I’ve been in the CNC game for a couple of years (Shapeoko 3 XXL) but everything has been 2D for me until about 1 week ago. Since carving in 3D I noticed some seam lines show up (see photo). I’m using a 1/16 ball nose bit at 56 feed rate, 0.006 stepover.
Do you know what might be causing this “seam line”?
Also, how many of you run 3D jobs at more than 1 angle as a standard practice? It doesn’t always seem necessary looking at time/cost/benefit but thought I’d ask.
As a side note I tightened the eccentric nuts for the v-wheels on my machine for the first time in a very long time (was definitely needed!) after I noticed this seam line issue on a 3D octopus I carved before this map. The issue remains. Is there something else maintenance related or settings related I should look at?
But from experience, have you checked the V wheels and the V rails for debris? Seeing as this is along the X axis (guessing on orientation) in the same two or three spots, I am wondering if there is any sawdust packed on the rails causing the Z to lift slightly in those areas. I had this on my Y axis earlier this year and each time the CNC got to that spot on the rail, it lifted the Z up slightly causing a line in the work. Cleaning the top of the rails with a stiff brush and a little naphtha resolved my issue.
I’ve been lax on keeping things clean and there’s definitely plenty of build up so I will start there and report back… could definitely be the issue. The 3D preview is clean and I didn’t merge any datasets or anything that would cause that effect, so likely not an issue there.
A week ago I ran my first 3D carve. Thanks to CutRocket and @cdwoodwork for the Eagle Carve.
I was watching to learn from it. I have a SPro 5 4x4. The carve was mounted 1/3 of the way back from the front and 1/3 of the way from left side of the bed. I was leaning over watching the carve and I noticed the lines at the area #1.
Which made me start to wonder what issues I had with my setup? I went about doing other stuff in the shop and it carved the #2 section. When I went to check on it I was curious about why #2 section was so clean, so I leaned over to get a close look at the carve and as I watched, #3 happened! It was my leaning on the bed that caused the lines. I left it alone, then went back and leaned on it and got #4.
I built my table and while it is not bombproof, it is pretty stable. I do have a foam mat under the whole machine.
I definitely learned that when I do a delicate carve in better materials, do not lean on the bed of the machine!
Keep trying and keep learning!
Wanted to share on the thread above, but just missed it closing. (not sure @willadams) if you want to move this)
Shout out to all the great info here and from the C3D team. Appreciate this forum and all I am learning from it.
These lines are all my fault for leaning on the bed during the carve. There is no other issue with software, code or hardware.
I was causing them! That is what I proved when i noticed #3 then came back after a bit to test it, leaned on the bed and got lines #4!
No ghosts in the machine or code. Operator error.
Do not lean on the bed or use another part of it as a workbench during detail carves is the lesson I learned. Glad to learn and share my error to save others the same issue!
