cnc problem

[JerseyBill]

I am cutting an approximate one inch long diamond. I am able to cut the diamond and it's almost useable.
While cutting both the pocket and the inlay for the pocket the first straight line cuts wavy, then the next two are smooth and straight, then the last line cuts wavy again. It's not very wavy, the measurements are right on, but it's like shaking or something. It's an x axis y axis / diagonal problem.
I thought of backlash, but it doesn't even view good in the mach 3 screen, you can see it hesitating on the screen. I've slowed the machine down and maybe that's the problem. I slowed it down to solve other problems.
This machine has been a long drawn out problem and I've had several people helping me and thanks again, to Jim Babcock on AZ for all his help. I'm trying to get help elsewhere so as not to burn a bridge with Jim.
I'm only a hair away from being able to use it for building cues and am losing patience. Thanks in advance for anybody who has gone through these problems and knows how to go about adjusting the software. (if it is the s/w).
Bill

 

[Inferno]

Is it possible you have a faulty encoder? It sounds like that's what's going on.

 

[LGSM3]

Is it possible you have a faulty encoder? It sounds like that's what's going on.

i think Bill is running an open loop system

Bill, when you orbit or even zoom in on the tool path in mach or bobcad do the lines appear to straight or smooth?

 

[pdcue]

I am cutting an approximate one inch long diamond. I am able to cut the diamond and it's almost useable.
While cutting both the pocket and the inlay for the pocket the first straight line cuts wavy, then the next two are smooth and straight, then the last line cuts wavy again. It's not very wavy, the measurements are right on, but it's like shaking or something. It's an x axis y axis / diagonal problem.
I thought of backlash, but it doesn't even view good in the mach 3 screen, you can see it hesitating on the screen. I've slowed the machine down and maybe that's the problem. I slowed it down to solve other problems.
This machine has been a long drawn out problem and I've had several people helping me and thanks again, to Jim Babcock on AZ for all his help. I'm trying to get help elsewhere so as not to burn a bridge with Jim.
I'm only a hair away from being able to use it for building cues and am losing patience. Thanks in advance for anybody who has gone through these problems and knows how to go about adjusting the software. (if it is the s/w).
Bill

I would believe the diagram. If it looks wavy on the screen, it probaby
IS wavy in the file.

It very well could be the way you drew the diamond.

You might want to try:

1. Draw a simple square.
2. Rotate it 45 degrees.
3. test cut the rotated square.

You might also "fix" it by going back and re-generating the tool path.

Option B is to redraw the diamond by entering coordinates for the 4
vertices and connecting with lines.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

The coordinate entry method worked best for me, but I tend to be
kinda math geeky.

Dale

 

[the kidd]

Use this forum for CNC problems

/http://www.cnczone.com/forums/

I am cutting an approximate one inch long diamond. I am able to cut the diamond and it's almost useable.
While cutting both the pocket and the inlay for the pocket the first straight line cuts wavy, then the next two are smooth and straight, then the last line cuts wavy again. It's not very wavy, the measurements are right on, but it's like shaking or something. It's an x axis y axis / diagonal problem.
I thought of backlash, but it doesn't even view good in the mach 3 screen, you can see it hesitating on the screen. I've slowed the machine down and maybe that's the problem. I slowed it down to solve other problems.
This machine has been a long drawn out problem and I've had several people helping me and thanks again, to Jim Babcock on AZ for all his help. I'm trying to get help elsewhere so as not to burn a bridge with Jim.
I'm only a hair away from being able to use it for building cues and am losing patience. Thanks in advance for anybody who has gone through these problems and knows how to go about adjusting the software. (if it is the s/w).
Bill

 

[cueman]

If you have backlash in your screws it may favor one side more than the other. Kind of like you are going up hill and then down hill, then up hill and down hill to cut the 4 sides of a diamond. If you are trying to make a full depth cut it will magnify the backlash and make the bit walk off the path line. Sometimes you need to do the part and pocket in several passes.

 

[cutter]

We need more info. What is the make up of the machine. How did you
draw the diamond. Have you had other problems with the set up.
The more you tell, the better your answer will be.

 

[Mc2]

I am cutting an approximate one inch long diamond. I am able to cut the diamond and it's almost useable.
While cutting both the pocket and the inlay for the pocket the first straight line cuts wavy, then the next two are smooth and straight, then the last line cuts wavy again. It's not very wavy, the measurements are right on, but it's like shaking or something. It's an x axis y axis / diagonal problem.
I thought of backlash, but it doesn't even view good in the mach 3 screen, you can see it hesitating on the screen. I've slowed the machine down and maybe that's the problem. I slowed it down to solve other problems.
This machine has been a long drawn out problem and I've had several people helping me and thanks again, to Jim Babcock on AZ for all his help. I'm trying to get help elsewhere so as not to burn a bridge with Jim.
I'm only a hair away from being able to use it for building cues and am losing patience. Thanks in advance for anybody who has gone through these problems and knows how to go about adjusting the software. (if it is the s/w).
Bill

Ok Bill, I have viewed the program that you sent me. I don't see any wavy lines however, I noticed that you have two separate tool paths. Are you using a PC or a laptop?

You are cutting at 5 ipm so I don't think you are running too fast. If I understand your explanation of your issue your first line and your last line is where you get waves. Both have the X axis moving in a positive direction. It maybe possible that you have mechanical binding there. I am not sure how bad your issue is.

