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MiniCNCBasics: Difference between revisions
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→Step 1 – Starting up the Computer and CNC
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<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]] | ||
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==Step 2 – Introduction to Mach3== | ==Step 2 – Introduction to Mach3== | ||
You should now see the Initial screen: | 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]] | ||
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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]] | ||
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==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]] | ||
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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. | ||