Hey guys I have I am very close to completing my Seig X2 CNC conversion using the Hossmachine plans and I can't seem to find much information on how to zero the axes or to manually rotate or flip a part to machine the sides or under side. I will be using either MasterCAM, Mach3, or both to convert parts designed in Inventor to g-code and to control the machine. When manually machining I use a wiggler to find X=0 and Y=0 and a feeler gauge to find Z=0 but what is the best way to do this when I am using the machine as a CNC? Am I able to use the same tools/gauges? Are there other tools/gauges available to make the process considerably easier? Do you jog the axes manually or electronically?
Also, correct me if I am wrong but the plans available on the Hossmachine website, under the "CNC Conversion" tab will leave you with a 2.5 axis CNC mill as it can only cut from the top down and not from the side (no undercuts). If such is the case, and I wanted to machine a 3D part how would I go about it? Lets say I wanted to make a 3"x3"x3" cube with 3 center holes, one parallel to the x-axis, one parallel to the y-axis, and one parallel to z-axis. Perhaps a better example would be a 3"x3"x3" cube with fillets on every edge that 2 perpendicular planes meet. I assume the process is the same as zeroing the axes on the plane you wish to machine but is there anything else involved? Does the software allow me to do this with a single design or will I have to have a design for each time I rotate of flip the part?
Any information would be appreciated but I have not experimented with the software much as the electronics for my machine are not yet complete so if the software is completely self explanatory for this process or if information is available elsewhere please let me know and I apologize for asking a stupid question.