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--- checklist:shapeokoinitnotes [2025/09/09 01:06] – 8c244b37-0747-c193-0a4e-0967254778dd
+++ checklist:shapeokoinitnotes [2025/09/16 19:59] (current) – 8c244b37-0747-c193-0a4e-0967254778dd
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Notes for Initializing the Shapeoko when first starting for the day
-====== **A WORK IN PROGRESS** ======
+====== **VERY MUCH A WORK IN PROGRESS USE FOR REFERENCE ONLY** ======
+## Initializing The Shapeoko Within Carbide Motion ##
   - 1. start Carbine Motion
   - 2. turn on Shapeoko
-  - Within Carbide Motion, click on “Connect to Cutter”
+  - 3. Within Carbide Motion, click on “Connect to Cutter”
+  - 4. Optional - To load your prepared G-Code file at this point go to this link  [[#VCarve Pro - Generate G-Code|Generate/Load G-Code]] and then return here to complete the Initialization.
-  - 4. Optional - load file at this point
   - 5. Within Carbide Motion, click on "Initialize Machine"
   - 6. Machine should go to the home position at rear/right
   - 7. Machine should move to bit change position and allow for tool change.
-  -   - 1. There are two sets of collects for different sized bit stems, 1/8” amd 1/4”. The unused one should be found in a small round container. Please make sure the unused collet is returned to the proper small round container.
+    - 1. There are two sets of collects for different sized bit stems, 1/8” amd 1/4”. The unused one should be found in a small round container. Please make sure the unused collet is returned to the proper small round container.
-  -   - 2. There are two wrenches in the drawer, a 13mm and a 17mm. The 13mm attaches to notches in the spindle, the 17mm to the collet nut.
+    - 2. There are two wrenches in the drawer, a 13mm and a 17mm. The 13mm attaches to notches in the spindle, the 17mm to the collet nut.
-  -   - 3. If you need to change collet sizes you will need to press out the original and snap in/seat the new.
+    - 3. If you need to change collet sizes you will need to press out the original and snap in/seat the new.
-  -   - 4. Ordered List Item
   - 8. Next Set project X,Y and Z positions using the Carbide3d Bit Zero tool
-  -   - 1. Remove the magnetically connected dust collection brush from around the bit
+    - 1. Remove the magnetically connected dust collection brush from around the bit
-  -   - 2. Place the BitZero tool snug over left front corner of your work piece
+    - 2. Place the BitZero tool snug over left front corner of your work piece. The tools overhanging parts should be snug
-  -   - 3. Test the tool by placing the magnetic tail on the main tool. The led should turn red.
+    - up the the left/front corner of your work piece.
-  -   - 4. Insert Shapeoko Dowel Prob tool into the routers bit collet , this will give a more accurate zero location rather than using a true End mill. It will account for non perfectly round fluted bits
+    - 3. Test the tool by momentarily placing the magnetic ground clip on the BitZero tool. The led should turn red.
-  - 9. Hit resume in Carbide Motion, machine should auto jog to the bit setter/measuring tool probe   and test the current bit length
+  - 9. At this point there are three ways to go when setting the X/Y and Z zero for your project:
-  - 10. Manually jog machine to middle of the hole in the BitZero tool
-  -   - 1.   - At Carbide Motion, select “Jog” tab
+   - Option A Set X/Y/Z all at the same time
-  -   - 2. Be careful of jog increment setting, start larger at first, then reset to smaller when the bit gets closer to  BitZero tool to avoid crashing the bit into the tool.
+     - Your chosen mill bit will fit into the BitZero's zeroing hole **and** it has enough fluts that you are ok with the
-  -   - 3.  Jog with the software or Keyboard arrow keys until bit is just inside the Bit Zero tool probe's  hole, it does not need to touch the tool's bottom
+ possible erroneous offset introduced if one of the flutes is not touching the BitZero tool when the X/Y/Z zeroing is being set
-  -   - 4. Attach the BitZero tool probe magnet tail to the collet
+   - Option B Set X/Y separate from setting Z
-  - 11. Hit "Probe" button within Carbide Motion
+     - Your chosen mill bit will not physically fit into the BitZero tool zeroing hole and you must use the smooth Dowel Probe bit
-  - 12. Select proper probe type
+     - or you choose to use the non-fluted Dowel Probe for the most accurate zeroing
-  - 13. Select “Corner” for probe cycle
+     - or you are intending to cut all the way though your project piece.
