3D files & SB3

[dubliner]

Im using C3D on a PRS Alpha, I was cutting a rather lengthy 3D file & the process would pause a few times. I thought I had lost comm, but it seemed like it was loading more code as the "fuel gauge" in SB3 would "fill up" an then cutting would recommence.
Next ? - in Cut3D, I was using a 1/4" BN to rough out the path, but it really only cut a 2D path. I would have expected it to do a 70% 3D path in advance of the finish path. I thought about cutting a 70% Z pass with a 1/4" and then drop it down with an 1/8"BM but wouldnt that just double the 3D path duration? Any suggestions?
Last qustion - I think I have my screen saver off in WinXP, but in a long file my screen will just black out. I'm nervous that it will interfere with a long 3D cut. Should the screen remain on regardless of the duration & how can I set it that way if so? tx Dubliner

[paco]

quote:I'm using C3D on a PRS Alpha, I was cutting a rather lengthy 3D file & the process would pause a few times. I thought I had lost comm, but it seemed like it was loading more code as the "fuel gauge" in SB3 would "fill up" an then cutting would recommence.Normal behavior.

quote:Next ? - in Cut3D, I was using a 1/4" BN to rough out the path, but it really only cut a 2D path. I would have expected it to do a 70% 3D path in advance of the finish path. I thought about cutting a 70% Z pass with a 1/4" and then drop it down with an 1/8"BM but wouldnt that just double the 3D path duration? Any suggestions?This is just the way "you decided" to program the roughing toolpath... isn't it? 2D like roughing strategies are generally faster (with rather deep step down/passes) but are more appropriate for softer material (foams, soft woods). 3D roughing toolpath strategies leave less material than those 2D island left from 2D roughing. Hope that make sense.

quote:Last qustion - I think I have my screen saver off in WinXP, but in a long file my screen will just black out. I'm nervous that it will interfere with a long 3D cut. Should the screen remain on regardless of the duration & how can I set it that way if so? tx DublinerSettings/Control panel/Power options/Turn monitor off/Turn off hard disks/System standby = all to 'Never' for your SB controller computer.

[myxpykalix]

When your scren goes blank the way you restore it is by hitting a button on the mouse or spacebar or moving the mouse and that inturn might interfere with the file. Do like paco suggests and change it not to go off.

[harryball]

Hey Nev! How's everything? Sounds like you are working away over there.

Paco and Jack have nailed the answers. All I can add is that if you haven't already, go through and turn off all power saving, background processes and un-needed services. You SB controller PC should be dedicated doing NOTHING ELSE. It's just not worth the risk of interferring with a job and ruining materials. Go to your services, take a screen shot and save it so you can see where you started, then go through any "Started" service and decide if you really need it or not. Disable or change to Manual those services that don't need to be running. There are websites out there to help with this but you can probably figure out if you don't have a tablet PC or will never run Apple something or other etc...

Also, I've found that if I leave my wireless network card in I have problems running over 7 ips. When the card polls the bot stalls. I always eject the PCMCIA network card when running the tool and re-insert it when I'm done so I can copy files over again. If you have an internal network adapter, you can generally right click on it and disable it in the software too.


/RB

[dubliner]

Paco Jack & Rob, thanks for the answers.
Paco - I looked at the design & youre correct I never noticed the option to save rough cut as 3d, but I see it now.
jack, thats exactly what happened, it went black, I moved the mouse ( probably hit the button) and it gave me the shut down window. I was about 2 hours into a 3d cut - I freaked, but all was well. I will set according to Pacos info.
Robert - We've been busy around here alright , lots of work but not on my projects ( know what I mean!) Not as much CNC time as I would like, but I do love this machine, Say, when do actually stop watching it when its running 3D files - I probably got more done before I had a cnc, now I just gawk in awe :-)

[dubliner]

Hey Guys, How would you go about suspending a long duration 3D file, e.g. stopping half way through at night & picking up at the same place next morning?

[paco]

"S" key to pause, write down the line to resume in case of event and I would have wrote the working offset before starting the file.

If you evaluate that you wont finish a such file over a working shift, you can always make sub-files (say that last 8 hours) manually or with the aid of Bill Young's utilities. File splitter (http://www.shopbottools.com/LabFiles/FileSplitter.htm) with and File sampler (http://www.shopbottools.com/LabFiles/FileSampler.htm).

Hope that help.

[myxpykalix]

What I do especially with long 3d files is I first do a C3 and find my lower left 0,0.

Then I manually move my carriage to the 0,0 on my part (usually center of piece). I then write down those coordinates of my X,Y position.

Then I Zero my x,y at that position.
I start the file and every so often depending on how long the file is I will take note of what line its on and just jot that number down that way if you walk in and its not running and theres no line numbers on the screen you have a reset point as a failsafe from the last time you jot it down.

[oscarg1971]

Neville, I also use the "S" to pause my cut when it starts getting to late. I write down my numbers just in case. Wake up the next morning, "resume", and I'm good to go. -Oscar