I’ve added a 3/4" tray bit to my tool library and was going to try my first segmented tray. I’ve tried programming the tool in the general “add a tool” section and also added it into the latest Amana tools CSV file all with the same result.
It wants to plunge straight to the bottom of the wood on the first plunge. I have it set up with the following settings:
Stepover 0.375", depth/pass 0.02" plunge rate 8", feedrate 40: RPM 18000
I’ve checked my zero several times and checked my belts and pulleys - all are good. It was working with a regular end mill yesterday just fine. This is the first time I’ve used a tool that wasn’t already pre-programed.
I’m about ready to ditch this whole tray making idea - mostly because I’m so frustrated. Any help? Please???
If you mean the starting location - I have it set at 0.00. I am setting zero by using the paper method in the center of the stock. I wasn’t making any tool changes.
Yesterday the Z setting was holding steady but I experimented with tools that had worked just fine yesterday and they too are drifting down. I have the HDZ version of the Shapeoko 3. I tightened all my belts and there was one gear/pulley that was loose and I tightened that (before I started this project at all).
I ditched the tray bit because now I don’t think that was it at all and started doing a trial troubleshooting project and found that the Z setting would sometimes hold true on a short tool path but on something longer - say 15 minutes it was drifting downwards. But what was weird is that when using the tray bit, I immediately did an initiation of the CNC, Zeroed the Z axis and immediately ran it and it was going in probably 5 mm deeper than it should have (at minimum).
On the 1/4" end mill I used later it I measured it and it was definitely 4-5 mm too deep.
How does one reconfigure the Z axis on this model?
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
The few times this has happened to me it’s always had to do with the Retract Height setting in Setup. My CNC’s z-axis travel capacity is terrible, so if I pop in a new bit with a large overall length and/or mount a piece of stock that’s thicker than usual…
I believe Retract Height is half an inch by default, so unless I remember to override it, this can happen:
(StockHeight + BitLength + Setup.RetractHeight) > My z-axis capacity
In that case what I assume happens is that the machine lifts the bit up half an inch to move it into position, is unable to reach that high, but then still lowers it half an inch when the bit is in position. The result usually sounds like Dumb & Dumber: Most Annoying Sound in the World - YouTube .
Tom I hadn’t considered that but my retract is set high. It’s a distinct possibility and once I get back from my work trip that will be my first test! I was also thinking something could be going on with the stepper motor. Your idea is an easier one to test for! Thanks
I got my first tray completed. After resolving the depth plunge issue the only residual issue is that the router overheats (I’m guessing) and shits off after about 15 minutes
Your tray turned out well! I would suggest maybe a finishing pass with a tighter step-over to clean up the bottom of the pockets and save some sanding time. Glad to hear the retract height was the issue.