-  - 14. At the next dialog click "Begin Probe" to start the probing
-  - 15. The machine will move the probe around within the BitZero  tool and set the X and Y zero positions, it will then probe the top of the tool to set the Z position.
+### - Option A - Set X/Y/Z all in one operation###
-  - 16. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic tail
-  - 17. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
+ - 1. Install your chosen bit
-  - 18.  If you are not cutting all the way though your project board, rather are just cutting profiles or pockets the concludes the bit zero process, you can proceed to step 18.  If you are planning to cut all the way though your project you must reset the Z zero setting by continuing with the next item.
+ - 3. Hit resume in Carbide Motion, machine should auto jog to the bit setter/measuring tool probe   and test the current bit length
-  - 19. If cutting all the way though your project piece
+ - 4. Manually jog machine to middle of the hole in the BitZero tool
-  -   - 1. Reset “Z” zero if cutting all the way through your project piece
+    - 1. At Carbide Motion, select “Jog” tab
-  -   - 2. Now you need to insert the actual "End Mill" to be used
+    - 2. Be careful of jog increment setting, start larger at first, then reset to smaller when the bit gets closer to  BitZero tool to avoid crashing the bit into the tool.
-  -   - 3. Click on the Run tab at the top of Motion
+    - 3. Jog with the software or Keyboard arrow keys until bit is just inside the Bit Zero tool probe's  hole, it does not need to touch the tool's bottom
-  -   - 4. Select "Load New Tool"
+    - 4. Attach the BitZero tool probe magnet ground clip to the collet
-  -   - 5. Machine should jog to the bit change position to allow insertion of the proper End Mill
+  - 5. Hit "Probe" button within Carbide Motion
-  -   - 6. Insert the end mill tool and click "Resume"
+  - 6. Select proper probe type, if prompted
-  -   - 7. Machine will measure new bit
+  - 7. Select “Corner” for probe cycle
-  -   - 8. Select Jog to move back over BitZero  tool, again be mindful of the jog speed
+  - 8. At the next dialog click "Begin Probe" to start the probing
-  -   - 9. When close to the BitZero tool reconnect the magnet tail
+  - 9. The machine will move the probe around within the BitZero  tool and set the X and Y zero positions, it will then probe the top of the tool to set the Z position.
-  -   - 10. Place the Bit Zero tool directly on the spoil board, not on a corner. The tool will rock due to the missing top and right side overhangs on the tool ( Remember to add a temporary secondary spoil board to prevent cutting into the primary)
+  - 10. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic ground clip
-  -   - 11. jog the machine to a point just above the Bi Zero tool, “outside” of the round hole.  The BitZero tool will rock on one corner when not placed on the corner of a project piece, you do not want the zero determined over an area that will rock.
+  - 11. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
-  -   - 12. In Motion, Click Probe
+  - 12.  If you are not cutting all the way though your project board, rather are just cutting profiles or pockets then this concludes the bit zero process, you can proceed to [[#Completed Zeroing X Y Z|Completed Zeroing X Y Z]].  If you are planning to cut all the way though your project you must reset the Z zero setting by continuing with the next item.
-  -   - 13. Select proper probe
-  -   - 14. This time do not select corner, Select the “Z, number 2”,
-  -   - 15. Select "Begin Probe"
+### Option - B Set X/Y separate from Z###
-  -   - 16. The machine should probe the BitZero tool and determine the Z zero position. It will not attempt to retest the X and Y zero.
+If you are cutting all the way through your project board please remember to add a temporary secondary spoil board to prevent cutting into the primary spoil board.
-  -   - 17. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic tail
-  -   - 18. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
+ - 1. Insert the Shapeoko Dowel Prob tool into the routers bit collet , this will give a more accurate zero location rather than using a fluted mill bit.
-  -   - 19. When complete remove zero tool probe  probe from work surface
+ - 2. Hit resume in Carbide Motion, machine should auto jog to the bit setter/measuring tool probe and test the current bit length
-  -   - 20. This concludes the bit zero process
+ - 3. Manually jog machine to middle of the hole in the BitZero tool
-  -   - 22. Make sure all tools and miscl items have been remove from the work surface
+    - 1. At Carbide Motion, select “Jog” tab
+    - 2. Be careful of jog increment setting, start larger at first, then reset to smaller when the bit gets closer to  BitZero tool to avoid crashing the bit into the tool.
