CNC Workflow Example

Assumptions

All GCode files for your job have been generated and uploaded to Octoprint.

Steps

1. Machine Home via Machine Home button
2. Jog your spindle to an area out of the way of where you will be placing your workpiece
3. Secure your workpiece
4. Install whatever bit chosen for your first operation / run
5. Machine Home via Machine Home button
6. Jog X/Y to the same starting point (Datum) you identified in your slicer in relation to the workpiece you've placed
7. Select XY axis in the axis selection panel
8. Set Working Plane Home/Origin (Crosshairs button below the axis selection panel) for XY
9. Jog X/Y centering your bit on your workplace
10. Jog Z (using small increments) to ensure you have sufficient clearance between your bit, the workpiece, and touch plate
11. Install your Z-Probe positive lead to your bit and place your touch plate.
12. Press the Z-Probe button (Magnifying Glass button between the Z axis up/down buttons)
13. Review your Z-Probe results In the Notification panel
14. (optional) select alternate locations and execute steps 10-13 as many times as you wish
15. (optional) Select your final location for setting your Z depth / home and execute steps 10-13 one last time for that location
16. Remove your Z-Probe and touch plate
17. Select Z axis in the axis selection panel
18. Working Plane Home your Z axis (home button in the middle of the jogging panel)
19. Soft Reset your machine via Soft Reset button
20. Set Working Plane Home/Origin (Crosshairs button below the axis selection panel) for Z
21. Raise Z axis in small increments so it can clear any obstacles between its current position and machine home
22. Jog X/Y manually to get close to machine home (if necessary)
23. Machine Home via Machine Home button
24. Working Plane Home your XY axes (home button in the middle of the jogging panel)
25. Verify your starting point is in the same place you set it in 6. If it is wrong, go back to step 5
26. Start your job

Some Notes

16-20 are necessary to convert the temporary home position (includes the offset of your touch plate) for Z, set by Z-Probing, into a permanent one. If you skip this step, your machine will lose reference for the Z axis after a subsequent reset. If not caught, this could cause you to exceed limits / alarm the machine and have to start over from step 9.

Subsequent Tool paths

You must redo 9-20 if you are performing an actual tool change or anything that would alter the Z axis work home position. If you followed the steps correctly, X, Y, and Z are all properly stored in the Working Plane Home / Origin storage (G54) location and can be navigated back to by hitting the Working Plane Home button (home button in the middle of the jogging panel) for XY only. This protects Z from running into anything on or above your workpiece in the spindle's path as it moves around.