Suddenly my machine began to cut too deep (using Easel). I had done a previous successful run, changed material and instead of cutting the first pass 0.7 mm deep it directly went down to approximatelly 2 mm. Next pass was also 2 mm. Tried once again, same result. I started over with a new design with a simple circle, same result again. I restarted the computer and the gshield and made a new test design, needless to say - just the same.
I have checked everything I can think of. No cables or connections loose. Have also done a new setup.
And material and waste board are dead flat, bit and collet are tight.
I have checked pulleys several times - everything is dead tight.
So I tried Universal G-Code Sender and rigged up a digital caliper stepping down 50 mm, one mm at the time checking the caliper and it worked fine.
I went back to Easel and set to carve a square shaped slot, 1 mm cut per pass. First pass was 2,5 mm, then it took 1 mm at each pass, down to 10 mm. So it seems to be just the initial pass that’s to deep. Of course I have calibrated the Z zero. Even if I hade missed by some 1/10th of a mm it shouldn’t cut 2,5 to start with.
No, material is absolutelly flat and firm to the waste board.
I disassembled the pulleys and couldn’t see anything that was wrong. Also checked V-wheels.
I made a new test in Easel and noticed one thing that might indicate it’s not a mecanical issue. I set it to cut 8 mm (1 mm per pass). First pass it cut 2.21 mm and then the progress bar in Easel already showed 48% done. Then it cut 1 mm per pass to 100%.
Thanks. I have checked all plausible mechanic parts and I’m beginning to get frustrated.
However, hate to say you are wrong but one fact remains: after cutting the first too deep pass the progress bar is approximatelly halfway, then when cutting the passes 1 mm at the time the progress is more accurate.
Besides, it worked fine with UGS, even when I simulated load on the spindle.
Yesterday I made a batch of, eight of them and progress bar stepped one percent at the time. The problem occured when I ran the nineth one - and bam - the progress bar rushes away during first pass. I can understand it isn’t totally precise but this is strange. I’m definatelly sure as I were keeping an eye on router and progress bar.
And remember, even if the first pass is too deep the rest are stepped down 1 mm at the time with acceptable tolerances. I almost wish they weren’t.
As I mentioned earlier: wasteboard flat, material not warped, firmly tightened. All dead tight.
I have checked every part in Z. No slope in delrin nut. Nothing moves when I press the spindle hard up and down, except from “normal” flexing in the maker slide. All screws tight.
Of course I trust your experience and I’m glad you are willing to help but and I really wish I could find something mechanical. I can check the pulleys a 34th time but it won’t help.
And right, I’m going away for early Christmas celebration and will be back on Tuesday. Hopefully new perspectives then.
I was in the same boat last week too . Not mechanical , not the waste board . Carving acrylic sheets. 1st cut was fine , 2nd cut was down 1.5 mm lower than expected . Blue Loctite was done last January , belts are tight, all nuts and screws tight , wires checked , Motor checked for voltage , Still doing it .
Not saying it was going to fix itself at all . Just said it’s frustrating when it keeps doing the same thing over and over again . No real answer or reason for it . When I get some time to devote to it I will .
Gcode is perfect . Cutting acrylic with a down flute bit . Have tried different bits too . Last time this happened in June , the arduino board was and went bad . New boards fixed problem immediately . Very frustrating .