+    - 3. Jog with the software or Keyboard arrow keys until bit is just inside the Bit Zero tool probe's  hole, it does not need to touch the tool's bottom
+ - 4. Attach the BitZero tool probe magnet ground clip to the collet
+ - 5. Hit "Probe" button within Carbide Motion
+ - 6. Select proper probe type, if prompted
+ - 7. Select “Corner” for probe cycle
+ - 8. At the next dialog click "Begin Probe" to start the probing
+ - 9. The machine will move the probe around within the BitZero  tool and set the X and Y zero positions, it will then probe the top of the tool to set the Z position **but we will reset the Z after inserting the final bit**
+ - 10. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic ground clip
+ - 11. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
+ - 12. Now we need to reset the “Z” zero position
+ - 13. Click on the Run tab at the top of Carbide Motion
+ - 14. Select "Load New Tool"
+ - 15. Machine should jog to the bit change position to allow insertion of the proper end mill
+ - 16. Insert the desired end mill tool and then click "Resume"
+ - 17. Machine will measure the newly installed bit
+ - 18. Select Jog to move back over the BitZero  tool, again be mindful of the jog speed
+ - 19. When close to the BitZero tool reconnect the magnet ground clip
+ - 20. Place the Bit Zero tool directly on the spoil board, not on a corner. The tool will rock due to the missing top and right side overhangs on the tool
+ - 21. jog the machine to a point just above the Bit Zero tool, “outside” of the round hole.  The BitZero tool will rock on one corner when not placed on the corner of a project piece, position the mill bit over an area that does not rock, near the lower left side of the BitZero tool.
+ - 22. In Carbide Motion, Click Probe
+ - 23. Select proper probe, if prompted
+ - 24. This time do not select corner, Select the “Z, number 2”,
+ - 25. Select "Begin Probe"
+ - 26. The machine should probe the BitZero tool and determine the Z zero position. It will not attempt to reset the X and Y zero.
+ - 27. When prompted remove the BitZero magnetic ground clip
+ - 28. When you click continue the machine should automatically measure the bit.
+ - 29. When complete remove the BitZero probe tool from the work surface
+ - 30. This concludes the X/Y/Z zeroing process
+### Completed Zeroing X Y Z ###
+  - Make sure all tools and miscl items have been remove from the work surface
+### Generate G-Code/Load project to Carbide Motion ###
+Your home Makerspace version of VCarve Pro has the G-Code generation disabled. In order to execute your project you
+must have a G-Code version. This is done by loading your project into one of the machines at TheLab that has the full
+version of VCarve Pro installed. Typically the machine next to the Shapeoko.
+#### VCarve Pro - Generate G-Code ####
+  - At the computer start up the VCarve Pro software, when starting you will be prompted to login to your VCarve cloud account for license verification.
+  - When logged into VCarve, load your project
+  - Select the "ToolPath" tab on the far right
+  - Select your desired ToolPath icon and calculate your tool path
+  - Select/Verify your bit choice within the ToolPath dialog
+  - Select/Verify the cutting depth
+  - Hit the "Calculate" button
+  - Select "Preview ToolPath to ensure all is well and **that you are not cutting all the way through your project piece and into the "primary" spoil board.**
+  - If all is well close the "Preview ToolPaths" dialog
+  - You should see a "diskette" icon at the bottom right hand side of the ToolPaths icons. This is the "Save ToolPath" button
+  - Click the "Save ToolPath" button
+  - Select one the the ToolPaths listed at the far bottom, Click "Save ToolPath(s)".
+  - Select a place to save the ToolPath G-Code where Carbide Motion can get to it.
+  - NOTE: Only a full licensed version of VCarve is able to generate/save the required G-Code. The Makerspace home edition will not.
+  - Exit VCarve
+#### Carbide Motion - Run Your Job ####
+  - Make sure you have successfully run through [[#Initializing The Shapeoko Within Carbide Motion |Initializing The Shapeoko Within Carbide Motion section above]]
+  - When Initialization is complete, load your projects G-Code file that was saved from VCarve Pro
-### Generate G-Code/Load project to Carbide Motion
+**The following  running a job needs expansion/verification**
-.  The following loading and running a job need expansion
+  - Load your project's generated G-Code file
-. Select the Carbide Motion "RUN" tab
+  - Select the Carbide Motion "RUN" tab
-. Click "Start Job"
+  - Click "Start Job"
-. then Click "Start"
+  - then Click "Start"
-. Machine should remeasure bit
+  - Machine should remeasure bit
-. May prompt for spindle start
+  - Machine should start spindle, dust collection vacuum should start, and job should run
-. Machine should start spindle and start the job