It can give you an idea of what’s going to happen when you hit start. There’s a virtual tool-path graphic in the top right corner of the screen.The “Go Home” button takes the spindle to your original starting place.
Step 10: Position the tool to your 0,0 point. Lower the cutting bed if you need more room. Step 9: Place your workpiece on the cutting bed, but don't knock into the laser head. Step 8: Use “tab” to bring up the virtual pendent (so you can jog/move the machine head) (See below for more information on generating the g-code for this.) Step 7: Load your G-Code under “file->load g-code” in the top-bar menu. Step 6: "Home" the laser (so it knows where the laser head is). Step 5: Plug in the ventilation fan (fan is on the nearby double-door). Step 4: Turn on the Laser Cutter by plugging in the GFI cord (looks like a short, yellow extension cord).
Step 3: Open Mach3 software on the computer. Step 1: Turn on the computer connected to the laser (computer on first or they won’t talk). CamBam will create a toolpath that accounts for the kerf width and maintains your original work piece dimensions. You can either 1) enlarge your dimensions to include this amount or 2) use a "profiling" setup in CamBam and select the 0.23mm tool. Assume that 1/2 of that width (or 0.115 mm) will be removed from each side of your final work piece. However, if you are cutting very precise (or very small) shapes, you may want to factor in the kerf. Most users don't need to bother about this as the cut-width is too small to have a noticeable effect on your work piece. Another name for the width of the cut is the kerf. This is similar to the cut made by a saw blade or a router bit. The laser cuts a path through your material that is approximately 0.23 mm wide if the laser is focused correctly for your material (see Step 11 of the Quick-Start guide that follows). A maximum thickness is about 1/4 inch, or 6 mm, and may require multiple passes to cut completely through. If you are cutting, and not etching, a good material thickness for easy cutting would be 1/8 inch, or 3 mm. Smaller work pieces are easier to handle - getting under the cutting head without having to lower the bed a lot. The maximum cutting area is 19 inches across and 10 inches deep.
7.2 CamBam and Mach3 Configuration Files.3 Quick-Start guide for the Laser Cutter.