Problem with v26/v27 resetting speeds

[ckurak]

I do a lot of my work in metric as well as Imperial. Usually everything works fine just by saving my metric files as "mm" files in PartWizard (v1.020). PartWizard adds a line at the top of the file:

VD,,,1

This tells the control software to switch to metric mode. However, v26 and v27 don't seem to be handling the speed conversion properly. Here is a step by step example illustrating the problem.

1) Set the control software to be in "inches" mode. This is done by selecting the "Other Common" tab on the control panel, the selecting the "inches" radio button.

2) Set the move and jog speeds in the control software to:
Move Speeds:
X&Y: 3.00
Z: 1.00
Jog Speeds:
X&Y: 5.00
Z: 2.00

3) Build a file in PartWizard that drills a 10mm deep hole at position 100,100.

4) Check the speeds of the toolpath. The tool speeds I set are "Feed Rate" 50 mm/sec and "Plunge Rate" 25.001 mm/sec. I had selected a 6 mm End Mill bit.

5) Save the toolpath file as "Shopbot_Router_mm".

Here is the SBP file that was saved.

'SHOPBOT ROUTER PART FILE
'GENERATED BY PART WIZARD
' UNITS = mm
'----------------------------------------------------------------
SA,
VD,,,1
'----------------------------------------------------------------
MS,49.8,24.9
JZ,25.000000
J2,0.000000,0.000000
J3,100.000000,100.000000,25.000000
J3,100.000000,100.000000,1.000000
M3,100.000000,100.000000,-10.000000
J3,100.000000,100.000000,25.000000
J3,0.000000,0.000000,25.000000
JZ,25.000000
J2,0.000000,0.000000
'----------------------------------------------------------------


6) Edit the SBP file to UNremark the VD command. (This is a problem with PW v1 that has reportedly been resolved with PW v2. So, no need to worry about this anymore.)

7) Now, with the control software still in INCH mode, run the SBP file. (There should be no need to manually change the mode into MM as the SBP file should do this.)

8) Observe what happens.

a) The file drills the hole at 100,100 then complains about the speed settings:
"Parameter Value Below Range for VS -- Setting to Lower Limit (1.26999998092651)!"

b) I select the "OK" button on the popup box (not much choice here).

c) The SBP file ends.

d) The control software now has the following settings:

Move Speeds:
X&Y: 3.00
Z: 1.27
Job Speeds:
X&Y: 5.00
Z: 2.00

It reset the Z MOVE Speed from 1.00 to 1.27.

HOWEVER, the control software is still in MM mode. The speeds are now in mm/sec, NOT inch/sec.

Going back to the "Other Common" tab, selecting the "inches" radio button, then returning to the "Speeds" tab will reveal the following:

Move Speeds:
X&Y: .12
Z: .05
Jog Speeds:
X&Y: .20
Z: .08

I reset the speed settings to the original values and single-stepped through the SBP file. When rerunning the SBP file, the error message appears at the very end of the file. The file appears to cut the parts ok (in this case drilling a single hole), but the machine speeds need to be manually reset before I do anything else. For example, if I want to use the Keyboard to move the router around, the X&Y Jog Speeds are now at 0.20 inches/sec.

I have reverted to PRT(Standard) v25 and the problem is NOT there. I have tried a PRTAlpha v26 in PREVIEW mode and the problem IS there. I have also tried PRT (Standard) v27 and the problem IS there. Evidently some change between v25 and v26 caused the problem.

At this point I believe someone who works on the control software should take a look at this, please. It appears that something is being done out of order(?).

Thanks!

Charles

[Brady Watson]

Charles,
That seems like an awful lot of work when you can just convert metric to standard right in PW2. You can design in inch and convert to metric and back again at any time by just going up to: Model->Set Size and then toggle inches to mm or vice versa. You can cut an inch part with a metric tool from the tool db.

Granted none of what I just said resolves the control software issues, but I never switch back and forth in SB3. I just convert everything to inches before it gets to the shop. Hopefully this will be resolved in future releases. Have you sent a message to support? SB techies don't necessarily view this board, so the best way is to e-mail or call them.

-B

[ckurak]

Brady,

After I posted this note I remembered that I should send a note to support. So I did. I received an email back that they are working on it.

I am very familiar with the Model->Set Size feature in PW. I find it quite useful. I also select both metric and Imperial sized bits from the tool db on a regular basis. However, thanks for pointing them out just in case. Maybe someone else will read this and learn something. I know I learn a lot by reading this forum.

The reason for staying in metric is that I design and build my cabinetry in metric. The hardware system that I use (hinges, drawer slides, etc.) are designed around a 32mm system. It is just much easier for me to stay in metric for the entire cabinet. However, if the PRT was just used for something in INCH mode (yes, I use that also), I expect the software to change properly. It used to, but now it doesn't. I'm sure SB will get it fixed.

At this point I will most likely stay with SB3 v25 until SB has a fix. It might not be until the next release, but that should work for me.

Thanks,

Charles