Long run time

[drandals]

I have a file that I want to cut but the finish cut is going to take 28 hours. Is there a way to stop the cutting and then restart so I don't have to stay up ALL night.
Thanks
David

[ken_rychlik]

Hit the space bar and the file will pause. Leave the machine on. Come back and hit resume the next morning.

If you turn the controller off, you will loose your position just slightly and it may show.

Another thing that may happen to you if you are using solid wood, is that the wood may warp a little overnight. This will also show in the cut.

[drandals]

Thanks for the help, but not sure I want to leave it like that all night. Probably would sleep anyway. The answer may be in a pot of coffee and a banket in the shop.:D

[jerry_stanek]

You only have to leave the shopbot and control computer on fou v]=can shut off the spindle router and dust collection. I have done this in the past on some long runs/

[ironsides]

Somewhere on the ShopBot Web site or forum is a utility that breaks big cut files into smaller more manageable files.

This will allow you to get some sleep, by making as many smaller run time files as you desire.

George D Kelly

[andyb]

Use the file splitter in Shopbot Labs. http://www.shopbottools.com/LabFiles/FileSplitter.htm It will allow you to break the file into several smaller files.

Andy B.

[signtist]

I just ran a 60HR job with a spindle, no vac on! Let er rip!

[curtiss]

28 hours ?? How does that figure to hours per square inch ??

Is this a Grand Canyon topo or something similar ?

[drandals]

The cut is 2600 sq. inches. It is 96' X and 27" Y. It is a top for a double door with a mountian scene. If it turns out OK I'll post some pic
Thanks for all the help

[myxpykalix]

if your shop is close to the house, go get yourself a cheap video babymonitor. I have a wireless camera system set up in my shop and when i have long runs of 3d files i turn the camera on and monitor the cutting while i'm watching tv.

In this pic i'm watching the shop with the small monitor while i watch some of my favorite shows.....nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!:D

[drandals]

My shop is about 200' from my house. Might try to set up some kind of wed cam. I hve web access in my shop

[srwtlc]

It's not something I'd recommend, but I had a job last year that required the Bot to run for 11.5 hours per sheet to v-carve text/logos in 3/4 cherry MDF. This went on for 45 sheets throughout the year. Needing the machine for other stuff during the day, I had no choice but to run it through the night many times. I set up a camera that I could access from time to time through the night to make sure it was still doing it's job. Didn't sleep well, but we got it done without mishap.