CNC Master Notes
These are our collection of notes on the Laser CNC Master Restoration Project.
Specs
- Make: Cam Tech
- Model: LaserMaster CM155
- Year:
- Working Area in mm: X: 1300mm, Y: 1300mm, Z: 142mm
- Working Area in inches: X: 51.18", Y: 51.18", Z: 5.59"
Process Overview
More details on each part of the pipeline in sections below
- Design your Project in Easel (or still untested, Carbide Create)
- Export gcode file as .nc
- CNC Pipeline Explained
- Setup Table
- Waste Board
- Material onto Waste Board
- Install Appropriate Mill end (bit)
- plug in Spindle & Turn On
- Launch UGS Software
- Reset Zero as safety
- Load .nc file
- Confirm dims with visualizer
- Move router into position
- Reset Zero for reals this time
- Create Drill locating hole
- Return to Ideal Zero
- Run Project
- Try it in the air first (go up a set amount and then reset zero)
- Try it with cheap material second
- Google appropriate speeds & feeds
- Try it with your final material, maybe a test piece first
- Stay in shop & keep an eye on the CNC table
- Take this time to help clean & organize other parts of the shop :D
- Wrap Up
- Clean up CNC area
- Remove project
- Reset CNC for next user
Software Overview & Design your Project
Overview:
The three types of software used in CNC production is Design Cad, Toolpaths CAM & G-Code Control
as listed here:
Beginners guide to desktop CNC software
For our pipeline that means:
Design Cad:
Easel, with the help of other software listed below.
Toolpaths CAM
Easel
G-Code Control
UGS
You can design your project in Easel, a web based software package.
Still to test that may also provide good results: Carbide Create
For more control, you can import line art into Easel as .svg files, from software such as InkScape, Affinity Designer, or Adobe Illustrator
Here's more details on how to use Easel
How to use Easel (free CNC software)
Our computer only has UGS installed on it, so design work currently takes place on another machine (yours at home, the library, etc.)
To keep the CNC computer tidy, please create your own subfolder in "Documents", and copy your files from a USB drive to this folder. Use the format 'year_yourName'
We've created a handy shortcut on the desktop for you!
Setup Table
Overview: Setup table:
- Clamp down Waste Board
- Secure (drill) Material onto Waste Board
- Install Appropriate Mill end (bit)
The PC controls the position of the router, using the UGS software. The inverter on the right controls the spindle rotation.
- Turn on the PC.
- It runs on Linux Mint, but feels similar to Windows.
- Plug in the Spindle Controller to the 20 amp outlet in the welding area. Arrange cord for maximum safety.
- Turn on Spindle with light switch below it
- Confirm that readout only has "Rot" lit
- Press "run" to start
- Adjust pot to adjust rotation speed
- Press "Stop" to stop rotation
Use UGS Software
This is the software that takes your gcode file you made in Easel and feeds it to the router line by line in a way that it will understand it.
Launch UGS by double clicking this icon:
Run the software by clicking Run. Must be a Linux thing.
Rough images below, explanations coming hopefully soon
Step 1: Click on "Open" to connect the software with the CNC controller. (It's a tiny little circuit board under the table. So Smol! So cute!)
Before you do anything else: as a safety click on the 'Reset Zero' button. If you accidentally hit "Return to Zero", it will take the router back to this point.
Reason: Every time the comuter is turned on, the "Zero" is a random locaiton. That location might be outside of the bed, and getting there could damage the tool and/or you.
Technique for set a drill locating hole:
From zebragirl: I would make a point of indenting the tool slightly in the home position, and doing the 'receipt thing' to get the tool' more-or-less exact home position set in relation to the work,
AND a spot I could eyeball it's correct return to, within +/- .5mm
like, a registration point that was -5mm, and -5mm from home.. drill in a bit. Then stop the tool, move up to clear the hole, then +5, +5..
then spend the time nudging the Z axis til it just grips a receipt, then 1 tap up.. and set home.
or.. x.. doesn't have to be 5mm, just 'something you can remember, like tap the arrows 2 times or something.
Once you've done that, it's easy to line up the bit again in the future, to the locating hole. Then it's super easy to reposition the tool to X-0 and Y-0.. then it's just a matter of slipping a piece of paper under the tool and adjusting Z until it 'just drags'
Reason: If the tool accidentally bumps an edge and loses accurate location, this is a good manual way to get back to it accurately. Also super handy if your file needs a tool change for detail work
Other notes on setting perfect registration
Open your file
Click the Visualizer button to see the tool path. Also confirm the Width & Height
When ready to run the tool, press "Send"
Tip: Try it in the air first! Move the Spindle up in the air high enough that it won't come down on your work surface & run the tool.
You can use this to help you center your work before screwing it down on the waste board.
Wrap Up
Clean up CNC area
Vacuum the table and surrounding area.
Remove project
This is obvious, right?
Reset CNC for next user
Remove end mill and put away in bin underneath table.
Links
- Beginners guide to desktop CNC software
- How to use Easel (free CNC software)
- First Real Project with my New Carve by CNC4NEWBIE
- CNC 3018 PRO MAX - EASEL INVENTABLES / UGS
- Huanyang VFD Type 1 Inverter Notes: Controls the spindle. It can be controlled by Mach3 Software
- --------
- http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?125009-Camtech-LaserMaster-Users
- http://www.dataworks.gr/old/uk/products/specif.htm
- http://www.cnczone.com/forums/commercial-cnc-wood-routers/172133-cnc.html
- http://www.laserform.ca/pdf/CAMTECH_brochure_email.pdf
- LaserCut 5.x Archive
- http://www.co2-lasers.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/MPC6535-Software.rar
- Our Copy: MPC6535-Software.rar
- Note that if you extract this under Linux you will get many duplicate file names. Presumably, these are the 32, and 64 bit system files.
- Hardware Manual: MPC6535-Hardware_Manual.pdf
- Laser Manual: Operators_Manual_48_Series-1.pdf
- Software Manual: LaserCut5.3-Software_Manual-V1.6.pdf
-- Main.ClifCox - 11 May 2016
Status
2024-08-05: It works!
NOTE: There are NO stop switches installed, so it will gladly tear through the bed, or really try hard to run itself off the rails if you let it. And if you are pinned between it and an edge, expect an emergency room visit at the least.
The X,Y& Z axis are moving. The Spindle control is working UGS works well with the system.
- tickle_pulse.zip: Arduino code for laser PWM with tickle pulse.