Hi. Sort of a 2nd time around newbie here (sold my first one years ago and now I’m back). Using a Gen 2 Elite woodworker on QWC with the heavy duty leg kit. Redline spindle and Vectric Vcarve Pro. My text looks terrible on this carve I just was working with. The font is Arabic Transparent. I used 3 bits, a 1/4" then an 1/8" and then a 1/16" down cut endmills on softwood. I will say, the floor to my shed shop was shaking pretty bad. At first I thought it was chipping, but after closer look, it definitely appears to be from the bit cutting into it. Anyone seen this before and can point me in the right direction? I’m leaning towards the floor movement being the issue, but it could be something else I’m not thinking of.
I think one issue is the bit diameter is too big for the letter spacing.-Try a smaller diameter bit or check the tool parameters in the software tool database
Also it seems that the cleanup pass around the letters is too deep or the bit has slipped in collet.
This looks like a programming and /or setup problem. I think you are safe to rule out machine flexing, or the floor.
From the looks of it, the cutter is deliberately moving to the wring areas to cut. Check compensation is set correctly. It looks a bit the larger diameter cutter is programmed to removed too much material. You can see a lot of material leftover, wherever the larger diameter cutter can’t get to.
The pattern also looks to be consistent with a mis-match between programmed cutter diameter, and actual cutter diameter. This could be an error in the toolpaths, or you simply inserted the wrong diameter cutter into the spindle. Or you put in a cutter… but the controller “thinks” it’s a different cutter installed.
The parts that are extra deep, look like the tool length is not set up right, again, pointing towards a mis-match in what the machine thinks is in the spindle, and what actually is in the spindle.
Thanks. I agree. Last night I did a different cut with different fonts and got similar bad results. Is it a problem to group multiple bits in one pocket tool path (like in the picture)? I had my 1/4", 1’8" and 1/16" all in the same, but that 1/4" seems to be eating a bigger chunk than it should in the way you pointed out. Should I separate out the toolpaths maybe?
Try running separate toolpaths
As mentioned above use a caliper to determine if the cutting diameter matches what the machine thinks it is.
Also are you using a toolsetter?
If so check the accuracy of it by running a simple check to see if is indeed plunging to the correct depth.
That was one of the first things i did was check the tool parameters. Starting to think it’s something to do with having 3 different tools in one toolpath maybe? And yes, you may be right about the slipping bit. I did a second test sign and I’m pretty sure I didn’t have the deep grooves like this.
I’ll check with the calipers today. Yes, I do use the toolsetter. I’m going to mess around with it today as well. I’ll also run another cut with the same text and size but with separate toolpaths. Thanks for the help.
Well, seems I may have found the culprit! Wasn’t easy to get back into place (I think it’s called a wiper?), but after putting it back where it goes and tightening down the allen screw, I made my first 100% successful carve on this machine. I think it must have been in the way when the spindle was going too far too one side. Thank y’all for your help in trying to narrow this down!
Thanks for posting the solution.
You will probably help out other owners in the future