CNC Shark TM Instruction Manual Version 1.01

Created 1/21/2008

Updated 03/09/10

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Table of Contents:

CNCShark™ Assembly Instructions ............................................................ 1

Assembly of the CNC Shark ..................................................................... 1

To power the CNC Shark: ........................................................................ 2

Downloading Software ................................................................................ 3

Step 1: Go to Website ............................................................................... 3

Step 2: Run Install .................................................................................... 3

Installing the Driver (XP Only) .................................................................... 4

Step 1: Plug in CNC Shark ....................................................................... 4

Step 2: Begin New Hardware Wizard ....................................................... 4

Step 3: Choose the Driver ......................................................................... 7

Step 4: Complete Driver Installation ......................................................... 9

INSTALLING WINDOW 7 OR VISTA DRIVERS ...................................11

Using Basic Control Panel ..........................................................................17

Step 1: Make Sure CNC Shark Driver is Installed Before Proceeding ....17

Firmware Update. .................................................................................18

Step 2: Setting the Starting Position for Your Project ..............................20

Step 3: Load G Code ...............................................................................21

Step 4: Run Code .....................................................................................22

Step 5: Complete the Process ..................................................................23

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CNCShark™ Assembly Instructions

Assembly of the CNC Shark

Please carefully read all of the instructions!

To assemble the top part of the machine, it has the two black motors, (AKA the

gantry) to the base…

**You will need a star T27 bit, the 12 bolts and nuts that were packed in a baggie,

and pliers, needle nose, or wrench. Before using tools of any kind, it is critical

to insert all the bolts and nuts by hand first to ensure proper alignment of the

machine!

1. The motor already connected the front of the base must be closest to you

(pointing towards you).

2. Take out the 12 bolts and nuts from the baggie

3. Unscrew the all of nuts from all of the bolts.

4. The gantry (top part of the machine) needs to have the router holder facing

you (the router holder is AKA the z-axis) with the motor on the base still

facing you.

5. Line up the gantry to the base’s part that slides on the two metal bars, the

part of the machine that slides on the base is the y-axis.

6. The six holes on each side of the gantry and the y-axis piece are already

drilled

7. Match up the six holes on each side (6 on one side, 6 on the other side) of

the gantry and put all 12 of the bolts and nuts into these holes by hand, first.

8. Once everything is straight, then tighten with drill or screwdriver and needle

nose or pliers or wrench.

To mount the router:

1. Loosen the bolt on the router holder. It is directly in the front parallel to you

when facing it.

2. Place the router into the holder. The fit is tight so twist the router left and

right while putting a little downward pressure on the router.

3. Make sure the router goes down as far as it can.

4. Tighten the holder by screwing down the main bolt on the holder

5. Make sure all of the connectors labeled ‘x’, ‘y’ and ‘z’ (the white ones with

the cords) outside of the control box are still connected. Never plug in or

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unplug these connectors when the machine is on and/or powered doing

so could damage the controller.

To power the CNC Shark:

Plug in a power strip to the wall outlet. Then, plug in the Shark’s power supply

(which is the regular cord) and finally the router’s cord into the power strip. The

power strip will function as a master off and on switch as well as a reset for the

machine.

Make sure upon powering that the fan is working inside the controller box.

You will hear it and see it spinning. If the fan fails for any reason turn off the

machine. As a reference, it is best to keep the large fan of the controller box facing

up this is the correct orientation of the control box and is necessary to keep air and

heat currents the flowing in the correct direction.

This machine is not designed to work with fluids. The router is a dry router do not

cut with any misting or wet material it may cause a fire. Keep fan intakes clear of

material.

Keep your CNC Shark away for any moisture and in temp range from 50 to 80 F.

Lightly blow air through the fan occasionally to remove any particulate from the

electronics. This will to prevent additional heating inside the box that could result

in damage. Do not expose the system to high humidity this may cause

condensation on the electronics and cause a short. Never operate your machine

during a thunderstorm to prevent circuits being damaged excessive line voltage.

Keep Static charges from discharging into the Motors. If you think this is an issue

then a ground wire can be added to one bolt head of each of the motors.

Wipe down the CNC Shark rails with silicon or Teflon spray lubricant. The lead

screws do not need continual application of a spray lubricant but applying one to

the X and Z axis occasionally will keep down unnecessary wear.

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Downloading Software

Step 1: Go to Website

Open your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) and go to the website

www.CNCShark.com Click on the “Downloads” section located on the right side

of the website. The Downloads page will give you a list of software, tutorials, and

videos to download. There will be future updates and also a copy of this entire

manual will also be located on the Downloads page.

If you are using XP then click on the file labeled “CNC Shark Control 1_0”.

