Brady - vcarve settings?

[Davo]

I used the 3D settings you had - awesome! I ended up saving about 20min it seems

Do these settings affect vcarving?

Or is there another thing I need to modify

I ask because I notice as it changes positions it adjust Z height - pauses - then cuts

I would assume it could be more fluid and non stop - less pausing

[Brady Watson]

I'm not sure why any of those settings would cause the Z height to be affected. They are just for accel/decel and sensitivity.

Later versions of SB3 seem to do flaky things like you mention. I don't have an answer for you on that.

If you want to save even more time v-carving, set your safe Z height close to the work, like .125" - as long as it clears clamps etc.

I don't know what machine or config you have, but in some cases, depending on your config and routines, the VC Safe Z needs to be adjusted down. This is especially true for very thick materials that would top out the Z during a C2.

For V-carving - slow & steady (1.2,0.7 or 0.7,0.5 small) yields the best quality + make sure your machine is nice & tight since all axes are moving at once.

-B

[Davo]

I have the alpha - never crossed my mind that the safe height would help save time

However I run 1.25 ips - so I will lose some time slowing down but if quality is better then it's worth it

Oh and your settings never made my Z height pause - it's always done this - I'm just looking for a cure

Thanks!

[Brady Watson]

Hmmm...My guess would be either something wonky in the post processor you are using, or your version of SB3 is one with a glitch.

-B

[Davo]

It's even done it in the version I had prior to this it'll make the carve passes and then before changing to another location Or even cutting deeper in the same spot it likes to pause a moment in the air each time

[Davo]

Here is a test shot showing what it does

https://db.tt/Ur6Y4VfH

[Brady Watson]

Do you have the Z1 and Z2 settings in VCP/Aspire Toolpath Material Setup configured properly?

You want Z1 to be higher than Z2 if you have clamps or anything else above the material. Otherwise, I set them both to like .2 or so to minimize Z moves/time.

Z1 is how high to clear all clamps etc.

Z2 is how far above the top surface of the material are you going to allow me to go at JOG SPEED before I switch over to MOVE SPEED - to avoid smashing the bit into the top of the material at speed. This saves time because if you need a safe Z height of 3 and you are running at 1.00 IPS, then there's 3 seconds right there before you even get into the material. Instead it will jog from 3 to .2 at JS and then switch to MS @ .2" above the surface.

If this is OK - what post processor are you using? Something could be wonky with it.

Would you say this sort of thing happens on every file, every v-carve toolpath file, only v-carve files sometimes, or ???

-B

[Davo]

I will check all that when I get back to the machine, thanks for the info!

Actually from memory it's exactly like your picture

This is how every single job runs in vcarving only

I ran a job today and I do not believe it went as high as the video - but it pauses just like the video during changes

[scottp55]

Davo, What's your VC safe Z height?
By any chance are you running a merged toolpath in VCP8(not sure about Aspire)?
Had the same thing happen with I think it was 8.014, and it retracted to VC safe height for some reason.
Went back and simply combined the 2 VCarve toolpaths and it stopped doing it. Odd.
Haven't tried merging since upgrade to VCP8.020 with SB3 3.8.36.
Any chance it's that Merged glitch?

Brady, been running a .2" Z-1 and .02" Z-2 for half a year with the buttons and seems to be good and saves a few to several minutes per file(depending on cut).
Any reason a Z-2 like that might not be a good idea?

[Davo]

It's a single tool path - I don't recall the safe height setting

I know I have it normally setup just like the pic Brady posted

[Brady Watson]

Davo,
What CAM software & post processor are you using?




Brady, been running a .2" Z-1 and .02" Z-2 for half a year with the buttons and seems to be good and saves a few to several minutes per file(depending on cut).
Any reason a Z-2 like that might not be a good idea?

The DT holds tolerances pretty well over a small machining area, so this is not as much of a concern as a larger tool.

-B

[scottp55]

Davo, Just thinking as it looked identical to my problem, and when I changed VC safe Z height, the retract changed as well and the file was unchanged.
REAL headscratcher;(
Thanks Brady...Makes sense:)
scott

[Davo]

I'm using aspire - and using the inch arc post processor

[Davo]

My safe height was set to 3"....

I will test it at 1"