Gcode for Flashcut

[chipmeister]

Hey,
I have a couple questions about the postprocessor ouput for Flashcut. Is the postprocessor the same as the trial, and whats the difference between the 2 Flashcut Inch options?

I am having problems with the output from the full version of Cut3d using either Flashcut config file. I cut out a leaf with the trial and it generated a nice smooth path, the gcode was mostly 3 X Y Z coordinates on each line with only a few rapids. It mostly looked like this:

N178230 X 1.536 Y 4.252 Z -0.302
N178240 X 1.540 Y 4.256 Z -0.313 <-- large sections with 3 axis coordinates
N178250 X 1.544 Y 4.260 Z -0.517
N178260 X 1.635 Y 4.351
N178270 X 1.602 Y 4.348
N178280 X 1.575 Y 4.344 <-- some 2 axis coords for a while
N178290 X 1.460 Y 4.230
N178300 X 1.456 Y 4.226 Z -0.319 <-- then back to 3 axis

This worked great, ran over 20,000 lines without any problems, so I bought it. Now I am using the full version and am getting code like this:

( File Created by VCarve Wizard)
N20 G00 Z 0.100
N30 G00 X 0.000 Y 0.000
N40 G00 X 3.082 Y -1.019 Z 0.100
N50 G01 Z -0.112 F5.0
N60 G01 X 3.087 Y -1.013 F10.0
N70 Y -0.987
N80 X 3.055 Y -1.019
N90 X 3.029 <-- large sections with only 1 or 2 coordinates per line
N100 X 3.087 Y -0.960
N110 Y -0.934
N120 X 3.002 Y -1.019
N130 X 2.976


This constant switching between 1 and 2 coordinates is making my machine twitch, it causes pauses and rapids for some reason. When there are 3 coordinates per line it runs smoothly, and properly ramps the motor speeds. I have tried many things, changing speeds/ramping/delays, and its all choppy with this code. If I reset everything and run the leaf again, it runs smooth.

How can I get this to produce gcode with 3 coords per line?

Thanks,
-chipmeister

[Tony Mac]

Hi chipmeister,

The FlashCut postp's in the Trial and Full versions are exactly the same.
(The inch version is duplicated and we will remove one of them)

The sample toolpath code you posted looks like the Roughing strategy? and
I wonder if you might have been using the 3D Raster option in the Trial version
as this creates 3D roughing moves. Where the Z Level strategies create planar
2D roughing passes that are more efficient but may cause a problem on your
machine.

I have e-mailed you a modified FlashCut postp that always outputs the X, Y & Z
coordinates regardless of whether they have changed between points.

Let us know if this make any difference?

Tony

[chipmeister]

The sample toolpath code you posted looks like the Roughing strategy?

I have e-mailed you a modified FlashCut postp that always outputs the X, Y & Z
coordinates regardless of whether they have changed between points.

Hi Tony,
Yes I think it was a roughing path that I was testing, with the planar passes at a specified depth. After it started into the 3d finishing path it smoothed out.

I gave the new postp file you sent me a test run, and it made a big difference! Thanks for emailing it so quickly. I ran through a 10k line program with a roughing planar pass and then a 3d finishing pass, and it worked great. I set the software back to full speed for the second run, and it ran nice and smooth. Time to go have some fun now!

Will this file work for PhotoVcarve too?

Thanks again for your help,
-chipmeister

[Tony Mac]

Hi Chipmeister,

Glad to hear the modified postp worked.

The new postp will also work with PhotoVCarve - copy the file into the /Postp folder.

Tony

[chipmeister]

Hey Tony,
Thanks again for the modified postproc it works much better, I even got a few xmas gifts finished in time. Whoohoo!
This nameplate came out pretty good, raised 1/4" letters and beveled edges in 2 passes with a 1/8 bit.



Since the 3d arcing movements in cut3d are working good, I had to test that the 45 degree pass works all 3 axis' without losing any steps. Here is a test skull milled from hard clear plastic, 2 roughing passes and a final 45 degree pass. Came out nice for a first test run in acrylic.



I am still trying to get the photovcarve working though.
The problem is I start losing steps almost immediatly with the photovcarve rapid up/down movements. I have tried removing the rapids and feedrate settings, and lowering speed with no luck. I think it has to do with the resolution, the z axis moves are just UP to rapid height, and down to max carving depth. This keeps flashcut from using continuous contouring, and it lurches and pauses again.

Is there any way to increase the resolution between steps?

Any help would be appreciated, I am itching to carve some photo's before new years.

Thanks,
Chipmeister