@T4Concepts I haven't used Cut3D. But i imagine it the same as the others. All their programs have a good toolset for CAD functionality built in. It won't replace a dedicated CAD program, but is definitely good enough for a lot of jobs. You can then use their CAM tools to setup your toolpaths. In the same pane, you need to save as G-Code. For post processor, just use the standard G-Code mm .tap. Then open this file in UGS and send to the machine.

The post processor isn't the software that sends the file to the machine. There is many flavours of G-Code. Using a post processor is basically just saying which G-Code format you would like. Vectrics standard one, works perfect with GRBL.

 

There is post processor for GRBL in latest versions of programs released by Vectrics. The post processor for G-Code adds code that's not compatible with GRBL. The first line of code is the one that's not compatible with GRBL.

 

I can't remember through the comments whether you looked at Cut3D for a specific reason, but to chip on the software options, i've started using Fusion 360 which has both CAD + CAM and seems to have no limits on what you need to do. It's even free if you're a hobbyists/start-up/enthusiast.
Exporting GRBL compatible g-code to work in UGS is no problem at all either,- atleast had no issues in the small tests i've done.

 

@spandadk - thanks. I'd looked at Fusion 360 before but didn't think I would qualify for the 'free' usage. Seems I might having gone further through the process. I've downloaded the trial which I should be able to convert to free use once the trial period is over. Proper bells-n-whistles.

 

Thanks for pointing that out, i will look into that. Admittedly i haven't updated my version for a while.

Ryan

 

Finally a great topic about woorkbee, the information about this CNC is starting to appear.

I build a 2200X1700mm CNC, and yes i get some deflection in Y Axis, but since this machine is going to just cut plaint sheets of PVC, Wood and Acrilic, is not a major problem. Due the weight and size i made some upgrades... I changed the Y Axis plates to 4mm Stainless steel (add even more weight, but avoid some X axis defletion) and added double belts, just to avoid to much stretch.I will change the corner plates to 6mm Stainless steel, and i will use a 0.8kw Air Cooled, for now im using router like makita.

For software i'm using ESTLCAM, i didn't get the GBRL to work :|

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cUtY55AcrzrDEuk13

Thanks Ooznest for creating this machine

 

@Antonio Pereira Ooo large machine you have built. We would love to see some pictures! Thanks for the kind words

 

First tests cutting MDF 2mm deep cuts 3000mm/min



Z-Axis View


4mm Stainless Steel Plate


Back View and all the dust mess


Tidy Cables (I hate seeing cables too much in view and disorganized.)



Aviator Plugs and Cnc Shield from Protoneer



First Draw (pen was to loose )



Checking for Squareness



Doble Belt "Hack"

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wmLVSUo7Kesz3oha2

Best Regards

 

Thanks for pictures, great to see one built from scratch! I like your double belt hack

 

Thanks T4 for posting your build. Hands down this has been the best information I have found regarding the setup of a WorkBee machine. I'm a two week old newbie to CNC. Surprisingly enough I ran into almost the exact same issue that you did during my build.

First time around, I didn't completely read the manual but rather looked at the diagrams. Needless to say I ended up redoing the build from almost scratch. Lesson learned: READ THE MANUAL FIRST at least as you are going through the build but better yet before you even start. I got stung by the Z-axis limit switch also but instead of build a platform like you did to get under the frame, I simply tilted it up and crawled under it and used my head to hold up the frame while trying to screw in that tiny thing. It didn't go as easy as I thought it would but I eventually got it in. I'm currently awaiting a new AB-Nut-Block from Ryan as the one provided with my kit would barely let the Z-axis lead screw turn at all. I had to disassemble the X-axis to take off the X-carriage assembly (to get to the AB-Nut-Block). It would be a lot easier to replace the AB-Nut-Block if the nyloc nuts were embedded into the Z plate assembly (on the side where the two assemblies join together) so that you could screw in the M5 low profile bolts from outside the assembly. The two assemblies had to be taken apart in order to take off the AB-Nut-Block. I'm sure there is a reason for the current configuration... just thought I would share my thoughts. Thanks again for posting... I cant wait to get the AB-Nut so that I can resume where I left off in your post

 

