Bitsetter question/problem

CNC Machines Shapeoko
1

Newbie here, learning the machine. I have the XXL (brand new) with both the bitsetter and touch probe running everything on a Mac. My question/problem is:

Turn the machine on - Initialize Machine - Goes to the Front/Middle and prompts for tool - goes to bitsetter and probes the tool - goes back to front/middle - I then go to zero everything out like normal - run job (Does what it’s suppose to do up until here)

Here’s where the problem starts. When it’s time for my next tool, the machine stops at the point where the last tool finished. Carbide Motion does not pull a prompt up to change tool (for one it does not move back to the Front/Middle). At this point I cannot go anywhere after pausing and using jog. Any tips?

Second problem (probably just user error on my part) - Touch probe works, zero everything out like its suppose to. But when I run the job the z is above the material by about an inch. Again, I have the Z Plus. I do have 2 MDF wasteboards on top of the base.

Any help you can give I would greatly appreciate it! I tried to do a search for these problems and came up empty.

Ronnie

2

does it prompt for a tool or just to turn off the spindle?
for me it goes like this:

  • last bit of the previous path finishes
  • the Z carriage goes almost all the way up
  • CM asks for me to turn off the spindle
  • I do so and click on the dialog
  • CM moves the Z carriage to the front and asks me to change the bit
  • I do so and click on the dialog
  • CM then measures the new bit on the bitsetter
  • CM moves it back
  • CM asks me to turn on the spindle
  • I click on the dialog
  • cutting starts with the new bit

did you by chance set “have automatic spindle control” or something like that set in the settings?

1 Like
3

Nope on the spindle. When the machine finishes the first tool cut it goes up a little above the material and sits there, no prompt to do anything (no turn off spindle, nothing). If I try to do anything on the menus the program freezes and I’m forced to quit the program, go back into carbide create, disable the 1st tool path and resend the g-code back to carbide motion to do the 2nd tool.

4

then I think we need @WillAdams and co the jump in; I described I think what it should be, if you don’t get that … you’re I suspect in bug territory

1 Like
5

Which CAM tool / version are you using?

If you haven’t already, please send a full description of your workflow in to support@carbide3d.com and we’ll look into this.

6

Carbide Create (464) and Carbide Motion (513) - newest versions

7

For the second part of your question, have you checked the length of your bit? If it’s too “high” into the chuck, you may not be able to reach the material to cut.

1 Like
8

Is this problem repeatable?
Might just be EMI.

Can you try a really short aircut (don’t actually cut anything, router off) with multiple toolchanges?

1 Like
9

@rpayton1974 @WillAdams I am having the same exact issue as you described with no prompt to change bit? Was there a solution to this ?

10

Please work up a sample file and a step-by-step description of what you do to cause the problem and post it here or to support@carbide3d.com and we’ll try to look into it.

11

ok great ! TY sent via e-mail

1 Like
12

This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.