ArcDroid: Initial Look and Setup Calibration Troubleshoot Tips

[@wellintended783]

I didn't really have any problems calibrating mine at all. The little switch did catch and is certainly going to need replacing. My biggest problem was and it's a huge problem. I mean catastrophic. I've got 3 grandchildren running around my house and shop right now all under 6 years old. I have yet to do anything more than calibrate it and do a dry run on a few things. It's been oh a month now after the long wait for it's delivery. Lol the thing's grandpa's put up with? I am excited because in the few minutes I spent testing the Arkdroid I know it's going to be a ausom addition to my shop. Thanks so much to the designer's for inventing such a great piece of equipment. And good luck and good time's to all my fellow Arkdroid friends out there. Peace ✌

[@amp_mechanic]

Hopefully you get to use it some sooner than later. Great little machine with lots of potential. Cheers!

[@BarnStangz]

Pretty cool tool. I'll be getting one of these maybe towards the end of the year when the "kinks" are worked out a bit more. I've been waiting for something like this as my Powermax45 is just collecting dust. A tool like this should sell well, there are a LOT of fabricators like you and me that just want to mess around and make stuff, simply. Hope you are having good luck with it now that it's dialed in for you.

[@amp_mechanic]

There are a few kinks for sure, as with any new product. I have a couple more updates and tips, just have to get some time to film. I had originally ordered a langmuir table last year but they were months behind shipping mine, I canceled it and order the Arcdroid when it launched. I think the trace functions are going to be really useful. That being said, there are some negatives. But overall nice little machine and the company has been great to deal with.

[@BarnStangz]

@@amp_mechanic Sounds good, yeah, I'll have to check out your other videos when you make them. This does look like a really neat product and I agree, the trace function is really cool, I'm looking forward to that. A lot of the stuff that I make isn't going to be that large anyways, so the size of this thing is great and I can put it away when I'm done. I do know that MikeFestiva really likes that Langmuir table (if you have watched his vids) but his skill level is way above mine and I believe he is pretty proficient with design software. I like how you can make things simply with this ArcDroid. It's for the sure the best thing about it. I think I'll hold off buying one until the end of this year maybe... Would like to see more people using it first and maybe some better setup vids from the company too. Thanks again for chatting with me!

[@2old2rodeo]

What size table is required? Space is limited in my garage. Thanks for the videos.

[@amp_mechanic]

Optimal cutting range is 15x26 inches. X2 extends length to 48 inches. It's on the ArcDroid website along with dimensions of the machine itself. www.arcdroidcnc.com

[@scremes]

Thank you.

[@timlewis2211]

Cool video, where did u get the fixture table and do u cut on it after machine is calibrated or hang metal to be cut off the side and turn the machine

[@amp_mechanic]

Fixture table was from Princess Auto (I'm in Canada). I made a dedicated plasma table with slats, you can see it in some of my other videos.

[@rogero9633]

I've watched several more of your videos, you did a good job covering the issues related to the Arcdroid. When you got into the subject of torch height for the Arcdroid. Sounds like you got deep into the problem, anytime one gets into designing and developing the electronics to solve the problem. Being a new machine, I guess he didn't get the problem of torch height solved before selling it to the public. But I thought I noticed the torch go up and down to get the initial height of the material before activating the torch. Did I notice correctly or was I wrong? Did it carry itself correctly from that point on? The word dynamic height control is what I would call it. I haven't seen the price anywhere. Will you tell me that price or do you feel reserved about that subject?

[@amp_mechanic]

Thanks for that Roger. There was a whole section to the THC Part 2 I left out because I think the company deserves a chance to address it. But you are correct and where I have a problem is that this was an advertised function of the machine but there are some major problems and they clearly never had it working properly before production. I hope to also do a video or two on the unique features of the Droid so it's not all just about the problems. They are calling it Torch Height Compensation which I think is a good description. And yes, the machine probes the surface before retracting to pierce height. You can find the price at arcdroidcnc.com, just click on the buy tab.

[@BUILDNIGHT]

Where did you get the information on the G-Codes? Is there any sort of reference sheet with applicable G-Codes for this machine? Never heard of a "G28K" Wonder what else I'm missing... Andrew really needs to release a Technical Reference Manual for the Control...

[@amp_mechanic]

It's Marlin based so you can google for a list of Marlin gcode. I've never heard of adding the K to it. Using G28 seemed to work for me but Andrew was insistent that the K needed to be there, so maybe there is something specific to the code they've altered. You can always give Andrew a call, he is great about answering questions. A manual would be nice but those take time and money so I understand why there isn't one, at least not yet.

[@BUILDNIGHT]

@@amp_mechanic THANKS for your quick reply! That's very helpful info! Much appreciated.

[@jamie19881000]

Hello from Australia. I’m considering getting a arcdroid for my small business until I need to invest in a larger machine. Is the plasma cutter included with the arcdroid? If not what brand and model are you using? Watching all the videos now, so many possibilities with this machine, great videos looking forward to more arcdroid’s

[@amp_mechanic]

Plasma cutter is not included. I'm using an Everlast 82i. A lot of the the early calibration problems have been resolved in the newer machines, so keep that in mind as you watch some of these videos. Cheers!

[@harryworkshop4001]

I have the same problem, how do you remove the cover, please advise what screws to take remove

[@amp_mechanic]

Hi Harry, there are 6 button head hex screws on the sides. 2 by the connection ports (in front of the the usb, ethernet, micro SD). 2 on the opposite side. And 2 on the front (arm side) near the top, left and right side of the rubber plugs. You may also have to loosen the one at the back near the top to give the panel some movement. Front cover should slide straight out. Hope that helps.

[@harryworkshop4001]

Hi there. Thanks for the input. There is another option. There are 2 plugs on the front of the machine. I removed the plugs and using a boroscope and by rotating each arm was able to locate the tightening screw. Upper hole is for short arm. Lower is for main arm. Used Allen wrench to tighten screw and that worked. I believe this may be an overload protection in case of a jam. Waiting to hear from Andrew on that. Might have to loosen somewhat for jam protection

[@amp_mechanic]

@@harryworkshop4001 The screws accessible behind the 2 plugs are for adjusting tension of the drive belts. The pulley drive gears are on the end of the stepper motors. 2 set screws per gear, those are the ones that can loosen in shipping.

[@havenmes6838]

If one of the measurements gets rejected do I have to redo them all or is it fine to continue

[@amp_mechanic]

You have to start again. Otherwise final calculation will be bad or it will be off in x or y.

[@chuckzinn7334]

CAN I USE A MILLER 625 SPECTRUM WITH THIS??

[@amp_mechanic]

As long as it's not HF start, any plasma should work. High Frequency start can cause interference problems with the Droid.

[@briangc1972]

Nice attempt, but too many "Um, Um, Um" had to quit watching. Write a script, practice the script, then do a voice over.