Slabbing Wizard is a Mach4 Wizard designed to simplify creating toolpaths for flattening material. It features a simple interface allowing you to control motion type and direction. Gcode is automatically generated and loaded for you. It’s recommended that you try a dry run first to ensure you understand the configuration and performance before cutting any material.
I do not warrant functions contained in the program will meet your requirements or that the operation of the program will be uninterrupted or error-free. The program is provided “AS IS”, without warranty of any kind, express or implied.
At this time only inch units are supported. A metric version may follow later.
Tested on Avid CNC Mach4 releases 2.3.5, 2.3.8, 2.4.2
How to Install:
Download ZIP attachment
Unzip file
Copy contents to your Mach4 Wizards folder ( typically C:\Mach4Hobby\Wizards\ )
How to Use:
Prepare machine for cutting with tool you plan to use (Home, Warmup, etc.)
Setup X/Y zero at near left (“front left”) corner of material, Z zero to highest material surface
Close any open/loaded Gcode file
Choose Wizard > Select Wizard from the Mach4 top menu
Locate and choose SlabWizard, click OK
Set configuration options in GUI, click Post Gcode
Select a destination for the Gcode file and click Save
Press Exit to close the Slabbing Wizard window
Preview Gcode and make any changes (if necessary)
Configuration Options:
Spindle RPM: Rotation RPM to set your spindle. Cutting Tool Dia. (in): Diameter of your cutting tool, in inches. Stepover: Width of cut per pass (inches or percent - see next). Actual Value / Percent of Dia (%): Switch between actual stepover amount or a percentage of the tool diameter. Linear Motion / Spiral: Switch between linear motion (back-and-forth) and Spiral toolpath. Clockwise/Y / Counter/X: Switch between Clockwise/Counterclockwise (Spiral) and Y/X primary direction (Linear). Stepdown Value (in): Depth of cut from Z zero position, in inches. Feedrate (in/min): Cutting feedrate, in inches per minute (IPM). X / Y Travel (in): Extents of the cutting operation, in inches, from your X/Y zero position. Save Z Height (in): Safe height for retract and rapid moves, in inches.
David, this is amazing. I was daydreaming about this the other day as I was flattening a slab. It seemed kinda silly to open Aspire to make a pocket toolpath like this.
I assume the plunge rate is the same as the feed rate and there is no initial ramp into the cut. If so some cutters may need to plunge down off the slab. Not a big deal just have to make the XY area larger than the slab.
Hey, thanks all. I’m not a programmer but I do enjoy a software project now and then. I have some other ideas in the works too.
@sehast the plunge is hard set to 10 inch/min. I felt that was slow enough to support any size tool and provide time for a new user to react if something was wrong. Also trying to reduce the number of editable fields. You can edit the gcode to your preference, it’s the first line after the spindle speed/enable. Nothing that can’t be added as an option later, if it’s important.
This could be a real time saver! Like others, I to have been drawing a file in aspire and making a surfacing tool path for every project with rough cut lumber. Of which, I seem to use a lot as it’s available and definitely cheaper.
Thanks David! Is there a “simple” way to save our configuration options? That would make it so the only thing I ever change is the X/Y Travel values.
Regardless, this contribution is great!
I actually have a newer version with a config save option that I haven’t finished testing yet, but I can move that up and probably have it done in a few days. I’ll post back when it’s ready.
ADD: Revert configuration options back to defaults
ADD: File generation timestamp (first line of Gcode)
How to Save Configuration:
Open SlabWizard
Setup to your configuration
Check the box next to Save Settings
Click Post Gcode button
How to Revert Settings to Defaults:
Open SlabWizard
Click Revert Settings button
Exit the wizard
Settings will be back to defaults the next time Slabbing Wizard is opened
Usage Tips:
Someone asked how to quickly run another pass with the same settings, changing only the depth of cut. If your Slabbing Wizard settings are otherwise OK, here’s how I would do it:
The software now thinks your Z-Axis is 2.15" above your original Z-zero position and will move down that additional 0.15" lower than your previous pass.
