You are all probably still enjoying Christmas, so I’m sorry to interrupt your holidays, but once you return to your workshops, I’d appreciate some advice on how to get my bit setter up and running.
My bit setter arrived about a month ago and I installed it on my Shapeoko 3, following the installation and activation instructions downloaded from the Carbide website (version 12/2/19 v1.0). However, when I got to page 10, the instructions did not achieve the desired result. When I click on Settings (p 10) I was presented with an entirely different screen than the one shown in the instructions – see screenshot below.
I have just returned after being away for 3 weeks, and attempted to set up my bit setter again as per the new instructions, but with no success. The only way I can now use my Shapeoko seems to be to remove the bit setter, and set tool depths manually. This is what happens when I turn my Shapeoko on (and is still happening):
Carbide Motion (build 521) opens and connects as usual. When I press the Initialise machine button, the spindle moved to front centre position (Y=0”, X=8”) and I was asked to insert a tool. This I did and pressed resume. This moved the spindle to the zero position but also plunged the bit into the wasteboard and actually snapped it off. I was then informed that the “Probing Cycle Failed.” I cannot progress beyond this point. I have checked all the bit setter connections and these seem to be ok. Can anyone please suggest what is happening here? I’m really keen to get back to work and wish to use the advanced v-carve capability, which is why I bought the bit setter.
Once,
You need to use the “Jog” screen to move the bit to the center of the button of the bitsetter.
THen in the settings screen, you need to click the “Use current location” button, to copy the coordinates of where the bit is into the memory of the software to remember where the bitsetter is in your machine.
Then click “OK” (not cancel!)
this will make the location say something else than 0/0 and … with that it’ll work
this setting is (for me) remembered so I only have to do this once (or if I move the bitsetter, I need to do it again… )
Right now, the controller knows you have a BitSetter, but is under the wrong impression of where it is.
Un-check the BitSetter option and initialize like you would if you didn’t have it. Then jog the machine over to the center of the BitSetter button (I lower it to right above the button so I can get it dead center), go back to settings and re-check the BitSetter option and “use current location” to tell the machine where it is.
This is great advice, use the speed function on the jog menu to slow down the movement of travel and get really close and perfectly centered over the bit setter button.
Remember if you obstruct the travel or if the steppers somehow skip a step, the machine will not know where it is located properly anymore and it will not center over the button and crash.
Not positive if this applies but I think you have to make sure to click OK on the bottom of the menu window when exiting instead of just hitting the X on top right.
Just to add an extra point of over-clarification to these excellent responses, you are only interested in establishing the X & Y position of the Bitsetter when you perform this once-off operation. No need to jog downwards in Y so it touches or anything.
Thanks guys for all your advice - my bit setter works now, but only up to a point - enough to show how incredibly useful it is, but not enough to fulfill all the tasks I set it.
Here’s what it does just fine: If I have a job with multiple cuts with different cutters, and each toolpath is saved as a separate G-code file, the bit setter automatically recalculates the Z position after every tool change. Definitely a time saver, but every toolpath requiring a cutter change must be loaded as a separate file.
However, this is what it does not do:
If I combine several toolpaths with different cutters into a single G-code file, Carbide Motion commences to carve the tool paths in order, until a tool change is required, then it stops and presents me with only the "Start/Pause/Stop'" options. There appears no way that it will allow me to install a new cutter and then rezero it on the bit setter.
The main reason I bought the bit setter was to allow me to use the Advanced V-Carve option. I specify my two cutters (for example, #201 EM followed by #301 V-carve, and ensure that the area pocket tool option is selected) and then commence cutting in the usual way. The bit setter allows me to set the depth of the first tool, but when this cut is finished, the Shapeoko just pauses and, as before, presents just the “Start/Pause/Stop’” options. If I choose start it just continues the job with the original cutter without offering the opportunity to change tools and remeasure the length on the bit setter.
I’m obviously doing something wrong here!!! Can any kind soul suggest what it might be.
I have Basic G-Code output set in post Processor - I’m assuming I should select Carbide 3D Shapeoko and will head out to my shop and try that right now. Thanks!
