CNC Workflow – Using CNCjs – Maker Hardware (2024)

Note: Before you go through this manual, please ensure that you have the G-code files ready for the coaster. For coaster G-code files, see the articles below:

• G-code files using Fusion 360

CNCjs is an open-source web-based CNC milling controller software. It provides a user interface to control and monitor CNC machines using a web browser. CNCjs supports various CNC machines, including milling machines, routers, engravers, and more.

Key features of CNCjs include real-time G-code interpretation, a web-based interface accessible from different devices, and the ability to visualize G-code in 3D. It also offers features like jogging, homing, and manual tool changes.

At Maker Store, CNCjs used for xPRO V5 CNC controller, which is plug and play system that uses the advanced stepping and power of Trianamicdrivers along with Wifi and USB interfaces, all powered by a32 bit processor.

This manual discusses the CNCjs software and its use in the CNC phase of the CNC workflow to make a coaster.

• xPRO V5 CNC Controller coupled to a machine
• G-codes
• End mills (#100, #188)
• Timber
• CNC Clamps

• Connection: The connection window sets the communication channel through which CNCjs will talk to your CNC machine via the controller (xPRO V5).It’s marked by the red rectangle in Figure 1.
• Console: The console window is the command line interface. Here, you can send direct commands to your CNC machine via the controller. It’s marked by the blue rectangle in Figure 1.
• Reset: The reset window contains buttons such as homing, reset, unlock, and sleep. This window allows you to reset and unlock the controller after an alarm. It also lets you home your machine to set the machine coordinates. It’s marked by the purple rectangle in Figure 1.
• Axes: The Axes Window provides a visual representation of the X, Y, and Z axes. It’s like a GPS for your CNC machine, offering a clear view of its current position in three-dimensional space. This window has your machine position and workpiece position. The Axes window also holds the jog panel, which enables you to control the movement of different machine axes. It’s marked by the green rectangle in Figure 1.
• G-code: As your CNC machine executes G-code, this window updates in real time to display the toolpath coordinates. It also shows the max and min limit of your G-code being executed in mm. It’s marked by the orange rectangle in Figure 1.

• Probe: The probe window allows you to set the work coordinates using a touch probe. It’s marked by the green rectangle in Figure 2.
• Spindle: The Spindle Window allows you to set and control the rotational speed of the spindle. It also enables you to change the direction of spindle rotation. It’s marked by the purple rectangle in Figure 2.

Be sure to download and install the CP210x driver for the xPRO V5 in the link below:

https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip

Unzip the file and run:

• CP210xVCPInstaller_x64 if you have a 64-bit computer
• CP210xVCPInstaller_x86 if you have a 32-bit computer

Step 1: A USB type C cable is required for a wired connection to your computer. Please make sure that it is a USB type A to USB type Ccable. AUSB type C to USB type C will not work.

After connecting to the computer via USB, open CNCjs and navigate to the connection widget. Click on the refresh icon shown by the two arrows to check for controller connections. See Figure 1 for reference.

Now after you have connected your controller (xPRO V5) to your machine and computer, the actual machining process for the coaster begins. The CNC Phase consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Do a walk around the machine and ensure no unwanted objects are laying around the machine.

Step 2: Using the jog panel, move different axes of the machine to ensure they are working as expected. If you are standing in front of the machine with the spindle facing you, clicking on:

• X+ will move the spindle/tool of the machine in the right (→) direction,
• X- : left (←) direction
• Y+: away from you
• Y- : towards you
• Z- : down (↓)
• Z+ up (↑)

You can set the distance to be moved by clicking on the 1mm button shown in Figure 6and selecting the desired distance.

Step 5: Mount your end mill/bit in the spindle as per the order of operation. We are using the example of making a coaster that has following operations involved:

Engraving: Uses Maker Store end mill no. #188( shown in Figure 10)

Pocketing : Uses Maker Store end mill no. #100 ( shown inFigure 11)

Contouring: Uses Maker Store end mill no. #100

Since, contouring is an operation that will cut the whole coaster profile from the workpiece, this operation has to be performed at last. Additionally, contouring uses the same end mill (#100) as pocketing, it will be efficient to perform pocketing before contouring. So the order of operations will be:

1. Engraving → using end mill no. #188
2. Pocketing → using end mill no. #100
3. Contouring → using end mill no. #100

Mount the end mill no. #188in the collet, that is already inserted into the collet nut. Then screw the collet nut onto the spindle and tighten using spanners. See Figure 9 for reference.

Step 6: Attach the touch probe to your machine and navigate to the Probe window of CNCjs. Depending on the touch probe you have, select the different axes and set the parameters such as Touch plate thickness, retraction distance, probe depth and probe feedrate.

If you are using Maker Store’s Touch Probe set the parameters as shown in Figure 12.For the coaster, we will be only doing the Z-Axis probing ass the work holding clamps are in the way of the probe. The X and Y coordinates will be set manually.

Move the machine axes to your desired position over the workpiece and set the Work Position for X,Y and Z = 0 using the Axes tab, as shown in Figure 13.

For the Z-Axis probing, flip the touch probe and click on Probe,as shown in Figure 12.

If you wish to do the XYZ Probing, follow the steps below:

• Download the XYZ Probe Macro from here. The probing sequence is Z, then Y and then X-axis.
• Copy the contents of the above macro.
• Navigate to the Macro widget in CNCjs and click on “+” button to add a new macro. See Figure 15 for reference.
• Name the macro as XYZ Macro and paste the contents of the macro copied earlier, as shown in Figure 16.

Note: Depending on the diameter of the end mill you are using, please update the “ENDMILL_DIAMETER = …” accordingly. See Figure 16 for reference.

• Click on Save Changes.
• Place the XYZ touch probe at the corner of the workpiece. Ensure the clamps are not in the way of the spindle. Jog the machine (spindle) above the touch probe.
• Run the XYZ Probe macro by clicking on the play button and selecting Run. See Figures 17 & 18 for reference.

See the XYZ Probing video below.

Step 9:The Text code will appear as shown in Figure 20.To execute this engraving operation, click on the Play button indicated by the red mark in Figure 20.

Note: If you are using G-Code files generated by Fusion 360, you will need to click on the play button twice to execute the operation.

Step 10: Once the above operation is executed, take out the end mill no. #188and install end mill no. #100for the next operation i.e. pocketing.

Step 11: Perform the Z-Axis probing again as per Step 6.

Step 11: Similar to Step 8, upload the G-code for pocketing (Gear Pocketing – 188) and hit play. Once this operation is done, upload and execute the file for contouring.

Step 12: Once the Contouring operation is finished, remove the workpiece from the clamps and with a Stanley Knife remove the tabs