# Slabbing Wizard for Mach4 **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Tags:** mach4, wizard, lua\ **Created:** [April 10, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947 "2023-04-10T00:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DavidsPostProcessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@DavidsPostProcessor](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/DavidsPostProcessor)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/1 "2023-04-10T00:10:13Z")
![Slab Wizard](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/5/56ad8ea0b4378cf0f66565826b72a1ba82c6115f.jpeg) **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:** 1. Download ZIP attachment 2. Unzip file 3. Copy contents to your Mach4 Wizards folder ( typically C:\Mach4Hobby\Wizards\ ) > **How to Use:** 1. Prepare machine for cutting with tool you plan to use (Home, Warmup, etc.) 2. Setup X/Y zero at near left (“front left”) corner of material, Z zero to highest material surface 3. Close any open/loaded Gcode file 4. Choose _Wizard_ \> _Select Wizard_ from the Mach4 top menu 5. Locate and choose **SlabWizard** , click _OK_ 6. Set configuration options in GUI, click Post Gcode 7. Select a destination for the Gcode file and click _Save_ 8. Press _Exit_ to close the **Slabbing Wizard** window 9. 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. [SlabWizard\_0.81a.zip](https://forum.avidcnc.com/uploads/short-url/AcWSxAbdTLmjpAuGvEG9u4YyPzz.zip) (27.8 KB) ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 1:05pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/2 "2023-04-10T13:05:13Z")
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. Excellent work. ---
**Author:** ![Bitandboard](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/bitandboard/32/1445_2.png) [@Bitandboard](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Bitandboard)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/3 "2023-04-10T14:42:41Z")
Wow, awesome job. thank you for sharing this with the community! ---
**Author:** ![MarkLindsayCNC](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/marklindsaycnc/32/30_2.png) [@MarkLindsayCNC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/MarkLindsayCNC)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/5 "2023-04-10T17:20:43Z")
Thank you very much! I have a lot of material I need to surface, and this may just save me a lot of time calculating various toolpaths in Aspire. ---
**Author:** ![SGY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SGY](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/SGY)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/6 "2023-04-10T18:45:17Z")
That is SERIOUSLY AWESOME! ---
**Author:** ![sehast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@sehast](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/sehast)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/7 "2023-04-10T19:55:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![DavidsPostProcessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@DavidsPostProcessor](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/DavidsPostProcessor)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/8 "2023-04-10T20:54:10Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![sehast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@sehast](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/sehast)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/9 "2023-04-10T21:16:16Z")
Thanks, I answered my own question by just looking at the Gcode. Simple but a real time saver wizard. ---
**Author:** ![Eyedoc1701](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eyedoc1701/32/613_2.png) [@Eyedoc1701](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eyedoc1701)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/10 "2023-04-11T02:24:31Z")
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. ![Happy If You Say So GIF](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/5/5fe24d7675c8077c54a3e22e47e7ddd564799925.webp) Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![corbin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/corbin/32/2800_2.png) [@corbin](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/corbin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/11 "2023-04-12T19:05:17Z")
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing it! ---
**Author:** ![SGY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SGY](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/SGY)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/12 "2023-05-09T23:29:33Z")
Gotta say, this works really well. Nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![vjv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3d9bf3/32.png) [@vjv](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/vjv)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/13 "2023-05-14T15:36:39Z")
I planned to create about the same thing a while back and you have saved me all that time. Thanks for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![DavidsPostProcessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@DavidsPostProcessor](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/DavidsPostProcessor)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/14 "2023-05-14T18:52:00Z")
I’m glad people are finding it useful, thank you for the feedback. ---
**Author:** ![JDRS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JDRS](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JDRS)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/15 "2023-09-07T14:44:19Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![DavidsPostProcessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@DavidsPostProcessor](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/DavidsPostProcessor)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/16 "2023-09-07T23:24:21Z")
Hi Daniel, 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. ---
**Author:** ![JDRS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JDRS](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JDRS)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/17 "2023-09-10T12:54:45Z")
This is great news! And for the next challenge… connecting the stepovers with G2 / G3 arcs! 🙂 Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![DavidsPostProcessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@DavidsPostProcessor](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/DavidsPostProcessor)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/18 "2023-09-10T15:56:19Z")
## New Release ### Slabbing Wizard 0.95a ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/f/f4d519f0957beb0e912af1c7f6a872a8e6813f29.jpeg) > **Changes from 0.81a to 0.95a:** - **ADD:** File I/O error handling dialog - **ADD:** Save feature for configuration options - **ADD:** Revert configuration options back to defaults - **ADD:** File generation timestamp (first line of Gcode) > **How to Save Configuration:** 1. Open **SlabWizard** 2. Setup to your configuration 3. Check the box next to **Save Settings** 4. Click **Post Gcode** button > **How to Revert Settings to Defaults:** 1. Open **SlabWizard** 2. Click **Revert Settings** button 3. Exit the wizard 4. 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: 1. Use **Slabbing Wizard** to setup first pass. 2. Run first pass to completion. 3. Click Z-axis DRO _(Digital Read Out)_. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/b/b652cb7d042a09d4b9b802def801b5d33f901ee5.png) 4. Enter an offset for the next pass: - If you want to run next pass 0.15" lower, add this value to the current Z-axis DRO: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/d/d147f7f71693fd47ee0078c3fa6e8176e3152896.png) - 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. 5. Repeat as many times as necessary. #### Download [SlabWizard-Release-095a.zip](https://forum.avidcnc.com/uploads/short-url/eoK6tRr7M2zrkfq7nx1m2kHnSVQ.zip) (28.9 KB) ---
**Author:** ![JDRS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JDRS](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JDRS)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/19 "2023-09-13T03:35:50Z")
Thank you, it works like a dream! ---
**Author:** ![DavidsPostProcessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@DavidsPostProcessor](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/DavidsPostProcessor)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/20 "2023-09-13T18:54:23Z")
That’s great! Maybe the next version will have those arc moves. 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947/21 "2023-09-14T13:13:47Z")
Just curious is there a vid of this in action. Want to see what the fuss is about 😉🤣 [Next page](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/slabbing-wizard-for-mach4/1947.md?page=2)