Help center
Guides from the first drawing to the finished workpiece, plus the complete G-code reference for Grbl.
Getting started
- Welcome to CNC.myWerkzeug.deWhat the app does, how the screen is laid out and where to find the settings.
- Your first part in 10 minutesGuided start for newcomers: choose a template, demo machine, material, preview, safety, zero and start, all the way to the finished part.
- Your first projectCreate a new project, choose the material and get a first shape ready for the machine.
- TemplatesOpen, adjust and mill or laser ready-made and adjustable projects from the template gallery.
- Account, saving and projectsAutomatic saving to your account, My projects, files and several devices.
- Sharing and galleryShare projects via link, the gallery with projects by others and passing on bit lists.
- Offline and installThe app starts without a network and can be installed like a program; also open files by double-click.
Drawing and design
- DrawingDraw shapes, enter exact sizes, snapping, grid and view.
- Editing shapesEdit points and curves, round corners, align, distribute, transform exactly, measure, unite, subtract, intersect, offset and convert shapes to paths.
- Text and fontsPlace text, choose font and height, bend it on an arc and use your own fonts.
- Variable textSerial numbers, date, time and columns of a list inside texts: series of signs, name tags and serial plates without redrawing.
- QR code and barcodeEngrave or laser QR codes, Data Matrix, Code 128 and EAN-13, also with a running number from the variable text.
- LayersOrganise shapes and set settings for many shapes at once.
- Import and exportBring in SVG, DXF, PDF, AI, HPGL, G-code, images, 3D models (STL) and CAD parts (STEP); write SVG, DXF, PLT, G-code and STL.
Preparing the cut
- Setting up toolpathsCut type, depth, cut through and bit per shape or layer; order and checks.
- Bits and cutting dataChoose bits from the library, add your own and set speed, feed and step down.
- Holding tabsKeep cut-out parts in place; move, add and remove tabs.
- Workpiece and zeroSet the material type, size and thickness and the zero point for the machine.
- Workpiece photo as underlayA photo of the clamped material lies rectified and to scale under the drawing, taken with your phone, the computer's camera or from a file.
- RotaryMill or engrave dowels, handles, glasses and mugs all the way round, with a chuck or rollers on the controller's Y port.
- 3D view and simulationView the finished workpiece in 3D, play back the cut and find mistakes in advance.
Circuit boards
Machine and cutting
- Setting up and connecting the machineChoose your machine from the catalogue, set its values and connect over USB.
- HomingWhat homing is, which corner it uses and how to check corner and directions.
- Set up and calibrateAssistants for directions, switches, steps per millimetre, work area, speed, spindle or laser and squareness.
- Machine controlThe machine control: jogging, setting zero, spindle or laser, overrides, program and command line.
- Probing ZUse the touch plate to set the material surface exactly as Z = 0.
- Start cuttingThe carve wizard guides you step by step from the material to the start; plus pause, stop and safety.
- Tool change (M6) and length sensorPrograms with several bits run as one job: stop, change the bit, measure its length, continue.
- Output seriesAll rows of the list or a number of serial numbers in one go: as a ZIP with one file each, as one program with pauses or side by side on the sheet.
- Travel limitsSoft limits protect against moves beyond the work area.
- Controller settingsView Grbl's $ settings in plain language and change them safely.
- Jobs and maintenanceRunning time per machine, tool life, recent jobs and the maintenance reminder.
Laser work
- Laser work with Laser.myWerkzeug.deThe same program as the mill, but with laser profiles: line, cut and fill with power, speed and passes.
- Start laseringThe laser assistant checks safety and laser mode, sets zero, traces the frame and starts.
- Material library and test gridStarting values for power, speed and passes per material, and a test grid that finds the best setting.
- Engrave imagesEngrave photos and logos with dither (five kinds), grayscale or black and white; brightness, contrast, gamma, raster preview and overscan.
- Camera above the work areaA fixed camera is aligned once with nine burned crosses. After that its image lies to scale under the drawing, and the laser burns exactly where the design sits in the image.
- Height map for focusLasers with a Z axis keep the focus on warped or tilted material. The app measures the surface on a grid, and while lasering Z follows the map.
- Switching from LightBurnImport LightBurn projects (.lbrn2, .lbrn), material libraries (.clb), device profiles (.lbdev) and bundles (.lbzip) with layers, laser profiles, kerf and machine profile; hand projects over to LightBurn as .lbrn2.
- Hand over to xToolSave projects as xTool projects (.xcs) for xTool Creative Space and xTool Studio, with colour layers and power, speed and passes for each shape.
On the phone
Troubleshooting
G-code reference
- G-code referenceAll of Grbl's commands, settings, alarms and error messages explained.
- G commandsMotion, planes, units, coordinate systems and probing in Grbl.
- M commandsProgram flow, spindle or laser and coolant.
- Other G-code wordsAxes, feed, spindle speed, arc centre and parameters.
- Controller $ commandsRead settings, homing, unlock, jogging and reset.
- Real-time commandsStatus, hold, resume, reset and overrides while running.
- Settings $0 to $132All Grbl settings with meaning and unit.
- AlarmsWhat each alarm means and what to do now.
- Error codesWhy Grbl rejected a line.