Hi, all. I am trying to make small bowls using the CNC. I want the cove to look a certain way, so I created a curve in rhino and used the sweep command to turn it into a 3D shape. Then I exported the 3D shape as an STL and open it in vcarve pro.
I have done the roughing cut without too much problem, using a bowl bit with a 1/8" radius and 1/2" cutting diameter. Now, when I move on to the 3D finishing, the flat bottom of the bowl is perfect, however, when it starts cutting the curved sides of the bowl, the machine moves up and down at random, leading to wavy grooves in the sides, rather than a nice smooth curved surface. I am still using the bowl bit, set the stepover to 5% to reduce milling lines as much as possible.
I’m thinking the up and down motion has to come from my model as I import it, but I just can’t figure out how to fix it. I attached an image of the wavy line after effect.
Any help here would be so appreciated. Thanks so much!
I would also love to know why it takes a last cut around the top that is beyond the boudary of my curve. This particular issue doesn’t happen with an endmill bit, but the wavy lines still do.
Does the 3D preview in the program show this? If so, adjust the cut parameters until things match what you wish to cut.
If it doesn’t, then check the machine mechanically — jog to the center of motion for each axis, install a probing pin, grab the tip of it and try to shift in all directions — any aspect of motion should be investigated.
yes, the preview does show this… which parameters would you suggest adjusting? i have a very basic understanding of how to operate, the machine is in a shared maker space. some of the fine tuning is above my head as yet. thanks!
Our usual suggestion on support (since we’re not a Vectric reseller and haver a competing product) is for folks to make a simple pair of files in Carbide Create and the 3rd party application — if they both have the problem, then we can work on a fix in Carbide Create which can then be applied to the 3rd party program, if not, then export G-code from both and compare.
Probably if you upload your file someone who uses Vectric (I found it cluttered and confusing and gave up on it when Carbide Create gained Advanced V carving which was the one feature I bought a copy for) can assist. Might need to zip up the .crv file.
Mainly because that is how I was taught to do it, and also I have rhino on my home computer, but not vectric. it is easier for me to make my models at home and have them ready when getting ready to cut… I will definitely see if I can load my .crv file, that would be so amazing if you are willing to take a look at it.
