brand new guy with cnc 6040

[slbb72]

I am just starting. Set up the cnc IAW instructions loaded mach 3 and cut 2d. On cut 2d I made a simple T with a pocket around same and loaded to a .tap g code file. when I load it in the mach 3 program, starting with the bit at point Z=0: instead of cutting a .5mm pocket around the T, my machine plunges the bit down into the material until I stop it. I zero all the axis and regen the tool path before starting. Any help is appreciated.........sloan

[kstrauss]

In Cut2D material setup did you make the top or the bottom of your stock the reference surface? In Mach3 setup did you zero your tool on the top or the bottom of your stock? What post did you select?

Upload your .crv file here and we can probably diagnose the problem.

[Adrian]

Have you cut samples directly from Mach3?

Personally I think it's always best to remove as many steps as possible when setting up a new machine. At the moment you've got potential Cut2D setup errors, toolpath errors, post processor errors, Mach3 configuration errors and multiple other human error steps.

Cutting directly from Mach3 means you've eliminated a huge number of possible errors and can then add on steps from there if that all works.

[slbb72]

thanks guys .........just trying to learn and make the machine work.

[slbb72]

Here is the file......I think.

[kstrauss]

The file that you posted appears to cut 0.5mm deep from the top surface of your stock. What post are you using? Have you setup z-axis=0 to be the point at which your cutter is at the top of the stock?

[martin54]

I would have to agree with Adrian, have you checked that mach3 is set up correctly & checked the calibration on each axis?

As others have already asked what Post processor are you using when saving your gcode file ?

There are a number of different post processors for mach2/3, which one you use will depend on how you have the machine set up in mach3