Anyone using Estlcam for controlling in addition to CAM work? I’m more interested in CNC at this time, so I ordered an Adruino Uno kit to flash with the Estlcam controller, but I was curious as to whether anyone here was doing so and could share their settings?
Hi,
I’ll just hijack this topic:
- If someone has a well working setting it would be nice if you can save ("Save settings" button in the "USB CNC Controller" tab) and send it to me: christian@estlcam.com
- I'll then include it as a preset with one of the next updates.
Christian
Estlcam can’t control the router at the moment. It just makes the gcode.
Oh, wait, you’re trying to use a different controller, never mind, carry on!
Thanks Christian. No worries about hijacking.
I’ll re-hijack your hijack in fact. Outside of the videos, are there any other good resources for information on using Estlcam? I’m mainly interested in two sided or flip milling. I purchased the software, and have started to experiment with it, but I can only do that really when I’m at home in front of my machine.
Hi,
besides the videos most information is displayed as tooltip in the program itself.
Just rest the mouse pointer above whatever control you’re interested in and it will give you detailed information.
2 sided machining depends on your strategy.
If you choose 3d machining with a STL file you basically just enter stock material size and Estlcam will do almost everything else automatically.
You just flip the part after machining the first side around its Y-axis (like a book page), touch off the left, front corner again and resume machining for the second side.
If you choose 2d / 2.5d machining with .dxf files (which is the better strategy if the part itself is machinable in 2D / 2.5D style) there are more things to consider. Hard to explain in plain text - maybe I’ll do a video about this soon.
Christian
1 Like
Christian
I really like your software and I have recently upgraded to V9. Have you added the feature to control the Arduino Mega? I thought that your software could only control the UNO.
Thanks and I am looking forward to all your future software releases.
Curt
Hi,
Estlcam unfortunately only supports the UNO and Nano.
The Mega is very unlikely to be supported in future - its just too much work to port it to this processor.
Christian
1 Like
I would be very interested in seeing this workout. I think it would be beneficial if there was a section explaining the Estlcam setup using the Uno. I’ve sent an individual email to estlcam, perhaps this forum would be a better place so I could help more than just myself.
Regards,
So i decided to give it a try cause Repetier and Marlin does not work as i wanted to, so i choose to hook the steppers in series, so no need for 5 drivers, and as i do not want do do 3d printing or laser CNC-Shield 3.00 on Uno is all i need for now on my MPCNC. And i love the integrated controller software of estlcam, and the hazzlefree integrated update of the firmware. Maybe i will try native GRBL on my UNO and see if there are any difference. Don’t know how estcam communicates (Baudrate, Commands…) i do not know if any 3rd party g-code-sender is able to cummunicate with the software on the Uno (Christian -> is it possible to use the Estlcam Firmware with other GCode-Senders?), but it works. Already made my first move with Estlcam and Uno. Love it. Only thing is the mm per round on my 16teeth GT2 which i am not aware… should be 1mm with 200 steps per mm, right? Maybe Christian could clarify. And one more thing i am not aware, since it allows touchplate calibration, which pin on the CNC-Shield could be used for the probe?
So basic setup, all based on calculation:
X/Y
6400 steps per turn (1.8° = 200 Steps 1/32 = 6400)
32mm per turn (16 teeth 2mm pitch GT2 belt)
30mm/s max. speed (more cant be computed due to 160 kHz limit of Arduino Uno)
Z
6400 steps per turn (1.8° = 200 Steps 1/32 = 6400)
1.25mm per turn (M8 screw)
8.5mm/s
When my machine is fully wired i will test these and reply.
New Estlcam Version online!!! now experimental Firmware and control for Arduino Mega with RAMPS 1.4. Only basic support (movement), however i hope the autosense is also going to be implemented in this. Will check it out when my wiring is completed.
