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Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 4:35 pm
by Columbo
I am totally new to CNC. I purchased a Shapeoko 3 Deluxe and Cut2D. To experiment, I used the Cut2D tutorial called Avalon that simply makes a nameplate. It uses a pocket cut to make the characters in the name stand out, (raised). I followed the video tutorial step by step and set up everything exactly as in the tutorial with the exception that the material in the tutorial was metal and I used wood. All settings were as in the tutorial.

I saved the final project, Pocket and Profile, as a single file for Shapeoko G-code and sent it to my cnc. It started out ok cutting the pocket, (background0, so that the characters were raised but then, when it looked like it should have been done, it went over all of the characters, cutting them away and then re-cut the characters like it was engraving them. (inset rather than raised). Any idea as to why this would happen? In the tool paths preview it showed all of the characters as raised.

Thanks

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 4:58 pm
by Kayvon
It sounds like you may have had two separate toolpaths combined into a single file. The first one did what you wanted. The second may have been an inlay path that you didn't want.

Could you upload the project file you used? That would help us get a better idea.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:52 pm
by Columbo
There was 2 files saved as one but one was a profile which was supposed to cut out the name plate leaving 4 tabs, one on each side. It didn't cut all the way through either,... it only cut down about 1/8 of an inch. I have uploaded the code in a .zip file.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:24 pm
by Columbo
Posted for 33 days and not a single suggestion????

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:58 pm
by Adrian
You really need to attach the Cut2D file so people can see how you've set the job up. There's not a lot most people can do with the code.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:01 pm
by Columbo
Are you talking about the Gcode file? If so, I already uploaded that in a .zip file in post above or are you talking about the TP file?

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:14 pm
by Leo
March 15 to March 20 is 5 days - not 33

Anyway - you posted the G-code file in the .zip.

We cannot help you with that.

What we want you to do is post the Cut 2D file - NOT - the post processed g-code.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 5:18 pm
by Kayvon
Kayvon wrote:Could you upload the project file you used? That would help us get a better idea.
You uploaded the gcode file, which is a list of instructions for the CNC machine itself. It can't (easily) tell us anything about your original project. I'd be happy to help if you'd upload the project file you used, as I originally recommended only 23 minutes after you posted your original question.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:50 pm
by Columbo
Here is the crv file.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:55 pm
by Mike-S
Ten days later....
But it still looks like the g code.
Do you have a file called VE3JOC.CRV ?

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 4:44 pm
by Columbo
Sorry, I thought I had zipped the .crv file. Here is the .crv file this time.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:32 pm
by Adrian
If you've output all four toolpaths to the machine then it's doing what you're telling it to.

The first toolpath (Pocket_VE3) is pocketing out around the letters and inside the edge to leave proud letters and frame. The next toolpath (Profile1) is cutting the piece out of the material. Pocket 1 is repeating Pocket_VE3 and the Profile 2 toolpath is cutting full depth inside the actual letters and the frame basically destroying what Pocket_VE3 did.

You only need the first two create the job and the final one (Profile 2) looks like a mistake you've made as it doesn't make any sense to do that toolpath.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:01 pm
by Columbo
Ok, that makes sense. That was my first try at doing anything with Cut2D and a CNC machine. I followed the video tutorial but I'll try again.

Thanks.

Re: Weird happenings with Cut2D and Shapeoko

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 1:13 am
by Kayvon
Adrian nailed it. Multiple paths in the same gcode file, just as we originally surmised.

If Cut2D behaves like VCarve does, you can do a 3D preview of each separate toolpath to see what each does. Then it's a matter of either combining only the toolpaths you want or, if you prefer, outputting each toolpath that you want to a separate file.

I'll sometimes separate out toolpaths even though they use the same bit just to keep things more organized and clear. It might help in this situation, too. You should also be able to rename the toolpaths so the descriptions are clearer and more memorable.