Can you provide pictures of the pocket showing it?

Oh, I should point out that Both bobcad and Mach 3 will draw a line on an angle crudely and is just a rough estimate of what your tool path actually is. Jagged lines allow the program to generate the lines without too much processor time. Remember Mach 3 is actually generating the tool path in 3d. You can rotate it. Not easy for your pc. As suggested previously, a square cut may show you something and point you in the correct direction.

Jim.

 

[the kidd]

Listen to cueman

I would :wink:Listen to cueman

If you have backlash in your screws it may favor one side more than the other. Kind of like you are going up hill and then down hill, then up hill and down hill to cut the 4 sides of a diamond. If you are trying to make a full depth cut it will magnify the backlash and make the bit walk off the path line. Sometimes you need to do the part and pocket in several passes.

 

[JerseyBill]

wavy lines cut

Ok Bill, I have viewed the program that you sent me. I don't see any wavy lines however, I noticed that you have two separate tool paths. Are you using a PC or a laptop?

You are cutting at 5 ipm so I don't think you are running too fast. If I understand your explanation of your issue your first line and your last line is where you get waves. Both have the X axis moving in a positive direction. It maybe possible that you have mechanical binding there. I am not sure how bad your issue is.

Can you provide pictures of the pocket showing it?

Oh, I should point out that Both bobcad and Mach 3 will draw a line on an angle crudely and is just a rough estimate of what your tool path actually is. Jagged lines allow the program to generate the lines without too much processor time. Remember Mach 3 is actually generating the tool path in 3d. You can rotate it. Not easy for your pc. As suggested previously, a square cut may show you something and point you in the correct direction.

Jim.

Jim,
Using an old pc. I'll get back with more info asap.]
I want to recut the squares I previously ran because the material shifted and I'm not sure if the cuts were clean or not. I tightened down on the material for the diamond so as to eliminate material shift.

 

[JerseyBill]

not wavy on screen

I would believe the diagram. If it looks wavy on the screen, it probaby
IS wavy in the file.

It very well could be the way you drew the diamond.

You might want to try:

1. Draw a simple square.
2. Rotate it 45 degrees.
3. test cut the rotated square.

You might also "fix" it by going back and re-generating the tool path.

Option B is to redraw the diamond by entering coordinates for the 4
vertices and connecting with lines.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

The coordinate entry method worked best for me, but I tend to be
kinda math geeky.

Dale

It doesn't look wavy on the screen, it runs eratic but straight. Seems to run jerky but straight on the screen. I'm going to make more cuts with squares and compare because my previous squares when cut the material moved and caused problems. Not the same problem I don't think but I have to check again.
thanks

 

[JerseyBill]

machine

We need more info. What is the make up of the machine. How did you
draw the diamond. Have you had other problems with the set up.
The more you tell, the better your answer will be.

The machine is the STORM that Lee sold me from Brianna products THREE YEARS AGO and just getting it running now. Not quite the product support I get from Chris. lol

 

[Mc2]

Jim,
Using an old pc. I'll get back with more info asap.]
I want to recut the squares I previously ran because the material shifted and I'm not sure if the cuts were clean or not. I tightened down on the material for the diamond so as to eliminate material shift.

Bill, are both sides of your table slick? If you are using the table that I made you one side should be rough. If not then run the table top through a drum sander and rough it up in one side. It is PVC sheet and will sand easy so take a lite pass on it.

Jim

 

[JerseyBill]

one of the problems

I am cutting an approximate one inch long diamond. I am able to cut the diamond and it's almost useable.
While cutting both the pocket and the inlay for the pocket the first straight line cuts wavy, then the next two are smooth and straight, then the last line cuts wavy again. It's not very wavy, the measurements are right on, but it's like shaking or something. It's an x axis y axis / diagonal problem.
I thought of backlash, but it doesn't even view good in the mach 3 screen, you can see it hesitating on the screen. I've slowed the machine down and maybe that's the problem. I slowed it down to solve other problems.
This machine has been a long drawn out problem and I've had several people helping me and thanks again, to Jim Babcock on AZ for all his help. I'm trying to get help elsewhere so as not to burn a bridge with Jim.
I'm only a hair away from being able to use it for building cues and am losing patience. Thanks in advance for anybody who has gone through these problems and knows how to go about adjusting the software. (if it is the s/w).
Bill

I've found one of the problems. The table was warped. Makes sense when one side of the design was rougher than the other. Not sure if the screen display/dro shaking was that or not. I'll straighten out the table and improve the holding system and see what I've got tomorrow. Thanks to all, it's not over yet, but i'm making headway.
Bill

 

[cutter]

The machine is the STORM that Lee sold me from Brianna products THREE YEARS AGO and just getting it running now. Not quite the product support I get from Chris. lol

Ouch, that explains some of it. Have you tested the machine
using indicators to make sure you are getting what the software is
commanding. I can't remember what exactly Lee put in those machines, but if I remember correctly there was a lot of opportunity for binding and dropped steps. Try setting up a indicator against the carriage and running the x axis out and back for a foot or more. Do it several time and see if you come back to zero. Also have you checked the lube on the rails or dove tails.(can't remember what the machine had.) Best advise I can give is go over the machine thoroughly. Make sure everything that is supposed to be tight is tight and everything that is suppose to move does. I'd also make sure the frame is square and level.
Once your sure the machine is tweaked you can then optimize the software.
Just be methodical.