Amazing cutting speed with 3.8 driver !

[pierrearchi]

Hi all,

I was bit nervous today when installing 3.8 driver. Finally everything was ok :) and the cutting speed was really, really improved :eek:: before 90mm/s max with 3mm depth pass and now 150mm/s !!! Incredible ... Have you tasted a higher speed ??
Pierre.

[Simops]

I'm not convinced yet if any speed increases will benefit me with cutting aluminium ..... Any speed increases will only result in my 1/8 & 1/4" bits from breaking .... They can break at lower speeds let alone higher speeds!!

So not convinced yet whether going to 3.8 will make any difference for me...?

Cheers

[Bob Eustace]

Worth it for the extra features Mike. Latest version is extremely stable and its now a pleasure to use.

[Ajcoholic]

So, how do you upgrade to the new "system"?

I too worry I will not have the 100% reliability that I am experiencing now. I cut as fast as 420 or so inches per minute (6 to 7 IPS) but still do most of my cutting at 3 or 4 IPS.

SO is it even worthwhile to try?

AJC

[gerryv]

Andrew, probably more for the smoothness than the speed in your case?
How best to try for a busy shop... do you have a spare PC lying around?

[GlenP]

Hey guys. I originall had some issues running it but now am running it with no issues. It does run smoother and my cut speeds have increased. I also have been able to push my jog speed up allot. I am jogging at 9ips with no loss. Most of my cutting is 3-4ips mostly due to using a pc router. It wont take cutting much faster without sacrificing cut quality. I am one not to over work something and prefer better cuts. I also do believe if it ain't broke don't fix it so ??
My machine was giving me comm issues so the change fixed that...at least for now.
I did have the odd issue when I hit the prox switches the software seemed to hang or pause for few seconds. The gantry wasn't moving, just the cursor wouldn't move. I re installed the software and it fixed that.

[ssflyer]

Andrew,

Just go to http://shopbottools.com and there is a link on top for Control software (or something similar) Make sure you do the firmwae update when it tells you to, after updating.

I've been jogging at 18 in/sec and cutting sheet goods at 6. Even 3D seems smoother - not sure why, since I tweaked my settings - perhaps they were overwritten - I haven't checked that...

[pierrearchi]

I'm working again today with 3.8 ... Again A M A Z I N G ! ... 150mm/s with 4mm depth (new bit) :eek: I really measure the PRS Shopbot quality product improvement with 3.8 ... since i have the Shopbot 6 month ago ... Impossible for a PRS owner not to make the jump ... Movements are very smooth too for cutting curves ... awesome. Thanks Shopbot team.
Pierre.

[Simops]

So if I upgrade to 3.8 and ends up being problematic is it easy enough to go back to 3.6......effortlessly???

Cheers

[jerry_stanek]

Yes I just uninstall the software and reload the older version

[Joe Porter]

My computer is 12 yrs. old and is a Dell desktop. It started life as 256K and I up-graded it to 512K. I have been using it since day one with my PRS Buddy Standard. All seems to be OK. I am using an older version of the control software. I have thought about upgrading my computer and using the new control software, but I, personally, am very computer illiterate and can only do what I am told to do. As of now, there has been so many things written about a proper computer to run the new software by so many knowledgeable people that I am confused and don't know what to do. All of these people are correct in their statements, but the point they are making assumes the reader can fill in the blanks and connect the dots. Collectively, I am sure, they would assemble the perfect computer. I guess where I am going with this, is that I wish either ShopBot or a third party would assemble a computer and load it with the operating system and the control software and add whatever hub or USB device it needs and box it up and sell it as a complete ready-to-go unit......joe

[GlenP]

Joe I was having some issues so I pulled my old Dell pc with 1 gig or ram, running XP on it. I think it had a 1.8 ghz processor and installed the 3.8.6 software and it ran perfect. In fact I honestly believe it ran better than my quad core pc does. Everybody has different computers so perhaps what worked for me wont work for you but heck....its worth a try. Now first ask yourself why are you wanting to upgrade? Are you having any comm or other issues or is it just to keep current. I firmly believe if it aint broke....dont fix it.

