to our community. Happy making!
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
SECTION 2. PARTS NEEDED
This section contains information on what came with your M2 and other tools you will need to building and operation. Drew’s Note: Check out the M2 Video Playlist for an overview of what’s in the box and other how to videos! You’ll have to supply your own router for your M2. Here is the recommended list:
Router
Bosch Colt 1hp (PR20EVSK)
Clamp Size
71mm (included with M2)
Maker Made Tested
Yes
Community Tested
Yes
Bosch 2.25hp
91mm (included in M2 Upgrade Kit) Yes
Yes
(1617EVS)
DeWalt 611 1.25hp
71mm (included with M2)
Recommended
Yes
(DWP611)
DeWalt 618 2.25
91mm (included in M2 Upgrade Kit) Yes
Yes
(DW618M)
Makita 1.25hp
71mm (with 3D printed adapter)
Yes
Yes
(RT0701C)
Ridgid 2hp
91mm (included in M2 Upgrade Kit) Yes
Yes
(R2202)
Ridgid 2hp
91mm (included in M2 Upgrade Kit) Yes
Yes
(R22002)
Tools needed for building and operating your M2 (that didn’t come with you kit):
Router 13mm Combo Wrench (or any adjustable wrench)
Phillips Screwdriver/ drill Tape Measure/Digital Caliper Two Standard Sized
Bricks (to that attach to the M2 for weight during operation)
Dust Collection System
The following is what came in your M2 CNC kit!
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
DUE v1.2 Control Board, Shield, and case
10′ MicroUSB to USB cord
AC/DC Power Adapter and cord
X, Y, and Z Axis Motors (ETONM) (3)
X, Y, and Z Motor Power Cables (JST XH Motor Mounting Brackets (2) 6 pin x2, (JST XH 6 pin to PH 6 pin x1)
Stud Mounts (4)
Ring Carriage
Roller Bearing Carriages (2)
Z-Axis Mount L-Brackets (3)
Z-Axis Assembly
Sled
Router Clamp
Roller Bearings (4)
Chains 335cm/11′ (2)
Dust Collection Bracket
Spring
Maker Made Router Bit Starter Set
Velcro Dust Collection and Brick Mounting Straps (3)
Acrylic Dust Cover
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
Maker Made USB
Spring Hardware Bag B
Quick links (2) Small screws (4) Zip ties
Marker
Stickers, Quick Start Guide, and Welcome Letters
Chain Mounting Hardware Bag A
Cotter pins (2) Chain sprocket (2) Small nails (2) Large nails (2) White
spacers (2)
Short/Long Frame Mounting Screws
Bag C
Shorter black wood screws Longer silver Wood screws
Short/Long Frame Mounting
Screws Bag D
Shorter black wood screws Longer silver wood screws
X/Y Motor Hardware Bag E
Motor sprocket (2) Grub Screws (2) Motor screws (8) Motor washers (8)
Bearing Carriage Hardware Bag F
Shoulder bolt (4) Large washer (8) Large locking nut (4)
Ring and L-Bracket Hardware Bag G
Tiny wood screws (20) Small black M3 bolts (12) Locking nuts (12)
Assembly Tools Bag I
5mm hex wrench 4mm hex wrench 3mm hex wrench
Z Axis Hardware Bag C
Z Motor bracket 2.5mm and 2mm hex wrenches Flat combo wrench Belt Black M3 x
8mm bolts (6) Large gear Small gear Large set screws (2) Small set screws (2)
M4 x 8mm bolts (4) M4 Locking nuts (4) M5 x 8mm bolts (8) M5 T-nuts (8)
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
ASSEMBLING YOUR M2
The M2 kit comes in several pieces to assemble.
Drew’s Note: We recommend reading this entire section before beginning.
Check out this video playlist on how to build the M2!
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
1. There are three sets of countersunk pilot holes in the sled. Place the
ring carriage in the center and align with the pilot holes. Align the
L-brackets with the ring bracket attachment on each set of holes, with the
tall sides toward the center. Screw the aligned L-brackets into the sled,
oriented with the ring carriage, using a Phillips screwdriver and the tiny
silver screws.
Ring and L-Bracket Hardware Bag G
Drew’s Note: We will use the last two tiny screws in step 16, so don’t lose them!
2. Attach the three L-brackets to the rectangular brackets on ring carriage using four small black bolts and locking nuts on each bracket. Use the smallest (2mm) hex wrench on one side and the flat wrench in the on the other.
Ring and L-Bracket Z Axis Bag C Hardware Bag G Drew’s Note: The ring carriage
is adjustable for the thickness of the material you’re cutting! For now, we’ll
attach it at the top.
3. Hang a roller bearing carriage on each side of attached ring carriage.
Roller bearing carriages
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
4. Assemble both roller bearing carriages. Start by feeding the large bolt
through larger carriage hole, then through a washer around each side of the
ring bearing between the roller bearing carriage, and then tighten with the
large shoulder bolt on the side with the smaller hole. Use the largest (5mm)
hex wrench on one end and 13mm combo wrench (or any wrench) on the other end
to tighten.
Nut
Bearing Carriage Hardware Bag F
Assembly Tools Bag I
Washer Ring
bearing Washer
Shoulder bolt
5. Place the acrylic dust cover over the dust collection slot. (It’s in the little box inside the Z axis box.)
Acrylic dust cover
Drew’s Note: The sled assembly is done! Place it aside and we’ll come back to
it in step 14.
