Introduction
- How to set up your Maslow CNC for the first time
- Connecting your Maslow to WiFi and LAN networks
- The step by step guide to finding anchors on a Maslow
- Troubleshooting your Maslow connection and anchor issues
- Essential tips for preparing your Maslow to cut
This instruction will be out of date by the time it is released but lets just go with it.
So, you have assembled your Maslow and the frame is built. Your next step is to get it ready to cut.
Just a few things to make it easier to see how it operates and understand some of the basic differences between the Maslow and more conventional CNC machines.
Conventional CNC are raised above the work piece and, while belt driven, are mounted on a fixed gantry for one direction and can be moved along the gantry. The Gantry in turn is moved as a unit in the other direction. Conventional CNC are analogous in operation to a 3D printer. The CNC location is set by moving it to a known location. All subsequent moves are in reference to that location
Maslow is pulled around by belts which move the Maslow on the work surface.
Maslow navigates by counting the number of rotations a belt generates as it passes a magnetic sensor.
In order to find a zero reference point the Maslow retracts the belts completely and then extends them and counts the revolutions of a sensor for each arm.
Each belt is then attached to the frame and belts drawn tight while tracking the distance from each anchor.
Connection and control
The Maslow is controlled by a web browser running on almost any device, including a mobile (cell) phone to a PC.
The internal WiFi server
To initially log on to Maslow, power it up and on your device, under WiFi settings, look for Maslow. Use maslow.local and initial password is 12345678, if Maslow doesn’t connect automatically. The machine can be controlled with the internal WiFi server, but it’s often more convenient to run from a local WiFi Network.
If the blue light is flashing, it has already connected to a LAN. The blue light will be counting out the IP address.
LAN server
Initially the connection is to via the Maslow’s internal WiFi. To connect to a the local WiFi, from the Setup screen, select configure and enter your local WiFi and password. In future you should be able to connect using maslow.local in the address line of your browser.
Find Anchors
Initially and whenever a frame is changed, it is necessary to identify where the anchors are relative to the Maslow. This is done with the Find Anchors procedure.
Preliminary
Before running Find Anchors, remove any cutting bits and lower the Z access as far as it will go. If you go too far it won’t hurt the machine, just makes a buzzing noise as it attempts to lower past the full depth.
For maximum accuracy when running Find Anchors, it is preferable to set the retract value as low as possible, where all the belts retract reliably. To achieve this, go to Setup, Config and set the Retract force to 700, then click on Retract, then Extend and draw the belts out, then retract again. If all belts retract all the way then you are set. If any don’t, then up the retract force by 100 and try again. Repeat until all belts retract without problems. If you need more than 1300 retraction force, then you can think about reducing friction in affected arms, by sanding and lubricating spools. This is a major undertaking.
Find Anchor Steps:
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Select Setup.
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Click Retract – belts should all retract
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Click Extend – then draw out each belt until it stops. When all belts are out, the cooling fan will stop.
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Attach Belts to Anchors.
Belt must be free to rotate around anchor and anchor needs to be as rigid as possible. -
Click on Find Anchors.
The first 6 points will have loose belts as the software determines an approximate location for the anchors. After that the belts will stay reasonable tight, then tighten a little more at each stop. The Maslow will travel around 3 expanding rectangles, after each circuit, it will calculate it’s position relative to the Anchors and produce a fitness value. Initially, this is relatively high, as it calculates more points this will drop. The higher the fitness value the better (after completion). If the final value is less than 0.45, then Find Anchors will recommend not using these values. -
On completion of the Find Anchors, the Maslow will report Ready to Cut if successful or Extended if not successful.
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Click on Save Serial to save a copy of the messages. This is useful if you have a problem, or for future reference as it contains the calculated Anchor positions.
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Recommend saving a copy of your maslow.yaml file if successful (FluidNC, Manage Local File (Green button) and upload maslow.yaml).
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If not successful, then re-run Find Anchors. If still not successful, open a docket, put you name in the header with a short description and a longer description in the body. If possible include the Serial log file.
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Move the Z axis up (20mm) and set Z home.
Z stop is the maximum depth the Maslow can reach, and Z home is normally set so the bit just clears the work sheet.
Before attempting to cut, and before putting a bit in the router, raise the Z axis to a convenient value (20mm), and run the Maslow to get a feel for how it operates. Jog the Maslow around, explore the Set XY Home and Park functions, load a test file (file.nc or file.step) and run it.
SD_maslowdoorsign.nc (26.8 KB)