2023/03/16 20:01 1/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

MyCNC Setup Examples

NOTE: The myCNC team recommends utilizing the examples provided in this manual (as well as other
manuals in this documentation) as a starting point for your machine setup. When possible (and
applicable), it is recommended to keep changes to a mininum. In general, using these examples as
the basis for your PLCs/macro commands allows for an easier setup process.

How to set up Axes and Pulses per Unit

Video tutorial:

Video

During the initial setup, the axes on your machine (X, Y, Z, A, etc) may be plugged differently from
the desired software configuration. In order to assign the correct motor to the axis in the myCNC
software:

1. Go to CNC Settings > Axes/Motors

2. Navigate to Motor Outputs Configuration

3. Assign the connected motors to the needed axes.

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

In the same window, the general calibration for the pulses per unit can be performed. This is done in
order to calibrate the software readings of the machine (how much the machine “thinks” it has
moved) versus the actual physical movements of the machine (how much it has actually moved). To
do that:

1. Physically record the position of the spindle/knife/sensor/etc on the machine with a ruler, caliper,
camera attached to the machine arm, etc.

2. In the myCNC software, move the machine a set distance (for example, 50 mm).

3. Measure the new physical position of the machine and record the distance actually physically
traveled.

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 3/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

4. Divide the actual distance by the software distance (for example, 25 mm actually traveled divided
by 50 mm that the software recorded)

5. Divide the number of Pulses per Unit from the myCNC software CNC Settings > Axes/Motors
window by the coefficient from step #4.

6. Input the new number of pulses per unit into the software.

If the new number of pulses per unit is brought up too high without changing the maximum motor
speed, the motors will start making jerking movements when moved. This is due to keeping the Max
Speed the same. In order to eliminate the jerking movements, bring down the Max Speed value in
CNC Settings > Axes/Motors until the movement is smooth again.

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

Max Speed is set in units/second (mm/s or inch/s), depending on what units you have chosen in your
G-codes settings.

NOTE: Overspeed acts in a manner similar to CPU overclocking. Motion acceleration is increased
together with motion speed when the overspeed is increased. Since toolpath planner does not
have access to “Overspeed” value, a significant increase in Overspeed value up from 100%
may cause issues, especially for analog servo control. Overspeed should be limited to 100% if
you need to be sure the machine does not exceed “Max Speed”.

7. Set the Backlash in units (mm/inch) for each axis. Backlash is the value that allows for some
unexpected play in the machine due to clearance or looseness of mechanical parts. When the
controller sends a movement command to the motor, the motor may turn briefly before any actual
axis movement begins. That turn is defined as backlash, and can be accounted for in this setting.

How to set up Tangential Knife Cutting

MyCNC control has built-in tangential knife control

Tangential knife control is activated by writing “1” to Global Variable #7005

(GVAR_TANGENTKNIFE_ENABLE)

If Tangential control is activated, 2D tool path programming is enough to make tangential knife
cutting. myCNC control software automatically

Calculates the angle of next motion;

Lifts up the knife to safe height;
Rotate knife accordingly next XY motion direction;
Moves down knife on working height.

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 5/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

How to set up a Probing Wizard in Mill profile

In order to properly set up a probe system on a mill profile from scratch on your machine (especially if
the software has not, for any reason, been updated to its latest version) please consult the QuickStart
manual for the probe sensor setup:

How to set up a Lathe/Turning machine

Lathe/Turning Set up tips

1. Select Basic profile as “Lathe” in Cfg - Preferences - Common dialog

2. Select “Lathe Visualisation” in Cfg - Preferences - 3D visualisation configuration dialog

3. Select axes X, Z for visualisation and deselect the rest axes.

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

4. Check G-code settings related to Lathe operations in Cfg - Preferences - G-codes settings
configuration dialog

5. Goto Cfg - Technology - Lathe configuration dialog and setup appropriate settings

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 7/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