6. Attach the Z motor (from the motor box) to the Z motor bracket. Align the
motor shaft in the slot closest to the end of the bracket. Use the small black
bolts and the 2mm hex wrench.
Z Axis Bag C
Z motor bracket
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
7. Attach the large gear to the motor, just above shaft base, ensuring one
large set screw is on the flat side of motor shaft. Attach with the two large
set screws using the second smallest (2.5mm) hex wrench.
Z Axis Bag C
8. Attach the small Z axis gear on the Z axis assembly’s lead screw, with the
top of lead screw about 1/4in (6mm) beneath the top edge of the gear. Tighten
it using the two smaller set screws and the 2mm hex wrench.
Z Axis Bag C
Z axis assembly
9. (A) Loop one end of the belt around large gear. (B) Loop the other end around the top of the small Z axis gear. (C) Using the Z axis assembly as leverage, push the bracket down until it is flat and parallel with the top of the Z axis assembly. This will ensure the belt is tight.
(A)
(B)
(C)
Z Axis Bag C
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
10. Attach the Z motor bracket to the Z axis assembly using the four silver
bolts and locking nuts. Hold the nut with flat wrench and tighten from the top
using the 2.5mm hex wrench.
Z Axis Bag C
11. Ensure that the gears are level, with the belt between them. If they are
not level, loosen the grub screws on the gear that is taller, and push it down
until it is level with the other gear. Re-tighten the grub screws at the new
height.
Drew’s Note: Be sure that your belt is tight and level between the gears! If
the belt is loose or not level, the Z axis on your M2 will not move properly.
12. Attach the router clamp to the Z axis assembly using the bolts that are
screwed into clamp. Unscrew them and attach the clamp to the Z axis assembly
as shown with 3mm hex wrench.
Assembly Tools Bag I
Router clamp
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
13. Insert the eight bolts into the holes from the outside of base of the
left and right sides of the Z axis assembly. From the inside of the z-axis
assembly, hand tighten the T-nuts half-way onto the bolts.
Z Axis Bag C
Left side
Right side
Drew’s Note: The Z axis assembly attaches to the sled with T-nuts. They are marvels of engineering that are specially designed to hold different materials together. Some even turn sideways (perpendicular) when they are tightened! Ours fastens the z axis assembly to the aluminum extrusion rails “feet” that are attached to the sled.
Check out this T-nut x-ray coolness!
14. (A) If attached, pop the caps off the ends of the sled rails. (B) Rotate the T-nuts, so they are parallel with the inside of the sled rails. (C) Slide the Z-axis assembly onto the rails, with the T-nuts sliding into the slots on the outside of the rails. Stop when the router clamp is centered with the center sled hole.
(A)
(B)
(C)
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
15. (A) Tighten the T-nuts using the 3mm hex wrench. The z axis assembly should be securely attached and not move or wiggle on the rails. (B) Replace the end caps on the Z Axis.
(A)
(B)
16. Attach the dust hose bracket in the best orientation for your particular dust hose, using the two tiny screws leftover from step 1 (from the Ring and L-Bracket Hardware Bag). (A) For hoses smaller than 2″ (51mm) in diameter, attach the bracket closer to sled edge, aligned with the pre-drilled pilot holes. (B) For larger diameter hoses, attach the bracket against the Z axis assembly.
(A)
(B)
Dust hose bracket
17. (A) Attach the black or orange, shorter Velcro dust collection strap to the dust hose bracket. (B) Loop the two longer Velcro brick straps by feeding them through the slots on the sides of the Z axis assembly. You’ll attach the bricks (and cinch them tight) after you mount your M2 to your frame.
(A)
(B)
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
ATTACHING YOUR ROUTER (NOT INCLUDED)
18. Loosen the front of the router clamp using the 3mm hex wrench. Attach a
router bit to your router and insert it into the router clamp. Tighten the
clamp. The bit should be just above touching the surface of the table that
you’re building your M2 on, about 1/4″ (6mm) up.
Drew’s Note: You can adjust your router up or down in the clamp later to
accommodate for large adjustments to how deep you can cut into your material.
16. Align the bit to the center of the center sled hole. The easiest way to
align is by sliding the Z-Axis assembly forward or backward until the distance
is exactly the same from the bit to each edge of the front and the back of the
dust collection hole.
Drew’s Note: It’s very important that the router bit is in the exact center of M2 sled hole! All of the triangulation math for the M2’s GRBL code is based of the assumption that your bit is in the exact center. If it is off, even by a few millimeters, it will result in your M2 cutting incorrectly. Check out the “Centering your Router” article in our knowledge base, Maker Marketplace, or FB Owner’s Group for tips and jigs to center your bit!
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M2 ASSEMBLY GUIDE
APPENDIX 1 – TIPS
Click here to check out updates on our FAQ section!
The Maker Made M2 CNC kit is used to assemble a large format CNC machine. It
is designed to use a router (or another tool) to cut 4′ by 8′ sheet materials.
When used correctly, this machine is very safe. However, some safety
precautions must be taken to prevent injury. These include but are not limited
to: 1. Always follow the safety guidelines and instructions included with the
router or other
tool you attach to the kit. 2. Always wear ear and eye protection when running
your machine. 3. Use adequate dust collection or wear a respirator. Breathing
material dust can be
harmful. 4. Use proper lifting techniques when loading/unloading materials. 5.
Always use caution when connecting/removing the sled. This assembly weighs
around 20
lbs. 6. NEVER leave your machine running unattended!
We’re excited to have you in our community of makers and can’t wait to see
what you create. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @makermadecnc and
tag your projects! #MakerMadeMaker
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