I sure could use some help. This machine has not carved right since day 1. The unit carves the initial pattern, then when it moves to carve to the next depth the Y axis moves “up” anywhere from 1/4 to 2 inches before plunging to the next depth. I’ve had help from SainSmart but were not getting anywhere. I’ve tried Easel and Candle. I’ve tried different laptops and different data cables. Tried a WiFi module, all with the same result. Any suggestions? I’ve had this since May of this year and have not been able to complete 1 successful carve. Your help is greatly appreciated.
I have a Genmitsu 3040 PROver1, Converted to a 1200 x 1200. I am using Universal Gcode Sender as my communicator with the machine. Also a CH340*** file is involved. It is a driver for 8-bit microprocessors, which this machine currently has. ALSO I am doing my designs with Fusion360.
I will help you if I can. Welcome to the rabbit hole!!!
first I think you mean the Z-axis moves up, not the Y axis. the y axis is the dual motor driven axis..
second for the sense of familiarity please download UniversalGcodeSsender and get it setup, the machine connected to your computer. Follow the directions in the UGS wiki.
After which, perform the Machine setup in the UGS app.
Hello
Thank you for your response. No, I mean the Y axis. Each time the unit carves it advances towards to back of the machine, meaning duplicate carves, each headed towards the back of the machine
OH WOW…
I am presuming that both Y axis motors are moving together, which is a good thing.
Do you have pictures of the wire connections?
Did you DL UGS and go through the machine configurations?
Can you move the axes independently, and does the machine home correctly?
Are you trying to cut a specific piece when this happens or does it happen to every piece?
And it happens ‘every time’?
I truly appreciate your help. I do not have pictures of the connections, but I will get them later tonight. I will also download the option you recommended as well. It happens every single carve. Ones I create, ones I’ve downloaded, even the “test” carves that SainSmart has sent. Both Y motors are moving correctly. Unit does home correctly. I’ve even slowed the feed rate down to practically a crawl thinking possible resistance/ deflection but even that has no affect.
I second the Universal Gcode Sender. I first would see if the machine jogs correctly just by using the jog controls, then I’d measure to see if it needs calibration. I would then make a simple square in Easel, and generate the gcode and run that through UGS and see if it can handle that.
You should try to become familiar with Gcode so you understand what is happening.
X is left to right, Y is back and forth front to back and Z is up and down with the router/spindle. Just like in Math.
You can see if the controller works by entering single lines of code in the command line.
This is pretty helpful.
GRBL_Settings_Pocket_Guide_Rev_B.pdf
You should get rid of the current machine in Easel and change to the machine you have.
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AI Overview**
To set up a new machine profile in Easel, navigate to the Machine tab in your project and select Set up new machine.
[image]YouTube·Vintauri +1
Steps to Set Up a New Machine
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Start Setup: Open an Easel project, click the Machine menu/tab at the top, and select Set up new machine. Click the blue Start Machine Setup button.
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Select Manufacturer: Choose your CNC manufacturer from the provided list. If your specific brand or model is not listed, scroll down and select I have a different CNC manufacturer that is not listed (or choose Other).
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Configure Specifications: Enter your machine details manually if unlisted:
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Set the Motion Controller (typically Grbl or Other).
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Confirm the Work Area dimensions match your physical machine.
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Choose your Spindle Control (Manual if using an external switch, or Hardware if controlled automatically by the machine).
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Connect Hardware: Power on your CNC machine, plug in the USB cable, and ensure the emergency stop (e-stop) is disengaged before clicking Connect to Easel. Install the required USB driver (such as CH340/CH341 or FTDI) if your computer does not automatically recognize the device.
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Test Axes and Finish: Follow the on-screen prompts to run the jogging test for X, Y, and Z axes, configure accessories like a Z-Probe or dust shoe, and finalize your profile.
