DISCLAIMER: You need to check any G-Code that is generated by this wizard to ensure that it will not go outside of the boundaries of your machine or put the router down through the table!! I take no responsibility at all for damage to your machine, any other property, yourself, or your ego. If you use this wizard, you agree to the above terms.This wizard is meant to break in a new machine or one that you have made modifications to and want to ensure that all of your components are running correctly. Please feel free to give me feedback on this, I want to make it easy to get a new or modified machine up to peak performance with as little effort as possible.
Now that is taken care of here are some basic instructions:
1. Download zip file and unzip it into your Mach3 > Addons directory in a folder called BreakIn (you can call it whatever you want, but let's say Breakin)
2. Open up Mach3, check all of your settings, especially rapid speeds to make sure you are within the limits of your machine.
3. Click on Wizards > Pick Wizard... then select the BreakIn wizard
4. Once it is loaded, click on a field that you want to edit, put in your value, ''and then hit enter''
5. Repeat for all values you would like to change.
6. Toggle On/Off all of the options you would like set. (The Alternate Sides Between Repetitions does not work yet)
6. Click Export G-Code to Mach
7. Click Exit to Mach
8. Check all of the G-Code to make sure the values are correct
9. Run the G-Code
10. Profit
Here are some basic definitions of the form members:
If both the Min and Max for an axis are 0, then the axis will be ignored in the G-Code generation.
Min X Position: The lowest number you would like to have on the X axis. Absolute Value is taken of this value.
Min Y Position: The lowest number you would like to have on the Y axis. Absolute Value is taken of this value.
Min Z Position: The lowest number you would like to have on the Z axis. Absolute Value is taken of this value.
Max X Position: The highest number you would like to have on the X axis position. Absolute Value is taken of this value.
Max Y Position: The highest number you would like to have on the Y axis position. Absolute Value is taken of this value.
Max Z Position: The highest number you would like to have on the Z axis position. Absolute Value is taken of this value.
Min Spindle Speed: The number of RPMs that you want to start your spindle at. This will also be the lowest RPM that your spindle will be during the running of the break in wizard.
Max Spindle Speed: The maximum number of RPMs that you want to run your spindle at. This will also be the highest RPM that your spindle will be during the running of the break in wizard.
Speed Interval for Spindle RPM: This is the interval (in RPMs) that you want the break in wizard to step up the spindle speed and also lower it once it goes up to the maximum RPM value
Time Interval for Spindle RPM: This is the amount of time in seconds to that you wait to wait before going to the next spindle interval.
Number Of Repetitions: This is the number that you would like the cycle to be repeated.
Feed Rate: This is the same as a tool feed rate
Use Spindle: If this toggle is on, it will put G-Code into the program for using the spindle.
Alternate Spindle Speeds: This will allow the program to jump back and forth between your max and min spindle speeds between runs across the table.
Create warm up file for spindle: This will create a separate file to warm up the spindle so you don't have to run the break in wizard at the beginning of everyday.
Intermittent Jogging: This will be available soon, will simulate the real world use of the machine.
Use Rapids: This will allow you to cycle back and forth between tool feed speed and rapids for your repetitions. If this is selected, rapids will be used for the initial positioning for the router and bit.
Alternate Sides Between Repetitions: Allows the Machine to do more of an X patter than a line back and forth at a diagonal
Move Multiple Axes at once: This will allow all of the axes to move at the same time. If this is not selected, each will be run individually, but cycled between repetitions.
Z Zeroed to Table: This will make sure that I do not try to pull your mount through the top of your motor if you are using limit switches instead of zeroing to the table like normal people
When unselected it will take the Max Z position and subtract it from 0 so you have it going negative initially instead of positive.
Export G-Code to Mach: This will take all of the parameters from the screen and create the G-Code.
Save Settings: This will save the settings on the screen to your computer and be the defaults every time you load up the wizard.
Exit to Mach: Takes you back to the default screen of Mach3.
For your first run of the Break In Wizard, there are some things that you should take into account.
1. Knowing the travel of your machine, plus the soft and hard limits associated with those.
2. Check to see if soft limits are enabled and if they are that they are proportionate to the current size of your table.
3. Check to see if your machine coordinates correctly reflect the current position of the machine. If not, you need to change your soft limits and/or your machine coordinates to directly correspond with the current state of the machine. As an example, if your machine coordinates view shows 1.1 in the X DRO, , then it should also show that in your non-machine coordinates view.
As an example, here is how you should set up your machine for the first run once you have verified all of the things above.
These settings illustrate if the Z is zeroed to the table!
| Sample Soft Limits
| Break In Wizard Setting
|
| |
Axis
| Minimum
| Maximum
| Minimum
| Maximum
|
X
| 0.00
| 49.50
| 0.00
| 49.00
|
Y
| 0.00
| 50.50
| 0.00
| 50.00
|
Z
| 0.0
| 5.25
| 0.00
| 5.00
|
Guest