Hello Turk,

Well I got my 750x1000 WorkBee up and running but I really need your help or some pointing in the right direction. About the only thing I can do at the moment is "home" the machine. I'm currently using Sketchup, StechUcam and UGS but when ever I try to run gcode I get some out of range/limit error or cant run code in alarm mode. Perhaps a stupid question but after I home ($H) the machine do I need to move it before running gcode. Thanks

 

Hello Turk

Thanks for your reply. I literally had 20 different websites opened in my browser when I got your reply. Mostly Youtube videos. I haven't really found one place that explained the next steps after building a WorkBee machine but I did get bits and pieces over that last few days that started coming into shape. Yes, Im starting to see the light.

In response to your comment, yes I had set up my machine according the appendix in the manual. I watched your video numerous times to get my head the two "homes". Initially it's not that intuitive but once you understand it, it seems so simple. Theoretically I understood the two homes, I just didn't know "how" to set the work position until I saw Schematix's "How to Home a CNC Mill and Setup Milling Stock Home Position".

Yes, I didn't "reset zero" after repositioning the router from my machine home. I feel embarrassed mentioning it now but only do so to help anyone else new to CNC.

The second problem was that I didn't move the router position over enough to the left of the X-axis.

With those two things (and my finger on the power switch), I was able to run my first gcode... now I need to find a Sharpie marker

Thanks Turn, I think I'm going to write up a step-by-step tutorial of how I got my 750x1000 WorkBee to actually run its first gcode. I'm so happppppppppppy!!!

 

Hey Turk, after getting it to work, I took some time to build a place for it in my shop. I didn't have room in the actual shop so I had to divide the office at the back of the shop in half. I'm still working on it (as well as the rest of the shop) but here's what I have so far. I put a window in the dividing wall so I could watch the machine at work from inside the office

 

Thanks Turk. That's a good question. At 52, I finally had my mid-life crisis. I've always wanted to have a shop and I thought it would be mostly wood projects. However, after seeing and building Jeremy Schmidt's incremental table saw fence and 2x72" belt grinder, I think I'm hooked on steel fabrication. I will definitely be using it for wood projects (for both home and the shop) but I can see getting into aluminum and plastic also. We'll see what happens. Probably use it for my new DIY website (ie madeinamman.com) also. What are you using yours for?

By the way, I think Aspire and Mach3 may be my next move Im starting to feel more comfortable with CNC.

 

And it all started with your post.... thanks!!!

 

I didn't know that but thanks for the heads up.

 

Hey, just to confirm the xpro isn't compatible with mach3

 

[QIUOTE="Antonio Pereira, post: 66718, member: 95536"]

First tests cutting MDF 2mm deep cuts 3000mm/min



Z-Axis View


4mm Stainless Steel Plate


Back View and all the dust mess


Tidy Cables (I hate seeing cables too much in view and disorganized.)



Aviator Plugs and Cnc Shield from Protoneer



First Draw (pen was to loose )



Checking for Squareness



Doble Belt "Hack"

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wmLVSUo7Kesz3oha2

Best Regards[/QUOTE]

 

Sorry fingers clicking wrong buttons. Wanted to ask T4Concepts whether they are using an Arduino Shield with DRV8825 drivers, if so what GRBL settings they used ?

 

Sorry !! I'm not very good in communicating in news groups, put it down to grey cells as I'm now in my 80's. When I said 'they' I was not being dis-respectfull, I did know whether they were male or female and did not want to cause offence. I have a 'Workbee' 750 x 750 using an Arduino shield with 4 DRV8825 drivers. I am trying to find out the GRBL ( $ listing ) setting for this config. So far every one refers and quotes to the xPro which is different.

 

Hats off to you BigBee... I hope I'm still tinkering with my CNC machine in my 80's. Did you ever find the answer to your question? Not that I understood it but just curious.

 

Hello Turk. Just thought to let you know I posted a tutorial on my website to hopefully help newbies answer some of the same questions that I had when I first got into CNC and to hopefully to help avoid having to spend a week on the net trying to figure out how to use their new CNC machine (although that just may be part of the learning process). In any case, if interested you can check out Running your first gcode after assembling your WorkBee CNC machine.