Opinion needed on Speed settings.

[bill.young]

Howdy,

I'm looking for opinions on whether to include move and spindle speed commands in partfiles that are available for download, like LinkerLogs and the Shelter20 files. Does it help when the files sets the speeds, or do you end up just having to edit them for the way you cut and would rather I left them out so that the files would use the speeds that you've set in the control software?

What's your vote?

Bill

[myxpykalix]

Bill,
At least for me, since i don't have a good feel for feeds and speeds for a myriad of file/material types it probably would be better to include that in the file.

I generally always err on the side of slowness (is that a word?) and start off slow and when i see how a file is cutting will increase my speed by ear.
I know that i don't run it near its limits so it might help me.

[marc]

I agree with Jack. There are members here with remarkable experience, but there are also the juniors. I will gladly take extra information that is made available, either in a file, or through the instructions.
Many thanks for providing the files already available.

Marc.

[coach]

It wouldn't hinder me but I would always use my settings for sheet goods.

[bill.young]

OK, so here's the second part of the question. If I continue including speed settings in files, which tools do I set the speeds for?

I generally cut on 2 PRS alpha tools with spindles, and for them I set the move speed at 6"/ sec with a 3/8" bit. Gary Campbell cuts much faster than that, and on our old PR tool I can only reliably cut at 1" per sec. If I include my speed settings, the speeds would be frustratingly slow for Gary and my old PR tool would just sit an vibrate and lose steps! In both cases the files would have to be edited by the end users for the files to work well for them.

On the other hand, if I leave the speed settings out then the values that are set in the Control software will be used, which are the speeds the tool moves you use when you type in a command or use the keypad and should be set at a speed that you're generally comfortable cutting at.

Seems like there's less chance of problems with the speed settings left out but I didn't just want to make an arbitrary decision (the way I usually do!). Would it work if I listed them in a readme file as a suggested speed, but didn't include them in the files as a Speed command that would change the speed of the tool?

Bill

[myxpykalix]

After rethinking this initially thought it would be best to let you set the speeds, ect. but when i wrote that i also got to thinking "what if this thing takes off at 10ips and 10k rpm on my router when file might be made with the a spindle in mind"

So probably just including a readme with the file would be best.

[gary_n]

OR, as opposed to a separate README file, why not include them as comments in the cutting file. That way the information is there for anyone's use, or not.

[ed_lang]

Use a variable and force the user to enter a speed when the file is run. Safe for the new guy and the input line can be removed by the seasoned user. Set one variable and the speeds are all done.

OR- just leave the speed out and let the control software do the work for everyone.

Maybe I am not thinking too straight right now since I have been spraying lacquer all day and I am about to leave!

[coach]

I am thinking writing in speed and feed parameters may cause more trouble than not.
would that be a lot of responsibility to accept?
I also run an Alpha at 5-7 ips depending on configurations of parts. I use primarily 3/8" bits.

[adrianm]

I'd include the speed settings but comment them out so they only run if the file is edited.

My experience is that a lot of people never read manuals or README's or follow any sort of instruction given to them with the file but are very quick to blame the creator when it all goes wrong!

[jdervin]

I like Ed's "variable" idea above.

[bleeth]

"Variable" is the perfect word for the equipment shopbot owners own and the bits they use. I would leave it out Bill. Best option is to program a popup box at file start to "set cut speed" and one for "set spindle speed" if that can be made to work with routers and spindles that are not being controlled by the software. Two popups would be max or running the file multiple times would get tiresome. (IMHO)

[beacon14]

I think you almost have to use user-entered variables. Otherwise you are taking some responsibility for the user's results. Leave it out altogether and sooner or later (sooner) someone will not realize or not remember to set the speed first and then you are the scapegoat.