Start here if you need help setting up and working with your machine
When the machine is in place and all the components are connected, you have to install software to control the machine. Starting from August 2021, we control the machines via USB with a module called UC100. Select the guide below depending on the software you selected to control the machine, Mach3 or UCCNC.
Regardless of the guide you choose below, the UC100 module you see on the right must be installed and instructions are available for both options. To know that everything works, both lights on the module should light up when you start the software after installation. If only one light is on, the installation is not complete, then try installing the module again.
Important! If you get a message that there are missing DLL files and other error messages when you start Mach3 or UCCNC, it means that your computer does not have the latest updates from Windows. Then go to Windows update and make sure to install everything that is not installed. You need something called Net frame work for the UC100 module to work. Use version 2.0, the link can be found here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=6041
| After you install Mach3 (if that is your chosen control software) you can update the appearance of the layout itself. The original version of mach3 looks old but we have created a brand new layout for the program which is easy to install, you can contact us if you have bought a machine for a copy of this update. |  |
Mach3
Mach3 with UC100 module
Install Mach3 by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Mach3 software can be found in the files located on the USB stick that comes with your machine.
During installation, the software asks if you want to install LTP port support, select “Yes” and then restart the computer when prompted.
To install the UC100 adapter
If you have problems installing the module, it may be due to your computer. You can visit the UC100 manufacturer here, https://cncdrive.com They have a forum with troubleshooting among other things.
This step is important! Once you have installed all the files for your machine (More on that below), the UC100 module must be set up for the machine to move. We will address it below but keep in mind that you may have forgotten that step if the machine does not move.
Install the Raw Avantic profile for Mach3
To install all the settings in Mach3 automatically, you must paste our files that you find in a folder located on the USB stick that comes with your machine (Raw avantic settings for Mach3) Do this:
Close Mach3 and go to the C:/Mach3 folder in Windows (My Computer/Windows(C:)/Mach3)
The last step is to activate the UC100, go to the tab “plugin control” and change the Hz field to 25kHz
Go to “Config” and click on “Save settings”. Then restart Mach3. Now the machine should move if you click on “Reset” and the arrow keys. See video below for how to use the machine.
UCCNC
CCNC Control program with UC100 module
Install UCCNC by following the manufacturer’s instructions. UCCNC software can be found here: UCCNC (Opens in a new window)
After you install UCCNC, the software will usually start, close it, we need to add some files. In Windows, go to the C: folder (My Computer / Windows (C :)) Go to the UCCNC folder, click on it.
If you purchased the software from us, you should have received a license file. If not, contact us and we will send it to you. In the UCCNC folder, paste the license file among the other files to activate your license. If everything works, the UCCNC should not say “demo” the next time you start it. But before you start UCCNC…
Open the “Profiles” folder and paste our profiles for your Avantic machine. Download it by clicking this link: Raw Avantic Profile The files come in Zip format so you need to unzip them. In Windows, right-click on the file and choose to unzip. If this is not possible, you can download Winrar which is free. The files that are unpacked are pasted into the “Profiles” folder, see the picture below.
Close all folders and start the software. When starting the software, go to the “Configuration” tab and then “Profiles”. Select our profile “Raw Avantic” Press “Apply settings” and then “Save settings”
To avoid doing this every time you start UCCNC, you can create a new profile with a desktop shortcut. You can click on that shortcut to start with our profile instead. To do that…
Type a new name in the “New profile name:” box, for example, type “Raw Avantic cnc” and press Enter on your keyboard.
Select the “Create shortcut on desktop” box and then “Create a new profile”. Unfortunately, when you create a new profile, the scripts are not included. The probing script (M31.txt) unique to Raw must be copied from the old folder in C:/UCCNC/profiles/Raw Avantic/to the newly created one. Keep in mind that UCCNC software must be shut down before you paste any files into any folder.
Now the machine should move if you press the arrow keys on the keyboard, the up arrow is up and so on. To move the Z axis, press PgUp and PgDn.
The machine moves very slowly but you can change it by going to the menu on the left, move the mouse over the blue field with the arrows.
Change jog feed to 80% or more. The jog feed must be changed each time you start the machine.
Now we are ready to start working. Go to the “RUN” tab. Let’s try a few things.
Press “Reset button” so that the button does not flash. Press “Home all” button and the machine will start looking for its home position.
Probing
Probing is when you calibrate the height of the Z axis. You can do this manually by lowering the end mill to the top of the surface and resetting the Z axis and then starting to cut. This is the fastest way and works well when cutting cheap materials. If you need better accuracy, you can use the probe plate.
The spindle and probe plate act as a switch, so when they make contact, the machine backs away from the plate. You can try this by plugging in your probe plate and doing the routine high up in the air first and see if it responds. Click on the probing icon. If the plate does not respond, press “Reset” to stop the function.
Load a file
Now that we know that everything works, we can load a file and make our first cut. You can use testfile (right click and “Save link as text file”). When you test a file for the first time, we recommend that you do this in the air first, a so-called “dry run”. The file states which end mill we use (4mm in this case) as well as the size and thickness of the material eg the name of this file is: 200x200mm 12mm thick MDF. It is a good routine to name your files this way.
Press the “Load file” button and select the file
Do the probe routine or bring the end mill down to the surface of your material and zero all the coordinates. make your cut in the air or for real. If you cut for real, you must fasten the material properly and always wear the dust cover, which also acts as a splinter guard. Press “Cycle start” The machine starts the spider and starts moving after 20 seconds so that you have time to back away. If something goes wrong, press the emergency stop or “Reset” button in the UCCNC.
Now that you know that everything works as it should, you can start building your own files. Read our instructions or go out on YouTube and learn the software for drawing and setting up your files
Now that the machine is set up, you can start building your files for cutting. If you are completely new to the field, you can watch the video below.
Instructional video for Raw Avantic. We are working on a new more updated video. But it can be useful until then. Some things like what is included in the machine have changed.
You can set up your files with an alternative CAM software called Estlcam. With Estlcam you can also cut in 3D and the price is only about 50Eur for the entire software. However, you can not draw in Estlcam but you can do it in any other program. We list a few different softwares at the bottom of this page. Visit estlcam.de for more
Software and plugins used in the video
Drawing software
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