Bit gauging into wood

[David6ft6 (David Robinson)]

I just got my Shapeoko a month ago and having issues. Yesterday the bit gouged into the wood after running for 45 minutes. Now today I load up a file and the bit gouged right away.
I have a Pro XXL with Bitsetter and BitZero.
This is the sequence of the operation.
Mount wood
Initialized the machine.
Router goes to the back of machine
Comes to the front center
Changed to BitZero Pin
Router runs over to Bitsetter
Comes back to front center
Manually move over to BitZero using CM
Set XYZ zero
Load Job
Hit start
Router moves to front center
CM asks to change bit to the correct one for the job.
After change the router goes over to the Bitsetter and measures
Start router
Machine gouges about 1/8" into board

I read where a couple other people was having the same issue but didn’t see the fix.
I only change the bit when CM ask for it.

Thanks,

[Julien]

Hi @David6ft6,

• can you upload your gcode file for a look ? (and a picture of the piece as it is right now, if you can ?)
• Can you confirm that the Z axis does not max out upon initial retraction after starting the job ?
• did you have a chance to visually double-check Z zero after using the BitZero?
• After the gouge happened and you stopped the job, did you verify where Z zero was then, with respect to stock surface ?

[David6ft6 (David Robinson)]

I ran the job again but this time after I used the BitZero, I manually set the Z and the file ran just fine. I started another smaller job the same way and during the second pass it gradually with deeper and deeper.

[David6ft6 (David Robinson)]

Log File
cnc log.pdf (205.7 KB)

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Is this a slot just as narrow as the endmill? If so, add geometry and cut as a pocket down to tab depth or the penultimate pass.

Is the endmill pulling out of the collet? (measure endmill stickout before the cut and verify it after)

[David6ft6 (David Robinson)]

This is a contour cut. Plug this the third different file that this happen to.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

You should add geometry so that you are not cutting a slot — where possible avoid slotting and add geometry and cut as a pocket

Making vacuum hose adapters

While cutting up vacuum extension wands for this is expedient, it’s a bit problematic given that Shop Vac recently filed for bankruptcy, was bought at the last minute, and production hasn’t caught up. I need a receptacle for the Sweepy 2.0 dust fitting — one option would be to purchase one from Woodcraft, but Carbide 3D sells blocks of HDPE: which looks to be just barely big enough for things to fit. Measuring the hose fitting I get a diameter of ~63.5mm — offsetting that twice we arrive at…

and/or

Adding geometry to cut as a pocket with a finishing pass

One technique which is often suggested to avoid slotting is to add geometry around a part which one wishes to cut out and cut as a pocket down to tab depth — here’s one technique for that. In this case, the project is a bevel gauge which will be cut out of 0.0625" (~1.5mm) thick aluminum: [bevelgauge] Due to the narrowness of the angles, an 0.03125" endmill has to be used, so after importing and scaling the file (we will be cutting out one which is 3") we select the perimeter and offset it tw…

and consider leaving a roughing clearance and taking a finishing pass.

[David6ft6 (David Robinson)]

This one is not a narrow slot and it still dug deep into the wood. It does explain why the bit decides the dig into the wood.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Is the endmill pulling out?

Is the working area not in the same plane as the gantry?

If it’s not either of those, please take photos of your Z-axis motor wiring and and connectors, including the controller w/ close ups of the logos on the housings and send those in to support@carbide3d.com