So stay tuned
setup completed, all up and running. used Arduino Mega with new estlcam-firmware and 5 A4988 at 1/16 (X to E0 and Y to E1), so 3200steps per turn, 32mm/round and 60mm/s.
First run with marker pen: 4 Passes with movement between “cuts” to verify if the positioning is working as it should 
Paper size is A4 so about 210mm*300mm
I have the Shapeoko 3 and a makita router. I am trying to use Estlcam to control the cutting. I installed the newest version of Estlcam v10.030 and programmed using your preset for shapeoko, com4 and estlcam . After programming and the controller screen appeared, i was not able to jog the machine, the numbers on the screen advanced but no motion of the axis. I do not have a keyboard with a number pad and am trying to activate movement picking the arrows with the mouse. Do I need a game pad controller or just a keyboard with a number pad. The mouse is not usable to control (jog) the axis’s ? I love how easy Estlcam operates and hope I can get Estlcam to control my Shapeoko 3. I had a bunch of other questions and found your answers here and joined this forum. Thank you Christian, Jude
Hello,
I’ve just tried with my Shapeoko 3 and Version 10.030 and everything works fine.
But: the manufacturer of the Shapeoko already changed the boards to make installing 3rd party software more difficult in the past.
I have old boards (v2.2 and one of the first v2.3) which accept reprogramming without any issues. The version after those only worked after pressing the prog button and maybe they made it even more difficult or even impossible by now.
What version is your board?
Christian
Hi,
I’ve just completed building my MPCNC and I’ve tested it in the following ways:
- Arduino Mega with Marlin - Works ok from the SD card; I can move the mill using Marlin's menus and the rotary switch.
- Arduino Uno with GRBL + any GRBL sender: I can move the mill using GCODE commands and I can also send a gcode file. Just check the COM port the appears in My Devices when you plug in the USB and set it in the GRBL sender wth speed at 115200.
- ESTLCAM + Arduino Mega - Just enter basic parameters and press the button "load to arduino" - ESTLCAM will load his firmware and allow moving the mill through its GUI. Additionally, you can open an .nc file from ESTLCAM and press play to send it to the arduino. While the program runs you can accelerate it or slow it down in real time. Great for first tests.
- ESTLCAM + Arduino Uno - works exactely the same as above
For longer jobs you will 100% want a SD unless you are using a dedicated computer. Are you just trying to eliminate repetier or you having some issue? GCode from estlcam to repetier works fine.
In fact I’m not sure I can slow down the machining while the program runs once I start it with Marlin from SD.
I’m still learning a lot about mills and woods and I’m fighting with lost steps on both horizontal and z axis. Being able, from my notebook, to slow down the MPCNC or pause it and freely move up and down in the gcode and restart for any point is important to learn.
No doubt in the future I will use the SD card as I do with the 3D printer.
1 Like
You start with a slower settings, you should not need to slow it down once it is running, which you should also be able to do.
lost steps are not common, actually very rare unless you have other issues.
I fugue this is the place to ask this question
I have UNO Setup with CNC shield on MPCNC
all 3 Jumpers so I believe that is 16th Step
My Z axis moves Proper Distance with the T8 Lead Screw
[attachment file=87619]
My X and Y are moving the Proper Distance
But when I program Controller getting Below Error
[attachment file=87619]
I’m Just not Sure what to do to Try and Fix it
I tried using Repeaters Calculator worked on the z Axis
[attachment file=87620]
Hi Marvin,
I have the same setup as yours and I receive the exact same error when I flash the Arduino, however everything works fine. You can see my settings in my personal page here www.brembati.it.
As far as I understand, Estlcam complains about not having the same resolution in all axis. I’m not sure why this would be an issue, however you might try to remove some jumpers from Z driver to get from 1/16th to 1/4th and adjust your Estlcam settings accordingly so that you get the same 0,01 mm resolution also on Z.
Since everything works anyway I didn’t bother to do it, so let us know if you see any improvement in doing so.
Ciao
m
2 Likes