Issues with vcarving - ridges, straight lines

CNC Machines Shapeoko
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Hey everyone, finally got around to making an account after buying my XXL shapeoko 3 this spring. Long time lurker, first time poster lol. I’m going to try to be as detailed as possible - I’m not sure what’s going on as this is the first problem I’ve had that I couldn’t sort out myself.

I’ve been trying to make a few signs for my son using some popular video game fonts which are blocky. The signs are about 6 inches in height, the lettering is about 3-3.5" in height. I designed the signs in Illustrator and use vectric aspire to make my toolpath. I’ve made a lot of v-carve signs in this manner - typically works flawless. Here’s a link to imgur showing my problems; and i’ll explain what i’ve done in an attempt to fix the symptoms thus far:

[Album] Shapeoko issues

In the images, hopefully you can see that the block letters are in fact not straight. The source vectors are perfect 90 degree lines, and the simulations show the same. However, the lines are jagged, and look like they were done by hand. Additionally, you see the ridges being left in the carvings.

I’ve used 4 different 120 degree vbits that I have on hand. 3 separate yonico 120 degree 19mm bits, and a generic 22m 120 degree bit. Both wind up with the same results. I can’t use a lesser degree vbit, as it’ll exceed the depth of my piece.

Yesterday I stripped the machine down, tightened all the x/y/z belts, cleaned the rails and wheels, checked the pulley wheels for tightness, adjusted all the eccentric nuts, and verified the square/levelness of the machine. Everything seems to be in perfect working order.

I’ve slowed the cut to as little as 20ipm with a plunge of 20ipm, typically I carve at about 40ipm without problems. I’ve tried adjusting the depth of cut on the bits going both up and down. Nothing helps. I’ve used these bits without issue before, and 3 of the 4 bits are brand new - literally just got them. No gunk buildup, wear, or chips etc.

I’m running out of time to give this to him with his Christmas presents. I don’t know what else to do or where to turn - please help me if you can. You have my thanks.

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Usually you can address this sort of thing by leaving a roughing clearance and then taking a finishing pass.

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I’m down to try anything. I have never had to do a finishing pass before, I’ll have to see if there’s any tips/tricks for that on google. I’m assuming it would be like an offset of some sort?
Thank you for chipping in.

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Not a help to your issue, but you can assign a flat depth in Aspire (assuming because you can in V-carve).

What’s the overall depth? What speed (router)? How did you set zero?

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