Using the 3D Milling Toolhead - Example Workflow

Step 1

Drag your file into Voxelizer. It can be in STL or Voxel format. Voxel format is often used in connection with medical scans. When you are done with rotating, scaling and positioning press Voxelize option.

Step 2

Home the Z axis and define the lowest work point.

Define where your Z-zero is so that the dremel do not hit the table. You do not want the drill to collide with your table, because it can damage it.

In Voxelizer, home your X and Y. Do not home the Z. if you do, then press the Reset button on the machine to avoid collision.

Place your toolhead next to your milling material, and bring it to your lowest work point with the +1 and -1 buttons. Now use your finger to press the Z-endstop. This tells the machine: here but not lower.

More advanced users can use G-code to define Z-zero instead of using the finger method. Write G92 Z0 in the dialog box and press Enter on your keyboard. 

Step 3

Define your work block and its borders by moving the toolhead into position on the work block edges and pressing Actual for each direction.

• Z is for height
• Y is back and front
• X is left and right

Step 4

Now it's time to choose the milling settings.

For a standard 0.8 mm dremel end dril we chose:

• LENGHT: 3mm. This is how long the work area of the mill is in height.
• DIAMETER: 0.8. The diameter of your mill drill. Check the package of the drill or use caliper.
• DRILL SPEED: 25mm. Fast speeds are okay with soft materials such as balsa. You can adjust the speed at the panel with up and down buttons.
• TRAVEL SPEED: 25mm. Can be the same or higher than the drill speed.
• PATH WIDTH: 0.4mm. Should be at least 1/2 of the mill bit diameter. If you want finer cut, go down to 0.2 for example (milling takes longer then).
• DRILL DIRECTION: X and Y. Adjust it only when milling in material with no fibres such as soap, resin or chocolate. Otherwise go with the fibres.
• DRILL RETURN: Forward – Check the rotation of your dremel bit. The drill should "eat" and not "stroke" the material. 

Step 5 

Generate the milling path in Voxelizer. When they're ready, you may inspect the results in the G-code Display tab. The white lines show how the mill avoids your 3D-modell. Try different settings and compare the results. When you're ready simply press Play. 

Step 6

You should follow your mill in action.

Remember to listen to the dremel, it's normal to adjust the speed during the milling with the panel UP/DOWN buttons. You can also press Pause or Reset buttons if you need to stop the milling process. 

General tips

• Attach your substrate material to the plate with double sided tape or normal mini-clamps.
• Listen to your dremel and adjust the RPM and print speed during the operation.
• Choose Drill Direction in relation to the print and the material fibers.
• The tinier the Path Width, the better resolution.