Carbide 3D BitSetter Assembly instructions

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BitSetter Installation and Setup Guide
The Carbide3D BitSetter is an automatic
tool offset probe. This device measures
the length in the spindle and, combined
with Carbide Motion, automatically
resets your Z-axis zero point to reflect
the new length, making tool changes
simple, straight forward, and FAST!
With the BitSetter, you only need to set
the Z-axis zero point of your material
once before running each project. All
subsequent tool changes will
automatically be re-zeroed.
BitSetter Kit Contents
Item
Description
Qty
Note
A
BitSetter
1
Tool Offset Probe
B
3 Pin Cable
1
Connects Probe Adapter PCB to Carbide Motion Controller
C
Probe Adapter PCB
1
Accepts 2 Probe Inputs
D
Legacy Adapter Cable
1
Connects BitSetter to Carbide Motion Boards Prior to v2.4
E
M4 x 4mm Grub Screw
2
Attaches BitSetter to Machine (not shown)
F
M4 x 6mm Grub Screw
2
Attaches BitSetter to Machine (not shown)
G
Zip Ties
3
For Cable Routing / Tidying (not shown)
H
Adhesive Tie Downs
2
For Cable Routing / Tidying (not shown)
Figure 1

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Install the BitSetter
Shapeoko XL/XXL Installation
The BitSetter attaches to the front of your Shapeoko by sliding over the lip of the front end plate. The unit is
secured to the machine with grub screws inserted from the rear of the BitSetter. See Figure 2.
1. Turn off your machine and unplug it. Disconnect the USB cable.
2. Insert M4x4mm grub screws into the top
two screw holes (shown in Figure 3). Just
start the screws so they are barely in the
threads.
3. Slide the BitSetter over the edge of the front
end plate, about 4.5 inches (115mm) from
the right edge of the end plate See Figure 4.
4. To make sure the spindle can touch the
BitSetter without interference, slowly move
the gantry (by hand) so it is directly above
the BitSetter. Ensure the center of the
spindle is in line with the center of the
BitSetter. See Figure 7 below.
5. If necessary, slide your BitSetter to the right
or left along the front end plate to align the trigger with the center of your spindle.
6. Once aligned, tighten the two M4x4mm screws so they press into the rail. These need only be snug,
do not overtighten!
NOTE: If you would prefer your BitSetter to sit higher in the Z direction, you can also install the BitSetter per the
Shapeoko 3 installation instructions (see next page).
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 2

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Shapeoko 3 Installation
The BitSetter attaches to the front of your Shapeoko by sliding over the lip of the front end plate. The unit is
secured to the machine with grub screws inserted from the rear of the BitSetter. See Figure 5.
1. Turn off your machine and unplug it. Disconnect the USB cable.
2. Insert two M4x6mm screws into the middle row of holes. See Figure 6.
3. Tighten the screws until they hit the back wall of the BitSetter. These screws will raise your BitSetter
up so that it does not rest on the worktable.
4. Insert the two M4x4mm screws into the bottom holes;
do not tighten them yet. See Figure 5.
5. Slide the BitSetter over the lip of the front end plate,
about 4.5 inches (115mm) from the right edge of the
end plate.
6. To make sure the spindle can touch the BitSetter
without interference, slowly move your gantry (by
hand) so it is above the BitSetter. Ensure the center of
the spindle is in line with the center of the BitSetter.
See Figure 7.
7. If necessary, slide your BitSetter to the right or left
along the front end plate to align the trigger with the
center of your spindle.
8. Once aligned, tighten the bottom two M4x4mm screws so they press into the end plate. These need
only be snug, do not overtighten!
NOTE: If you are using the stock wasteboard, you can access the bottom screws using a ball-end hex key. If using
additional wasteboards, you may need to remove the wasteboard to access the screws.
Figure 7
Figure 6
Figure 5

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Route the Cable
The BitSetter cable is designed to route to your Carbide Motion controller one of two ways.
Routing Option 1
1. Using the cutout on the bottom of the BitSetter, route the cable under the machine, directly back to
the controller.
2. Use the included adhesive tie downs and zip ties to secure the cable to the machine. We recommend
one tie down immediately behind the BitSetter and another where the wire feeds out near the
controller.
Routing Option 2
1. Using the cutout on the bottom of the BitSetter, route the cable around the front-left side of the
machine.
2. Use the included adhesive tie downs and zip ties to secure the cable to your machine. Make sure the
cable is out of the way and fastened to your machine in convenient locations.

