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.
Sadly, I cannot open that file with Vectric Aspire V12 because I do not belong to your maker space. I see the STL… I loaded the STL in Vectric and I have the same results as you do. The stl looks good on import but not in the 3d space. Just an fyi…and I don’t know the size of your finished carve…but there isn’t much room between the bowls to make an outside profile cutout. Without cutting them apart I couldn’t get 3/8" outer lip on the carve…this on a 12x12 substrate. These bowls aren’t particularly suitable for a 3d toolpath…or rather not necessary. I understand why you did that what with Rhino on your home machine, but it isn’t the best way.
Your stl previews very jagged on the top. This is a result after a lot of smoothing, but of course the depth is different than what you probably intended. Sorry I couldn’t help on the Vectric File. I don’t understand why they do that since my copy is fully licensed.
I really appreciate you looking at it for me. If you wouldn’t mind, how would you go about cutting small trays? I didn’t want to do just a pocket cut because I wanted a specific shape to the sides. perhaps a series of pocket cuts, at different depths, sort of like an elevation?
Thanks again for your help, I am interested in learning as much as I can!
That bugged me all night. I was able to do some repairs using some other magic (paid) software and import the new stl. I am pretty sure the issue was with the original stl.
