Adjusting Depth of Cut

[jim_vv]

I have just completed the assembly of my machine and vacuum hold down system. My machine is a PRS 9648 Alpha with a HSD 2.2 Spinle. Yesterday after surfacing my spoil board I decided to make a simple sign that I had designed earlier. I V Carved it which went beautifully. The profile pass did not cut all the way through the material. I did measure the material prior to toolpathing my sign. My question is this: Can I make a simple adjustment right at the machine to make a little deeper pass, or do I have to redo the profile toolpath?

[jsfrost]

This is something I routinely do if a file needs just a bit more depth. There are at least two ways to do this:

1. Enter a Z multiplier when the file starts. This for me is the harder method because a bit of ratio and proportion math is needed. If the programmed Z depth is .5 and the new goal is .51, enter (.51/.5) (without a calculator at hand, I won't give the wrong number). Use this as the Z multiplier.

2. Assume safe z is .5 and you want to cut .010 deeper. Move to a concienient location, say 0,0,.5. Move Z down .010 to .490. (MZ .490) Now use the VA command to tell the tool the current location is 0,0.5.

Often an leaving an onionskin that will just break off is a better than a through profile choice. This will minimize resurfacing. In the end, it's what works for you.

[paco]

Jim has mention two, here's two more ways.

Nudge feature. I suggest you read about it...

For the cut out toolpath, VA command, add the remaining thickness to the Z axis working coordinate (not table base) value. Re-run the cut out toolpath.

[jsfrost]

Since Paco made the suggestion above, I have been meaning to study the Nudge feature. Never got too it.

A few weeks ago, while cleaning a shead for winter storage, my wife and I discovered several Kittens nesting with their Mother. After a few days of feeding, my wife decided that, with cold weather on the way, the cats should move into the warm shop. Eventually they will be in the house, but that's another story.

Yesterday I was cutting a few projects, and left the cats and bot alone in the shop briefly with the SB parked, but powered. After all, there's no way a cat could hit enough keys in sequence to do any damage. That was the thinking but I may have been wrong.

When I returned, the nudge Fill In was on screen, and I could easily see the MN key combination used to get it. So now I know Nudge. My cat taught me.

[paul60]

Jim .why not just use the file edit on the cut file and change the cut depth.
use FE on the keyboard search for the original depth and replace it with the new depth