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Practical, step-by-step guides for your workshop. Start with the basics, find a specific answer or work through a complete setup.
First setup training video: script and screenshots · Draft for review
Know your machine
Connect and qualify the machineMachine home versus work datumFirst physical-machine commissioningPrepare the work
Save and reuse a fixture square datumStock, clamps and fixture placementProbe stock Z and establish work zeroChoose and verify the fitted cutterPreview & review
Play and scrub animated stock carvingCheck the job and understand blocked StartAir run and boundary checksRun & recover
Pause, Software Stop and physical E-stopSupervised tool changesRecover after interruption or lost connectionMachine signal lights and recovery scenariosKeep improving
Update machine and tool cataloguesBack up and transfer your setupCollect useful diagnosticsCNC terms used in ForgeCNCTHE GUIDE LIBRARY
Print / save offline Find your next answer.
27 guides · ForgeCNC 0.2.0
Machine setup
Update machine and tool catalogues
Add new models and cutters without reinstalling ForgeCNC.
Read guide Machine setupConsole and manual commands
Type one supported controller command, inspect replies and recall previous entries.
Read guide TroubleshootingMachine signal lights and recovery scenarios
See which reported condition needs attention and find the full recovery reference.
Read guide Machine setupJogging and the handwheel
Position the cutter with small, deliberate moves after homing and qualification.
Read guide Getting startedYour first job, from setup to Start
Follow the setup guide for one machine, one fixture and one loaded job.
Read guide Getting startedBrowser preview and installed apps
Understand which tasks are available offline and which require the native controller owner.
Read guide Machine setupConnect and qualify the machine
Establish a fresh controller session before setup or motion.
Read guide Machine setupMachine home versus work datum
Home establishes the machine reference; a work datum locates your part within it.
Read guide Workholding & datumsSave and reuse a fixture square datum
Keep named XY references for repeat work at different locations on the same machine.
Read guide Workholding & datumsStock, clamps and fixture placement
Model the real setup and check that the cutter, holder and spindle clear it.
Read guide Workholding & datumsProbe stock Z and establish work zero
Use fresh measured contact results with the cutter actually fitted.
Read guide Jobs & simulationLoad a CNC job
Load the machine programme exported by your CAM software.
Read guide Jobs & simulationPlay and scrub animated stock carving
See the route and approximate material removal before connecting to a machine.
Read guide Jobs & simulationPlace the work on the 3D machine
Understand job coordinates, machine placement and preview estimates.
Read guide ToolsChoose and verify the fitted cutter
Match the CAM tool to the cutter, holder and measured reference on the machine.
Read guide ToolsSupervised tool changes
Follow the owned tool-change workflow instead of continuing from remembered tool lengths.
Read guide Run & recoverCheck the job and understand blocked Start
Start depends on current machine and path checks, not a completed checklist.
Read guide Run & recoverAir run and boundary checks
Review a supervised clearance route before committing to a cut.
Read guide Run & recoverPause, Software Stop and physical E-stop
Choose the control appropriate to the machine state.
Read guide Run & recoverRecover after interruption or lost connection
Resume only through a checked original-job recovery plan.
Read guide Run & recoverReuse a job from history
Reload a retained file and setup for a fresh run.
Read guide Settings & supportBack up and transfer your setup
Preserve profiles, appearance, materials and saved fixture datums.
Read guide Settings & supportWorkspaces, control groups and display
Arrange the panels around the task you are doing.
Read guide TroubleshootingAlarm, probe active or door/E-stop blocks
Resolve the reported input or state before trying the action again.
Read guide Machine setupFirst physical-machine commissioning
Qualify the actual installation before normal production controls.
Read guide TroubleshootingCollect useful diagnostics
Keep the evidence needed to investigate a fault without guessing.
Read guide ReferenceCNC terms used in ForgeCNC
A short reference for coordinate frames and workflow language.
Read guideAll guides are open to everyone. Create an account to save your learning progress. These written guides are available now; captioned video lessons are a later addition.
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