How to set up a Multi-Tool router

We will put here some process of setup multi-tool router. The router has -

2x motors on X axes.
2x separate spindles installed on separate Z heads.
Tangential knife head

1. Inputs/Outputs assignment described on “pins.h” includes the file in Hardware PLC Builder area -

pins.h

//input/output definitions
//inputs
#define INPUT_HOME_X_MASTER 0
#define INPUT_HOME_X_SLAVE 1
#define INPUT_HOME_Y 2
#define INPUT_HOME_Z1 3
#define INPUT_HOME_Z2 4
#define INPUT_HOME_KNIFE 5
#define INPUT_E_STOP 7

//Outputs
#define OUTPUT_SPINDLE 0
#define OUTPUT_VAC_POWER 1
#define OUTPUT_VAC_DOWN 2

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

#define OUTPUT_HOMING 5
#define OUTPUT_KNIFE 6

2. How to switch between spindles (Z1/Z2) heads.

Axis pulse-dir signal can be connected/disconnected from Motor output by writing to CNC
registers 0x70…0x75 (112…117)

0x70 (112) - Motor output #0

0x71 (113) - Motor output #1
0x72 (114) - Motor output #2
0x73 (115) - Motor output #3
0x74 (116) - Motor output #4
0x75 (117) - Motor output #5

Low 4 bits (0..3) of the writing value represent Axis to connect -

0-X
1-Y
2-Z
3-A
4-B
5-C
15 - disconnected

pulse-dir Direction will be changed (DIR signal inverted) if Bit #4 is set.

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 9/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

This way we add PLC procedures M201 and M202 to switch Z axis between Motor outputs #3 and #4

M201.plc

#include vars.h
main()
{
parameter=15; //OFF
command=112+3; //channel 3
message=PLCCMD_SET_CNC_VAR;
timer=2;do{timer--;}while(timer>0);

parameter=2+16; //Attach to Z
command=112+4; //channel 4 turning off
message=PLCCMD_SET_CNC_VAR;
timer=2;do{timer--;}while(timer>0);

exit(99);
};

M202.plc

#include vars.h
main()
{
parameter=15; //OFF
command=112+4; //channel 4
message=PLCCMD_SET_CNC_VAR;
timer=2;do{timer--;}while(timer>0);

parameter=2+16; //Attach to Z
command=112+3; //channel 3
message=PLCCMD_SET_CNC_VAR;
timer=2;do{timer--;}while(timer>0);

exit(99);
};

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

3. Homing for Z1, Z2 axes can be configured in Macro Wizard. M133 macro is usually used for
Homing Z procedure. We will use macro names M1331 and M1332 for 2 homing procedures for every
Z axis.

M1331

M201 (Turn ON Z1 axis, OFF Z2 axis)

G10 L80 P5521 Q1
G10 L80 P5525 Q1
M88 L0 P3(Soft stop when sensor triggered)
G91 G0 Z 200.0000 F 600.00
G04 P0.1
M89 L1 P3(Quick stop when sensor triggered)
G91 G0 Z -200.0000 F 30.00
G04 P0.1
G91 G0 Z 1.0000 F 500.00
G90 G10L70 P0 Z #5453
G10 L80 P5521 Q0
G10 L80 P5525 Q0
G10 L80 P7393 Q0 (Homing Flag)

M1332

M202 (Turn OFF Z1 axis, ON Z2 axis)

G10 L80 P5521 Q1
G10 L80 P5525 Q1

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 11/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

M88 L0 P4(Soft stop when sensor triggered)

G91 G0 Z 200.0000 F 600.00
G04 P0.1
M89 L1 P4(Quick stop when sensor triggered)
G91 G0 Z -200.0000 F 30.00
G04 P0.1
G91 G0 Z 1.0000 F 500.00
G90 G10L70 P0 Z #5453
G10 L80 P5521 Q0
G10 L80 P5525 Q0
G10 L80 P7393 Q0 (Homing Flag)

4. M138 macro is used for Home-All procedure. It should be fixed to support Z1, Z2, tangential knife
homing and OUTPUT_HOMING output described in “pins.h”

