Hi, I’m a new user and wondering about eliminating or modifying machine behavior when starting a project. Using CarbideCreate V7, Carbide Motion Build 636, Shapeoko 5 Pro
Currently I notice that after setting xyz zero (particularly z zero), the machine moves to BitSetter, then moves all the way back to park at the xy zero. Then when starting a project file, the machine moves to the tool change location, then BitSetter, then starts the job.
I’m wondering, since the start of each new job asks for a tool change with BitSetter check, why not just have the spindle park at the tool change location after the first BitSetter check from the z zero setup? Instead of running back and forth, it seems unnecessary/redundant. Is there something that I’m doing wrong in my order of setup? Or a macro, or file modification I can use?
You are not doing anything wrong, and it’s been mentioned several times.
Unfortunately, the macros for the bitzeroes and bitsetter, as well as the quick positions, pause & stop are all hardcoded and can’t be changed by the user.
I disabled my bitsetter over a year ago & it sits in a drawer. I also switched to GSender so I can do manual machining with the jog pendant.
Is switching to GSender complex? I have only just gotten my SP5 and have limited # experience so far, but I have seen others make this change and am intersted in it.
Disabling the BitSetter is not what a new user needs. Get yourself familiar with the other aspects of the workflow and process before considering getting rid of the best accessory in the Shapeoko Universe. Bitsetter is what allows you to run multiple tools in a program while maintaining Z-Zero.
Saving 10 seconds at the start of a program isn’t remotely worth ditching bitsetter.
Also, if you don’t want the Z-Axis to return to the XY where the Z-Zero was set, try going to the JOG screen while the machine is checking off on BitSetter. Once that cycle is complete and the machine begins to rapid back, press any X/Y direction. This should freeze that return cycle.
I’m 100% with Kevin on this one. Having been a Shapeoko owner going on 8 year now, and being in the “advanced users” category, the BitSetter has been my favorite addition to a Shapeoko. Disabling it would be on my list of things not to do.
If you’re running a job multiple times, here’s what I do:
After the program is created I will save it as gcode. If you have Carbide Create Pro, you can do this. But you can also get it into Carbide Motion, then save it as gcode if you have the standard version of Carbide Create. Then edit the first
“TXX M6”
Where the “XX” is your tool number. Remove that line only, then resave. That way it doesn’t do a bit change before the job. But I only do that on repeat jobs that only have one tool. If I’m v-carving or other jobs that use multiple tools, I rarely have the last tool being used, also being the first tool, so it needs that tool change anyway.
