To start a cutting/engraving, you will need

1. CAD Software(Autodesk/Solidworks/Rhino…)
2. CAM Software(Artcam/BobCad-Cam/Mastercam/Vectric/…)
3. Machine Controller Software(Mach3 from Artsoft)

The control box include Chinese XHC USB motion controller. It support Mach3 Machine Controller Software. Below section, I will introduce it in very detail level.

Section 1. Mach3 installment and XHC USB motion controller setup

Section 2. After software and plugin installed, we will set machine coordinates and softlimits. Mach3 homing process is helpful to define machine origins.

Section 3. In CNC machine table, for example 6090, you may get max. 870mmx570mm working area. In case, you have different fixture attached to this table and make small production. Workpiece coordinates you will need. Mach3 has G54,G55,G56 and support till G59 workpiece coordinates atmost. This video will show how to set and use workpiece coordinates.

Section 4. In most of case, the job engraving from material surface. With auto Z, it is very easy to locate material surface.

Section 5. Thourgh above steps, we have finished software, Motor control, Auto Z. On next step, we will test spindle from machine control box. This video will show you how to turn on VFD and control spindle in Mach3.

Demo machine: ARF benchtop CNC 6090 wood router

Sample materials engraving/cutting

1. Artwork on MDF board

Size: 600mmx900mmx25mm

Engraving bits:

6mm 3 flute endmill,3mm 3 flute endmill,1mm 3 flute endmill

Depth: 6mm, Feedrate: 1000mm/min,Spindle speed: 12000RPM

Time: about 30mins

Machine control software Mach3

Steps:

1. REF ALL Home position

2. Auto Z to position material surface

3. open G code file

4. Zero X/Y axis based on workpiece Coord’s and Regen tool path

5. Launch G code

6. Repeat No.4 and change bits twice

Where to download Machine Controller Software and its addons? Pleae click here to download.

FAQ:

1. What materials can be engravered by this machine?

A: It can engrave wood/Acrylic/PCB/MDF occasionaly soft metal( copper,brass,aluminum,engrave 0.1mm per cut at speed 100mm/min) require NO strict accuracy(0.3mm-0.5mm accuracy)

2. What is chuck size of the 4th-axis?

A: The clamping diameter of 4th-axis is 80mm

3. What CAD/CAM can use?

A: CAD Autodesk/Solidworks/Rhino
CAM Artcam/BobCad-Cam/Mastercam/Vectric

4. What machine control software required by this machine?

A: Mach3 only

5. Does this machine support Mach4

A: No, This machine use special USB motion controller designed for Mach3. It didn’t support Mach4

6. What OS system support Mach3?

A: USB: Windows 7 32-bit system ,it didn’t support Windows 10

7. What difference between Mach3 USB and parallel?

A: 1.Mach3 USB can support windows 7 32 bits,and the spinde controlled by Mach3. 2.Parallel just support windows XP and the spindle controlled by VFD

8. What are the script for?

A: They are used with handwheel together.
1. M930.m1s is the probez file.You should copy the it to Mach3\macros\Mach3Mill directroy;
2. M999.m1s is the ref all home file.You should copy the it to Mach3\macros\Mach3Mill directroy;
3. M933 is go to zero work macro,You should copy the it to Mach3\macros\Mach3Mill directroy

9. What is the handwheel model?

A: HB04Bx

10. How do I do my spindle work in wrong direction?

A: In control box, VFD panel, there is button call “Dir”, press once to change spindle direction.

11. Why spindle didn’t run when I start g-code?

A: In control box, VFD panel, there is button call “Run”, press once to start spindle

12. What do I do my Z axis go go in opposite position?

A: Please modify parameter in Mach3. Path config–>ports&pins–>Motor outputs–> find Z axis(if dir lowactive tab is checked, then uncheck. vice versa.

13. What is recommend settings to cut?

A: soft material we set 1000mm/min, hard material 200-500, plunge would be 1/3rd of above

14. Starting value is correct and when I increase the number manually, the spindle increases the speed. But when I want to lower the speed, nothing happens. What should I do?

A:

As test, I try below command

M3(spindle run)
S10000
S2000
M5(spindle stop)

Please kindly take a video and show what responses.

15. Can the water pump start automatically when the spindle starts?

A: Please control water pump manually, avoid wrong g-code damage spindle.

16. Can I control spindle through Mach3?

A:

Yes,please set VFD value like below
P0-000 value 1(start/stop spindle by Mach3)
P0-002 value 2(speed control by Mach3)
After that, spindle control hand over to Mach3 instead VFD panel. “RUN” CAN NOT lit up manually. Lights are all off.

led(LOCAL) turn off
led(TRIP) turn off
led(RUN) turn off
led(dir) turn off

17. My Spindle didn’t turn on while machine setting is correct. What is the problem?

Answer: Please check hardware connectivity step by step.

a. Please check spindle to cable connection（If pin 1 to pin 1,till pin4）

b. Measure Spindle cable connectivity status.(If pin 1 to pin 1 good or failure, till pin 4)

c. Measure Spindle socket connectivity status.(by multi-meter)

Pin 1(U) to Pin 2(V) good or failure

Pin2(U) to Pin 3(W) good or failure

Pin3(W) to Pin1(U) good or failure

d. VFD check

1. Multi-meter to check VFD input power voltage
2. Put VFD at 50Hz and measure AC voltage between U,V,W(multi-meter at 500V AC)