How to set delay for spindle to startup

CNC Machines Shapeoko
1

I am using the carbide spindle and I would like a few second delay for the spindle to startup before the tool hits the wood. I use vcarve desktop for toolpaths. How to I edit the postpocessor to allow the spindle startup time? I have read that a “G4 P8 ; 8 second wait for spindle” is needed.

Here is the post processor. Is this right?

±--------------------------------------------------

  • Commands output at the start of the file
    ±--------------------------------------------------

begin HEADER

“T1”
“G17”
“G20”
“G90”
“G0[ZH]”
“G0[XH][YH]”

±--------------------------------------------------

  • Command output after the header to switch spindle on
    ±--------------------------------------------------

begin SPINDLE_ON

“[S]M3”
-----------------------“G4 P8”---------------------- Is this where I add it?

±--------------------------------------------------

  • Commands output for rapid moves
    ±--------------------------------------------------

begin RAPID_MOVE

“G0[Y][Z]”

1 Like
2

Yup.
Not sure what post processor you’re using, but make sure to add it anywhere there’s an M3, like after a tool change.

1 Like
3

I got some weird results doing the same thing. I had to add the G04 before the spindle command to get it to work. Or just make sure the spindle turns on an adequate distance from the start point so it has time to rev up.

Another tactic would be to just add motion that allows it time to rev up. So instead of a rapid move after the spindle command, use a linear move at a slower feedrate.

G1[Y][Z]F10

4

Curious, @Tod1d , what were you seeing?

5

The machine was executing the block after the delay, so I moved the delay to before the spindle on block.

2 Likes
6

I take it that you have to edit the output file each time you save?

7

For CC, I just make sure the spindle is a ways from the start point. For NX, I have it written into the post.

8

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