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"Step" or "Jump" Defect on Curves with CNC
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor S: Are you talking about flat spots along the edge of a curve? From contributor B: Oh, I thought you were getting steps on your "Z" surface. But you must be talking about radial flats on the "X" and "Y" axis. This is different. It probably has something to do with following error on your drives that run your axis. From the original questioner: Yes I was talking about flat spots or small "jumps" along the edge of a curve. The most peculiar thing is that it seems like the "scrap side" of a curve seems to be better when we are talking about the jumps. From contributor G: If it is solid wood you are machining, and a light weight machine, it is probably the machine. As the machine is stepper based, ignore the comment about "following error", that would only apply with servos. Now, the steppers could be losing steps, but that would have other results like cut ends not lining up, etc. I have a techno, a nice but light machine. I would not expect a perfectly smooth cut if it was a heavy cut. Maybe try doing many light passes (in depth) and see if it is smoother (along the curve). If yes, then it is just the rigidity of the table, and you may need to do one pass that is rough and leaves .030 and then another finishing pass to get the shape to exact size.
From contributor E: It sounds to me like the software is at fault. Have you looked at the drawing to see if you have flat spots in it? If your nodes are flat spots you can't expect the machine to round them. Also, does your machine/software handle an arc or curve? You may need to change the way you program your arches. From the original questioner: We have been experimenting with both arches and curves and the result was pretty much the same. We also experimented with the tolerances for curve cutting and we got really long flat steps then, but, as I remember it now (stupid me threw the test pieces away) the surface was pretty clean between the turning points then. I might add that I get perfectly clean cut when I cut just straight x or y. I always do 3-5 passes and then cut a finish cut of 0,5-1,5mm. It seems that cutting speed also affects the result: to fast poor result too slow also poor result best speed so far seems to be about 1500 mm/minute (about 60 inches).
From contributor G: I have seen this when the DXF has a low smoothness setting, when the ball screw has slop in it, and when the material is not secure on the spoil board. I would suggest trying to slow the feed speed down.
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