Alpha versus Std for Vcarve

[dubliner]

These are cut at very conservative speeds, 2 ips I believe, but the standard results are terrible, where might I look for the culprit, the usual supects have been rounded up so its a setting or something on the STD, any ideas?



7650 (48.9 k)


7651 (48.9 k)

[dubliner]

Sorry for the pics, dont know why it did that :-(

[harryball]

The images are too small for me to see clearly. From what I can tell it almost looks like the angle of the bit is different than toolpathed. With a larger image I might be able to tell more.

/RB

[dubliner]

Same tool path, same bit, try these:


7652


7653

[dubliner]

Forgot to mention, 3d cuts very well on the STD, so I'm perplexed.

[harryball]

Have you checked to make sure your ZZeroing is accurate? i.e. zero to the table then move Z to Zero and it's just touching the table. Follow that with moving Z to 2" and make sure it moves up to 2".

Maybe you've done that but just thinking outloud here.

/RB

[dubliner]

I didnt verify that, but I cut something last week with a 3d piece in it & Vcarve text, 3d was fine but text looked like this, so I'd guess its not the Zero process. I ignored it as I thought it was the SW, when it repeated today, but not on the Alpha, I'm thinking its machine related, I'm baffled as it cuts 3d flawlessly.

[harryball]

I'd still check it Nev. If the zero was not dead on then it would just happily carve a 3D image and you wouldn't notice because all the over burden would be removed. In the case of the Vcarve text you are incorporating the work piece surface as part of the work.

Not saying that's what it is... it's just all I can think of.

/RB

[dubliner]

True, true, I didnt think of that. I've only done 3d on the STD, so it could be off and I never noticed. Would it be unit values possibly?

[GlenP]

Hey guys, Neville my standard machine vcarves with great results just like the pic from the alpha above. Are you using different pc's to run each machine. looks like a issue I had once with my tool parameter (diameter etc) not setup right. My angle was set wrong as well. Good luck I am sure it is something simple.

[dubliner]

Yes different PC's, but the same design computer & the same file run on each machine via flash drive.

[harryball]

I could be the unit values, or if you Zzero was off by 1/8" it would cause similar results. For the latter, depending on your 3D carve setup you may never notice it as well.

/RB

[dubliner]

So how would the Z be off, the thickness of the plate?

[harryball]

The setting for the thickness of the plate could be wrong. Took me a while to realize that myself. I had to adjust that variable to correct it. And the value will not be exactly what the plate is either. In my case I think the plate is .131 thick and I'm set to .122 to get it exactly on 0. (I'm trying to guess/remember the numbers but you get the point) There is variability in each machine, the time it takes to react to the touch etc... the speed of light is finite.

If this variable were set incorrectly you'd zero and never realize the Z was wrong.

/RB

[myxpykalix]

My memory is not good but i believe the thickness on the plate is .121
If you have some digital calipers (or regular) check your thickness.

[zeykr]

I'd check the unit values as Robert suggests above too. Does z move exactly 1" when you tell it to? You might not notice it in 3d, but vcarving shows any little z problem.

[curtiss]

You can zero with the plate to the surface, then set the z at anything, such as .115 above, and then see if the clearance/ distance checks out with a feeler guage.

.131 or .121 might be the new 1/8

[dubliner]

I tried to set the values by using "Set up Shopbot" then when I chose reset, it then shows that I have a PRT Alpha, but its locked & I cant change it to PRS Standard - any ideas?

[dubliner]

OK got it reset to PRS STD, found the Zero routine is off by .26 inches, so when at "Zero" bit is actually 1/4" above the table,(how did I ever cut anything) how do I solve that?

[Gary Campbell]

Neville..
Use a mic and check your ZZERO plate. Then go into Setup ([T][S]) and enter the plate thickness.

Run the ZZERO routine again and check your results. Assuming that the plate is the OEM thickness, (.121") I then set the Z height at .121 and use the plate as a feeler gauge.

If the Z height is off, then move the Z a few thousanths at a time until you have an accurate height. Put the new Z height into setup or enter it directly into the C:\SbParts\Custom\my_variables.sbc file. The line you are looking for is: &my_ZzeroThickness = (dimension)
Gary