Wavy Letters

[stsparkia]

I have had this problem for some time now. Certain font types will turn out wavy. I dont know if it's a speed and feed issue or if it is in the program itself. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[jerry_stanek]

Can you post a picture so we can see what the problem is

[chiloquinruss]

If its just a couple of fonts and not all of them it may be as simple as a poor true type font rendering from the font provider. If they have done a poor job of supplying enough information to the font renderer then what you will get is a 'chunky' vector for making the curves etc,. Russ

[stsparkia]

i didn't have my camera when i posted this but here are a few examples. if you look closely at the "outdoors" the first O is the worst but they clear up after.

[ken_rychlik]

The O's should cut the same if it is a font issue.

You have machine issues, or the part was moving.

Kenneth

[zeykr]

That looks like material slipping. Could be something very loose on machine or loosing steps, but first guess would be material moved.

What kind of machine, what bit, what feeds and speed and how are you holding it down?

[Brady Watson]

Aside from material moving around and poor vector graphics, you may have one of the following going on:

1) Loose pinion grub screw(s) - my guess would be the X2 (front of machine) - You CANNOT make a determination on this until you drop the motors from the rack.

2) Blown motor driver. Drop motors and ensure that motors spin as expected

3) Broken/Disconnected motor wire - check ALL motor connections.

-B

[stsparkia]

Machine is an PRSalpha48, bit varies with what we are going for look wise. speed is 1.5 inches/sec, feed is .5 inches/sec, we are holding it down with a corner brace. We also have checked motors and everything seems ok.

[zeykr]

You still have this problems after first post almost 3 months ago?

1) Does this repeat if you run same file again - If not, it's machine and not program which is what I expect, but best to ask.

2) If it does repeat when re-running same file, post a file with the problem here with enough info that someone else can re-run it for you and see what results they get.

3) when you say holding down with a corner brace, can you give us a picture of hold down to be sure we understand.

You're running plenty slow for a prs alpha. How often does this happen? When it happens can you see the x axis warping - i.e one motor is pulling and other is not. Have you checked for loose or kinked wiring?

[magic]

Try turning the art 180 degrees and cut it into scrap. If you have the same problem with the O it's the font if you have the problem with the S then it's the machine.

[stsparkia]

My coworker and I have done a lot of checking into what all of you guys have suggested. From what we can tell it is our font interpreter. We have tightened or loosened screws and bolts to factory specifications. We have tested our material movement and it is not slipping. We have fixed the majority of the problem with all of the suggestions so I thank all of you for that. But how do we fix the font interpreter when we are up onall of the updates for the interpreter. We are using PartWorks since it came with the machine.

[adrianm]

Not sure what you mean by font interpreter.

If it was font related then all the O's in your example would be wavy as others have said.

Does it look wavy when you run it with the Shopbot software in preview mode? I expect it won't which points to something wrong with your machine.

[Mayo]

Does this happen regardless of what kind of bit you are using?
I recently had "wavy" cuts happen because the 1/8" bit I was using had too much flex due to cutting too deep and moving too fast.

Try the same file and cut less material slower and see if that changes it.

[joe]

I just stopped by to see what's happening and saw this post by Stanek dating back 8/24/10.

Wow!


Joe

[stsparkia]

I did try this in different bits. I have used 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and they all have come out the same. I recently tried using a v-bit and still the same problem. By font interpreter I mean the program I am using to write the cutflies. in this case partworks.

[jerry_stanek]

Do you have that font in your fonts file or is partworks trying to interpet the font. I get some fonts that are not in my library and have to use illustrator to make create the fonts.

[adrianm]

I did try this in different bits. I have used 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and they all have come out the same. I recently tried using a v-bit and still the same problem. By font interpreter I mean the program I am using to write the cutflies. in this case partworks.

Have you tried it with the ShopBot software in Preview mode?

If that comes out correctly then it's not the font, PartWorks or your Post Processor.

Could you attach one of the files which shows the problem?

I'd be very suprised if it's a software issue.

[GlenP]

Hey guys. Does your machine cut straight lines or circles, arcs fine and just seem to be issue with fonts? Please post your file...I know I will take a look and test cut for you on my PRS Standard to see how it looks. I am sure others would to. I have had some fonts add extra nodes and casue some issues but not that severe. Also are you measuring your bits to see if they are the exact size as in the toolpath. Your second picture looks like the bit is going too far into corners which can be a bit diameter issue. Post the file and we all can help you get this sorted out for you.

Have a good one all.
May your chips be Merry and Light, :)
Glen

[stsparkia]

Thanks for everything, guys. It turned out to be a few things. I missed a few bolts on the carriage. As well as not using the right programming on the toolpath writer. That is what was causing the problem. it is fixed now and everything is running great. Thank you for the advice.