The Vista and Windows 7 Versions are loaded by using different controller

software. If you have Vista or Windows 7 then load the two files in the order

shown here from the website ( “vcredist_x86.exe” and “CNC Shark Control

1_4”). The vcredist_x86.exe is the drivers that must be loaded first then the

control program can be loaded

Please check back in the Downloads page for this update and additional free

software in the future. Vista screens will look different then XP version shown. If

using the Vista or Windows 7 then download those programs only in the

download section on our website.

Step 2: Run Install

All the files regardless of which version of windows you are using are downloaded

the same we will show the XP control file here. The“CNCSharkContol.exe” file

will include the CNC Shark Drivers and the control program for the CNC Shark.

When you click on the download, the screen shown below should appear. Click on

“Run” and it will download and begin the install.

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The program will ask you to unzip to a specified folder. There is no need to

change the folder location just click “Unzip” to start the process.

Now you have downloaded and installed the CNC Shark Control program. Next,

you need to install the drivers.

Installing the Driver (XP Only)

Step 1: Plug in CNC Shark

First, turn on your computer. After Windows loads, plug in the rectangular end of

USB cable into the corresponding USB port on your computer. If you are unsure

of what a USB port is, refer to your computer’s manual. Now, plug in the square

end into the corresponding port on the CNC Shark control box. (The control box is

the box with the fan on the top.) Insert the memory card into the slot next to the

USB port on the CNC Shark control box.

Step 2: Begin New Hardware Wizard

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As soon as the USB cable is connected, Windows will automatically detect the

new USB and begin the New Hardware Wizard. Below is a screen shot of the

wizard for the driver installation. When the screen below appears in Windows and

asks “Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for the software?”

Any of the three choices listed will work; however, the default option is the first

option “Yes, this time only.”

After clicking the circle next to “Yes, this time only”, the Next button will become

enabled. Click the “Next” button to continue the wizard.

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On the next screen that appears, you will be asked how you would like to find the

driver. Click on the second option, “Install from a list or specific location

(Advanced)” which allows you to find the driver in a specific location. Now, click

the “Next” button.

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Step 3: Choose the Driver

The next screen will allow you to choose the correct location where Windows can

find the driver for the CNC Shark. First, click on “Search for the best driver in

these locations.” Next, click “Include this location in the search:” Finally, click the

“Browse” button to find the location of the driver. It will be located in the folder

“USB Driver” which is located in the same folder as the CNC Shark USB Control

Software (C:\CNCShark\CNC Shark Control 1.0\). Highlight or select the “USB

Driver” folder and click “OK”, and then click the “Next” button in the Hardware

Update Wizard window. Refer to the screen shots below.

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Step 4: Complete Driver Installation

While searching for the driver, the following screen will appear.

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When the search is complete, the “Next” button will be enabled. Click the “Next”

button to display the following window. Click the “Finish” button to complete the

installation.

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INSTALLING WINDOW 7 OR VISTA DRIVERS

After you have loaded the Windows 7 or Vista control software you have to finish

the install so that the computer will see the CNC Shark.

Easiest way is to have the CNC Shark USB controller plugged in to the Computer

or laptop. If a screen pops up to install hardware close it before continuing.

Proceed to the start menu as shown above and right click on the Computer show

above. This will create a drop down box and in that drop down click the

properties.

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This will open the control panel to the system screen. Now click the device

manager show above.

NOTE: This will prompt the user with a screen to see if they wish to continue

click the continue button.

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If the NCpod is not yet installed it will show up at the bottom of the list where the

arrow is showing with a yellow question mark.

It might also show under the OEMTECH CNC Controller tab see next page.

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Above is a simulated screen, your screens will look slightly different

On your computer Click on the NCPOD and select the “Update driver software”.

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Click on the Browse my computer for driver software

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Regardless of what is in the software location click the Browse button to pick the

correct location.

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Navigate starting from computer area to the local C: drive down to the program

files then the CNC Shark basic panel then the USB Driver. They have to click

on it so it lights this is important or will not work.

NOTE: on vista 64 machines the CNC Shark control Panel is in the “Program

Files x86” folder.

When you click ok it will put you back to this location and you will have the

window setup as show above. The only difference is if they are on the 64 version

and it would have C:\Program Files x86\ instead of the C:\Program Files\.

Click the next and it should say install driver software. When it finishes (takes

about a min) then the CNC Shark control panel should work without a reboot The

USB cable should be unplug and plug back in the USB controller just to be safe

that is it reset with the new driver.

Using Basic Control Panel

Step 1: Make Sure CNC Shark Driver is Installed Before Proceeding

For the XP version

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Go to the C:\CNCShark\CNC Shark Control 1.0\ folder. Click on the CNC Shark

Control Panel icon this will start the program.

