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World of CNC
« on: January 07, 2013, 06:06:07 AM »
Hello and happy new year to all.

I have just purchased me 1st CNC machine. :)

I was really excited but at first and now my head hurts.
I hope there are some experts out there who can help.

I intended to buy a small & really cheap machine to learn and then once i got used to the process of making things with the machine i would go and buy myself a proper one.

The aim is to cut 5mm thick MDF.
What i want to cut is 2mm - 5mm round circles. about 2 - 3mm deep.
Just small circles which arranged together to make shapes.
Such as stars or hearts.

What i have.

I have just downloaded a trail version of mach3 as the instructions said you will need to software.
Thats all the the instructions told me.

took me ages to learn that i need a design software and then i need another software which will convert that file to g - codes which i can then import to mach3 and export to the machine.

However i am having difficulty sending the design to the machine.
I imported the g - codes which i got from a software called sheetcam.
But i dont know the next step. HOW DO I SEND THIS DESIGN TO THE MACHINE SO IT STARTS TO CUT.

Below is a link to the machine i purchased.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRILLING-MILLING-SIMPLE-OPERATION-CNC-3020-ROUTER-ENGRAVING-MACHINE-PERFECT-l5-/181021225260?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a25b4b12c

If anyone has the time to help me out i would really appreciate it.
Ill offer a custom made t-shirt if anyone wants one. hehe thats my business so i dont mind.

Thank you for reading.

Offline RICH

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Re: World of CNC
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2013, 06:32:03 AM »
You will need to configure Mach3 for your machine. Please download and read the manual for Mach3.
CNC is not plug and play so there is a learning curve.

RICH
Re: World of CNC
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2013, 06:59:44 AM »
Hi Rich,
Thanks for that.

The machine did come with a few settings that needed to be changed. I made them changes.

I can now control the movement of the drill bit part.

So i can move it up down left right and forward backwards.

What i cant seem to find is a button which sends the design to the machine.

I will have a look at the design.

Regards
Re: World of CNC
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2013, 08:23:52 AM »
Hi Rich,

I was playing around with the sheet cam software and when i save as a g code file i get the following error.

Post processing...
WARNING: part circle has no active operations
Post processing completed with 1 warnings


Have you come across this before?

Vik

Offline budman68

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Re: World of CNC
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2013, 12:23:34 PM »
Vik,

Unfortunately you'll have to contact SheetCam about a proper post processor for your particular machine to work with Mach 3.

Dave
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Just because I'm a Global Moderator, don't assume that I know anything !

Dave->    ;)

Offline BR549

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Re: World of CNC
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2013, 04:07:50 PM »
That warning implies that you did NOT apply any operations to the Part in SheetCam so there will be nothing to cut.

CNC is a 3 part process, the hard part is you have to learn all 3 at the same time to get any work done.

Cad    (drawing)
Cam   (convert drawing to Gcode)
Machine set up and control 

(;-) TP