new to mach3 and K2

[paulj71]

I just recently purchased a K2 5050 that is run by Mach3. The machine is 4-5 years old, but did not come with any manuals. I saw it cut, so I know everything seems to work properly. But I only spent 2hrs with the previous owner, and let me just say, there wasn't much training.

he advertised the machine as a 3 axis controller, 4 servo motors spindle router. I think was just a description from the K2 website.  The control box actually has a X, Y, Z, and A cables/plugs. Is this a 4 axis machine?  I have been trying to learn from any video and documents I could find online.  The "A" part of things seems to be confusing me. All tutorials and print help doesn't mention anything with A axis.

When I go through the program, in the Motor Outputs, and Input Signals tabs, the A has port and pin assignments, which is not mention in anything I watch or read.

I bought this machine for what I think is its simpliest function: cutting simple shapes and lettering out of flat, mostly 1/2" thick material.
I would really appreciate some help on the basics so I can start using this machine.  Also, when pressing the arrow keys on my keyboard this happens: UP - X bottom motor goes right, DOWN - X bottom motor goes left, RIGHT - Y moves up and X top motor moves right at the same time, LEFT - Y moves down and X top motor moves left.  These directions are when my laptop is right to the left of the machine, so I hope I'm getting the X and Y stuff right. pg up and pg dn does seem to work properly for Z.

thank you, Paul

[Hood]

It is likely the A axis is a motor that is slaved to X or Y for the gantry (if it is a gantry router? ) so only 3 axis machine as A will not be a true axis.

You can change the way the arrows work from the Config menu then System Hotkeys.
Convention is X left to right, Y from and away to you and Z up/Down.
X- is with tool going left in relation to work X+ going right
Y- is tool towards you Y+ tool away from you
Z- Tool down Z+ Tool up.

For some basics  use the wizards and mess around with them to see how things work, just keep the E-Stop handy

Hood

[RICH]

Paul,
Have a look at the K2 site as they have all kinds of info ....manuals, quick quides etc, for their machines and Mach xml / specific info.

RICH

[paulj71]

thanks Hood & Rich. I'll get it sooner or later. Or me and the cnc will be out of the house!