Makerspace Equipment Guides: Carvey

Links to help you get started with Carvey:

Machine Diagram

Important Safety Information

Disconnect the Carvey from the power source before changing bits, loading material, or making any other adjustments to the machine.
Never operate the Carvey with the front cover open.

Please refer to the C+I Makerspace Policies and Procedures page for more safety guidelines.

You are responsible for watching the Carvey as it cuts! If the Carvey malfunctions, turn the power switch off as quickly as possible to prevent damage to the machine. 

Easel is the software that allows us to send projects to the Carvey. You can design projects directly in Easel, or import vector or image files.

See the Easel Toolbars Cheat Sheet for an overview of the toolbars. 

See the Easel Tutorials for full overviews of working in Easel. 

Preparing Your File in Easel (easel.inventables.com)

Once your design is ready to go, the following steps will help you prepare and send your project to the Carvey.

Using the digital calipers, measure the thickness of your materials.
In Easel, select the type of material, and input the dimensions.
Select the bit you wish to use in Easel. (See the Carvey Bit Guide for help with which bit to use.)  Tips: - You can also select two bits by clicking + next to the Bit selection. This will allow you to do a roughing pass and a detail pass.  - You must use Easel Pro to use V-bits. If you're working on a Makerspace computer, a staff member can sign you in to Easel Pro.

Use the Preview panel to see how changing bits will affect your project. 

Click "Simulate" for an estimate of how long your design will take to cut. 

Securing the Material

There are three types of clamps for the Carvey (green, blue, and red), which correspond to different thicknesses of materials. 

Remove the Smart Clamp, and line up your material to the bottom right corner of the spoil board.
Secure the Smart Clamp with two screws.
Use the remaining three screws along with the clamps and steppers to secure your material as shown.
The image to the right shows how the screw, clamp, and stepper are used together to clamp down your material.

Make sure that none of the clamps overlap with your design. The Carvey will not auto-detect clamps, and will attempt to carve through the clamps if a clamp overlaps with your design. This can lead to broken bits! 

Changing Bits

To remove a bit, using both wrenches (one fits to the collet and one to the spindle), pull both wrenches inward to loosen the collet so that the bit can be removed.
Insert the bit in the collet so that the plastic ring is flush with the bottom of the collet, and manually tighten the collet until the bit sticks in the collet.
Using both wrenches, push both wrenches outward to tighten the collet.

Sending your project to the Carvey

Once your material is secure and your bit is installed, you are ready to carve! Power on the Carvey. Once the Carvey is powered on, you will see that the Carve button will turn green. Easel will take you through several steps to verify that you're ready to cut. When you finish the steps, the Carvey will begin carving your design!