First, I’d like to thank @Gero and everyone who helped me learn this, in addition to this Tutorial. I thought I’d write it up with some screen shots to help anyone else learn without as much Q&A. This is a simple example of a small wheel. You can make it a bit more complex as in the Tutorial if you want, but it helps to go through once with a simple object before trying more complex creations.

Part 1: Create the Sketch

Step 1: Open FreeCAD, create a new document, and save it.

Save often!



Step 2: Open the Sketcher Workbench and create a new Sketch.

Step 3: Choose XY plane.

Step 4: Draw a circle the same or larger diameter as the bit you’ll be using to test this, and then a larger circle to make a wheel shape.

If you zoom in you can be very precise!



Part 2: Give it a 3rd dimension

Step 5: Go to Part Design workbench.

Step 6: Create the body. Click the sketch and click create body, or create a body and drag&drop the sketch into it.

Step 7: Add the pad, click reversed so it will be below 0 point on Zaxis.

I use 20mm for thickness, because that will cut 1mm beyond a 3/4 inch thick piece of plywood.



Step 8: Go to Isometric view so you can see the pad

Part 3: Create the GCode

Step 9: Go to the Path Workbench

Step 10: Create a Job

Step 11: Add a Tool or select one from the Tool Manager

Step 12: Define how fast the motors will move when cutting.

I like to use 42 mm/s.



Step 13: In the SetupSheet, define how fast the motors will move when NOT cutting.

I like to use 100 mm/s.



Step 14: Create a Contour Path

Step 15: Create a Pocket Path

Step 16: Add the Tag Dress-up to Contour





Step 17: Export the GCode, choose GRBL post and verify what was created makes sense.

Part 4: Run it in Maslow!

Step 18: Open GroundControl, Hit Action, then Load GCode, then choose your file. When ready hit Play to start the file running.