The Bantam Tools Desktop PCB Milling Machine is designed to be robust and cut accurately with a minimum of maintenance. These basic maintenance tips will help your machine run smoothly.
Each Time You Mill a Project
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Make sure your machine is clean. Use a good vacuum after each milling job to remove as much of the resulting material debris (called swarf, which is just the best word ever) in and around the machine as possible. Use a small paint brush to loosen any debris that accrues around the inside of the spindle housing.
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Before and after milling, inspect the six metal rods. These rods, also called rails or ways, hold up the carriages in the milling machine. Make sure the rails and the bed are clear of dust, tape, or glue, and make sure you have a tidy working environment. Sticky substances on the rails can cause the machining bed to dislodge the rails from the frame and will impact your milling project.
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For longer milling jobs, every 30 minutes, pause the job and vacuum out the machine. Use a small brush to loosen the debris, and then use the vacuum to remove the debris. Focus on the rails, the limit switches, and the linear bearings. The linear bearings are the circular pieces that the rails pass through. There are four linear bearings in each axis, so 12 total in the milling machine. To pause the job, you can either press the pause icon in the software or just pull one of the four windows off of the machine.
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Keep track of all cutting tools in order to know how long they’ve been in service. A dull end mill will make fuzzy or jagged cuts and can cause the machine to cut incorrectly. Old tools are also more likely to break while cutting.
Periodic Inspections
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Every so often, inspect the spindle belts and collet for visible wear. Spindle belts can become stretched and loose or have worn patches. If the collet looks dirty, clean it by gently tapping it on a hard surface to dislodge debris.
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If the machine sounds rough or uneven, inspect the spindle:
- Use the z-axis jogging arrows in the software to lower the spindle so the belts are in reach.
- Power the machine down.
- Remove the pulley belt (or belts if you have a double pulley) at the top of the spindle by gently pulling them off with your fingers. Rotate the pulleys as needed to get the belts free, and set the belts aside.
- With your finger, grasp the end of the spindle that holds the tool and wiggle it gently to make sure the spindle doesn't move side to side or up and down.
- Make sure that the spindle spins freely.
- If you feel movement, let us know at support@bantamtools.com.
- Use the z-axis jogging arrows in the software to lower the spindle so the belts are in reach.
Maintenance Tips
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If the metal rods in your milling machine get sticky with tape or glue, carefully remove the adhesive with 91% rubbing alcohol.
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If you have a Bantam Tools Desktop PCB Milling Machine or an Othermill Pro, that’s all you have to do, and you should actually avoid applying Break Free CLP lubricant to the metal rods.
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If you have Kickstarter Othermill or a V2 Othermill (with the gray top), then after cleaning the metal rods with alcohol, you should apply Break Free CLP lubricant to the metal rods. The Break Free CLP will help keep the rails from corroding. Apply 1-2 small drops of Break Free CLP to the top of the rails near the linear bearings. The bearings are the part of the x, y, and z carriages that make contact with the rails. The milling machine doesn't need any other type of lubrication.
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After applying the lubrication (either the CLP or PTFE, depending on your milling machine), use the jogging arrows in the the software window to move the machine back and forth, which will spread the substance over the surface of the metal rods.
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Store your milling machine in a cool, dry place to avoid damage to the electronics and corrosion on the rails.
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Before you mill, make sure there are no loose items on the bottom of the milling machine. Loose tools, wrenches, and large pieces of material can be caught in the rails or under the machining bed and can cause damage to your machine.
How to Replace the Spindle Belts
The milling machine uses belts to connect the spindle motor and the spindle, and occasionally, these spindle belts can wear out or break. If this happens, replace the damaged belts with new ones from the accessory kit that came with your milling machine.
Note: Some milling machines have double pulleys that require two belts, and others have single pulleys. The process for replacing the belts is the same.
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Using the z-axis jogging arrows in the software, lower the spindle closer to the bed. Be careful not to hit the bed with the tool!
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Power down your machine.
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Remove the belt with your fingers. For worn belts, rotate the pulleys as necessary to get the belt completely free. If your milling machine has a double pulley and only one belt is damaged, you may have to remove the undamaged belt to fully remove the damaged one.
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Loop the new spindle belt around the front (spindle motor) pulley, and make sure it’s seated in the empty groove.
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Stretch it around the matching groove on the rear pulley.
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With your thumb holding the pulley in the groove, spin the spindle pulley and press the belt into the gap between the pulley and the motor housing.
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If your milling machine has a double pulley, repeat the above process for the second belt. If an undamaged belt was removed to replace the damaged one, replace it before using your mill.
How to Update the Software
The Bantam Tools software checks for updates every time it's launched. If a new version of the software has been released, the software will prompt you to download the new version.
To check for software updates manually, click Check for Updates in the software’s File menu.
How to Update the Milling Machine’s Firmware
Every time the milling machine is connected, the software will check to see if its firmware needs to be updated. If an update is available, you'll be prompted.
To update the milling machine’s firmware manually, click Update Firmware in the Machine menu. The Update Firmware button will only be available when there is firmware to update.
If you have questions about the care and condition of your mill, please email us at support@bantamtools.com.