Cheers,

[jerry_stanek]

Glen have you seen any smoother cuts and more speed. I did when I upgraded the software. It seen=ms like you do not need a top of the line computer mine is pretty old.

[GlenP]

Yes I have smoother cuts and faster speeds. I am limited by the router but overall I like the upgrade. I had issues getting it to work and still not 100% sure what was the deciding factor that made it work as I tried several suggestions from guys here. I was amazed that my old pc with little memory and low cpu speed ran it fine. I upgraded my pc because of larger 3d files I had to cut and the old pc couldn't handle that much memory. Its is like me....good memory but its short. lol
I suggest anyone trying the new version to write down every step you make. That way if it doesn't work you know what not to repeat and it in the long run help you and others if you post your steps.
Good luck if you take the leap. :)

[Joe Porter]

Thanks, Glen, I will probably stay with what I have. I run my cut speeds on the slow side, like 1.5 or 2 ips and that is slow compared to a lot of other people. But, I am a hobbiest and not interested in production. I have just been intrigued by people talking about how smooth the new control software is and think maybe I am missing something, but, maybe not. Maybe the smoothness only develops at higher cut speeds. But, ultimately, you are right, if it ain't broke, don't fix it....joe

[dlcw]

I've got a 2009 PRS Alpha and I cut at 4-8 ips (depending on material) and jog at 15ips. I'm running 3.6 latest release.

Since I don't have any problems with the way things are working right now, I don't really want to create problems I don't need in a production environment by upgrading.

Just call me paranoid about upgrading control software (having been burned a couple of times), but since it isn't broken, I'm not going to fix it.

This is one instance where I don't want, or need, to be on the bleeding edge of technology; not where my livelihood is at stake.

[Ajcoholic]

I am not sure how much smoother the thing can run, mine never chatters or makes any weird noises, etc. I always thought it was super smooth and I have done a lot of 3D and straight 2D cutting in the past 15 months. But I'm intrigued!

[adrianm]

I thought the same thing when I decided to give the beta release of 3.8 a go at the end of last summer when it tends to go quiet for my business.

The difference is apparent from the first move of the tool. Crisper, smoother and more responsive.

I wouldn't like to go back and it's been faultless for the work I do, as was 3.6 to be fair.

[jerry_stanek]

I also noticed it right away I have been running the 3.8 since the first beta. Some worked better than others but the new one is still the best. 3.6.44 ran fine but the new 3.8 runs better.

[propellers]

Upgraded to 3.8.6 from 3.6.44. Cutting 3d 30" long 7" wide. Cutting in the Y axis, stepping .02 in the X Axis. Ran all values the same as the 3.6.44. At the end of the cut, Z moved .03" and Y moved .25" from zero position, X seemed to be right on. I tried this cut several times with the same result, tried re-booting all hardware. Loaded 3.6.44 and all worked normal. So what has happened is after the cut the zero values changed for Z and Y but when ran on .44 all was cutting without this axis zero change. Has anyone else had this issue?

[Ajcoholic]

Well I decided to give it a try. Since I don't have an Internet connection at work (out in the rural part if town) I brought my shopbot control computer home to download the software. Tomorrow ill reconnect and try it out.

About the firmware ( what I am not sure about) how do I update that?? I hope it can be fond without an Internet connection. As mobile as my buddy is, it can't come home with me!

[Simops]

Well I decided to give it a try.

Mmmmmmmmm.......I await your report with interest!

Cheers

[jerry_stanek]

It will walk you through the firmware update.

[bob_dodd]

Andrew I downloaded it onto a thumb drive , and then took that to shop and loaded the software and firmware onto the Shopbot computer .

It is smoother sounding , and is faster , I'll run a couple of files tomorrow to see results .