For Vista and Windows 7 you need to goto the start menu (circle in lower left hand

corner of windows) then click the “All Programs” then scroll down until you find

the CNC Shark Basic panel. Click on this and there will be a program file named

CNC Shark Basic Panel. When you click this it should jump into the program.

Firmware Update.

When running the control program the first time. The program may ask you to

update your controller firmware (this is the software in the controller). Just click

the button to proceed. One this is finished then start the CNC Shark Control Panel

again and you will be in the program.

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Upon running the application, the Next Wave Automation Basic Control Panel will

be displayed. If the status bar in the lower left of the screen says to “Please check

CNC Shark power and USB cable” and if the buttons are gray and unable to be

clicked on, then check to make sure the USB cable ports are completely plugged

in. Once this has been verified, and still you get the “Please check CNC Shark

power and USB cable” in the status bar, go back to step 1 of “Installing the Driver”

section.

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When the CNC Shark driver is properly installed and the USB cable is plugged in,

the status bar will read “The CNC Shark is connected and operational”, and the top

two buttons “Load G Code” and “Run from SD Card” in the right pane will be

enabled.

Step 2: Setting the Starting Position for Your Project

Click on the“Jog” tab, this will display the position controls of the X, Y, and Z

axes of the machine. The buttons on the far right next to “Fast”, “Med” and

“Slow” are used to control the speed all of the axes movements for jogging only,

there is another set speed controls called “FRO” that controls how fast or slow the

program runs. (The “Fast”, “Med”, and “Slow” options are not used when a

program is running.)

In the right pane of the “Next Wave Automation Control Panel”, you will see the

buttons for controlling the position of the machine. Use the “X+” or ”X-“ buttons

to move the router either left or right along the X axis. Similarly, use the “Y+” or

”Y-“ buttons to move the router position forward or backward along the Y axis.

Finally, the “Z+” or “Z-“ buttons move the router up or down on the Z axis. You

will position the router’s bit according to where the zero was set in the VCarve

program. Please see VCarve Manual and/or Tutorials with any questions as to

where zero would be set up in VCarve program. Typically, this is either in the

center OR the lower left corner of the material you are working on. Make sure the

bit is one sheet of paper’s width above the material you are about to carve. This is

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the starting or zero position which should correspond to the zero position in the

VCarve program (see “Material Setup” in the VCarve Manual).

Click on the buttons next to inches or millimeters to select the unit of measurement you want to

see displayed in the “Part Coordinates” side of the window.

Step 3: Load G Code

First, click on the “G-Code” tab. This will display the program run screen. Click the “Load

G Code” button to load file that contains CNC Shark G Code that you created and saved from the

VCarve Program (usually saved as a*.tap file extention). If you have not yet created a Gcode file

with Vcarve but would like to test your machine then you can load the file square-1in.ngc from

the folder C:\CNCShark\CNC Shark Control 1.0\. This program will move all the axes 1 inch in

each direction so make sure that you have all of the machine away from the sides of the machine

and the router bit 1 inch off the table. Make sure you zero all of your axes before you run this

program

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A standard Windows file selection window is displayed. Browse to where you

saved the program file you to cut that you created in VCarve. Make sure you have

the memory card slid into its slot in the CNC Shark’s control box. Click the “OK”

button and the file will be loaded to the memory card. Because the file size will

determine how long it takes to load, it can take anywhere from 5 seconds to 2

minutes. While the program is being transferred to the controller the “Load G

Code” and “Run from SD Card” will gray out and become inactive. When they

become active again the program has finished loading.

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Step 4: Run Code

Once the code has been loaded and coordinates have been set, turn on your router

and click on the “Run from SD Card” button. This will instantly start the program

running you can adjust the speed of the program while it is running by changing

the “FRO” also known as the Feed Rate Operator. If you need to stop the program

before it finishes you can click on the “Pause” button. To start it up from where the

program paused click the “Continue” button. To stop and reset the program before

it has finished click on the large red “E-Stop” button. The program cannot be

continued if the “E-Stop” is pressed, but it can be started over again by selecting

the “Run from SD Card”.

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While running the “Load G Code”,” Run from SD Card” and “Continue” buttons

will be grayed while the “Pause” button will be enabled. The X, Y and Z

coordinates will also change based upon where the router’s position is from the

starting or origin point.

Step 5: Complete the Process

When complete, the buttons will return back to the status prior to beginning of

code execution. The program is now complete. Finally, you can close the Control

Panel or load another program. To load another program and begin a new project,

go back to Step 1 of “Using the Basic Control Panel” and follow Steps 1-5.

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