M138

M62P5 (OUTPUT HOMING ON)

M135 (C-knife)

M1331 (Z1)
M1332 (Z2)

M132 (Y)
M131 (X)

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

M63P5 (OUTPUT HOMING OFF)

5. M6 - Tool Change macro for multitool configuration.

M6

M600 P#5409

if [ #5409 NE 1 ] 100
M150
GOTO 1000

N100
if [ #5409 NE 2 ] 200
M151
JUMP 1000

N200
if [ #5409 EQ 3 ] 300
G10 L80 P7005 Q0
JUMP 1000

N50
G10 L80 P7005 Q1

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 13/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

N300

N1000
G10 L81 P5400 Q5409 (set current tool number)

How to setup Homing procedure

Homing is a procedure to find the initial machine position (home position) by using Home sensors. The
home procedure is a macro file. The macro filename is absolutely flexible, but we usually use a
number of default macro names -

M131 - Homing for the X axis

M132 - Homing for the Y axis
M133 - Homing for the Z axis
M134 - Homing for A axis
M135 - Homing for B axis
M136 - Homing for C axis
M138 - Homing all the axes (custom macro which does all the axes homing in series)

There are a few ways to send the machine to find homes

It's possible to configure mandatory homing if CNC control system started and/or an Emergency
or Servo drivers alarm event happened.

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

The red button on the message popup widget should be pressed to send a machine to the home
position. The popup message will be hidden when all home flags are ready.

Home macro procedure can be started from the MDI interface

UI might contain button to send machine home. For example buttons for homing each axis X, Y,
Z, A, B, C on diagnose widget

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 15/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

or All the Axes Homing button on the main screen of “1024P-V2” profile

Homing Macro files should be created during machine setup. Macro file can be created

in “Macro Wizard” conversational dialogs

By using the macro wizard you just point homing moving direction, input number used for home
sensor, sensor type (normally opened/closed), homing and probing speed, parameters of
Encoder Z-label (if used to find precise homing position) and some other parameters. Macro file
will be generated on the widget “Macro preview” by pressing “Generate” button. If the macro is
ok, the button “Save macro” should be pressed to save macro file on a storage device (HDD, SD

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

card etc). The dialog settings itself might be saved in the configuration file by pressing “Save”
button on the top-right corner of the screen.
manually in “Macro List” widget

Home-All macro M138 is a simple macro file which runs in series macro files for all axes. For simple 3
axes machine it would be like this

M138

M133
M132
M131

Procedure started from Homing Z, then Y and the last is X. Any other sequence can be choosen
according to your requirements.

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 17/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

In case Gantry alignment procedure used instead of standard homing procedure, it might have
different macro file name to not be mixed-up with standard homing procedure. For example - homing
Y is “M132”, gantry alignment is “M1321”. This is just example, any of macro filename can be
choosen. THe result of Home-All macro would be

M138

M133
M1321
M131

Home-All macro can be very different for more complicated machines with multi-spindles, 5 axes and
so on. For example M138 macro for multi-spindle machine with tangential knife.

M138

M62P5 (OUTPUT HOMING ON)

M135 (C-knife)

M1331 (Homing Z1)

M1332 (Homing Z2)

M132 (Homing Y)
M131 (Moming X)

M63P5 (OUTPUT HOMING OFF)

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

How to set up Homing Handler

If the machine has stopped unexpectedly, due to things like an emergency stop button press/power
failure/etc, it is sometimes necessary to prompt the user to run the Homing procedure again before
allowing any further actions to be taken in order to safely calibrate the machine. In order to do that, a
software PLC is put in place called the HOMING_HANDLER

The Homing Handler can be set up by using the following instructions:

1. Go to Settings > Config > PLC > Software PLC and select HOMING_HANDLER

2. In the HOMING_HANDLER code, put the two forward slashes in front of the exit(99); line,
commenting it out.

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 19/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

Note that the axes for which the homing is not required (Axis C in this case) have also been
commented out. If only select axes need to be included in the homing procedure after the emergency
stop, these can be configured in the code by adding/deleting forward slashes in front of the respective
axes' commands.

