So @Marc_Schaefermeyer was so nice to do a video call last night and show me how to use MeshCam, and he did awesome!! I got all my parts converter to code and ready to cut!
So I come to my Shapeoko, open my GRBL, bring in my code file, position the spindle at the corner I like it to start, zero position, push “begin” and it seems to start following the green line, however, when it reaches the “start cutting” point, it just keeps on going straight up non stop… can somebody guide me or correct me to what I’m doing wrong?
@Dat_Chu the bottom of GRBL there is a button that says “zero position”, once I position the spindle where I wanted to start cutting I click on that “zero position” button… I position the spindle when the shapeoko its turned off… is this right?
I would recommend opening the gcode in a previewer such as openscam. This should give you an idea as to what the tool path should look like. After that I would verify that the gcode is in the correct units (ie. Inches vs MM).
@Dat_Chu Have you tried using Easel, and a simple object from there before you try your complex part? you can set the start position with the power off, then turn on Arduino and g shield, then start up the Easel program; if this is the first time using Easel, it will prompt you to download a local easel program, which you will install. Make sure you exit the G-code sender program too, sa they both cannot be running as they will clash in trying to use the com port.
I’m also guessing a unit problem is causing the unexpected motion. Either that or a configuration issue on the z axis for grbl. I second the suggestion of Marc and suggest you work on getting it to look right in openscam. Or some simulator. My opinion (that I’ve learned over time) is, if you are cutting before you run it through a simulator, you are going to waste considerable time and materials.
@Bruce_Lunde@Frank_Graffagnino thank you guys for helping out! Last night Marc and I chatted over this issue, he didn’t understand why once I had the Shapeoko zeroed it would act like it would start going but then just keep going up on a straight line.
So, he mentioned that one thing he does is reset gahield every time before starting a job, so he suggested for me to do it, and see what happen… So I did, and it worked. I don’t know why this would be tho, but it did work.
I was able to cut two small peaces last night… One thing I notice is that for some reason mesh cam didn’t see some of the slots on my design, and sloped them completely i was using a 1/16 bit and the slots where 1/16" by 1/16" depth, could this be related with the bit size?
Look @Marc_Schaefermeyer ! I will try that, I installed openscam and this will save a lot of headaches lol
I’ll let you know what happens… One thing that concerns me tho, is that the first pass it does it on the air, that means that when I’m doing a 2.5D it will not have the correct depth… what do I need to adjust in mesh can to fix this problem? Thanks again for all ur help Marc!!
You can buy 6 limit switches and put them at the ends of each axis. Wire them to your grblShield and initiate the zero sequence. This will do two things:
allow your controller to know the extent of your cutting volume.
allow your machine to automatically stop when it accidentally get out of the bound.
@Marc_Schaefermeyer My good man, just so u know… I went back to the drawing and adjusted the slots to b a bit greater then the bit and so far, its working good Thanks!
i was using a 1/16 bit and the slots where 1/16" by 1/16" depth, could this be related with the bit size?