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Connect the BitSetter to the Controller Board
To make installation simple, we have included a variety of adapters to allow you to connect the BitSetter
without needing to cut or solder any wires.
The instructions below apply to versions of the Carbide Motion boards shipped with Shapeoko:
- 2.1
- 2.2
- 2.3
- 2.4d
- 2.4e
To identify which version of the Carbide Motion board you own, look in the bottom-left corner of the PCB.
Figure 8

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Version 2.1/2.2/2.3 (Using the Legacy Adapter Cable)
1. Connect the female connector (green and white wires) to the probe pins as shown in Figure 9.
2. Connect the red wire (+5V) to the upper-left
pin on the AVR PROGRAMMING label as
shown in Figure 10.
3. Once both wires are plugged in, your board
should look like Figure 11.
4. Connect the Legacy Adapter Cable to the port
labeled TO CARBIDE MOTION on the Probe
Adapter PCB.
5. Connect the BitSetter to the port labeled
TOOL PROBE on the Probe Adapter PCB.
NOTE: If you also have a Carbide 3D probe, plug that into the port labeled TOUCH PROBE on the Probe Adapter
PCB.
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11

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Version 2.4
Beginning with version 2.4d of the Carbide Motion Controller PCB, the controller boards have a purpose-built
port labeled RESERVED, which is intended for a touch probe.
1. Connect the BitSetter:
a. If you only have the BitSetter, you can plug it directly into the port labeled RESERVED as
shown in Figure 12.
b. If you have both the BitSetter and a Touch Probe, use the Probe Adapter PCB as shown in
Figure 13.
NOTE: If your 2.4d/e board is missing the RESERVED label, connect the Touch Probe using the adapter cable and
follow the directions for connecting version 2.1/2.2/2.3 above.
2. After your cable is routed to the Carbide Motion Controller, re-install the controller cover or
enclosure. Make sure not to pinch or accidentally loosen any of the cables.
Figure 12
Figure 13

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Set Up and Calibrate Carbide Motion
With the hardware installed, you now need to setup Carbide Motion control software to recognize and
calibrate your BitSetter.
NOTE: Carbide Motion v4.26 or higher is required to use the BitSetter. If you have not already done so,
download the latest version of Carbide Motion now at: carbide3d.com/carbidemotion.
Connect to Shapeoko
1. Open Carbide Motion.
2. Power on the Shapeoko, then click the Connect to Cutter button. See Figure 14.
3. After the software connects, click the Initialize Machine button. This will begin a homing cycle. See
Figure 15.
Figure 14
Figure 15

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Clear Offsets and Change to Machine Coordinates
Clear Offsets
1. After homing completes, click Jog in the top menu bar.
2. Click the Set Zero button. See Figure 16.
3. On the Set Current Position screen, click the Clear All Offsets button. Then, click DONE. See Figure 17.
4. Click the Position label. This will toggle the view to the machine coordinates. See Figure 18.
5. Click Rapid Position, then click the SE button to move the
spindle to the front-right of the machine. Once in position, click
DONE. See Figure 18.
6. From the JOG screen, use the arrows on the screen (or the
arrows on your keyboard) to jog the gantry so the spindle is
directly above the BitSetter (as shown in Figure 19).
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18
Figure 19

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Configure the Permanent Position of the BitSetter
1. Click Settings in the top menu bar.
2. Click the Setup Shapeoko button. See Figure 20.
3. Select the appropriate size Shapeoko from the Size dropdown list (Shapeoko 3, XL, XXL). See
Figure 21.
4. Select the Use Shapeoko HDZ checkbox, if you are using an HDZ.
5. Select the BitSetter Probe checkbox. This will expand the window and allow you to configure the
permanent location of the BitSetter.
6. With your spindle directly above the BitSetter, click the Use Current X/Y button to set the location.
This will permanently save the X/Y location of your BitSetter.
NOTE: If you physically change the BitSetter location, you will need to re-run this setup.
7. Click the Update Shapoeko Configuration button to save the settings.
CONGRATULATIONS! Your BitSetter is ready to use!
Figure 20
Figure 21

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Operating Your Bitsetter
The start-up workflow using the BitSetter is as follows:
1. Power on and connect to machine.
2. Initialize Machine –this will begin a homing cycle.
3. After the homing cycle completes, the gantry will automatically move to the front-right location and
prompt you to insert a tool. Think of this as ‘homing’ the tool offset.
4. After the tool is inserted or confirmed, the machine will then measure the length of the tool in the
spindle.
5. Once the initialization sequence is complete, you can load and run a job by using the Load File
feature.
Notes About Using Your BitSetter
•Ensure tools are long enough to reach the BitSetter trigger button. The minimum length the tool
must extend from the collet is 0.5.”
•In order to instantiate a tool change and offset measurement, your CAM program must post unique
tool numbers with each new tool. Carbide Create does this by default.
•If you ever physically move the BitSetter, you will need to reconfigure its new location by following
these instructions again.
Check Out the BitSetter Installation Video
There is also a complimentary video to go along with these installation instructions, which can be viewed at:
https://youtu.be/I97XwLBmyuc.