bCNC - AutoLevel

https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/wiki/AutoLevel https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/wiki/PCB-101-First-time

If you skip this step, you may damage a tool bit when probing.

Want PCB to be held down “flat” and secure Double-backed tape works well for some.

• Select File Menu
• Select Serial Port
• Click on Open
• Select Control Menu
• Click on Unlock

• Select File Menu
• Open gcode file for cutout routing - this will make it simple to setup the correct Autolevel area
• Position bit to X and Y start location using Control widgets.
• Select Probe Menu
• Click on Probe Submenu
• Zero out X and Y by Clicking on X=0 the Y=0
• Click on “fit to screen” button
• Lower tool bit within a couple of mm of PCB using jog controls
• Zero out Z by Clicking on Z=0
• In Probe menu, Probe section, Set the Z Pos: to -10 - this will allow the bit to go 10mm down to probe before setting off an alarm.
• ATTACH PROBE CLIPS TO PCB AND TOOL BIT - FAILURE TO DO SO BEFORE PROCEEDING MAY RESULT IN A DAMAGED BIT.
• Click Probe button (in Probe: section)
• Zero out Z axis - Click on Z=0
• Raise Z by 1mm using jog

• Under Probe Menu, Select Autolevel Submenu
• Click on Margins - This will configure an autolevel area mapped to you gcode file limits
• modify number of X/Y test points as needed by adjusting N for X and Y
• set Z Min to -10 and Z Max to 0.5 - if you expect a large deviation in height across the board, set Z max to a higher value ( and perhaps consider leveling waste board and/or machine)
• CONFIRM PROBE CLIPS TO PCB AND TOOL BIT - FAILURE TO DO SO BEFORE PROCEEDING MAY RESULT IN A DAMAGED BIT.
• Click on Scan
• Return to X/Y zero - in Command: (at bottom) enter G0 X0 Y0
• Return to Z zero - in Command: (at bottom) enter G0 Z0
• At top click at “Zero” in menu for Autolevel to adjust measured values (@vlachoudis: why this is required?)
• REMOVE PROBE CONNECTION TO TOOL BIT.

• Under File menu select Open and select drill file
• Answer no to the “Probe File modified” dialog
• Answer no to the “Existing Autolevel” dialog
• Optional - Select ISO view from “Change viewing Angle” widget.

• Confirm that you've REMOVED THE PROBE CONNECTION TO THE TOOL BIT.
• If manually controlling power to your router, turn it on now.
• Select Control menu
• Click on Start.
• When drilling is complete, if manually controlling power to your router, turn it off.

• Raise Z to comfortable height using jog controls.
• Replace Tool bit
• ATTACH PROBE CLIPS TO PCB AND TOOL BIT
• Lower bit to within a couple of mm of PCB using jog controls.
• Select Probe Menu
• Select Probe Submenu
• Zero out Z by Clicking Z=0
• Click on Probe button
• Zero out Z by Clicking Z=0
• Raise Z by 1mm using jog controls.
• REMOVE PROBE CONNECTION TO TOOL BIT.

• Under FIle menu select Open and select trace routing gcode file
• Answer no to the “Probe File modified” dialog
• Answer no to the “Existing Autolevel” dialog
• Optional Select preferred viewing angle.

• Confirm that you've REMOVED THE PROBE CONNECTION TO THE TOOL BIT.
• If manually controlling power to your router, turn it on now.
• Select Control menu
• Click on Start.
• When routing is complete, if manually controlling power to your router, turn it off.

• Under FIle menu select Open and select outline routing gcode file
• Answer no to the “Probe File modified” dialog
• Answer no to the “Existing Autolevel” dialog
• Optional - Select preferred viewing angle.

• Confirm that you've REMOVED THE PROBE CONNECTION TO THE TOOL BIT.
• If manually controlling power to your router, turn it on now.
• Select Control menu
• Click on Start.
• When routing is complete, if manually controlling power to your router, turn it off.