@t3p3tony I did a quick search on the forum and found these threads that might be worth moving here:

https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/4669/ooznest-workbee-screw-driven https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/7364/multi-spindle-cnc https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/4313/cnc-workplace-coordinates https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/9269/yet-another-cnc-improvement-outside-machine-limits https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/4680/increase-work-coordinates-precision https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/10234/4th-axis-post-processor https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/8826/strange-issue-when-running-programme-on-cnc https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/8116/setting-wcs-with-probe https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/5503/dual-y-axis-and-rotary-a-axis https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/4557/cnc-coordinate-systems https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/10292/duet-wifi-for-cnc-work-coordinates-and-mesh-bed-leveling-issue https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/8955/general-questions-about-using-duet-for-traditional-cnc https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/5654/problem-controlling-a-cnc-spindle https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/8796/duet3d-controlling-relay-spindle https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/7543/vesc-spindle-control-for-cnc-mill https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/4762/vfd-spindle-drive-0-10v-output https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/8653/software-to-use-3d-printer-as-an-engraver-spindle-motor https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/9693/duet-2-controlling-a-cnc-spindle-vfd-via-pwm https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/9156/cnc-firmware-for-the-paneldue https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/1662/running-gcode-cnc-on-duet-wifi https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/17/milling-cnc-with-duetwifi https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/6454/duetwifi-on-a-wood-alu-router https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/7339/issues-with-m585-for-cnc-milling

@bearer said in CNC Coordinate Systems:

Is there currently any way to probe in directions other than Z? I see G38.x isnt supported, and G30 only takes x and y for locations to do the Z probe.

G38.x would be nice to have for CNC.

Look up M585 in the GCodes page of the wiki.

Many thanks for advise..

I've down loaded Fusion 360...

Now to trawl through the training vids

@bearer said in Duet 2 controlling a cnc spindle / VFD via pwm:

Could he use a 5V fan output if hes got one spare?

Yes, or a spare heater output.

@hpiz said in Yet another CNC improvement (Outside machine limits):

I just tried this with some manual gcode entry.
Starting at X-11
G1 X-50 F50
waited a few seconds until it was about a 1/4 done with the move
G4 P0 M5
Spindle stopped immediately.

That's expected. GCodes received over HTTP or from PanelDue are not synchronised. GCodes read from a streaming source are synchronised. So to test the synchronisation, put the M3/M4/M5/G1 commands in a print file or a macro file. Let me know if you find a sequence that doesn't work as expected.

Added to the wish list. But there is so much on the list for ReprapFirmware that I can't say when I will be working on PanelDueFirmware again.

thanks for the replies, it sounds like there isn't really an issue on the hardware side.
I've been learning Fusion360 and no issues there, just export the .nc file.
I'm also learning to use to Tormach CNC in our makerspace. These machines always come with their own software interfaces that do the same thing as the Duet webcontrol, but since that is printing-oriented, what would I use to manage the machine and jobs? Webcontrol can monitor progress, start and stop jobs, define tools and such, even jogging. But there are a lot of elements non relevant to cnc and cnc oriented items not in webcontrol (maybe setting the Duet to CNC mode also modifies the web interface to match?)

The problem is the "outside machine limits" message. In CNC mode, a movement command that commands movement outside the limits you have set in config.g will terminate the job, for safety reasons. So you need to identify that command in the GCode file, for example by executing lines from the file one at a time.

@mikethk Indeed, a relay or SSR are your only choices for that!

Thanks for the tip! I will take a look at that.

That is great news!

@chrishamm: First sorry for the late feedback your response somehow escaped me.
I would be happy to have version 2 under something like S2 and agree that the current behavior should be maintained.
But I would also implement Version 1 in parallel as I think it is completely consistent with the current behavior. It is just extending the current behavior to work as well with initial tool-offsets different from 0.
Finally if you like I can make a pull-request from my repository. However as it is so little code I'm not sure if it is not easier for you to directly include the few lines needed. Whatever you prefer just let me know....

@dc42 Aaah, I see. I had gotten mixed up at some point assuming that the output from M280 etc was PWM, not PPM (from my understanding, yes, standard RC servo protocol).

If that's the case, I just need to figure out the wiring. While the VESC seems like solid hardware/software, I've found it's documentation to be vague, and highly disconnected - I've been spoiled by Duet! 😛

I'll post here for future reference if/when I get everything working.

@maukvdlaan I have done a more in-depth analysis of the problem (I want to find a solution myself for the Z-axis). As you want to have 6-7 spindles, you will clearly need a custom X axis. In this case you might be better with a C-Beam Machine solution, with the profile screwed to the X axis plate and the spindle plate vertically sliding on it (the WorkBee has a Z plate screwed to the X axis plate and sliding profile with spindle installed on it!). This should reduce a lot the problems with the Z axis rotating around the X axis, while not braking the bank (it reduces a lot the stress in one of the critical points).

Your problem with that weight of the Z axis will not be the X axis bending, but the V-Slot wheels literally "exploding". The heaviest gantry installed on machines in this class, based on messages on various forums and some "inside knowledge", is 2.2kW water/air cooled spindle, about 5kg. With over twice the weight, the X axis V-Slot wheels are literally doomed. You need to properly consider the setup scenarios for all the machines in this range (OX, C-Beam Machine, WorkBee, Sphinx) - most of them are shown with standard routers (not very heavy). HF spindles are something extra, not very often, but going beyond a 65mm one (2.5-3kg) is on the "too much" side for sure!

The WorkBee is a far cry from the initial eShapeOko that I have used, no doubt. Also, it has its uses and a rather well defined users base. But, even so, it can't really be the answer to any CNC related problem. In your specific situation, I would personally chose a different path: CNCs with several identical spindles, executing the same program, are not unheard of, but trying to replace a proper ATC (adequate spindle, tools holder, air compressor, valves etc.) with a multi-spindle Z-azis is on the "strange side" (clearly too heavy and potentially more expensive).

P.S. While I discuss occasionally with Ryan at Ooznest, I'm in no way related to them. The above is just my honest opinion, based on my own experience and the information I could find on the Internet on this matter.