=====Tangential Knife Operations=====
====Step 1 - Swap out sacrificial boards===
Swap the sacrificial MDF Board used with the spindle for the sacrificial Polystyrene Board used with the knife.
====Step 2 - Remove AXYZ Spindle Unit====
- Move machine head to a position that is convenient for making changeover of the different tools.
- remove the vacuum hose as safety collar.
- With an allen Key loosen the 5x Hex Studs securing the Spindle mounting plate to the machine head mounting plate.
- Disconnect control cables connecting spindle to the machine head by turning the aviation connector plug sleeve anticlockwise.
- Support the weight of the spindle while simultaneously completely removing the hex studs.
- Now place spindle unit safely to one side.
====Step 3 - Install Multicam Tangential Knife Works====
- align the holes on the Knife Works mounting plate with the holes on the machine head mounting and insert the 4x hex studs and tighten.
- Use the lowest holes available
- **Do not use the cross-threaded hole 2nd from the bottom on the left-hand side**
====Step 3 - Install Multicam Tangential Knife Works - Continued ====
- When tightening bolts
- support the knife with another pair of hands - or your gut hand
- get the top left and bottom right screws 3/4 threaded.
- make sure the knife plate is **flat** against the machine head mounting plate.
- Thread the bottom left, then top right screws 3/4 threaded
- Finger tighten all screws in the same order
- Use the 3mm Allen Key to fully tighten.
====Step 3 - Install Multicam Tangential Knife Works - Continued 2 ====
- Connect the control cable via the aviation plug.
- Connect the air supply hose;
- push the socket down
- jam the hose in - the socket has teeth that will grip the hose.
====Step 3 - Install Multicam Tangential Knife Works - Continued 3 ====
- Add 2 drops of machine oil to oil nipple (2 drops to be added every 2 hours of operation)
- Execute function F58 - Changes A2MC from Spindle control to Tangential Knife control setting. At this point the machine will reboot
- Allow the machine to home the knife on the X&Y axis
====Step 4 - Fit Knife Blade====
**WARNING - KNIVES ARE EXTREMELY SHARP**
** Move Machine head to middle of table and place scrap foam on knife as guard whenever knife is not in use. **
==== ====
**Extreme care should also be exercised when handling Knife blades as they are expensive and fragile and are likely to break if dropped.**
Only remove them from their packaging over the sacrificial board
==== ====
====Step 4 - Fit Knife Blade - Continued====
- Wear protective gloves whenever handling the knife.
- Select specific knife blade appropriate for your cutting requirements.
- The knife cutting length should be as close as possible to the thickness of material
- Again, position Machine head over sacrificial board in a convenient position for installing the required knife blade.
- Execute Function F42 to 90 deg to expose the knife retention grub screw and remove grub screw with 3mm Allen Key.
- Insert Knife blade with into holder with keyway oriented to the grub screw hole. Screw in grub screw and tighten.
==== ====
**MAKE SURE THE KNIFE IS FITTED STRAIGHT** **
The grub screw should only contact the **flat area** of the knife blade hilt **
====Step 5 - Set Knife Length====
The machine head needs to be calibrated to the correct Z axis value so that the knife tip's highest point of travel is level with the upper surface of the sacrificial board. This requires the operator calibrate the z axis manually ( or by eye) while the knife is reticulating.
- Now move Machine head over sacrificial board.
==== ====
** **WARNING**
the next Step Starts the Knife**
====Step 5 - Set Knife Length - continued ====
- Execute Function F24 - Set Knife Length. This will start the knife's reticulating movement.
- Using the Z axis jog buttons (and =/- buttons to adjust jog speed -fast, medium or slow) to lower the tip of the blade slightly into the sacrificial board.
- When you have adjusted the Z axis to the correct depth the tip should be just under ( by the smallest fraction possible) under the surface of the sacrificial board at the highest point of travel.
- When you are happy with the calibration of the Z axis select enter.
- A2MC will now ask if you want to Set Knife? Perform a visual check of whether the knife is running parallel to the X axis. If the knife is aligned on the X axis Select **no**. If the Blade is not aligned select **Yes** and perform the [[facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:multicam_m-2412:set_knife|Set Knife]] procedure.
====Other Knife Operations====
* [[facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:multicam_m-2412:oscillating_knife||Adjust over/under cut]]
* [[facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:multicam_m-2412:oscillating_knife#set_knife]]