I’ve been ignoring this problem for a while now but it’s now bothered me to the point where I need to try and fix it.
The picture I’ve attached is a cut using a waterline strategy. It was done with line segments as opposed to arcs. This section is where the Z drops down .005” and then proceeds around the perimeter. When it makes this move there is a noticeable thud and the gantry stutters. You can see it in the cut as the chop diminishes in size. The other corners are smooth so it’s only right after it makes a Z move. The Z move is on a line of its own.
If I convert the line segments to arcs the problem disappears.
I’m running a smooth stepper and if I convert any large tool paths to arcs then invariably the smooth stepper will crap out and throw an error at some point during the run. Usually about 15 min after I leave for the night:) So consequently I’ve stopped converting my tool paths to arcs. Nothing worse than setting up for a 12 hour run and you come in the next day and you only made it through an hour of it!
My look ahead in general config is set to 100. I bumped it to 200 with no change.
Here are a couple of links to videos.
The first one is of the line segments. If you observe my patented shot glass vibration meter you will see the jerk that ultimately causes the stutter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPwhyXx1aM0The second video is of the arc segments. Note the lack of shake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhibmc2Ah94Any thoughts on this?
Thanks
Derek
Oh and don't ask why I have a shot glass near my router:)