Shapeoko 5 Pro Start/Stop

CNC Machines
1

Does the Shapeoko 5 allow you to start a project, stop it, then return at a later date, hit the go button and it continues where it left off?

I want to get the 2x4, but I’ve come to the understanding that these larger cuts can take hours. I live in a medium density area and don’t want to run my machine at night. If I could start it and let it run for a few hours then “pause” it for a day or two and start it up again with out any drama that would be great. I’d leave everything exactly where it is, except the laptop would be unplugged and taken inside the house.

Thanks in advance!

2

I have activated some tool paths based on run time and deactivated the rest and ran the file. The next day I deactivated the completed tool paths and ran the rest without any problems.

4 Likes
3

You would need a closed-loop stepper motor to do what you’re asking. The shapeokos are all open loop.

4

Thanks for your insights.

@canuk1966 Your method is what I figured I would have to do. When you generate a tool path is the time line in the CAM usually pretty spot on with actual time?

5

So far it is proving to be quicker than the calculation. Not by much thou.

6

Mine always grow in time, from CC, to loading in CM, to actually running. They usually wind up 10-15 minutes over, but sometimes way more.

7

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.