Now that I got my 1st cut done, I have some questions regarding gcode.
1. At the end of a cut, how can I get the machine to go at 0,0. Is this done in LC, Mach3 or manually editing the gcode and how?
Not sure what you mean by "to go at 0,0" if you are meaning to go to X0Y0 in work coordinates then you need to have it in your code. Dont use LC so not sure if its possible to have it do that. You could probably edit the Post Processor to add it as the last move or you could manually edit the code to add it.
2. I would like to learn how to control the feed rate of the router. I understand that G1 is feed rate at a certain speed. But how do I input the value I want? Is this done on LC, Layers Menu, Feed Rate? And if yes I just type there lets say 15”/min? I have done that but then on my gCode I noticed a line like this:
G1 Z-0.1250 F0.50. What F0.50 means? 1/2" per minute or 50” per minute?
Again dont use LC so cant advise on specifics but you should be able to enter a feed in. The F0.5 that you are seeing is 0.5 units per min (if in G94 mode) the units will depend whether your code is metric or imperial, as you are likely imperial then it will be 0.5inch per min.
3. At the moment I don’t do my cuts right thru the material but eventually I will. So if I have a piece of 10”x10” and I want to cut a circle in the center of 6” diameter when the cut is complete the circle piece will be loose and could fly out of the cut. Do you normally secure the center piece somehow so it will not fly out?
Nicolas
Lots of ways to skin a cat, it will all depend on your material etc. Sometimes I will have small tangs in the final code so that every so often on the final pass the Z will raise for a short distance then go down again. Once your code is finished it should just be a case of popping the piece out but obviously it wil depend on material. Another way is to leave a small amount then flip over and face off the back, another way is double sided tape or vacuum table. All depends on what material, what size it is etc etc.
Hood