I am very new to all of this I have had my shapeoko pro xxl for 2 months I have tried to create my own file projects with tabs to hold down my work while trying to do a complete cut out only to fail because the tabs are not there. I have then downloaded files that have them already added into the file to also fail because they are getting cut out as well. What am I doing wrong? I have windows 10, carbide create 623, carbide motion 542
You should post a file that you are having trouble with.
4 IN COSTERS.nc (185.0 KB)
Well this is the one I downloaded that was already done just to try it and see what I was doing wrong and this one cut the tabs out as well.
So this file is intended to have Z zero be set to the top of the stock. This means that you need to be sure that your stock is the right thickness (about 0.59" in this case) and you set the zero off the top.If you cut too deep it would cut through the tabs. I am just guessing but I would check all that first. You can also ask support@carbide3.com for help as well.
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All of that was checked, checked again and rechecked. I am just at a complete loss with this!
It can seem overwhelming but you will learn more as you go. When it comes to problems in the early stages of learning on a CNC, 99% of the time they are related to misconfiguration or missed steps in the process. I would suggest emailing support with a very detailed explanation of your process to reproduce the issue with pictures. The more detail you provide, the more likely they will be able to help. They should be able to determine if you are missing something or if there is something wrong.
Check your configuration. The hdz has 320 steps for the z as opposed to 200 steps for z-plus. That will make a z-plus or belt z cut too deeply. However if you choose the wrong z usually you wont initalize because the z goes down instead of up.
If you are using BitZero for z only you put the lip on top of project. For x y and z you put lip over edge.
If you have a BitSetter make sure you are not changings bits unless prompted or going through the software interface.
Set your zero and then use rapid position to set z + 6mm and see if it 6mm above top of project before starting. Then again after project finishes to see if z is still set.
Thank you all I am going to sit down and focus hard to figure this out. I just changed a few things on it now the bit isn’t even touching the project to cut. I honestly don’t know what I did now I’m just shacking my head at myself on this one.
You can use the NCViewer site NCViewer to visually see your gcode output. In this case, it does look like there are tabs at least in some places.
So, I would just try a trial run with Z set rather high (so no cutting is done and watch what happens.) According to NCViewer you should see the router pop up on the sixth pass where tabs are located. No need to turn on the router or dust collection for the trial.
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NC Viewer is what I looked at and the tabs look to be there. I’d go back and verify the thickness of your stock in the initial setup screen, use calipers on the stock itself to ensure the proper thickness, as well as the tool depth in the program toolpath.
I agree this sounds like a zero/stock thickness issue. Here is a step by step process which may get you success.
Open your project in CC that you are having tab trouble with…
Go to Design>Setup>Job Setup.
For Thickness (Z): enter the measured thickness of the wood you are securing to the Shapeoko. (If you bought a 1x6, don’t assume it is 1 inch thick, measure it first.)
For Zero Height : select “Top”. Click Okay. (For now don’t bother with “Bottom”.)
Go to Toolpaths>Contour>Cutting Depth.
For Start Depth: Select “Use Stock Top”
For Max Depth: Select “Use Stock Bottom” because you are cutting all the way through to the bottom.
The above are the CC parameters that will influence depth of cut. Be sure to set them as above. Complete the project in CC with your bit, contour offset, etc.
Add your Tabs, Click Okay, Save your GCode with a descriptive unique name (avoid overwriting/reusing names).
In CM, because in CC above we set Zero Height to “Top”, we must zero Z at the top surface of your wood. (If we had set Zero Height to “Bottom” in CC, we must zero Z at the wasteboard surface in CM).
Load your Gcode (NC file) into CM and cut your project.
If your tabs are cut through, please post a detailed step by step process that you followed to zero Z in CM before the cut.
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