Cutting a line without lifting Z

[dubliner]

I cant remember how to cut across a board ( eg removing the left over part of a sheet ) in one continuous cut. I know I could cut at full depth, but not using the 1/8 in bit in the machine, how do you stop the lifting at the end of each pass /return /start - I want the machine to cut back & forth

[jay_d_wyant]

Neville you could use ramping.......In Partworks,Machine on vector and specify the pass depth for the tool, then set the ramp length to the length of the vector. Should do the job, IIRC.

[bcondon]

Neville,

You can do it manually by using the keyboard

1. (k) brings up the keyboard and you can use the arrows to cut multiple paths (cut, then drop cutter, then cut etc)

2. You could use the shopbot control program and use m2 commands and mz commands


3. You could hand program a file with those exact same commands from #2 if you want it to be run repeatedly.... You could also use M3 commands to ramp...


'set cutter above work
mz, 1.

'if you wanted to strip off a piece using a .25 cutter

'set to starting location
m2, 0, 14.125 '14" plus 1/2 cutter dia)

'cut off edge for 22 inches

mz,-.375
m2, 22., 14.125

mz, -.752
m2, 0., 14.125

'shut off machine

[knight_toolworks]

that's the way the software writes the toolpath. a bit of a pain. but if you need to save time make two cutoff lines. flip one and make sure the start point is on the other end. now make a toolpath for each line. this should have the first cut at the depth you want the second at full depth. You may have to choose use start point to get it to work.

[bob_s]

Take a look at this virtual tool that Bill Young has posted;
http://www.shopbottools.com/LabFiles/SBChopSaw.htm

I have only played with it a little, but I plan to use it in the near future. I think it will be a time saver for this sort of thing.

[dubliner]

I just tried it, but it lifted it at the end of first pass, returned to start, moved down for second pass and proceeded. Maybe I'm not using it correctly.

[knight_toolworks]

check this out. I put the lines side by side to see it well but you will get the idea.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1939753/sample.crv

[bill.young]

Hey guys,

As you've discovered the ChopSaw won't do what Neville wants. It was designed to cut against a fence like a regular sliding chopsaw or radial arm saw. So if it cuts in multiple passes it cuts each pass toward the fence, then lifts and goes back to the start for the next pass.

Sorry Neville,
Bill

[bob_s]

Sorry folks - like I said I had only played with the Chop saw a little.
What I have been using, that I guess I will continue, is to change the X or Y value in the "Position" window. Hit enter and off you go to the new position. Be careful, if you change both it will cut a diagonal! found that out the hard way. I can cut a straight line in either axis at the Z height I want. I use this to "plane" the edge of long planks as well. If you have previously Z zeroed on the table it is very easy, controllable and accurate.
Bob

[dubliner]

Hey there Bill, I was just trying out the Chopsaw, that is really cool I'll have to use it, out of curiosity, is there a reason why it wasn't written to cut in succesive decent as opposed to raising to safe Z for the next plunge/pass( I know you have a reason ). It does do the trick though - Me Likey! Happy New year to you BTW

[Gary Campbell]

Nev..
Bill explained that above. If the bit cuts in both directions it will pull the material away from the fence on the return pass. IF material is held firmly on both sides you can cut in the manner you describe, but if you use it as Bill designed, against a fence, then you should only cut in one direction.
Gary

[dubliner]

I got ya, I thought that was an imaginary fence :-), It works very well.