Can I embed a multipler in the program?

[arnold]

I have a program (Vetrics) with all vectors- some text, logo, and simple graphics. Going to run this a number of times. When I tested the cut with a 60 deg v bit I found the text a bit light. I could run the text seperate and use a multiplier for the Z values but it would be a lot easier if I could embed the multiplier in the program. Is there a way of doing this? Currently the text has been bent and enlarged so that it is now just vectors.

[coryatjohn]

Going out on a limb here as I'm kinda new at this stuff...

When you toolpath it, just set your start depth a bit deeper.

[paul_z]

Strongly suggest that you create new toolpaths. For example, if you V Carved the text you can not simply multiply the Z values. It will create strange looking results. If you can, enlarge the text a bit and try again.

You may also be running into a problem where your material is not of uniform in thickness or is not being held flat on the machine bed.

Paul Z

[arnold]

Thanks for the suggestions. The multiplying of the Z axis on the se3t up page worked fine on a test of the text only. Just wanted to find out if there is a command that would do the same thing inside the program.

[Rob Gunn]

Arnold, I dont recomend it as a total "will always work" fix but sometimes I will just simply re-zero my z axis a little deeper than the actual surface. This cheating will sometimes get me through a project without having to go back and recreate a new tool path or any redrawing. Normal I will do this in small increments like .01" just to see what works.

[myxpykalix]

Arnold,
I do like Robb does. If you set your "safe Z at say .5" above material and then your cutout toolpath doesn't go all the way thru then as long as you are Z zeroing to the top of the material you could then do a

MZ 0 taking it to the zZero on the material surface
bump it down a couple thousandths and RE Zzero
run your cutout toolpath again
you are just fooling the machine but it is the quickest way to do this without having to retoolpath.

[arnold]

Thanks for the suggestions. The problem is I don't want to change the Z axis setting for the two other items in the cut file (logo and art). Also I plan on running this file multiple times. My thinking was that just as you could put a multiplier for the Z values on start up sheet there must be a register that holds that multiplier to use at each call for a Z value. Could that register be reached thru the cut file?
Again thanks all for your input

[myxpykalix]

Maybe i misunderstood...what i thought was your problem was that it wasn't cutting deep enough on your cutout toolpath to release the part from your material.
The method i described only requires you to change the Z depth on your last toolpath which is your cutout toolpath.
As i understand your last post you say you will have other files to cut from the same material and don't want to change the Z....I understand that.

I don't know how to give you a "preset" for your program which is what i think you want but using this method described above for your last toolpath you lower it say 5 thousandths and Re Z then when you go to start the next file you go back to Zzero, raise it back 5 thousandths and Zzero it there and you are back to where you started.
It takes just about the same amount of mouse clicks and time to do as going back to your sheet and inputting or calling up your offset. Maybe 30 seconds. It's not as automatatic but it works...

[srwtlc]

Arnold,

Will you be running this file in the same place multiple times, like swapping out blanks, or across a sheet of material? Is this value you desire always going to be the same amount?

You could use the VO command in that section of the file to offset the z axis value by a slight amount and then turn it off at the end of that section to revert back to normal. You could also have the file ask for a value and use it as a variable for the VO value. Or, you could extract multiple z zero values and save them as variables that can be called up at any time during the current session. If you need help with any of this, ask for more details and I'll be glad to help out.

But, if it's just a matter of the text part needing to be a bit bolder, why not just apply an offset of a small amount to the distorted text and toolpath that instead of the original? Test it a few times to get the text 'boldness' where you like it. If you apply an offset to it, it may also be a good idea to apply a 'Fit Curves to Selected Vectors' using the bezier setting to lessen the node count and smooth out the offset. Keep an eye out for parts of the offset that you may not want included and also, don't forget to select the 'islands' of any letters.

[arnold]

Thanks Jack and Scott for your replies. You gave me several good approaches to try. Again thanks