Vectrics VcarvePro 11.503 Problem

997 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by wyzarddoc, 7 mo ago

wyzarddoc

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

Danger -> there seems to be a problem with my updated version 11.503 the problem is in the Material Setup section of the tool paths menu. I use the G-code (inch)(.tap) post processor with Mach 3 and a programmable dongle which has a macro to auto zero my bits on a Windows 10 i7 machine. The problem occurs if you set a value in the Rapid Z(1) clearance section and a 0.0 in the Home/ Start Position Z Gap above Material section. After you hit the OK button VcarvePro takes the value in the Rapid Z Gaps Clearance section adds 0.01 to the value and puts that value in the Z Gap Above Material box. You can see the changes if you click on the setup button in the ToolPath flyout If you put a value in the Z Gap Above Material and a 0.0 in the Clearance (Z1) after you click OK. Vcarve will put a value in the Clearance (Z1).
I have contacted Vcarve support but no Help so far. They have a Vectric Support Pardner who suggested I didn't know how to access and read a G-code file after 50+ years of programming experience.

I will post the problems I have had editing the Footer section of the post-processor later. ( the generated g-code file never used the footer Z settings I edited in the post processor

Product Rectangle Font Material property Parallel

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4DThinker

· #2 · 7 mo ago

There has to be a value above zero in the Clearance (Z1) and Zgap box other wise the bit will drag across the surface of your board between toolpaths. Your "problem" I could duplicate in version 10.515. When I clicked OK for the setting menu and let the software recalculate my toolpath, a return to the SET menu showed Z1 was now 0.2" and Zgap was .21" (.01" higher). The software is just trying to save you from dragging on or crashing your bit to the surface of your material which could have unexpected results if your material has an uneven surface (typical with hardwoods and many types of plywood).
4D

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wyzarddoc

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 mo ago

Status Update - When I upgraded to version VcarvePro 11 from my version 10.5. I brought over projects from previous versions and just ran the files to generate new cut files. I never checked the values in the Setup Material settings. When I updated to 11.503 again I didn't check the Setup Material settings until I started having problems. When I did check the Setup Material settings I found 0's in both Z1 and Z Gap above material settings which were reflected in the generated G code. Once I clicked on OK and recalculated my tool paths then examined the generated G code files I noticed an additional Z axis move in the Footer generated section. I have been editing my post processors since version 5 or 7 so this "automatic" Z axis change was unexpected and concerning. Since I do edit and customize my post processors I take into consideration where I want the Z axis to be at the end of a run and include that in my customized post processor and didn't expect Z move values to be added from Setup Materials settings.
Now we get to the "software too smart for it's own good" part. I am using Mach3 with a macro programmable pendant. I have a macro that auto-zero's my Z axis with a touch probe. If I run a Vectrics 3D model with engraving on the model. After finishing the 3D model I then change bits, run the auto-zero macro on the new bit Mach3 has no knowledge that my Z height is now below the surface of the material so at the end of the run it goes to [ZH] (which is now down in the work piece) and X0.0,Y0.0, which means I now have a cut at the engraving depth all the way back to 0.0 and a destroyed work piece.
With a Vectrics support person giving me step by step instructions I was able to figure out a non ideal solution.
1. Vectrics with version 11 has a new post processor system -- after editing a post processor YOU MUST INSTALL THE NEW POST PROCESSOR USING THE MACHINE TAB. Prior to version 11 I just edited the post processor with notepad++ and re-saved it back into the post processor folder.
2. I have edited my post processor file to send the Z axis to a height above the project that I know is safe.
Have fun All!!!

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jw2170

· #4 · 7 mo ago

Glad to see you were able to solve the problem.....

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wyzarddoc

Discussion Starter · #5 · 7 mo ago

jw2170 I really wasn't able to solve the problem just come up with a very temporary work around. Vectrics support seems to want to call a "bug" /defect in their new release a "Feature".
The problem is in their new post processor software. The new post processor is inconsistent and buggy. Vectrics has put out great software in the past and I would hate to see them fall from grace because of the problems and miss-understanding by their programmers. I have tried to explain to their support people the problems but they don't seem to understand or are not interested. I want members to be aware of problems that may affect their work.

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4DThinker

· #6 · 7 mo ago

Your experience with 11.5 is why I remain using Aspire 10.515. It has been reliable and a delight to use for all the CNC work I've done since it came out. New isn't always better in the inevitable progression of "features" to keep in business.
4D

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wyzarddoc

Discussion Starter · #7 · 7 mo ago

4D at this point I am considering writing a Python program that will read the generated cut files and either flag my areas of concern or correct them. This may save me time and frustration not to mention projects!!
Doc

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