Training/learning resources for new UCCNC user?

[mschoonmaker]

My CNC experience was originally a BobsCNC machine, Vectric VCarve design, and Universal GCode sender. I was reasonably successful with that. Now I've stepped up to a Romaxx CNC, fitted it with a AXBB-E controller and UCCNC software.

Where to start with the UCCNC? Where can I learn about all the offsets, and best procedures to follow? Is there any training resource available?

[Robertspark]

UCCNC manual within the documentation folder (c:\uccnc\documentation) ?

[mschoonmaker]

Suitable as reference material only - not what I would consider instructional...

[Robertspark]

Then I suspect the answer is no, no such reference training material exists which will meet your needs or expectations.... Given users needs can be varied as the machines that uccnc could be used with very different and it is unlikely to be able to cover what you may require in depth to your expectations.

I would suggest fully reading .... Rereading and attempting to understand everything within that document you see as "reference material" given it is imho comprehensive at covering uccncs inner workings plus setup and screenset functions.... Plus it is updated constantly to match the current software release with which it is installed with.

Offsets are not complex in my opinion.... And are universal.... Ymmv... You set the machine up (home the axis) in machine coordinates.. G53... The machine works in work coordinates G54-G59, and offsets can be applied in any one of the work coordinates offset modes... Plus you can apply a temporary offset via G92 or cancel it via G92.1.
Movement can be done in absolute G90 or incremental G91 modes.

One of the key elements for you to understand and setup imho will be those motion tolerance parameters around "linear addition" and "corners error max" which must be set correctly relative to your hardware but can be changed on the fly relative to whether you are doing roughing cuts or finishing cuts using G64 D... E... H... L... P... Q... .... But before changing the parameters understand the difference between the under / overcut of the roughing cut that these parameters may have and the thickness of the finishing cut that may be required for the finishing or penultimate roughing cut

[mschoonmaker]

Thanks Rob, that's helpful!

I've also just found some YouTube videos on cnc coordinate systems that may also be helpful.

[Battwell]

thanks rob- i didnt realise g64 could be changed by gcode. thats handy!
im a typical man that already knows everything and doesnt read the manual.

[ger21]

Since UCCNC is very similar to Mach3, you might want to watch the Mach3 tutorial videos at machsupport.com. There's a good one on home, limits and offsets.

[mschoonmaker]

All excellent suggestions, thank you.

Since my machine does not currently have any limit switches, is there a means by which to set the machine coordinates to the work offset coordinates after I have manually moved all axes to their zero position? Seems that the probing operations want to use machine coordinates (at least for the Z axis...)

[dezsoe]

If you have no home input pins set then the homing will be done without any movement. Don't forget to set Write offset on homing and to check Auto set. However, using home switches is a much better practice.

[mschoonmaker]

I do however have a Z-probe; is it possible to use the Z-probe "manually"? Your reply refers to no movement so that causes me to question whether I can use my Z-probe...