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== Protospace Mini CNC User Basic Instructions:== | ==Protospace Mini CNC User Basic Instructions:== | ||
These instructions are intended for the most basic of users. Note that using this CNC is fairly manual and requires an attention to detail and a willingness to experiment. | These instructions are intended for the most basic of users. Note that using this CNC is fairly manual and requires an attention to detail and a willingness to experiment. | ||
Things are easily broken and you can (and probably will) do harm to the bit, machine, and possibly yourself if you do not pay attention, and above all else THINK. | Things are easily broken and you can (and probably will) do harm to the bit, machine, and possibly yourself if you do not pay attention, and above all else THINK. | ||
== Step 1 – Starting up the Computer and CNC == | ==Step 1 – Starting up the Computer and CNC== | ||
1. To run the Mini CNC, boot the PC into XP. | 1. To run the Mini CNC, boot the PC into XP. | ||
<br>[[File:141-Grub.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Grub.jpg]] | ||
2. | 2. To start '''Mach3''', click on the icon in the top left area of the screen. (Screen shot to follow) | ||
2A (Alternate) If you want to select a different profile, Select the '''Mach3 - No profile''' icon lower down on the screen. | |||
<br>[[File:141-SessionProfile.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-SessionProfile.jpg]] | ||
3. Turn on the power on the 3040 and make sure that the E-Switch is not pressed. | |||
<br>[[File:141-Mini-CNC-3040.png]] | <br>[[File:141-Mini-CNC-3040.png]] | ||
== Step 2 – Introduction to Mach3== | Note: The Power switch is ON (1) and the Spindle is OFF (0). The spindle is controlled by the program but the speed is not. Turn the spindle speed knob up to either max or near max. If you flip the spindle switch ON(1), the spindle will spin up. You only need to do this to test the spindle speed, or if your G-Code fails to turn it on and off automatically. The normal position for this switch is OFF(0). | ||
You should now see the Initial screen: | |||
==Step 2 – Introduction to Mach3== | |||
You should now see the Initial screen: (Note: the Screen Theme can be changed. If you want to use a screen that looks more like the Big Boy CNC, select '''View''' -> '''Load Screens''' -> and then select "'''PA Interface_v05.set".''' To return to the default screen set, guess what? Select '''View''' -> '''Load Screens''' -> and then select "'''Default.set'''" (or 1024.set)'''.''' | |||
<br>[[File:141-Mach3-Main-Screen-1.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Mach3-Main-Screen-1.jpg]] | ||
4. Clear any error messages in Status | |||
The first thing is to | |||
The first thing is to notice the Red flashing border on the Reset button and Status message. | |||
The example shows: “Limit Switch Triggered”. And the scrolling message says “Press Reset… Emergency mode Active. Emergency Z Inhibit”. | The example shows: “Limit Switch Triggered”. And the scrolling message says “Press Reset… Emergency mode Active. Emergency Z Inhibit”. | ||
<br>[[File:141-Reset-Button-Error-State.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Reset-Button-Error-State.jpg]] | ||
| Line 33: | Line 36: | ||
5. You can skip this step if you know what you are doing and the carriage is in a convenient location. | |||
Otherwise, to establish precise absolute positions for the starting points, Home the carriages | |||
Click in the “REF ALL HOME” button. | Click in the “REF ALL HOME” button. | ||
<br>[[File:141-Ref-All-Home-1.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Ref-All-Home-1.jpg]] | ||
| Line 41: | Line 46: | ||
<br>[[File:141-Ref-All-Home-2.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Ref-All-Home-2.jpg]] | ||
== Step 3 - Getting ready to mill your piece == | ==Step 3 - Getting ready to mill your piece== | ||
7. Mount your piece on the milling table. | 7. Mount your piece on the milling table. | ||
You need to be careful of | You need to be careful of | ||
8. Move carriage to a new home position | 8. Move carriage to a new home position | ||
Note that the travel limit switches are now | |||
Note that the travel limit switches are now in a “Dead Man” mode. If you accidentally drive the carriage too far and it trips a switch, the CNC will go into error mode and you will need to manually resolve. | |||
To assist you in preventing this problem, enable the “Soft Limits” button. | To assist you in preventing this problem, enable the “Soft Limits” button. | ||
<br>[[File:141-Soft-Limits.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Soft-Limits.jpg]] | ||
| Line 59: | Line 68: | ||
Note that Green is Positive direction and Red is negative. | Note that Green is Positive direction and Red is negative. | ||
Also, the direction of the arrows match the direction of the 3 axis (left => left, up => up, etc) | Also, the direction of the arrows match the direction of the 3 axis (left => left, up => up, etc) | ||
Once you have positioned the carriage in the perfect position, click on each of the “Zero X” buttons. | Once you have positioned the carriage in the perfect position, click on each of the “Zero X” buttons. | ||
== Step 4 – Determining the Bit height == | ==Step 4 – Determining the Bit height== | ||
