Conversational programming:

3 axis (e.g., for milling)

Preparation
1. Set 2/3-axis mode
2. Set retract position
3. Set tool table
4. Set origin
Programming
5. Add events
6. LOOK feature
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Save program
10.Make some chips!

Once per
job

For each
program

[hopefully
]
Once per
job

Conversational programming:
2 axis (e.g., for drilling)
Preparation
1. Set 2/3-axis mode
2. Set retract position
3. Set tool table
4. Set origin
Programming
5. Add events
6. LOOK feature
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make some chips!

Once per
job

For each
program

[hopefully
]
Once per
job

Preparation: 2 axis mode

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK

SYS -> GO TO 2 AXIS

Pro tip: drilling in 3-axis mode is possible, but
with the current MakerWorks tools, it is usually
inconvenient.

Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Preparation: tool table

THIS IS OPTIONAL:
In 2 axis mode, you control the Z axis manually,
so the tool table is not used by the program. You
may type in your tool diameters if you want a
reminder.

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Pro tip:
Dont bother with this in 2-axis

Preparation: origin
Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Programming: new program

1. To erase current program: MODE -> EDIT ->
ERASE PROG
2. To start a new program: MODE -> PROG
3. Type in your favorite name
4. Press GO TO BEGIN

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK

Pro tip:
When Program Name highlighted,
press HELP to pull up alpha keys

Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Programming: drill events

Pick your favorite flavor

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Programming: LOOK
You can (and should!) check to see
whether your program looks correct.
Press LOOK, and a drawing will show
up with your holes [hopefully] in the
desired locations.

Alternative:
Go to SET-UP -> TOOL PATH
This will show the locations of
holes and the path the program
will take between them.

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Programming: save program

Trial run: MODE -> PROG IN/OUT ->
SAVE

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Running: safety checks

SAFETY CHECKS FOR 2 AXIS MODE
1. Are the X & Y handles folded up?
2. Is your hand next to STOP?

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Running: trial run

Trial run: MODE -> RUN -> TRIAL RUN
This will move the X and Y axes at the
rapid feedrate (default 150 IPM!). You
should turn the feed rate down to
<60 IPM so you can see what is
happening.
FOLD THE HANDLES UP BEFORE
RUNNING. Keep your hand near STOP
while running.
While you are running, pay attention
to the X and Y axes. Are the locations
correct? Will you hit the fixturing?

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Running: make chips

Trial run: MODE -> RUN -> RUN
In 2 axis mode, the machine will
move at rapid feedrate to your first
location. It will then stop and politely
tell you to SET Z.
You can drill your hole, turn the
spindle off and tap a hole, etc.
When ready (and your drill bit is clear
of any obstacles!), hit GO to move to
the next location.

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Preparation: 3 axis mode

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK

1. SYS -> GO TO 3 AXIS [or if drilling, GO TO 2 AXIS]

NOTE: if button says GO TO 2 AXIS then it is already
in 3 axis mode

Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Preparation: retract position

Set where the tool will go before/after
program
Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK

1. MODE > SETUP -> REF POSN

2. Jog to convenient location for tool changes
3. Highlight Z RETRACT and hit ABS SET

Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Preparation: tool table, part 1

Set the tool table for your tool(s)

Purpose:
When you change tools within a job, the program
needs to know the difference in length between
different tools.

Process overview:
1. Erase the current tool table!
2. Choose a reference surface (e.g., fixed jaw of
vise).
3. Put first tool in spindle, touch to reference
surface to set Z OFFSET for that tool.
4. Repeat for each tool you will need.

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Preparation: tool table, part deux

MODE -> SETUP -> TOOL TABLE

Process for
each tool:
1. Set diameter
2. Touch tool to
reference
surface to set Z
OFFSET
3. Set tool type

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Preparation: origin
Set your origin wherever convenient
(e.g. upper-left corner top, center of circle, etc.)
Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK

COMMON ERROR: when setting Z=0, make sure

tool number matches the tool currently in the
spindle!

Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Programming: new program

1. To erase current program: MODE -> EDIT ->
ERASE PROG
2. To start a new program: MODE -> PROG
3. Type in your favorite name
4. Press GO TO BEGIN

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK

Pro tip:
When Program Name highlighted,
press HELP to pull up alpha keys

Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Programming: events
Program the first event
Some unclear terms
Z RAPID:
z coordinate to
start feeding
Z END: z coordinate of
profile bottom
[often negative]
DIRECTION: CCW [climb]
or CW [conventional]
TOOL OFFSET: pretend
youre driving the end mill
# PASSES:
same as #
stepdowns, including Z
RAPID
FIN CUT:
radial material
to leave for finish pass
TOOL #:
You should
have set
tool table up

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Running: safety checks

1. Did you set your Z origin with the
proper tool?
2. Are the X and Y handles folded up?
3. Is the quill fully-retracted and locked?
4. Is the rapid feedrate slow enough for
comfort?
5. Is your hand near the stop button?

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Running: trial run

1. Jog the tool close to your part for better
viewing
2. Run your program: MODE -> RUN ->
TRIAL RUN
3. Pay attention to (for example):
a. Does everything look right?
b. Minimum Z will the tool crash?
c. Z step down is it what you
expected?
d. Max/min X/Y is the tool on the
expected side of your profile?

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Running: make chips!

Go to MODE -> RUN -> RUN

Preparation
1. Mode
2. Retract
position
3. Tool table
4. Origin
Programming
5. Events
6. LOOK
Running
7. Safety checks
8. Trial run
9. Make chips!

Clean up!
Not optional
CNC jobs often make a ton of chips. It will
take longer than a manual job to clean up.
Plan for this.