Back to basics

[Stephen50]

I've created a project using three different tool paths those named as
1. drill
2. v carve
3. profile
after I loaded the file plan the profile is cut and the tool returns to the zero point. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong because I'm not asked to change bits to do the v carve or drill 4 holes. Its' probable operator error but I'm at a loss to figure it out. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[jerry_stanek]

That is the way the software tells it to cut when you make each tool path it starts out at X0 Y0 and calculates it from there.

[Ken Sully]

Gary,
I am also new at this.... But my unit stops after each tool path asks to change bit and do I need to use K command to move to an easy location to change bit and zero tool.
Did you select a different bit for each tool path? And are the bit numbers different?
Just a thought.

[cowboy1296]

Are you using the correct post processor, sounds to me like you are using the automatic tool change processor. I did the same thing sometime back. Of course I don't know anything about the new control software since I never upgraded because of all of the bad reviews.

[Ken Sully]

One last thought

Did you save all the tool paths as one file?

[jTr]

Stephen,

Need to clarify the problem. Is it not running the first two tool paths at all, or just missing tool changes?

If not running them at all, open the part file with shopbot editor. You should readily see the cue "new toolpath" come up two times as you scroll through lines of code. If you only see the cutout toolpath:
- Look at post processor as you save the set of three toolpaths as one part file. Should read: Shopbot TC (inch).

If all the above is affirmative, check your tool number system. If all three bits are using the same tool number, a tool change in not likely to be prompted.

Jeff

[gundog]

The 10 minute editing rule is just dumb here is my edited post from above.

For those that do not have a tool changer why not just save each tool path that use different tools to their own file. I name my tool paths when drawing them in the Cad to a layer named as what they are example .250 OP .250. This tells me I am using a .250" bit and doing an outside profile and cutting .250" deep or .250 IP .450 meaning a .250 bit inside profile .450 deep if the profile is on the vector I call it PRO drill for drill, VC for V carve ETC. I select all tool paths using that same tool bit and save them to a file in folder for that project if I have multiple sheets I save each sheet in a different sub folder under one main folder.

When I have finished tool pathing all the steps I save each tool path that use the same tool as follows .250 EM, .125 drill Ect. the .250 EM will contain all the tool paths such as .250 OP .250 and .250 IP .450 to the same tool path file and they cut one after another until all paths using that tool are done. You have to select each of those paths at the same time when saving the file to the cut file. It is very easy to cut using this simple method. I see no advantage in saving all the tool paths using different tools unless you have a tool changer. It also makes it simpler to make a correction if you missed something and notice after you start cutting. I use 6, 6 as my home position so I just have to hit the C2 command for zeroing the next bit.

This works for me and is easy to explain to someone new I am training to use the machine. I also always use a date in the main folder that has the drawing and cut files in it.

I go one step further and that is I have all the tool paths saved as templates with proper speeds and feeds so it goes real fast when I am saving tool path files. I open each layer named the same as my tool path template and select the vectors and hit calculate it makes that part of the job go very fast. I use to spend hours calculating these each time before someone on here showed me how to do this what I have found also is once you have a good template made it cuts down on mistakes.

Mike

[steve_g]

The 10 minute editing rule is just dumb


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[jhedlund58]

I had same problem with 10 minute editing rule. Just nature of forum softwares. There has to be a limit somewhere on editing. U can write your comments in notepad as it has minimal formatting... cut and paste in here when u happy.

[adrianm]

Problem was that when there was no editing rule people were changing their posts to make the replies from people in later posts look idiotic.

As for the topic I always use the manual tool change routines and generate one file. It's so slick and simple to use these days and is a massive time saver with much less chance of making a mistake. All in my opinion of course.

[Stephen50]

The problem originally started when I received a message stating error tool paths.
Both use tool #1 but the geometry of the tools are different.

The tool I used on the profile is a 1/4 up cut, while the tool used for drilling was a 1/8 straight

I experimented using different tools for the tool path and I kept getting the same error message. When I deleted the drill tool path as previously stated everything worked fine. Need to find out what I have to do to in correcting the geometry of the bits I'm using to enable me to drill the holes. I renamed the bits to no avail, selected different tools no luck.

[myxpykalix]

Maybe if you posted a dxf or picture of what you are trying to do might help us figure out your problem.
Sounds to me like it might be a combination of things.
First, do you have a auto toolchanger? If not then you cannot use the option to "combine all toolpaths"
Secondly you need to make sure you are saving the file using the proper post processor.
Thirdly, you need to make sure you are using the proper tool for the proper operation (you can't use a .25 endmill to drill a .125 hole!:eek:)

a picture, again, is worth a thousand words or posting a file because we can immediately look at that and see what the issue is rather then trying to diagnose it from a description.:confused:

[jTr]

Stephen,
Just had a very similar issue this weekend. Did not realize that the program will delete any conflicting tool paths as you try to save as one file.

Same conflict you described - bit sizes and numbers.

On mine, I had tool#1 for a .25 cutout and a tool #1 for drilling. My problem was, I mistakenly used a .25 DRILL BIT instead of my #1 .25 ROUTER Bit in setting up drilling operation. Once I set the drilling operation to my .25 ROUTER Bit (#1), everything went fine.

Prior to that, it had deleted BOTH tool paths. On mine, it started a cutout path using a 1.25 surfacer that I'd chucked into spindle, expecting to start with a shallow pocketing cut. :eek:

If you haven't yet, try to define your drilling bit as a router bit - avoid using an actual drill bit from your default tool database. I think that was key for my solution...

jeff

[genek]

Assign numbers to each tool. Never set a tool as tool one for similar bits. I use even numbers for my straight and od for the v bits etc.

[jTr]

Eugene,
I learned a while ago that shopbot will not recognize any bit numbers beyond 20 or 30 - I wanted to group straights in the one digit family, profiles in the 10's, carvers in the 20's, etc.
Result was an error message at the bot. Cannot remember exact limit, but once you venture over 20 or 30, the bot recognizes them as actual DRILL BITS, and will report a conflict if you are not initiating a process involving an air drill or similar attachment.

So - what to do? I've never received any clear response when fielding this question in earlier posts. At this point, I rely on memory and looking at the original crv files to see what I did, as I have run way past numbers available for the variety of bits on hand. :(

End result is similar to what Stephen originally posted at the initiation of this thread...

jeff

[cowboy1296]

Not that I am a wizard or anything but I still think the issue might be your post processor. are you using this one.

[genek]

I do not use a lot of bits. so I have never had any problems with the numbers.

the biggest bit I go to in mill bits is .5 the smallest is 1/32
my spread on the mill bits is 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2
and my v carve is limited to 6 bits there.

you can save the files individually like this and not have to number your tools.

1 oven rack pull .25 drill
2 oven rack pull .5 pocket cut
3 oven rack pull .5 profile cut

then run your drill first, pocket cut second then finally the profile.