[Ajcoholic]

Well I updated the software last night, and the firmware this morning. Dud a bunch of moves to check things out, then cut one of my 3D cutting boards. The file ran just fine.

I don't know how much "smoother" it ran ( as I said previously my machine seemed very smooth already) but the sound is very different when the steppers are running. In terms of speed, I wasn't running at max to begin with so the 6ips was the same.

I guess I will have to run some more files to see if I can tell anything else is improved. So far no issues however which is a good start.

I have some new chair designs to start working on soon. Will be a good test of the smoothness.

[Bob Eustace]

Yes Andrew you cant get it to sing Happy Birthday anymore but it will still blow out the candles!

[Simops]

It's good that your update worked Andrew.....

Still not convinced enough to do it yet. Based on Archie's issues with the upgrade up in sunny Qld (see other posting on this forum)......well it seems not 100% robust enough for me yet.

No hurry .......if I get hit by a bus it won't worry me that I didn't do the upgrade......will keep my ear to the ground, monitor and, well one day I'll do it:eek:

Cheers

[Ajcoholic]

It's good that your update worked Andrew.....

Still not convinced enough to do it yet. Based on Archie's issues with the upgrade up in sunny Qld (see other posting on this forum)......well it seems not 100% robust enough for me yet.

No hurry .......if I get hit by a bus it won't worry me that I didn't do the upgrade......will keep my ear to the ground, monitor and, well one day I'll do it:eek:

Cheers

Well, trust me if I have one issue, I'll go back to the previous version... it was just fine for me. I guess curiosity got the best of me!

I noticed the "different" sound immediately when I was jogging and moving the table around. Not sure why, but it is very noticeable (until you start the spindle of course).

The file I cut was about 20 minutes. I will play around some more with it - and if it keeps working, I'll be happy. If it crashes or stops during a cut, Ill revert to the old one.

AJC

[Simops]

Since I don't have an Internet connection at work

This might be of interest to those who want quick temporary Internet connection in their shop......

I also don't have Internet connection in my workshop or Demo Centre at local airport. What I do if I need to connect to the Internet to download something onto my Shopbot computer or my Demo Centre image generator servers I use my iPhone's ( or for that matter any 3G / 4G capable smartphone) Hotspot feature.

In the case of my Shopbot laptop it already has wireless....enable it.....turn on wireless and Hotspot on your phone and the computer will detect your phone as a broadband modem. Connect, it will ask for your password (from your phone) and viola you now have Internet. I only use it enough to download something that I need quick or sometimes with certain software purchased makes for easy software activation.
In the case of my Servers (personal computers) they don't have an in-built wireless card.....you can for a few bucks get a USB wireless dongle .... Load the driver that comes with it...insert the device and bingo you have wireless connectivity. Then do same as above.

Cheers

[Shane]

It's good that your update worked Andrew.....

Still not convinced enough to do it yet. Based on Archie's issues with the upgrade up in sunny Qld (see other posting on this forum)......well it seems not 100% robust enough for me yet.

No hurry .......if I get hit by a bus it won't worry me that I didn't do the upgrade......will keep my ear to the ground, monitor and, well one day I'll do it:eek:

Cheers

Well I was cutting using 3.8.6 today and yes it seemed faster but that might have just been changes to the default settings. Was it worth the downtime and phone calls in the middle of the night to Shopbot? Probably not.

Also if you choose to revert back to 3.6.* you will also have to revert the firmware as it changes some port speed or other variable that makes the 3.6 version not see the Shopbot.

But my new Epilog Laser arrives tomorrow so the Shopbot will have to play second fiddle for at least a day. My Christmas comes tomorrow :D

Shane.

[Ajcoholic]

I have run a few more files (some signs, pockets and so forth) and so far so good... will be running some longer files soon and keep my fingers crossed. I have a few 3D things to cut shortly.

AJC

[jerry_stanek]

I have been using 3.8.6 for some time now without any problems but today I had to hit the E stop and the gantry slowed down but kept moving for about 4 inches