Are there any instructions on how to configure UCCNC?

[BillR94]

I recently installed a UC100 and a G540 drive on my CNC. I am using UCCNC but I am having trouble figuring out how to configure UCCNC. Specifically, how and where within UCCNC do I configure my end stops. How do I use the calibration for the axis's?

I have read the user manual but it basically tells you WHAT end stops, softstops etc are but it does not tell you HOW to configure them.
Any help on how to specifically do this would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.
Bill

[charliem]

Hello Bill,

By end stops I guess you are talking about limit switches or soft limits? I also use a G540 and a UC100 and I will help any way I can.

Regards
Charlie

[BillR94]

Thank you Charlie.

It took me most of the afternoon to piece together calibration but I think I got that figured out. I also got my limit switches set up but I have no idea how to set the limit switches up so I can "home" the machine.

Also, I'd like to learn how to configure the machine so it moves the X,Y and Z out of the way when an operation is finished and NOT put it at the front left position where it would be completely in the way of removing the finished product.

So Charlie, How do I do that?

Thank you for your offer of help.
Bill

[Robertspark]

but I have no idea how to set the limit switches up so I can "home" the machine.

Set them up on the Settings >> Axis Setup >>> axis of your choosings >>> and set the pin and port to be the same for the limit as the home..... also set any offsets etc.

Need to read... + re-read + read again the manual....

Also, I'd like to learn how to configure the machine so it moves the X,Y and Z out of the way when an operation is finished and NOT put it at the front left position where it would be completely in the way of removing the finished product.

Normally you put that in the programme end function of your gcode post processor, before "M30", and after "M5"

You can also edit the two macros which are related to "Go To Park1" and "Go to Park2", which are M200.txt and M201.txt within your profiles folder.

You can then call in the programme end / finish statement of your post processor {I don't know what CAM software you are using}
say:
"M5
M200
M30"

and it will stop the spindle, retract the spindle to Z postition, mover to X&Y position, and rewind the programme.

Depending upon your post processor it may retract the spindle some height before the M5 as this would be desirable to the spindle slowing down in the hole / pocket before the retract.

The point is..... you need to have a read of the manual.... this is not Mach3..... its 10 years on from Mach3 and those manuals were never developed every time there was a release / update.... these manuals are kept up to date within the documentation folder.... it is ALWAYS a good idea to spend an evening just skimming through them to see if anything has changed.

[BillR94]

Thank you Robert.
I HAVE read the manual. Several times. It tells you WHAT the buttons/settings are but there is NO explanation on HOW to set things up. Your brief explanation went further on how to set limit switches up than the manual does.

For example, I needed to calibrate the machine and in the manual, it basically says ( here is the calaibrate button, it is used to calibrate the given axis ) ok, I paraphrased it! By accident, I found this video on you tube ( https://youtu.be/rqzlMJevGb0 ) as to how to calibrate the machine. It talks about Mach 3 as well as UCCNC and his machine is slightly different than mine but the explanation is clear on HOW to do it.

For those familiar with UCCNC and those with a lot of experience with CNC machines (such as yourself it seems) this is probably no brainer stuff. For those who have never used MAch 3 or UCCNC or are new to CNC, it is not so clear. One might not know what an offset is or why you need to use it, or how to set it up.

Once you know, then you say Duh, that was easy. No big deal!

Thank you Robert for all your help. Now I understand it a little better.

Bill

[Robertspark]

I've never used a calibrate button..... didn't know there was one.

I know what my axis pitch is and belt ratios are and work back from there.

If you are new to cnc then you probably want to start reading this Mach3 manual as some of the data is universal, such as offsets, homing, gcode etc etc....
No such manual exists for UCCNC
https://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/ ... l_1.84.pdf

I've read a lot over the time I've been using cnc, I can't remember what guides were the best, but the above one is fairly universal and comprehensive with the basics and a bit more in some areas in its content and to get you understanding the nomenclature of the cnc machine and gcode..... yes some of the codes will be different but the principles are adaptable with whatever you use be it UCCNC, Mach3, Mach4, LinuxCNC, PlanetCNC, EdingCNC, Centroid, GRBL, etc etc....

[BillR94]

Ok... I got my limit switches set up and my home positions set up. I have every axes calibrated.
What I would like to do now is setup (hopefully in UCCNC) when a job is done to Home Z, then Home X, then move Y to the back of the machine. You mentioned that this is best done in the post processor but depending on what I am doing, I may use different post processors or Cam software. I use Cambam, and PhotoVCarve as some examples. Is there a way to setup that end process code in UCCNC or do I have to do that is every post processor separately?

Also, I believe I would use G0 Z0 X0 to home those two after the job is done, but how would I configure the G-code to move the Y axes to the back of the machine? I mean, I have no idea (depending on the job) where the Y axis will be so how do you tell it " no matter where you are at the end of the job, move back until you touch the limit switch, then back off 2mm" ?

Thank you again for all your guidance. I'm slowly getting there.

Bill

[Robertspark]

are you sure you want to go the Z0, X0???

z0 is normally the top of the table or top of the work

I mentioned editing the position 1 and 2 macros m200 and m201. this will enable the two buttons on the desktop to go where you want to.

with regards to the end of the programme, how will uccnc know it is the end of the programme and you want the machine to go back to the out of the way position?

does cambam and vcarve put any codes at the end of their gcode?

you can move your machine in machine coordinates using g53 which is better than moving the machine to a limit switch and backing off 2mm..... I mean the what you are asking the machine to do is re-home it's self back to the limit switch which may move your machine coordinates if your home switches are not consistent

where to you home the machine now? top of the z axis? left for X axis and front for y axis? what is your machine travel in each opposite direction to the machine table, and limit switches on the right and back?

[GaryLa]

I'm slowly getting there.

I think you're going to find that UCCNC has a lot of features and flexibility that you never imagined were possible. It takes a minute to get your head around it because it approaches the industry differently than all others I've used.

Lots of configurability - LOTS.

The macro functionality allows for awesome tweaking. So many things can be done with them. (I haven't gotten into making a DLL yet.)

The only thing I wish they did was add a way to handle G20 and G21. The steps-per-unit field could have a complementary field. One field is for G20 and the other field is for G21. Or steps-per-unit could just default to an "as-is" interpretation as G20, and a divide by 25.4 when G21 was encountered.

But after several months of using it daily, I recommend this to everyone. It is the only product that trusts the end user with real programming and real interaction with the core. This provides for endless customization.

I use it for plasma cutting, MIG welding, wood routing, and machining metals. (Multiple copies, multiple machines)

[ger21]

The only thing I wish they did was add a way to handle G20 and G21. The steps-per-unit field could have a complementary field. One field is for G20 and the other field is for G21. Or steps-per-unit could just default to an "as-is" interpretation as G20, and a divide by 25.4 when G21 was encountered.

It's far more complicated than that, as it affects almost everything.