One of the first things that will need to be determined is which machine we are working with and whether it comes with an LCD pendant.
MACHINE IDENTIFICATION / REGISTRATION:
If the machine is an HD3 or older, the Control Panel software used to control the machine and run files is Shark Control Panel v.2.1.
A visual queue to help identify if your control box uses the Shark Control panel v.2.1 or the LCD pendant or Ready2Control control panel software, is to look to see where the red E-stop button on the front of the control box is located ( in the center or off to one side as in the examples below ).
Legacy control box - uses Shark Control panel v.2.1.
HD control box - uses the LCD pendant or Ready2Control control panel software.
If you have the HD control box and are looking to load the Ready2Control panel software onto your computer to run your control box and your files, you will need to create a Next Wave portal account and register the machine.
When registering the machine, the Next Wave portal will ask you which machine you are registering (use the drop-down menu on that screen to choose the correct machine model), whether or not the control box comes with an LCD pendant, and the serial number of the control box and the serial number for the pendant (if the control box comes with an LCD pendant).
To locate the serial numbers that you will need for this step, you will look on the pendant screen:
IMPORTANT NOTE:
**Legacy control boxes (HD3 and older) will not use any of the software in the Next Wave portal. It is not necessary to register these machines/control boxes in the Next Wave portal. The information provided below is for identification purposes only.
If you are using a Legacy control box (that uses Shark Control panel v.2.1), you will find the controller I.D. information by opening Shark Control panel v.2.1 and clicking Help > About (referenced by red arrows in Fig. 1 below).
Fig.1
Then a control panel window should appear displaying the controller ID number.
MODEL NUMBERS:
Different machines respond favorably to different model numbers. it is important to make sure that the correct model number is set for the particular machine that you are using. Included below is a link to a step-by-step guide to verify the model number of your machine.
CREATING / RUNNING A TAP FILE:
This is a brief tutorial on creating a basic project. This tutorial is meant to introduce the user to the following concepts:
Setting up a Project
Creating Vectors
Applying Toolpaths to Vectors
Converting a project to a .tap file.
Creating a CNC Project
1) Open V-Carve Click “Create a new file” to start a brand new file.
2) Enter the Job Setup parameters.
The job size may be smaller than the actual material size.
Note - It is important to ensure the program knows the Z zero position will be the surface of the material (Fig 2.1)
The XY Datum position (Fig. 2.2) determines where the X & Y zero position will be.
Many users find it easiest to start from the center (X/Y) of the material.
The job setup screen also has other variables such as measuring unit selection and aesthetic 3D preview options.
Press “OK” once these variables are set.
(Fig 2)
3) The Drawing tab will now display. This section is used to create and manipulate lines, shapes, and other vectors.
Note –
When facing the front of the CNC :
- The Y-axis motor will be pointed toward you from under the bed of the machine for HD models.
- SD models have the Y-axis motor located on the back of the machine bed.
X-axis refers to left and right
Y-axis refers to forward and back
Z-axis refers to up and down
Press the Create Circle icon under Create Vectors (Fig 3). Create Circle will be the first icon under the Create Vectors category.
(Fig 3)
4) This will display the Drawing Tab. (Fig 4) The Center Point fields determine where the circle we create will be
placed. If the XY datum is set to above the center of the material, selecting X:0 and Y:0 will place the center of the
circle in the center of the material. Enter a diameter for the circle and press Create.
A black circle vector will be placed on the center of the artboard. Press Close.
Next, select the Polygon Icon and set it to center also and set the radius larger than the circle. (Fig 4.1) Press Create then Close to exit the Drawing tab.
(Fig 4)
(Fig 4.1)
5) In the upper right corner of the screen is the Toolpaths tab (Fig. 5.1) Click this and it will display the Toolpaths operations section (Fig 5.2).
The small pin in the upper right corner will determine if this section displays or auto hides.
Note - Each icon is for a different type of cut or process. Hover the mouse cursor over each icon to display the descriptions.
Videos on each are available at http://support.vectric.com/training-material
Vectric also has sample projects and a monthly newsletter available through the website.
Select the first icon in the array. This is the Profile Cut toolpath.
(Fig 5)
6) This will display a screen to control the variables of this toolpath (Fig 6). We can alter the Cutting Depth, bit
placement in relation to the vector, add tabs for thru-cuts, and control other helpful techniques.
Note - The Tool section is where you select the type and size of the bit and set all the bit cut parameters.
(Fig 6)
7) When the variables are set, scroll down and click “Calculate”(Fig 6.1)
Note – There are several tools available. Always select a tool of the appropriate size for the cut you wish to make. Adjust speeds for the type of medium being cut and Stepover percentage.
(Fig 6.2)
8) After Calculate is selected, by default, the system will display a 3D preview of the toolpath.(Fig 7). You may preview the router movement as it cuts the design.
9) After previewing the cut, click Close.
10) In the Toolpath Operations section, select the icon for Save Toolpath (Figure 8.)
Note - After vectors have been created and toolpath operations have been applied, it is time to save the file in a format the CNC machine will be able to interpret, a .tap file You can save as a .crv file of your drawing and toolpath at any point 1-9.
(Fig 7)
(Fig.8)
11) Ensure the desired toolpaths name is displayed in the “Toolpaths to be saved” section.
(NOTE: If you are using multiple bits to create a design, each bit will be saved separately. Toolpaths using the same bit may be saved together)(Figure 2.1)
12) Select the applicable Post Processor for your machine.
EXAMPLE: CNCShark-USB Arcs (Inch)(*.tap) or Next_Wave_CNC(inch)(*.tap) (Figure 2.2)
A complete list of post-processors can be found here.
IMPORTANT NOTE : – Selecting the wrong post-processer will cause failure and erratic results in your actual cut. (Fig. 2.1 & Fig. 2.2)
13) Click Save Toolpath(s) to save the file to your USB thumb drive or in a location you will be able to find later. (Figure 3) Once the location is selected click Save. to create the .tap file
(Fig. 3)
14) Open the Next Wave Automation control panel program on the PC or pendant. Manually jog the router to the
center position using the X and Y-axis. Jog the bit down with the Z-axis until it just touches the wood. Press Set 0,0,0 on the LCD pendant.
15) Load the *.tap file created by clicking Load G Code or Load File.
16) Make sure the router is turned on and run the file.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT POST-PROCESSOR FOR YOUR FILE:
Selecting and pairing the incorrect post-processor to your file will result in your file not responding as intended. Below you will find a couple of links to some step-by-step procedures to make sure that the correct post-processor is being selected.
https://nextwaveautomation.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046235651-Next-Wave-CNC-Post-processors
VCARVE INTRODUCTION:
Below you will find a couple of links to direct you to some additional information on registering / using VCarve.
https://nextwaveautomation.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045429851-Vcarve-Registration
TEST FILE:
Below you will find a link to a test file to run to test the mechanics of the machine.
https://nextwaveautomation.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/6039287367835-Test-File
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