Hello. Not sure where else to post this. How does everyone organize and keep track of all their project and machine code files?
I mentioned in another post just getting started with the 5 Pro that most of my projects are a bundle of similar but not identical sub-projects. In other words I might want to make a dozen large pieces the same size and shape with different features. Only 3 can fit on the table/fixture at a time so there’s a lot of swapping on and off. There might be a total of 20 toolpaths run across the dozen, but not every piece gets every toolpath. Because of this I don’t have one monolithic file with every toolpath for each piece, but rather I’ve grouped by cutter in VCarve Pro. I load the roughing toolpath and keep repeating until each piece is done, then load the next file. As you might guess this leads to a lot of g-code files quickly which are hard to keep organized. Files ends up with long names Motion can’t fully display.
In pre CNC days at smaller scales I could mange to keep track of project Checklists in OneNote or similar but I’m looking for something more purposeful. Any suggestions on software that’s designed to help manage CNC machining jobs?
I don’t run a business so I can’t speak to how one would address file organization from that perspective. I have mine setup for 1) S5Pro machine (for flattening, clamping jigs etc), 2) Projects (listed individually). 3) Reference Files, once in these folders they are broken down for reference files I can open and rename to place in the two listed folders above. Pocketing, contour, Vcarve etc. I open the reference file and copy toolpaths into a new project file to speed up my workflow. I can customize the reference tool path as needed.
I don’t run a business regularly churning out the same item and I may be an oddity but I never keep any gcode files. I find it is easy and quick to recreate gcode files regardless of software used so I keep and version control the source software files.
My greatest challenge is configuration control across the various tools I may use creating the gcode. For example, image manipulation software, 3d modelling software, graphics packages like illustrator, then vcarve or fusion all with experimental attempts in-between.
Each project has a project folder, every file has a consistent project name/ref. Each version of the file is incremented with a exp01, exp02-01, exp03. Software files are bundled into folders (vcarve, Houdini, illustrator, Photoshop, blender, …) with the exception of F360).and outputs from these files bundled into sub folders with the same reference (exp01…). Each project has a markdown file (I use obsidian) into which I keep my notes (like a lab book) where I will try to record what worked, the workflow, settings I think will be useful for other projects and references to the project folder) and photos.
Thanks…Interesting…I may be old school but even in VCarve which has tons of toolpaths options I find useful, I still need to make manual edits to G-code. It’s usually something simple like I posted elsewhere needing to Find/Replace dozens of G0Z0 retracts to G1Z0 in a Peck Drilling file. It just wasn’t an option in the software.
I’ve kept detailed checklists and “As Run” notes from my woodworking in OneNote going back to 2013. I’s great for taking quick notes on my phone and cleaning them up later. Three things I don’t like about it. It’s so easy to accidentally delete or overwrite something and not realize until too late. The indexing / search feature is erratic. The last is getting lost navigating between similar projects and reference pages which share info. It sounds like Obsidian could improve on that with backlinks which OneNote noticeably lacks. I’ll check it out.
I do not run a business, but this is the kind of stuff I did for work.
I use multiple PC’s. One for the garage for driving the Pro 5, two others that I use for design and cam work. I have a network shared device that I use as Library. The Library needs to be updated as required, so all other devices can file the files. All work comes and goes from there.
On each PC, I define a Desktop favorite ( and maybe a file share ) to get access quickly.
Using Folders for organization ( as I do ) , you need to decide the lead concept you would search by then the rest.
Possible concepts to use
Project Name ( or number ).
Customer
Type of work
etc …
Since I don’t have customers or “type” ( because I rarely make the same thing twice ), I use a Project Name only.
I have a Projects root folder containing .\ProjectName folders on all PC devices that I did some work.
The ProjectName folder may contain sub folders like .\nc .\dxf, .\sat, .\drawings
As I write this I realize I should put an image file of rendering/results in the .\ProjectName, that would show up in File manager.
Be consistent, that will make it useful. It will also make it easier to reorganize later if needed.
There is no wrong way.
Thanks. I have a similar folder scheme by project then file type. Glad you brought up the network storage device. Part of my issue is not having a central repo. I’m doing CAD/CAM on a high performance machine meant to be the main file repo backed up to cloud. The .gcode files get copy+pasted to a shared folder on the control PC to be run from Motion. (I suppose I could use a sync app) Where it gets confused is if I stop a program to edit a feed rate that was way off because I’m new to this, then reload it. Now the Motion PC has a newer file than the repo I need to manually get back there again. I suppose I could set up a share in the other direction but the network device sounds better.
Remember, in CM you can raise (or lower) the federate by 10% increments manually during the cut. If this allows you to get the feed rate you like just finish the cut at the temp setting and then go back and adjust the master file. This process helped me dial in speeds/feeds for different material while I was learning the entire process of using the cnc.
Sure I use those for minor adjustments on the fly which I take note of. It does give me anxiety though because my Motion PC isn’t touchscreen. I get nervous trying to click a mouse button in real time while the bit is cutting.
It brings up one of the points I struggle with. Most feed and speed guidance is for metal and plastic/composites. Many tool vendors don’t even mention wood in their calculators. With wood, you can’t cut end grain as fast as side grain or it will tear out. This is where the manual editing comes in. Its trial and error to insert feed rate changes slower and faster again strategically in the toolpath.
With the UI, I’ve seen gamepad type setups but i don’t know much about those. Did I read or just imagine there is a more advanced pendant coming out with motion control?
Once upon a time I worked on an old industrial machine with a fancy for the time hand controller. It would be great to have something like that. I’m all ears for any suggestions on this topic…thanks…
I’m on a Macmini with a mouse, there are absolutely no issues +/- your feed rates this way. CM is programmed to do this and the machines can certainly handle the commands or C3D would not have allowed the use of this feature.
In my experience (not scientific data) end grain tear out is more related to the wood species, quality and sharpness of the specific bit vs the feeds and speeds. The other factor is which cut direction is used, climb or conventional based on the directional grain changes in the wood (think burl/crotch).
I have no issues related to feed/speed using the default settings in CC when assigning a toolpath. Based on gaining proficiency with the machine and software I have in general raised the feeds/speeds from the defaults in CC. Most of the bits I have purchased were for wood, I have a few that were not and I just use the default settings in CC until I gain some proficiency with it but still no fatal flaws were observed starting with the defaults.
With the mouse I’m sure the software handles inputs correctly its just my tactical comfort level. Most programs I’ve spent thousands of hours in either CAD or Office are heavily Hot Key based. I don’t use a mouse if I can avoid it.
I agree there’s no issue with the CC defaults which are known to be very conservative.
I guess its no surprise the proper speeds for me on the SP5 are falling somewhere in the middle of those and 3rd party bit makers published industrial specs. Absolutely, it will vary by wood species. There are some species or figures I’ve never been able to machine with any cutting tool without tearout, to the point I discontinued using them despite their popularity.
I don’t want to take this off-topic but I’m too curious not to ask. Which species did you stop working with despite the popularity? I’m newer to the woodworking side and your experience might save folks (myself included) some headache
Hah sorry i didn’t mean to leave that hanging. Probably trendiness not popularity is the right word. In the world of guitars Pine and Empress Wood aka Paulownia are the ones I meant which get hyped as substitutes for lightweight Ash whose supplies have dwindled. Pine the problem is there’s so many varieties generally labeled Pine ranging from heat stabilized (torrefied) to construction grade. Some machine very well others don’t. The Empress Wood I could never get a crisp clean surface it would tearout or fray.
