V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

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bbowers12
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V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by bbowers12 »

I have had this problem frequently when I look at something in VCarve 3d view for V-Carving and it comes out completely different than it looks in the application. As you can see the images I have attached. I used a 120 deg bit in this case, but it also has done this with 90 and 60 deg bits. I use a touch plate for zero Z, but even when I verify zero after the touch plate it is accurate. Any suggestions what is wrong with this? Why does the text come out so much fatter than what it displays on the screen?

Software Image:
VCarve Image.PNG
Actual Cut:
Actual Cut.PNG
Tool Path:
Tool Path.PNG

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by Pete Cyr »

Either the geometry is wrong in the tool database or your bit is not measured properly to which ever surface you reference

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by BillK »

Yes, show the tool set up sheet for the indicated bit. I think you have an incorrect angle in the database for the indicated bit. This assumes your cutting into a flat board, as a high spot on the board could also do this.
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scottp55
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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by scottp55 »

I'm not sure on your machine(or what plate set-up), but in Shopbot...
You want to get out your calipers, pick out a spot on the plate, and measure thickness exactly....
and then enter the exact thickness in your machine's OS set-up.
PLATE THICKNESS.jpg
And mark that spot on plate to Z-Zero after a bit change so that spot is what you use.

Material or spoilboard not flat....not Z-Zeroing in the spot you'll be actually carving...a few variables.
Just mentioning.
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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by Adrian »

Can you attach the actual file or, if not possible, show the tool database settings?

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by martin54 »

Few things worth checking as has already been mentioned, check the machine calibration to ensure the movement on each axis is accurate, how you do that will depend on your control software. Is your board flat & parallel as this can make a difference if you set your zero in a low spot on the board it would carve deeper as this has done. Check the tool database & also check the tool is actually 120 degrees, even branded bits aren't alwats the angle they claim to be. There is a post on the forum about doing this. :lol: :lol:

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by bbowers12 »

Here is the Tool Database
Tool Database.PNG

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by bbowers12 »

This is the tool Amana Tool 45753 Carbide Tipped V Groove 120 Deg. I also have seen this on the 90 and 60 deg Amana bits. For those I am using the tool database file provided by Amana. This particular bit was not in that database.

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by Savannahdan »

Does your bit have a flat tip on it? When I first started out I had a sign making v-bit that had a flat on the tip and it made the cut look much like yours. If I recall correctly, my lettering was just a tad closer than yours which made the cut even worse. Or I may need to clean my glasses which have sawdust on them from yesterdays work. All that and I'm on my second cup of coffee.

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by bbowers12 »

Here is the CRV file.
Attachments
Bosch RMP Chart.crv
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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by bbowers12 »

Yes, there is a very slight flat tip on this bit. I may do a test board later this week with a 60, 90 and 120 to see how they call come out.

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by Adrian »

A flat tip on a 120 bit would explain what you're seeing. The depth that a v-bit of that angle will go into the material is very slight, 0.03 inches in this case so a flat tip will really show.

VCarve knows nothing about the flat as you've told it the bit comes to a sharp point so the preview won't match reality. If you set the bit up as an engraving tool or a form tool (in both you can set the flat) and you will get a more accurate preview.

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by bbowers12 »

It looks like the engraving is limited to 90 deg bits. It will not let me enter a 120. I did run a set of test cuts earlier. I put some black paint on them to make them more visible for the picture. I am going to assume the 120 will just cut much wider due to the slight flat tip. Not really what I wanted out of the bit. The 90 and 60 look pretty close to what is in VCarve.

Test Cuts:
IMG_6477.jpg
VCarve:
Capture.PNG

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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by BillK »

Well, if you know how much the flat is, maybe Amana has that info, you could zero the bit, then raise it by that amount and re-zero there for Z. That would give you good results.
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Re: V-Carve text rarely comes out like it looks in in VCarve desktop

Post by Pete Cyr »

Measure the flat tip width - add an "Engraving tool" and fill out the values.
The geometry for and engraving bit will allow you to plug in a dimension for the flat tip.
i am reasonably sure that will solve your issue.

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