3 Axis CNC router

[AndyUK]

Aspire looks great but it was the £1500 price tag that put me off! If the machine worked and made some money then maybe I could justify it one day!!

The Vectric products come in teirs so its not quite that bad! Take a look at VCarve Desktop, which has pretty much all the 2D, 2.5D and 3D machining you'll need before wanting to move to fusion for the more complex stuff. Only minor draw back is the 600x600mm limit on projects. £275. Free trial available and lots of videos on youtube for examples.

https://www.vectric.com/products/vcarve-desktop

I haven't looked at CamBam yet though as a disclaimer, so couldn't compare the two.


Looks like Dean will sort it out pretty fast - but for what its worth if the drive is powered and the motors okay, the next check for me would be the wiring between CSLabs and Z drive. Maybe plug the Z drive signals into the Y drive and vice versa. The problem will either follow the Z driver, the Z wiring, or the Z output on the CSLabs controller.

[JoeHarris]

The Vectric products come in teirs so its not quite that bad! Take a look at VCarve Desktop, which has pretty much all the 2D, 2.5D and 3D machining you'll need before wanting to move to fusion for the more complex stuff. Only minor draw back is the 600x600mm limit on projects. £275. Free trial available and lots of videos on youtube for examples.

https://www.vectric.com/products/vcarve-desktop

I haven't looked at CamBam yet though as a disclaimer, so couldn't compare the two.

Thanks Andy, I did have a look at V-carve last night and your right it does look good. Will have a look at Cam bam too once I'm up and running.

the next check for me would be the wiring between CSLabs and Z drive. Maybe plug the Z drive signals into the Y drive and vice versa. The problem will either follow the Z driver, the Z wiring, or the Z output on the CSLabs controller.

OK, the thing I cant understand is that it was all working fine last time I had it switch on and I don't think I've messed with the wiring since. The only thing I can think of is that I tried to (unsuccessfully) wire in the spindle control. But can't see how that would be connected.

[JAZZCNC]

I've tried to gey my head round Fusion360 a few times but it just doesn't seem to work for me either. I've used CamBam since the first day I switched on my original MDF and allthread machine and am still very happy with it, especially with the huge range of useful add-ons available from the very active support community. You have to pay for it but it's a one-off payment that gets you a lifetime of updates.

CamBam is another I didn't get on with and I found it limited in what it could do, but that was a long time ago, I'm sure it's come on since.

The problem will either follow the Z driver, the Z wiring, or the Z output on the CSLabs controller.

Most likely a bad wire if it's in this area, I'd be amazed if it's the Cslabs output as they are generally bulletproof.

To be honest, Dean, I would really appreciate a bit of your time to get it set up properly. I feel like I’m going to struggle to ever get it up and running without some expert input! I’ll drop you a DM if that’s alright.

No problem, we will get you going in no time Joe. It will be something silly, usually is.!

Joe just try this for me because I've had this happen before just on Z axis where it won't Jog but it will move with a command... So Do an MDI move.

Make sure got enough room for Z to move Then Zero it out on the DRO and type G1 Z -10 (note the Minus) F500 into the MDI command bar and see if it moves.

Let me know how get on.

[Kitwn]

CamBam is another I didn't get on with and I found it limited in what it could do, but that was a long time ago, I'm sure it's come on since.

It is limited compared to F360 for example but that also makes it relatively uncomplicated. Adding some of the many plug-ins available extends what it can do. V-Carve is one example that sign-writers will like and text that follows an arc is another I've used to good effect.

It lacks the advanced adaptive clearing of F360 but works well enough for cutting wood.