ShopBot CNC Router
Before You Start: Safety
• Wear eye and ear protection at all times.
• Wear closed-toe shoes. Never wear gloves.
• Make sure material is clamped down securely before cutting.
• Never place your hands on the rails while the machine is on.
• Know where the Emergency Stop is, and never leave a running machine unattended.
Tool Orientation
The 0,0,0 point is where the X, Y, and Z axes meet, near the front-right corner of the table.
1. Getting Started
➤ Connect the USB cable from the control box to the computer (use the same port every time).
➤ Turn ON the control box.
➤ Double-click the ShopBot 3 icon to launch the software.
– If prompted for a settings file, choose [PRS ShopBots] → select Standard, Alpha, or
Buddy → choose your table size.
2. Moving the Tool
Use the red “Easy” Position panel and the yellow KeyPad to move the spindle/router.
➤ Click the yellow KeyPad icon on the red Position panel to open the KeyPad.
➤ Use the on-screen arrows, or the keyboard, to move the gantry:
– Arrow keys = X / Y axes
– Page Up / Page Down = Z axis
➤ Move the spindle/router to a safe height and near the middle of the table, then close the
KeyPad.
3. Turning On the Spindle / Router
➤ Insert the interlock key and turn it to ENGAGED.
➤ Routers: make sure the router's power switch is ON.
➤ In the main console, type “K” to open the KeyPad, then click Output 1 to turn it on.
➤ PRSalpha / Buddy: press the green START button on the pendant.
➤ PRSstandard: click “OK” when prompted.
4. Changing Bits
➤ Make sure the collet and nut are clean.
➤ Slide the bit into the collet (shank only — keep the flutes outside the collet, filling at least 75%
of the collet).
➤ Thread the collet and nut onto the spindle/router by hand, then tighten with the wrenches. Do
not force it.
5. Zeroing the Axes
Do this every time the machine is turned on or the bit is changed.
Zero the Z-axis
➤ Place the grounding clip on the bit (or the collet/spindle shaft).
➤ Set the Z-zero plate directly under the bit.
➤ Click the Z-zero button, or type C2. The bit will touch the plate twice, then rise to a safe
height.
➤ Remove the Z-zero plate and grounding clip.
Match your zero location (top of material vs. table surface) with the setting used in your CAD/CAM
file.
Zero the X- and Y-axes
➤ Click the XY-Zero button, or type C3, to home to the proximity switches.
– To set a temporary 0,0 instead: jog the spindle to the desired spot and type Z2.
6. Running a Cut
➤ Click “Cut Part” (or type FP), then select your part file.
➤ Make sure “Offset in 2D or 3D” is set to “No Offset,” then click START.
➤ PRSalpha / Buddy: press the green START button on the pendant first, then click OK.
➤ PRSstandard: click OK — the router/spindle starts automatically.
7. Pausing or Stopping a Cut
➤ Soft stop (recommended): press the SPACE BAR. The tool decelerates, lifts the Z-axis, and
pauses — zero locations are kept.
➤ Emergency stop: press the red E-Stop button/switch. This cuts all power — you will need to re-
zero all axes afterward.