I bought a CNC, built it, started it, homed it.
Physically I think I have everything good.
The problem is I am completely lost with what comes next.
My spindle is in back order but I got the 14W Jtech laser with it and set up.
I wanted to start by practicing with that but I have no idea what I am doing it would appear.
I am proficient with AutoCad so I created a DXF file, I dont know how to import that so I don’t think thats the right avenue.
Then I downloaded LightBurn and imported a picture, traced it with the software, then I saved a G-Code off it onto a USB.
Plugged that into the OneFinity Controller but now I am stuck. Can’t seem to open up the Gcode properly, screen goes all unresponsive, etc.
At my wits end, can someone please direct me to where to begin from scratch or tell me what I am doing wrong?
Going straight to laser might be too large a step to understand the workflow. Perhaps you should start with getting a sharpie marker to draw some simple shapes, like a triangle on a piece of paper loaded on the machine. Sound almost silly, but you’ll learn a lot when it comes to posting a program, and loading it on the controller.
Just tape a sharpie to the z-carriage. Understand how to set X,Y, and Z zero.
Understanding AutoCAD and producing DXF files is a good start.
Did your machine come with any CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software? I think it comes with with Carveco? You should work towards importing a DXF into Carveco, and outputting a G-code file that makes the sharpie marker draw something simple. I don’t use Carveco, I use Fusion as my CAM software.
Your problem with Lightburn might lie in not setting up the correct “post processor”. That seems to me like the most likely reason nothing happens when you load the file. Both Carveco, and Lightburn will need you to select an appropriate post processor in order for the CNC controller to understand the G-code.
The machine came with Carveco for 1 year for free. I think it’s Carveco Maker. Can I use that to create G Code?
What is a Post Processor and what’s it used for? I don’t think I have that.
I’ll recommend this video (and others by IDC Woodcraft as well). Carveco Maker will allow you to select your 1F machine (controller and measurement specific) when saving toolpaths so your GCode is correctly formatted.
The post processor is a piece of software that needs to be set implemented in with your CAM software. Once its set up, there is generally no need to ever think about it.
When you use Carveco, Lightburn, or any other CAM software to make a CNC program (G-code program), the CAM software will use the post processor to translate the toolpaths and machine movements in Carveco, and output, or “post” the g-code.
You can think of it like a translator program that turns your toolpaths into a language you machine understands.
The Onefinity machines are relatively simple CNC machines, so the post processors used are normally just a generic post. I’m sure a forum search here would give you good insight as which post you should use with Carevco, and Lightburn. For me using Fusion, I selected a generic 3 axis mill as the post processor to use when posting programs for my Onefinity machine.
