Hi, first time posting. I use my XL Shapeoko 3 to make 50 star unions for flags. Typically no issues. One customer asked for a slightly larger union so I increased the size of the project in carbide create and stretched out the 50 stars. When I run the project on the right side of the union the first pass for stars is fine the 2nd pass it moves up slightly. This doesn’t happen at all on smaller size projects of 50 stars. Checked all belts and v wheels and all are good. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I’ve wasted several boards with same result.
Do the other failures look exactly the same or just the same type of problem? Since the problem started showing up after you increased the size of the project you may have exceeded the working limits of the machine, in which case it would lose steps and the rest of the cuts would be offset.
That doesn’t explain why the first pass is successful, but if the failures are all the same and the machine is physically sound, it pretty much has to either be a problem in the gcode or the machine’s physical limits.
Thanks for answering, it’s definitely within the range of the machine. I’m perplexed because the first pass is correct the 2nd pass appears to be stepped up for no known reason. I had thought it was bad gcode but I just used existing template and increased the size and saved that new gcode.
What program for design and toolpaths?
How did the simulation look? The possibility exists that it did something weird when recalculating the new paths.
It is possible that you had a belt slip or a pulley rotate on the shaft during a long rapid with the extra speed and acceleration of a rapid a opposed the normal movements.
Can you share your gcode?
Yes, but being fairly new how do I share the gcode here?
The previous failures are exactly the same. It’s like it’s following a precise path that’s wrong.
If you’re using carbide create your .c2d file should show the issue. Seeing the same failure repeatedly indicates that the machine is doing the “right” thing based on the “wrong” input. Looks like maybe the second pass didn’t get regenerated correctly and the tool paths are still based off the previous spacing of the stars
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Use the upload button here:
navigate towhere you stored your .nc file, and select it.
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50 stars faster feed n speed LARGE.nc (87.5 KB)
attached is the file I’ve been using that is causing the errors.
50 stars faster speed n feed - Large.c2d (274.7 KB)
This is the carbide create file.
The G-Code is fine:
and matches the 3D preview in Carbide Create:
So the problem is either mechanical, or electronic. I’ve sent you both sets of things to check via tech support — let us know what you find out and we’ll do our best to work through this with you.
To review the underlying concepts:
Verify that you are using up-to-date software versions including the firmware (Grbl 0.9 originally, currently 1.1 and that the versions match, Carbide Motion 3 with Grbl 0.9, CM4 or later with Grbl 1.1).
Review that the machine is properly assembled according to the assembly instructions and that everything checks out per the Machine Operating Checklist: https://docs.carbide3d.com/general-faq/machine-operating-checklist/
The software works by:
- Carbide Create creating geometry
- assigning toolpaths
- exporting toolpaths to .nc (G-Code) files
- Carbide Motion connecting to the machine (and if need be sending the correct settings)
- initializing (homing) it
- moving the machine to the correct origin relative to the stock and setting zero there
- sending the G-Code file
The machine is able to move based on:
- the controller interpreting the G-Code to make
- impulses from the stepper driver — usually if they don’t work right there are horrible noises
- sent through the wiring — check the connections and wiring — if you or a friend have a multimeter use it to check for continuity
- received by the stepper motor — these almost never go bad
- which rotates the motor shaft — check that this is true and not bent
- which rotates the pulley — check that it has two set screws at least one of which is on flats and that they are secure: https://docs.carbide3d.com/shapeoko-faq/shapeoko-3-how-to-check-the-pulley-set-screws/
- which pushes/pulls on the belt — make sure that the belt tracks true through both the pulley and the idlers and is in good condition, secure at appropriate points and well tensioned (see the assembly instructions)
- which moves the machine along the V rails guided by V wheels — make sure that the latter are properly adjusted https://docs.carbide3d.com/support/tensioning-eccentrics/ and the former clean and in good shape
The machine then cuts based on:
- the trim router being securely in place
- having an endmill properly installed in a clean and well-fitting collet properly tightened
- being moved along by the toolpaths without running off the rails and running into a limit of motion along any axis or any workholding or physical obstruction such as a cord, dust collection, &c.
- which matches the toolpaths in the G-Code (which brings us full circle)
For electronic accessories, check the connectors and the wiring along its entire length.
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Having had similar issues in the past; the cause for my problem was missed steps due to tiny little loose setscrew that was hidden (and hard to see/find) that would cause the Y-axis to skip and then the screw would be pushed aside and re-hide (under the belt I think). So my bet is here…hard to find and harder to reproduce.
So my advice (in hindsight) would to remove the belts on the problem axis (Y or X) and do a major clean up…that’s how I finally located that darn little screw. (Please don’t ask where it came from…but it was a non-Shapeoko OEM part)
Good luck, and I’ll be following along to learn the cause.
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Will,
Thank you for the support both here and via email. I’m happy to report the issue was when the machine would get to the NE corner it would jump on the top right star and then when it was completing its 2nd pass it was no longer aligned. While I don’t know what was causing that issue other than possibly being too close to the Max coverage area for my XL machine I was able to adjust my piece down the waste board and it completed the entire project without issue. Thank you everyone, it’s great knowing you are all out there willing to help. I’m now gonna turn my attention to searching the forum for good ways to connect my sleepy to my vacuum. Happy New Year!
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Does one of the V wheels hit the belt mount bracket when in the NE corner?
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