Desk CNC Help

[xichanceix]

Is anyone running Desk CNC? I'm having a terrible time with it. Bob Cad creates nice DXF files, but setting them up to cut in Desk CNC isn't working out too well. My problems seem to be it's designation of Machining points. It seems to decide randomly where to place them, then doesn't allow the user to edit the location at all. The result is the machine often wants to cut directly through my files instead of around the contour like I had selected. Anyone have any suggestions, or know where I might find some help?

[imserv]

Try setting the rapid height to something greater than zero to avoid gouging the top surface. If it still does and you are using a stepper system, you are probably losing steps due to too fast a setting on rapids in the plus Z direction. Check that the machine returns to Z0 after this happens. You may find that the position is drifting due to lost steps. It could also be mechanical spillage in couplings or other parts of your drive system. Could also be caused by bit slippage in the collet or toolholder.


Check the view and edit dxf menus for the answers to your other questions about controlling start point, direction, and order of cut.

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com

[tjones]

Bobcad does have the ability to go to point up through version 21. However in pocketing you can not predetermine the start location. In profiling you can create your own toolpath where you wish it to start. You can find more info on this at Sorin's web sight by watching his tutorials.

[xichanceix]

Just a quick follow up, my Desk CNC is working fine now. I recreated the Post Process to 4 axis linear and it seems to recognize my older files correctly. Still not sure if I can do anything in Bobcad to set up a better file for Desk CNC to recognize, but it may just be how Desk CNC works. So far I have yet to make a good cut file. I'll try some of your suggestions and see what I can get on the Desk CNC forums. Thanks.