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Hi Marty
Thank you ! I had the machine operating with Easel to begin with. SainSmart recommended Candle, so I gave that a try with the same results. The machine will complete the square you suggest. Let’s say I want to carve the square 3.18 mm deep with a cut depth of .76 per pass. It will cut the first pass of .76 mm. The machine would then move the Y axis towards then back of the machine equal, but random amounts of ( for example ) 6.35 mm then start the next cut at a cut depth of 1.50 mm. The cycle starts again, same thing. It will go until the last square is to be milled and depending on depth will snap the end mill ( I’ve allowed that once with the SainSmart test file only because they said not to make any adjustments to feed rate ) or complete the pass, each pass the Y rail moves towards the back of the machine. I have micrometer standards and have verified both sides are well within .020 or less each time I verify. Machine jogs and homes without issue
Have you examined the gcode to see if the gcode is correct? If it is, I would suspect the controller or loose parts. I have candle on a 3018 but haven’t used it enough to have an opinion on it. I have used Inventables X controllers for quite a while, but most recently built my own non proprietary controller from various resources online. It involves tb6600 drivers, a power supply, arduino, grbl shield (which plugs into the Arduino), and some plugs, jacks, and wire.
Is it possible that the CH340.## driver is corrupted. Have you tried to delete and re-download it?
To be honest, we are all grasping at straws here. Did you buy the machine new? Most likely the controller is faulty if everything checks out… more straws..
But if that’s the case then you have options…
1 get a new Genmitsu controller
2 get a GERBLhal controller and learn how to wire it up to your CNC… yay
Thanks all for your help.
I did buy the unit new from Amazon. SainSmart has been helpful, but I believe they’re stumped as well. I’ve started setting up UGS, and will give that a try. I’ll see where that takes me. I will also delete and reinstall the driver. Can’t hurt. I appreciate everyone’s assistance!
The 4040 Pro Max (I have a 4040 Pro upgraded to a 6040 Pro Max) is an open loop machine, your symptoms sound a bit like you may be missing steps by using too high a feed rate and/or depth of cut. What bit, what feed rate and depth of cut, and what material are you using? Where did you get your settings from, are they perhaps the defaults from Easel which were for their far more powerful and expensive XCarve? My 6040 Max with a trim router has tuned firmware settings and with a 1/4" 2 flute upcut bit will cut around 3600 mm/min (above the stock max) aka 150 ipm 1/8" (3mm) deep in softwoods and iirc about 75% of that in hardwood. What are your tool path settings, along with clearance heights? What post processor are you using with Easel, just to rule that out? It should be grbl. Have you tried running the gcode through ncviewer. It’s unlikely it’s bad but you never know.
The Pro Max has a Sainsmart trim router spindle, the Pro not Max has a 1/10 HP 3018 spindle which is only suited for a 1/8" cutting diameter. Do you have the trimmer spindle?
Don’t “calibrate” your machine unless you know what a metrology lab is, have access to one, and know how to use it. Unless there’s a hardware issue, which will require repair instead of replacement, you’re not going to improve on the factory settings. From memory (haven’t looked in a while) it will be 800 steps/mm in all 3 axes. And keep in mind that many bits aren’t quite the specified size so trying to calibrate by cutting and measuring is kind of a running in circles situation since it will vary by the size of the object being cut since the error will be the difference between expected and actual diameter regardless of the cut size
The driver (CH341SER) is for the CH340 USB/serial interface chip that’s pretty much a clone of the equivalent FTDI chip. The 341 is an enhanced 340 with features that aren’t relevant to SS controllers. It’s commonly used on both 8 and 32b controllers, it really doesn’t care what the host MCU is using. Every SS grbl controller I’ve looked up uses the same driver, 8 or 32b. Maybe there’s an exception but I haven’t found it. It’s used on a whole lotta CNC controllers since it’s cheaper than the FTDI original.
Hi Kirk
I have set feed rates on the carves I made up. They seem too fast to me, so during the carves I’ve slowed them significantly. I’m currently using MDF for my tests. On the few test carves I’ve received from SainSmart they set the feed rates and I even reduced them once the carve started. On the last test file they sent me, they said for me to not touch feed rates, so I didn’t and ended up with a snapped 2 flute end mill. Many many years ago I was a machinist and operated CNC mills so while I’m not an expert, I feel that I can see and hear when feed rates are too high. I’ve also mentioned that to SainSmart. . I appreciate your help
And there is the possibility that you are getting EMf feedback and causing a stray error. You might disconnect the spindle from the controller and do a ghost toolpath and see if it moves the same wayward.. I have a Dewalt router on mine and when I originally installed it onto the machine I had all kinds of issues like this. I have since ran the router power and my vac hanging from a swing arm..FWIW.