Z Height in between cuts

[David Iannone]

I give up. I know this has got to be simple, but I cant figure it out. The height at which my z retracts to in between cuts in a file has changed to .03 and I cant figure out how it changed, or how to fix it. I want it to come up to .5. Is it a change in V-Carve Pro? Or is it a unit value change in the Shopbot control software?

Also, while I am asking, is there a quick easy way to change the end of a cut file? Instead of going to 0,0 after a cut file ends I would prefer it to go to safe z height, then move to 24,96. I am sure this is probably doable too. I don't do any reading (except the SB Forum).

2001 PRT no 4G upgrade
VCP 6.5

Thanks,
Dave

[Brady Watson]

You can change your Safe Z height in VCP on the material setup screen in the toolpath area. There are two settings. One for clearing clamps and other obstacles as it Jogs to a new location to cut & the other, which sets how far the Z will go @ Jog speed before it switches over to plunge speed to enter the material for cutting. There is also your Home setting at the bottom of that fill in sheet.

Set the first Safe Z value to: 0.5
Set the 2nd to: 0.2
Set your Home to: 0,0,0.5

Try that out.

In regards to moving the tool out of your way at the end of the file, just open it up with the Editor (FE) and press ctrl+End. This will take you to the end of the file. Scroll up until you see the line that says:

J3,0,0,0.5

Change it to say: JX,48 - or whatever location you want to move it to. Make sure the Z is up before it moves - there should be a line above it that says: JZ,1 - If not, put one in.

CAM is just an 'offering' sometimes you have to customize the SBP to tailor it to your needs. I routinely edit my files to park at various locations on the table when doing production.

-B

[David Iannone]

Thanks for the fast response Brady. I will give this a try as soon as I get back to the shop.