[wildrat]

Looking for help on build
Hi all I have a issue with an CNC controller I am trying to use
https://www.nvcnc.net/smc4-4-16a16b.html
Got via eBay and is driving a router table from same source.
6040 Desktop CNC Router Engraver Milling Machine 3-Axis
Issue I have is I can drive via the manual buttons but will not run though a DXF file
Have had the DRO scrolling but no drive to the motors
I am assuming I have to set some thing up first but not clear in the book
Also has anyone using this controller that has a DXF that works in it so can test what is the issue?
Thanks for any help John

[vger]

Hello, I noticed there have been no replies to your post, so here goes....

You mentioned that it “will not run through a dxf file”

This is understandable as a dxf file is a “drawing” file and not an “NC” (numerical control) file.

In your case the NC file will consist of lines of “g code” which instruct your controller to run the machine.

If you look on page 4 of your manual, you will see the start of the list of g codes.

Here is the start of an example program:

G90
G20
G49
M3 S15000
G0 X0.001 Y0.001 Z0.050
G1 Z0.000 F13
G1 X0.007 F50
X4.999
Y0.007
Y0.026
X4.993

The first few lines set some parameters and are machine specific, there are many different flavors of g code just as there are many different machines. For example, your machine has 3 axis, is would not understand a command to rotate the A axis which does not exist.

then there is one “M3 S15000” which turns the spindle on at 15,000 rpm
Followed by “G0 X0.001 Y0.001 Z0.050” which tells the machine to move all 3 axis to a specific location.

There are specific software programs to convert drawings, like dxf, to g code. They are called CAM software
Some are very simple and cheap or free, others are more complex and not so cheap.
I use V-carve pro from Vectric.
After I have created or imported my drawing, I then tell V-carve to generate the tool path. Then I tell it to save the tool path at which point I have to select the specific machine I am saving it for so V-carve can generate the specific g code file for that specific machine.

Do some searching for CAM software tutorials and you will get the idea.

Steve