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Thread: First time Carving Question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Round Rock, TX
    Posts
    16

    Default First time Carving Question

    Greetings all,

    I am interested in some 3D carving with VCarve Pro. I have the project in VCarve (The Last Supper; 9in x 12in) and the run time for the final pass is about 16 hours. Total Project is about 20 hours.

    Since that is a serious overnight project, other than staying up all night or just crossing my fingers that the Shopbot doesn't go nuts (LOL), any suggestions on how to break it up. I could do the rough carve a day before (about 4 hours), but I'm concerned about maintaining an accurate Z after shutting down the machine for the next days final carve.

    Thanks for your help and Happy Holidays! Rick
    ShopBot PRS Standard 48x96
    HSD 2.2hp Spindle; Vacuum Table

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    2,383

    Default

    When I have one of those I just stop the program with the space bar and let it sit overnight.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    Thorp, WI
    Posts
    2,845

    Default

    With the proper machine settings for 3D relief work, proper feedrates, and a 8% -10% step over with a 0.0625" or 1.5mm ballnose, one that size should take around 4-6 hours. Start it in the morning and let it go. If you pause it, you'll risk having a score line where it was paused/resumed that you'll have a hard time sanding out. This is due to expansion/contraction after partial removal of material. Another risk with pausing is that sometimes the software will not resume right after a long pause (YMMV). If it's working fine, and your nearby, let it go from start to finish.

    While it's not recommended, when needed, I often let them run overnight or through most of the evening.

    Roughing pass with a 0.25" downcut shouldn't take much more than 30 minutes.
    Scott




  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hobby-Tronics, Chiloquin Oregon
    Posts
    1,356

    Default

    I rarely rely on what the software timer display shows. My machine depending on bit and material will sometimes run quite a bit faster. You can alter the speed on the fly by using the "<" or ">" keys. Russ

    Attached Images Attached Images
    AKA: Da Train Guy

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Memphis TN
    Posts
    1,014

    Default

    I have a fairly hard rule about running the machine untended. If the end mill is <= 1/8", then I can let it run by itself.
    ShopBot Details:
    2013 PRS 96x60x12 (Centroid upgrade)
    4hp Spindle
    12" indexer
    Aspire
    Rhino
    Fusion 360
    Ferrari 360
    Prusa MK3S+
    Prusa XL multi-tool

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Round Rock, TX
    Posts
    16

    Default

    I ended up putting a camera on the gantry and keeping an eye on it from my iPad. It ran in 8 hours once I figured out the 3D model process.
    Thanks to all for the tips!

    Happy Holidays!
    ShopBot PRS Standard 48x96
    HSD 2.2hp Spindle; Vacuum Table

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