[kcortese12]

I am an absolute beginner with Mach3.

I use Vcarve Pro as my CAD.

I have a LOT files created which have tool changes for individual tool paths.

My question is:

After running a tool path, will Mach3 return to set "0" of the material when finished so I can open the next gcode file, change the tool set "Z" to "0" and run?

I hate learning new software. :fie:

 

[difalkner]

I don't use V-carve but my guess is yes, it will do that. But that's not Mach3 doing that, it's the G-code generated by V-carve.

David

 

[kcortese12]

I ran a job and it did return to "0" after the tool path was complete.

But did something stupid, I'm not going to tell anyone what it was.

Just saying that I made some nice firewood.

Next one will be a success.

I have to get used to this new equipment.

 

[Cncest]

There is no success without failure. I've made my share of firewood along the way.
I prefer to make 2 separate tool path gcode files. First a rough cut file. Then a finish cut file. So i can run the rough cut one day. Then the finish cut another day.

 

[kcortese12]

I use separate tool paths also.

I make firewood every once in a while.

I am not a total newbie to CNC, just this particular machine and brand new user of Mach3.

When running a very long 3d carve, can Mach3 jobs be paused and continued at a later time?

I have used Open Builds and UGS Gcode senders and you could pause the job.

 

[ger21]

You can pause (Feedhold), then Stop. You''d use Run From Here to resume.
Or, if you leave the PC and controller on, you can just use Feedhold, and then Cycle Start to resume, but I wouldn't really recommend that.

A lot of people use my Mach3 2010 Screenset, which has macros to automatically measure the new tool after tool changes, so you can put all your toolpaths in one file. It requires two Auto Zero tool setters, one to set the initial Z zero, and a fixed on used to zero the new tools after tool changes.

 

[Cncest]

You can pause (Feedhold), then Stop. You''d use Run From Here to resume.
Or, if you leave the PC and controller on, you can just use Feedhold, and then Cycle Start to resume, but I wouldn't really recommend that.

I wondered about those buttons. So I can pause the job and restart at a later time? Is it reliable?

 

[ger21]

So I can pause the job and restart at a later time? Is it reliable?

Yes, and yes, if you know how to do it.


It's up to you to know where you stop, and where to restart.



It's a good idea to practice with some basic code to get an understanding of how Run From Here works.

 

[MEBCWD]

This is where that setting is in Vectric software. You can set your Z-gap for easy tool changes or dust boot removal and replacement.