Anyone have an idea on how the Z axis depth can change during a pocket?? I’m running a 1.55mm detailing bit. 1mm depth at a feed rate of 600mm.
We need more information please. What are you using to generate the Gcode? Can you attach the Gcode file? and maybe the CAD file too? What controller are you using, and if it is GRBL based, which GUI. What if the controller has external drivers, what are they? Without that info my guess is that your final outline pass has no axial stock to leave while your pocketing pass has axial stock to leave.
I’m using the Openbuilds GCode page & their control. Using a XPro V3 controller. I’ve done many a projects without problems. This problem just started showing up the past few days
Post the Workspace Export (OpenBuilds CAM > File > Save Workspace (Export .OBC File) please (Attach to reply)
Well, the GCODE is perfect, Z-1.0000 all the way. So mechanical in nature: Endmill loose in collet? Flex in gantry? Wheels improperly adjusted?
I wouldn't think there'd be any flex. It's pretty soft wood (Aspen). I have readjusted the wheels last week due to the fact only (roughly) 1/2 of them were touching & spinning when running a project. Assembly instructions said to mark the eccentrics & adjust all of them equally. Only when the wheels are adjusted this way, do only 1/2 of them spin. The others spin freely because they aren't touching the gantry. This symptom occurred on all 3 gantries. I went & made adjustments to the eccentrics last week so that all the wheels touch the gantry. HOWEVER, I can guarantee that all the eccentrics are not adjusted equally as stated in the assembly video. I just ran a pocket tool path on a 740 mm by 420 mm to resurface the work piece. This was used with a 1" spoil board resurfacing bit. Other than there's a "shadow line" of where the bit ran (I don't have a dial indicator to fine tune the router to X & Y & just use sander), I had no problems. I've had the wheel problem every since I put the machine together.
I resurfaced the work piece with a 1" spoil board resurfacing bit to level it all out & had no problem. I do this to all of my projects in hopes to get uniform depth. The letters in the project were done after the larger pockets. The larger pockets didn't have the problem like the letters did.
I think, that what they say with regard to equal, refers to the amount of grip of the wheel on the aluminium. It shouldn't mean equal with regard to angle of the eccentrics really, because as you see there is a variance in the fitting. The wheels should be hard to turn, but able to, with a little effort from yourself. As you realise, if they are not touching, then they would be superfulous.
There always is a little (; Hold the endmill and give it a wiggle (with all off of course) and see how it moves, that usually helps you find your way to "something's looser than it can be"
Everything flexes, even the workpiece. Have you measured the result to see if you are getting the 1mm depth you expect. Try machining something in MDF which will be more consistent than real wood. Alex.
Did you resurface your spoil board after you adjusted the wheels? That would cause the issue you are having if you didnt.
Honestly, I've never resurfaced the spoiler board. Square up my work piece with the X axis & hot glue to the spoiler board. I run a pocket path the "level" out the work piece. Then, in this case, stained the work piece, and ran the g code/pockets.
You might need to fix your workpiece down more securely. Hot melt glue has a lot of "give", as does soft material. That still wouldn't explain why the pockets came out OK though - is the toolpath for the text more aggressive? - greater stepover so that the tool is taking off more material at each cut? Alex.
Pockets does 'configured stepover for each pass' and if the last pass is less than configured stepover, it does the required stepover only to make the outside the precise size it should be" PS check his workspace export in OpenBuilds CAM - settings are the same
