CAD / CAM¶

Avid CNC only directly supports Fusion 360, Vectric (VCarve Pro, Aspire) and SheetCam (for plasma only).

Use a generic Mach4 post processor for the CAM package. If a Mach4 post processor is not available, a Fanuc post processor may work. Mach4 and Fanuc controllers interpret G-code commands in a very similar manner.

Avid CNC Mach4 Post Processors

The spindle speed and feed rate combination may need to be adjusted to achieve desired cut quality.

Refer to the tooling manufacturer's recommendations for speed/feed data. Provided values are typically a good starting point but may need to be adjusted depending on the application.

Toolpath Optimization, Speeds, and Feeds

Overly aggressive feed rate or depth of cut causing tool deflection.

Reduce feed rate and test again for accuracy. Speeds may also need to be adjusted to maintain the desired chip load.

This type of inaccuracy is most often seen with small diameter tooling or cutting tools with long cutting flutes.

Tool diameter was not set correctly in the touch plate dialog window.

Ensure the diameter entered matches the diameter of the tool being used and re-run the touch off routine.

Auto Z Touch Plate Tutorial

Toolpath was not regenerated after using the touch plate.

If G-code is loaded prior to setting X / Y zero, the toolpath will need to be regenerated to account for work offset prior to cutting.

Auto Z Touch Plate Tutorial

Drilling or vertical plunge moves caused a momentary loss of motion/steps due to excessive load leading to the physical tool height being above the position in Mach4.

End mills are not designed to drill or plunge vertically at significant speed. It is recommended that a ramp or lead-in be used for pockets. If drilling a large number of holes is required, a cutting tool smaller than the desired hole diameter and a helical bore tool path is recommended in place of a vertical plunge.

These strategies reduce vertical loading on the tool and Z-axis while also providing an exit path for chips which reduces heat buildup, leading to increased tool life.

Toolpaths, Speeds, & Feeds Video Playlist

The spoilboard program is too large or does not account for the portion of the work area extending past the front of the machine extrusion.

In Mach4 with work coordinates set and G-code loaded, click Regen Toolpath to the right of the toolpath preview window.

Inspect preview for cutting moves (green lines) or jog moves (white lines) that fall outside the machine work area (dashed yellow line).

Any lines outside the work area will trigger a soft limit error. If found, reprogram toolpaths to ensure the program stays within the set work area.

Mach4 has a "look ahead" feature which analyzes upcoming lines of G-code to ensure no command contains errors or exceeds the machine work area. The default setting is 20, meaning Mach4 is always reading 20 lines ahead. Because of this feature, a soft limit can be triggered well before the machine would have been commanded to move outside of the work area.

Program extents may be outside of the area defined by soft limits.

In Mach4 with work coordinates set and G-code loaded, click Regen Toolpath to the right of the toolpath preview window.

Inspect preview for cutting moves (green lines) or jog moves (white lines) that fall outside the machine work area (dashed yellow line).

Any lines outside the work area will trigger a soft limit error. If found, reprogram toolpaths to ensure the program stays within the set work area.

Mach4 has a "look ahead" feature which analyzes upcoming lines of G-code to ensure no command contains errors or exceeds the machine work area. The default setting is 20, meaning Mach4 is always reading 20 lines ahead. Because of this feature, a soft limit can be triggered well before the machine would have been commanded to move outside of the work area.

Material origin is defined at bottom of the material in CAM software.

Option 1: Reprogram with origin set at the top surface of the material.

Option 2: Set Z height with touch plate on spoilboard surface instead of the top surface of the material.

With a flat spoilboard, zeroing to the spoilboard surface will provide more accurate thickness in pocketed areas without accurately accounting for material thickness.

For example, shallower than expected dado depth can affect the overall outside dimensions of assembled cabinets. This can lead to an increase in the overall length of a run of cabinets.