were all these messages posted at the same time?
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Iâm available if needed, shoot me a message to get started on Zoom.
Otherwise the admin for our FB group is currently editing our meeting from yesterday.
I held a full 2.5 long Zoom session with 14 participants teaching them the software workflow, CAD, CAM, post processing, and more that you may find useful.
I will share that link once itâs uploaded and available.
Otherwise Iâm free now.
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nice work and community support.
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Contrary to popular belief here, I actually aim to help everyone succeed.
My âout of your leagueâ comment elsewhere was blown so out of proportion I didnât bother to defend it. Itâs how I speak, and if you met me IRL (or hear me on the phone), it would make more sense.
Anyway I texted the OP here and will get him on Zoom as soon as I can.
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An update for everyone!
So the OP is running a Crossfire Pro.
He has only cut a few things in the last month (itâs all new to him).
My guess is he took ready-cut-files from Fireshare and just ran the NC or TAP files found there.
Heâs a bit busy at the moment but he was able to share a few key things I can help him with tomorrow. He does not have a tool library set at all, he hasnât created his own g-code before, and he runs a Razorweld 45 plasma cutter.
I can look up ârecommendedâ cut chart settings and offer him those, but tomorrow weâre planning on getting on Zoom together to walk him through how to go over CAM and post process.
But we did talk on the phone for a bit so at least he knows heâs talking to someone in the US lol.
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Thank you for jumping on this @Kwikfab .
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Is the langmuir instructions for fusion cam insufficient?
When I get home today, Iâll give you my own opinion on that matter as I really havenât seen their stuff in over 2 years since I first started.
Normally, yes I do recommend people follow Langmuirâs instruction as I understood it easily so I donât think thatâs the issue.
But the method of learning differs greatly from one individual to another so there may be some sort of disconnect there.
You wouldnât believe the messages I receive daily asking for help even for the simplest things. But I donât mind helping at all.
Iâll see how the instruction provided differs from my own instruction.
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So, in revisiting Langmuirâs website, I can attest that the process in its entirety is easily explained.
In my own experience when helping others, itâs not often I run into any issues regarding the above described process.
On occasion, I do have an individual ask âwhy canât I cut this sketch outâ, but those are the exception as they normally skip the Software Workflow described above.
If I could make a suggestion to Langmuir, it would be a short introductory âWelcomeâ video.
It needs to be short, to the point, but detailed enough to describe the above in a shorthand version for instance -
âWelcome and congratulations on the purchase of your new Langmuir CNC table!â
The video will sum up the workflow with something as simple as the person providing an idea for a simple bottle opener, then changing over to a brief clip of basic CAD (on Fusion), followed by a brief clip of choosing geometries in CAM, opening Firecontrol, hitting the green button and showing the table cut said item.
The video ends with said person picking up their newly cut bottle opener off the table, and finishing off with yet again another congratulations, and welcome to the world of CNC.
The whole video should be a short clip, with voice over on the above mentioned clips as each process is described briefly.
If this video can be implemented somewhere immediately after assembly, it can give new owners an idea of what to expect.
Kind of like going to class. Do you remember how much easier the day was when a lesson plan was provided at the beginning of the day? Or week? Setting those expectations, even briefly, can help in the long run and itâs something Iâm often describing to others when they seek help and theyâre âlostâ.
Again, the above excerpt (along with the provided links) are fantastic and they still apply now even.
I just think the way itâs being presented might need a refresher. A trend I see often is that people find the site/tutorials difficult to navigate.
In fact, I think someone on this own forum made it known to me recently that a specific instruction (think it was THC-related) was not made in the Langmuir Crossfire assembly, but was in the Langmuir Crossfire Pro assembly. Yet we all know the THC assembly is identical, but specific information was missing on the Crossfire side.
So again maybe just a small refresher on the site itself adding that intro/welcome video.
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I will admit, I didnât know what I thought I knew about computer aided design and its road map of info to get it into computer aided manufacture. There were no shortcuts as I was learning the process, I had to follow the map.
I agree that the Langmuir site offers lots of detailed information, so much information that I thought I had read it all until Jim Chelan instructed that I should read all the info on the Langmuir site. I had studied the directions up to a point where an advertisement was inserted, I thought it was the end of the directions/tutorial and couldnât figure out why nothing worked. I found out there were many more pages that had to be studied past that pop up ad.
