Hello Guest it is March 28, 2024, 04:17:47 PM

Author Topic: Tutorials?  (Read 4161 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Tutorials?
« on: December 16, 2010, 10:44:38 AM »
Hi Guys,
I am very new to the participation in the cnc world- but I know what it is and understand some of the basics. But, I am very newb and using the demo version for now. I just finished building my cnc machine and I am sort of stuck right now.

I am looking for some tutorials on getting started. The information in the pdf is very long and drawn out. I have been able to get everything calibrated just about dead on (off 1/64 in y over 17"- which is fine for now)

So I got the machine built, router mounted, mach3 demo installed, communication established between the hardware and software, machine calibrated, and can run gcode roadrunner in the air/with out a piece of wood

but after that I am stuck and I didnt find what I am looking for in the forums or pdf (but I didnt finish reading it)

I have a piece of 1/16 cardboard I was testing the roadrunner pattern on but I am not sure exactly what to do next, haha. I know how to run the gcode but what about setting up the tablespace and working media? Is there a tutorial on that? I didnt see settings like "setup workspace" , "setup table space." So, I drop z down to touch the cardboard and run the gcode.. the z goes down about an 8th of an inch and it draws the first line... raises up about 3/8 and continues the pattern... so I just end up with a single line of the roadrunner.. I'm doing something wrong >_<

Any tutorial links would be very helpful.. and an easy place to find them would be great.

Offline Tweakie.CNC

*
  • *
  •  9,196 9,196
  • Super Kitty
    • View Profile
Re: Tutorials?
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2010, 04:41:21 AM »
Hi Talan,

I am sorry you have not yet received an answer to your question.

I think that the best tutorial is probably 'hands-on' practical experience, provided you don't use your best cutting tool and you choose a soft material such as the hard model making foam you really can't do much harm and I am sure you will learn fast. Not sure why you should have that problem with Road Runner but you could try Sam's Wile E Coyote here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12140.0.html I have run this a few time without problem.

If you have any specific problems or issues please post them under the General section where they will get the most exposure.

Good luck.

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Tutorials?
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2010, 08:57:19 AM »
Thank you for the reply! You are right on all accounts there.. Just playing around and stummbling on things has been a great learning method. While it isn't the fastest way to jump in to using the software it has been benificial. I am using some foam sheets to test with and have been able to get it to cut 500lines of the roadrunner file. I think my issue I have with the roadrunner (and will have with any future file) is that my Z isn't setup correctly in the settings... That and I don't yet fully understand how to setup before starting the gcode. I'll get it eventually, I am sure!

thakns again!

Offline Tweakie.CNC

*
  • *
  •  9,196 9,196
  • Super Kitty
    • View Profile
Re: Tutorials?
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2010, 11:10:32 AM »
Talan,

Pleased to hear you are making progress.

The Z axis is usually set by touching the tool to the surface of the work then zero the Z Axis DRO. Initially I used a thin piece of paper to set this Z Zero but now have moved on to a Touch Plate and using the auto tool zero function.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Tutorials?
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2010, 09:57:08 PM »
I discovered what was causing my issues with the Z axis- I needed to reverse the direction... and I think that by chance I got the rest right... so now everything seems to be cutting and I am surprised at how accurate and repeatable the cuts are. This is very exciting

I have to thank you again,Tweakie, for answering my questions and helping me figure Mach3 out.