At this point, in an emergency stop situation, myCNC will prompt the user to run the homing
procedure for the selected axes before any other action is taken after starting the machine back up
again.

In order to disable the Homing Handler, add the two forward slashes in front of exit(99); again, then
Save and reload the application.

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

How to setup Dual Axis (Slave X, Slave Y)

Dual axis setup is really simple.

Goto "Axes/Motors" configuration

dialog and set the same axis for two motor outputs.
They will work together

For example, motor outputs #0 and #1 are used for the same X axis on the picture below.

Next picture shows how to attach the Y axis to motor outputs #1, #2.

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 21/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

How to set up two instances of myCNC software on one machine

In order to start two instances of myCNC software on a single board Odroid-C2 computer:

1. Go to your Home folder, and in the View menu click Show Hidden Files

2. From your Home folder, navigate to .config > myCNC > profiles, and create folders named 1 and 2

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

3. Copy the contents of another profile folder (for example, the contents of
.config/myCNC/profiles/12805) into both new folders. Here, you can choose which profiles you usually
use on your machine.

4. Go back to your home folder, and from there navigate to the myCNC folder (NOTE: this is a
different folder from before, so go Home > myCNC instead of Home > .config > myCNC).

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 23/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

5. Open the myCNC.sh file (click Display when asked whether you want to run the file or display its
contents).

6. Paste the following code into the file, then save it and close the editor.

#!/bin/bash

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

cd $(dirname $0)
echo DIRNAME: $(dirname $0)

killall myCNC
killall myCNC

xset s 0
xset -dpms

./C2/myCNC -p1 &

./C2/myCNC -p2

7. Run the myCNC.sh file by selecting Run in Terminal after opening the file. Two instances of
myCNC software should now be running.

Setting up a 2-motor X+Y X-Y 3D-printer

A 3D printer shown below is an example of a setup which utilized the X+Y and X-Y axis configuration
in Settings → Config → Axes/Motors:

http://forum.pv-automation.com/download/file.php?id=1135&t=1
http://forum.pv-automation.com/download/file.php?id=1134&t=1

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01

2023/03/16 20:01 25/26 MyCNC Setup Examples

Setting up a waterjet system

Certain CAM software packages can automatically insert necessary waterjet M-codes at some desired
distance from the corners to properly accelerate and decelerate the machine. These M-codes are
M64/M65, as well as M164/M165 - the first two turn a specified output on/off on the fly without
stopping (using the special FlyCut license that we provide), while M164/M165 are reserved for
controlling the PWM output.

Some profiles within myCNC software (such as X1366P) contain a Software PLC procedure
(WATERJET_SLOWSPEED) that works by monitoring the state of the output that the above codes
toggle on and off:

main()
{
a0=gvarget(7184)&(1<<10);
do{
a1=gvarget(7184)&(1<<10);
if (a0!=a1)
{
a0=a1;
if (a0==0) //normal speed
{
gvarset(9379,0);
}else //slow speed
{
gvarset(9379,1);
};
};
}while(1);
};

The above software PLC monitors the state of the desired output and switches the state of the global
variable #9379. Writing “1” to this global variable results in a timer being started in the myCNC
system, allowing the software, with the help of “Overspeed %” value, to smoothly reduce/increase the
speed while passing a corner.

As mentioned before, this functionality requires a FlyCut license, which is available to purchase on
request.

Connecting a servo drive to a myCNC controller

Connecting a servo drive to a myCNC controller

myCNC Online Documentation - http://docs.pv-automation.com/

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22 mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

From:
http://docs.pv-automation.com/ - myCNC Online Documentation

Permanent link:
http://docs.pv-automation.com/mycnc/mycnc_setup_examples

Last update: 2022/09/19 13:22

http://docs.pv-automation.com/ Printed on 2023/03/16 20:01