>#1 How do I know that my cnc will not run off of the end of the table? ex. does it >know what size it is?
WinCNC will display the tool path on the screen. The soft limits are shown as a red boundary box.
>#2 What is soft limits and is that from the factory?
This is set at the factory. I have a 4896, with soft limits OFF Y axis max travel is 97.500.
I have a 5 station tool changer. Max X axis at the changer is 54.00. Behind the tool changer 62.00. Which works out good if you need to cut 5 x 5 sheets
>#3 Next I do have the tool touch pad but how do I set it? how does it know the >height of my top and spoil board?
This is also set at the factory. From what I can tell, the height is established from the z home position. From there the machine uses the home position plus the length to the spindle nose (without tool in). Which gives the machine a "constant" height. The tool probe calculates the difference from the "constant" to the tool tip to set the over all length of the various tools. To set the Z soft limit touch off the spoil board and use G28. It's in the manual.
#4 when setting up a tool in V Carve I understand the sizes and angles but how do I set the step over rate, RPM, plunge, and other speed setting?
Sorry, I don't know jack about V Carve. But there has to be a tool library to modify all these setting.
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At this point I could write a book about what NOT to do.
As far as what to do
1) Take the time to do it right
2) Have a Forklift, Engine hoist (for the gantry),a jack, 4 car Dolly's and someone to help
3) Place your machine on rubber anti vibration pads.
3) Use a torque wrench ( especially on the 12 screws that attach the gantry assembly to the way bearings )
4) Loctite your screws
5) If your Y axis servo or stepper motor is at the back of the machine there will be a bracket on the gantry that attaches to the bearing collar assembly on the ball screw. ( see attached image) When you screw this assembly to the gantry do it at the back of the machine, close to the motor. At first I tightened mine at the front of the machine, which caused the machine to bind up when it got to the back. The ball screw is approx 1.500 dia and 8 ft long. So there's some deflection which can cause you headaches if your not thinking about it.
( 7214's the Y axis motor is on the gantry carriage and the ball screw is like 2.500 dia, pretty trick set up)
6) If you bought the base from Shopsabre throw away the angle they use for the the front to back cross members and make some out of square tubing. The angle flex's to much and compromises the rigidity of the machine.
Keep in mind that the wiring rides on the top left side of pc. of angle iron. If you do this, which I highly recommend, you'll need to support the cable assembly. Should be able to weld that pc of angle to the square tubing. This is something I wish I'd done when I set my machine up. Now I just keep telling myself "I'll get around to it..." and you know how that goes. I probly wont do it till I have to move the damn thing.
Other than the angle iron I've got no complaints about my Shopsabre. The tech support has been responsive and right on target with the issues I've had to resolve.
Good luck,
Todd
http://www.innovative-accents.com