Hi all, beginner user here. I just got my shapeoko pro set up a few days ago, and spending time trying new things to learn what I can do.
One thing I would like to do is have to machine carve out certain section of the project, pause and retract the spindle while I paint the newly carved areas (obviously leaving the project in place, and then restart on the new section once I’m done.
How would I set up the toolpaths in Carbide Create to stop once one section is done, and then resume to the next section when I am done with what I want to do? Do I do that with groups? Or do I have to have a separate file for each section?
Sorry if this is a very newbish question. If my question isn’t clear or if I’m asking in the wrong place, please let me know. Thank you for the help.
The best and safest way to handle this would be to write out one file for each set of processes, then when a file is done, shut the machine down, apply the paint, then start up again to send the next file.
What I would suggest is you split up these areas into different tool paths. If you pause that would work but with wet paint and saw dust you will not get a good outcome.
So what I suggest is different tool paths in the various areas. Then save your file with all the tool paths and then go back and disable all but one. Then save. Run that one tool path and you can power the machine off. Paint your area and let it dry. Then open the c2d file and disable the first tool path and enable the second one, save, and run that, power off, paint. Then simply rinse and repeat until all tool paths are done. This will take longer but you will get a better outcome.
The X Y and Z zeros are remembered between power cycles. You can quickly check that with the jog menu and rapid positions.