Just checking to see if I understand setting up my newly completed C-Beam Xl, would altering the line $13=1 enable reporting in mm instead of inches and are there any other settings I should be concerned about concerning Metric over Imperial. Also I noticed that the OpenBuilds Control Software has a Button to allow me to import G-Code using either measurement, would setting up my machine cause any issues if I were to Import something in Imperial while everything else is set up for Metric. I am probably over thinking the whole thing, but as we have all found out the Hardway. Better to be Safe than Sorry.

C-Beam Machine XL GRBL Settings - This information can also be used to set up other firmware as well

$0=10 (step pulse, usec)
$1=255 (step idle delay, msec)
$2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000)
$3=0 (dir port invert mask:00000000)
$4=1 (step enable invert, bool)(Board V1, V2, V3 Matte = $4=0 - Glossy board V3 = $4=1)
$5=0 (limit pins invert, bool)
$6=0 (probe pin invert, bool)
$10=3 (status report mask:00000011)
$11=0.010 (junction deviation, mm)
$12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm)
$13=0 (report inches, bool)
$20=0 (soft limits, bool)
$21=0 (hard limits, bool)
$22=0 (homing cycle, bool)
$23=0 (homing dir invert mask:00000000)
$24=2000.000 (homing feed, mm/min)
$25=1000.000 (homing seek, mm/min)
$26=250 (homing debounce, msec)
$27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm)
$100=199.098 (x, step/mm)
$101=199.100 (y, step/mm)
$102=199.100 (z, step/mm)
$110=1000.000 (x max rate, mm/min)
$111=1000.000 (y max rate, mm/min)
$112=1000.000 (z max rate, mm/min)
$120=100.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2)
$121=100.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2)
$122=100.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2)
$130=750.000 (x max travel, mm)
$131=320.000 (y max travel, mm)
$132=60.000 (z max travel, mm)[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks for enlightening me, I'm slowly getting this. The only other concern that I have is setting up my second Y-Axis as I have 2 separate motors on this axis. As I ran into this exact issue when I built a OX CNC Router and couldn't for the life of me get the machine to maintain equivalent movemnet side to side no matter what I did. That's why I went with the C-Beam XL.

 

Actually the only reason I was ever able to determine what my problem was, was after a friend who is a PLC Technician performed a test cycle on one of my Y-Axis Motors and found it had a Bad Connection in one of the Coils. By that time I had disassembled the OX and moved on the the C-Beam XL. Still have the Plate Set for the OX as well as the Plates to incorporated a Leadscrew to the X-Axis and the Y-Inboard Plates.

 

I finally got my motor issues straightened out. Now, with Home Switches on all 3 axis I have been trying to figure out the Homing Sequence with Homing going to the negative on all of the Axis except for the Z-Axis. I want it setup so that the X and the Y go to the Lower Front Left Corner and the Z Axis to the Top of its Travel. Can some give me directions on setting up my OpenBuilds Controller software with the correct GRBL Settings, please? I am probably overthinking it, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Also I have the Y Axis Steppers at the Rear of my Machine, not at the front with 1/2" thick riser between the mounting plates and my wasteboard. That way I can get the Full movement of the Y Axis and not have to worry about the Wasteboard contacting the C-Beam End Caps.

 

I've finally got my C-Beam XL up and running and as I'm not familiar cutting using the metric system. What is the average cutting feed rate that users are finding their machines comfortable with?
Will it cut at 60 inches per minute equivalency? Haven't figured out what that works out to in metric rates.

 

I understand that, I was just enquiring on what kind of cutting speeds others were able to obtain.

 

My original Ox has become a corner queen to, incidentally this happened after I moved as well!

 

I recently increased the Z-height of my C-beam XL. I found that the limited clearance was making some projects difficult, and others not possible. The supports were increased from 250mm to 325mm. The X gantry is still rock solid, but the machine is now struggling. Cutting in both Y directions is fine, as is the - X direction. However, cutting in the + X direction is very difficult and it causes the router to vibrate which increases with distance until the cut quality suffers. Slowing the feed rate helps, but not much. My assumption is that the increased vertical distance of the router from the X gantry results in more force applied and this causes additional stress hence the vibration. I am wondering why it only occurs in one lateral direction though. The stepper motor is on the + X side. Is anyone able to provide insight into any changes or adjustments that can be made to fix this?

 

Thank you for the reply. I checked this, and found everything to be as square as my eyes (aging) are able to detect. However, I did not surface the spoilboard and I think that is a great idea. I'll take this opportunity to replace it with a new one.

On this topic though as a general discussion, are there other factors that contribute to Z gantry stability aside from beam length, i.e leadscrew tension, wheel tightness, etc?

 

Thanks. I may need to double check the stop collars, which I think means that I'll need to disassemble the X gantry.

 

It is worse toward the center, but this is also as the cut progresses. However it's just in that one direction. At the same X location, but cutting in the negative direction, there is no issue.

 

I realized that I didn't fully answer your question...

I'm using a Makita router, with 3D printed inserts to reduce the ID of the Openbuilds 71 mm mount. I have two 65 mm mounts on order from Rat Rig in Portugal, but they have yet to ship. I'm hoping that will help too.

 

Thanks to @Moag for his step by step build instructions and to the Openbuilds warehouse for helping me out with some motor issues. Now to cut things up lol

 

Probably a newbie question but can someone enlighten me how to reduce the distance, on the z axis, that the spindle goes to as the program starts. In other words everything is zerod to the workpiece, grbl loaded into blackbox, press run and the spindle goes to x0, y0 and trips the switch on the z axis.
I am trying to work a 7/8 workpiece, on the 1 1/2 bed/spoil board, the bottom of the chuck is level with the bottom of the z gantry and any tool with length greater than .45" causes the trip
Thanks for your help.

 

If you are using a blackbox (or other grbl controller) what cad/cam software are you using?
If you are using Vectric or Fusion software the link below to the Openbuilds post processors might help.

docs:software:cam [OpenBuilds Documentation]

Otherwise, tell us more about your setup - the issue you describe is within your cam software.

Alex.

 

Am using the blackbox and vetric aspire. It just seems that there is a setting that lifts the z axis by 3/4" ish to clear any workpiece on its way to zero to start the program.It would be really helpful if it only went up 1/2 so to speak

 

In Vectric - toolpath tab - setup there are settings for safe Z - you particularly need to look at what Vectric call the "home/start" position - the default is 20 mm above the Z zero position - this is too high for most hobby cnc machines. This is position the machine will move to (in the workplace coordinates system) at the start and end of the job. Reduce it as much as you can as long as you will clear any clamps.

Alex.

 

Appreciate your help, that looks exactly what I need and was to blind to see