It sure is a fun way to cut metal, I donât mind the challenge if I can accomplish the task.
I wonder how many people in Minnesota have these Langmuir tables or use Fusion with others equipment, how close they are to one another; that a new person could arrange for a visit to an experienced user and see firsthand how to set up for a project. In my case I had never seen in person one of these tables in action.
This forum is a great source of info with lots of people willing to help.
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I agree, having someone right there with you is probably the best way one can learn.
But these tables are sold and shipped all over! Iâve only met two people near me that have ever used a Langmuir table.
With that said, having someone experienced nearby doesnât guarantee youâll learn the right way as Iâve heard firsthand from others (maybe 2 or 3 people) having received some not-so-good advice, or not being able to explain things in a manner that was easy to understand.
Learning is one thing, teaching is altogether different. Pair that with being able to adapt your teaching ability to oneâs learning ability as well.
Anyway I digress.
When I do my Zoom meetings for groups, this is how I open up spending at most 2-3 minutes on Power Point before opening up to doing things in real-time on Fusion 360.
As thorough as Langmuirâs site is (again, I say this and what I mentioned above as a positive thing), it can be a bit overwhelming for someone completely new to the hobby.
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But yeah as I said, I invest a lot of time helping strangers each and every day.
I have power points, videos, go over drawings, cut files, and more for many on the Facebook group.
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, especially after investing so much (whether itâs time, money, or both).
So when I share the âissuesâ or the âconcernsâ I receive, I think my suggestion for the above âWelcomeâ video will help to dispel some of those unknowns.
My suggestion about a âlocaterâ for experienced people willing to share their knowledge in nearby locations is directed towards Fusion 360 rather than Langmuir tables. Am I mistaken, donât all of the table suppliers use Fusion 360?? I think my problems were Fusion related and probably will continue to be, I donât use my table enough to not follow some written directions. As you said âoverwhelming for someone new to the hobbyâ, I consider myself as ânewâ, but now I know that it is possible for me to get it done; it is less frustrating. It wouldnât be as satisfying if it werenât a challenge.
Good to learn something new.
Ah, just Fusion got it.
I know tons of people that hate Fusion (both Langmuir users and not) as many prefer Solidworks.
Fusion is only as popular as it is mainly because itâs free.
That and the program itself is much more forgiving in what you can do to models/objects.
For example, if you have experience using Linux, you understand the need to use terminal to launch programs, etc as everything you need for it to do, is based on user input.
Whereas something like Windows, is much more flexible in the way we install, launch, search, etc.
Windows vs Linux is the same as Fusion vs Solidworks
I am having a hard time following the OPâs posts, but as a 'new guy" to this whole CAD thing, I sense/understand the frustration.
My advice is to to take it slow. Small victories are more important than "winning the warâ when you get started.
My advice is to set up the basic table first. No fancy limit switchs or Torch Height controllersâŚjust get the basics set up.
I followed the Langmuir set up, very very closely.
My first cut was a circle. Nothing fancy, just a circle, then I âuppedâ my game to a square.
Taking the time to document your progress can help us to help you as well. Taking pictures and describing what is happening/wrong can really help.
As a "noobâ I can say that sometimes I find it so overwhelming, that I donât even know what question to ask,âŚbut you gotta start with something, so just do your best to formulate a question, and we can help guide you.
Lastly, being in a hurry is counterproductive. Take your time and when you get stuck, post your question/problem and these guys here are generally very quick with a response.
I started with Fusion, but ended up going with Alibre due mostly to the fact that Fusion was âweb basedâ which made working with it difficult for my situation.
I have been very impressed with Alibre and they have an excellent âvideo tutorialâ series that has been helping me immensely.
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Hope to see Coop posting pictures of his new parts!
Went over the steps of CAD, CAM, and a bit on Firecontrol and setting origin points, etc.
Had to cut it short since my little one just woke up but feel it was informative enough to get him going on his own.
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Coming back to this thread because itâs as I stated.
If Langmuir can create a video right after the assembly instructions, this will help immensely.
Just posted an hour ago -
Yes, heâs one of those people I used as an example as âskipping the walk-throughâ but I donât think itâs clear to everyone to check it out.
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