The tool probe height sensor allow you to accurately control the height of your bit. | The tool probe height sensor allow you to accurately control the height of your bit. | ||
To set the bit height, follow these steps: | To set the bit height, follow these steps: | ||
| Line 82: | Line 93: | ||
Note as well: This sensor can also be used for edge sensing. This will be investigated in future. | Note as well: This sensor can also be used for edge sensing. This will be investigated in future. | ||
== Step 5 – Loading and editing your G-Code == | ==Step 5 – Loading and editing your G-Code== | ||
13. The next step in milling anything is to load a G-Code file. | 13. The next step in milling anything is to load a G-Code file. | ||
Note that instruction on how to create a G-Code file is beyond the scope of this tutorial and is up to you. | Note that instruction on how to create a G-Code file is beyond the scope of this tutorial and is up to you. | ||
You can use programs such as [https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/fusion-360/overview Fusion 360] or a simpler program such as [http://easel.inventables.com/users/sign_in Easel] | You can use programs such as [https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/fusion-360/overview Fusion 360] or a simpler program such as [http://easel.inventables.com/users/sign_in Easel] | ||
* Beginners can get started with [[Easy_CAM_Guide|Easy CAM Guide]], which explains how to create milling files using Easel's browser-based CAM. | |||
* Advanced users can learn more about CAM with Autodesk Fusion 360 by checking out this [https://skippy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/09_CAM.pdf Fusion CAM writeup]. | *Beginners can get started with [[Easy_CAM_Guide|Easy CAM Guide]], which explains how to create milling files using Easel's browser-based CAM. (See this sample [https://boxzy.dozuki.com/Guide/Easy+CAM:+Creating+a+Milling+File+with+Easel/104 Easy CAM: Creating a Milling File with Easel] until we get our own added) | ||
*Advanced users can learn more about CAM with Autodesk Fusion 360 by checking out this [https://skippy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/09_CAM.pdf Fusion CAM writeup]. | |||
I have documented a very very simple sample in order to demonstrate the concepts of how to use the tool.<br> | I have documented a very very simple sample in order to demonstrate the concepts of how to use the tool.<br> | ||
To load a g-code file, simply click on “Load G-Code” button. | To load a g-code file, simply click on “Load G-Code” button. | ||
Now that you have loaded your G-Code, I would like to run you through what I have learned about the dialog's. | Now that you have loaded your G-Code, I would like to run you through what I have learned about the dialog's. | ||
*By clicking on the G-Code Dialog box, you can then scroll up and down the file. It appears that you cannot edit on the screen, but you can start selecting some other nifty controls within the file. | |||
*By clicking on the G-Code Dialog box, you can then scroll up and down the file. It appears that you cannot edit on the screen, but you can start selecting some other nifty controls within the file. | |||
*To edit the code, you click on the “Edit G-Code” button. This will open the file in a text editor. When you close the file it will automatically load back into Mach3 | *To edit the code, you click on the “Edit G-Code” button. This will open the file in a text editor. When you close the file it will automatically load back into Mach3 | ||
*Also note if your click on the “Tool Path (Alt-4)” then you can visualize the cut path on each line of the G-Code file. | *Also note if your click on the “Tool Path (Alt-4)” then you can visualize the cut path on each line of the G-Code file. | ||
(The sample image shows the tool path after I moved the image slightly to view the Z axis. Do this by click and hold the moue button on the view window and then moving the mouse slowly.<br> | (The sample image shows the tool path after I moved the image slightly to view the Z axis. Do this by click and hold the moue button on the view window and then moving the mouse slowly.<br> | ||
Notice that the line highlighted in the G-Code dialog box is also highlighted in the tool path window. | Notice that the line highlighted in the G-Code dialog box is also highlighted in the tool path window. | ||
Important Note: in the sample, on line 2, it says to go to Z-26. This was what I entered before I understood how to use the height sensor properly. This is using a reference of Z as Zero after using the buck to sense the height, but then I incorrectly reset the Z height to zero manually. <br> | <b>Important Note:</b> in the sample, on line 2, it says to go to Z-26 (G1 Z-26 F150). This was what I entered before I understood how to use the height sensor properly. This is using a reference of Z as Zero after using the buck to sense the height, but then I incorrectly reset the Z height to zero manually. <br> | ||
This will be updated with a proper graphic and instructions once we figure it out. <br> | This will be updated with a proper graphic and instructions once we figure it out. <br> | ||
Meanwhile, set your code to a very small number and test it first before you break a bit. | Meanwhile, set your code to a very small number (G1 Z-0.5 F150) and test it first before you break a bit. | ||
<br>[[File:141-Tool-Path-View-1.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Tool-Path-View-1.jpg]] | ||