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Work Coordinate Systems (WCS)

Work Coordinate Systems (WCS) allow you to define multiple reference points on your machine's work area. This makes it easy to run the same job at different positions without redesigning or repositioning your workpieces.

Understanding WCS​

Think of WCS as customizable "zero points" for your work. While your machine has a fixed home position (determined by limit switches), WCS lets you define where you want your work to start from.

Why Use WCS?​

  • Multiple fixtures: Set up several work areas on your bed and switch between them
  • Repeatable positioning: Run the same job in different locations
  • Quick alignment: Set a reference point based on your material or workpiece
  • Production workflows: Organize multiple jobs across your work area

WCS Types​

Rayforge supports the following coordinate systems:

SystemTypeDescription
G53MachineAbsolute machine coordinates (fixed, cannot be changed)
G54Work 1First work coordinate system (default)
G55Work 2Second work coordinate system
G56Work 3Third work coordinate system
G57Work 4Fourth work coordinate system
G58Work 5Fifth work coordinate system
G59Work 6Sixth work coordinate system

Machine Coordinates (G53)​

G53 represents the absolute position of your machine, with zero at the machine's home position. This is fixed by your hardware and cannot be changed.

When to use:

  • Homing and calibration
  • Absolute positioning relative to machine limits
  • When you need to reference the physical machine position

Work Coordinates (G54-G59)​

These are offset coordinate systems that you can define. Each has its own zero point that you can set anywhere on your work area.

When to use:

  • Setting up multiple work fixtures
  • Aligning to material positions
  • Running the same job in different locations

Visualizing WCS in the Interface​

2D Canvas​

The 2D canvas shows your WCS origin with a green marker:

  • Green lines: Indicate the current WCS origin (0, 0) position
  • Grid alignment: Grid lines are aligned to the WCS origin, not machine origin

The origin marker moves when you change the active WCS or its offset, showing you exactly where your work will start.

3D Preview​

In the 3D preview, WCS is displayed differently:

  • Grid and axes: The entire grid appears as if the WCS origin is the world origin
  • Isolated view: The WCS is shown "in isolation" - it looks like the grid is centered on the WCS, not the machine
  • Labels: Coordinate labels are relative to the WCS origin

This makes it easy to visualize where your job will run relative to the selected work coordinate system.

Selecting and Changing WCS​

Via the Toolbar​

  1. Locate the WCS dropdown in the main toolbar (labeled "G53" by default)
  2. Click to see the available coordinate systems
  3. Select the WCS you want to use

Via the Control Panel​

  1. Open the Control Panel (View → Control Panel or Ctrl+L)
  2. Find the WCS dropdown in the machine status section
  3. Select the desired WCS from the dropdown

Setting WCS Offsets​

You can define where each WCS origin is located on your machine.

Setting Zero at Current Position​

  1. Connect to your machine
  2. Select the WCS you want to configure (e.g., G54)
  3. Jog the laser head to the position you want to be (0, 0)
  4. In the Control Panel, click the zero buttons:
    • Zero X: Sets current X position as 0 for the active WCS
    • Zero Y: Sets current Y position as 0 for the active WCS
    • Zero Z: Sets current Z position as 0 for the active WCS

The offsets are stored in your machine's controller and persist between sessions.

Viewing Current Offsets​

The Control Panel shows the current offsets for the active WCS:

  • Current Offsets: Displays the (X, Y, Z) offset from machine origin
  • Current Position: Shows the laser head's position in the active WCS

WCS in Your Jobs​

When you run a job, Rayforge uses the active WCS to position your work:

  1. Design your job in the canvas
  2. Select the WCS you want to use
  3. Run the job - it will be positioned according to the WCS offset

The same job can be run at different positions simply by changing the active WCS.

Practical Workflows​

Workflow 1: Multiple Fixture Positions​

You have a large bed and want to set up three work areas:

  1. Home your machine to establish a reference
  2. Jog to first work area and set G54 offset (Zero X, Zero Y)
  3. Jog to second work area and set G55 offset
  4. Jog to third work area and set G56 offset
  5. Now you can switch between G54, G55, and G56 to run jobs in each area

Workflow 2: Aligning to Material​

You have a piece of material placed somewhere on your bed:

  1. Jog the laser head to the corner of your material
  2. Select G54 (or your preferred WCS)
  3. Click Zero X and Zero Y to set the material corner as (0, 0)
  4. Design your job with (0, 0) as the origin
  5. Run the job - it will start from the material corner

Workflow 3: Production Grid​

You need to cut the same part 10 times in different locations:

  1. Design one part in Rayforge
  2. Set up G54-G59 offsets for your desired positions
  3. Run the job with G54 active
  4. Switch to G55 and run again
  5. Repeat for each WCS position

Important Notes​

WCS Limitations​

  • G53 cannot be changed: Machine coordinates are fixed by hardware
  • Offsets persist: WCS offsets are stored in your machine's controller
  • Connection required: You must be connected to a machine to set WCS offsets

WCS and Job Origin​

WCS works independently of your job origin settings. The job origin determines where on the canvas your job starts, while WCS determines where that canvas position maps to on your machine.

Machine Compatibility​

Not all machines support all WCS features:

  • GRBL (v1.1+): Full support for G53-G59
  • Smoothieware: Supports G54-G59 (offset reading may be limited)
  • Custom controllers: Varies by implementation

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