LETS SEE IF I CAN EXPLAIN THIS RIGHT.

[Jan.vanderlinden]

I have Vcarve Desktop.
I make signs for a local craft brewer.
In the file that I use to make the sign, I'm using the bottle cap model that came with the software.
The model is "bottle cap 50587-A"

This is my problem.
When I'm doing the 3D finish cut, and the program gets to the where it starts to go over the edge and onto the scallops of the cap,
my Z axis starts to rapidly shudder up and down.
The further down it gets (closer to the bottom of the cut) the more rapid this movement becomes.
It almost appears as if the software is detecting up and down steps.
This is very slight, as in it moves up and down very rapidly, probably (and I'm guessing) about .010"-.015"
The movement is very rapid and of Course causes a rough finish and also slows down the X and Y travel.

[Adrian]

Have you got a boundary offset on the finishing pass? Ideally you need an offset equal to at least the radius of the tool you're using so it "falls" off the edge correctly.

[Jan.vanderlinden]

Adrian,
I used the boundary tool to produce the boundary for profiling.
After zooming in on it, I see that it seems to be very rough and cutting in and out of the pixels of the model.
could this be my problem?

EDIT.
Could this be the boundary that you are referring to?

[Adrian]

Yes, it's the boundary offset you need to set. It's a different thing from the vector boundary.

[Jan.vanderlinden]

So my boundary offset of .15 is not enough?
I'm using a .25 ball nose cutter.
What should the offset be?

[SteveNelson46]

Adrian,
I used the boundary tool to produce the boundary for profiling.
After zooming in on it, I see that it seems to be very rough and cutting in and out of the pixels of the model.
could this be my problem?

EDGE OF SCALOPS.GIF

CLOSE UP.GIF

CLOSE UP 2.GIF

EDIT.
Could this be the boundary that you are referring to?

BOUNDARY OFFSET.GIF

I think he is referring to the "Allowance Offset" in the toolpath setup screen.