Sign cutting/material issue help needed?

[myxpykalix]

I was sent a couple of toolpaths made from this dxf to cut and i had a problem and need advice.

This is HDU with a paint mask on it. The company made the dxf and i don't recall what program they made the toolpath in but it is a sbp and here is the picture of the dxf and here is the result and i need to know what i can do to fix this?

The problem is, if you look at the top of the box going around the sign it is uniform in thickness but the bottom looks thinner in the center of the line and thicker on the ends. Any one know what might cause that?

The table is flat and the jig holding the piece is flat and the material is flat so its not an issue with the material or table because the top line of the square is ok.

7754

7755

[ken_rychlik]

At this point, I would use a hand router with a straight edge guide to clean it up.

You could just do another run on the bot, but it would be more risky as far as placemtnt and saving what you have.

I wonder if you used the dxf and created your own toolpath how the sign would turn out.

kenneth

[widgetworks_unlimited]

Did you surface the material to before running the job? When I've run into things like this it's usually because the material isn't uniform thickness throughout the sheet.

[beacon14]

When you have it secured in the jig did you put a straightedge across the length to see if there was any sag in the center?

It sure looks like a flatness or material thickness issue. It would only take a small amount to cause that.

[myxpykalix]

Well I checked it out visually and it looked ok but since i have a "crooked eye" I will take a straightedge out and check that.

The material was cut and painted and masked and handed to me so i didn't check it out. I will check that and report back.

[myxpykalix]

As usual David...you're right!

7756

Now the question is, since it is still in the jig and still zeroed what can i do to fix it?

[gene]

Follow kenneth's Advise. Use a hand router clean it up, Or retoolpath just the outside detail a little deeper so the whole round part of the bit is below the surface of the material

[rej]

what paint mask are you using?
thanks

[GlenP]

Jack you could hand router it if it is still on the bot or get some shim shingles and shim it up flat on that edge and re router the profile. HDU can commonly very slightly in thickness. I usually don't vcarve the profile line I will use a 1/4" end mill instead and then no worries.

[myxpykalix]

I picked up the blank painted and masked as is so i didn't surface it or mask it so i don't know what mask was used.

I was thinking about taking a few popsicle sticks and laying them in the middle to make up for that bow in the center and reroute the outside again. I just think the possibility exists to make it look far worse then it does now.
Should i try that? I used a vbit on that because that is what the client wanted.

[widgetworks_unlimited]

My experience with this kind of rework problem has never ended with perfect results.

I think Glen has the right idea - I'd call the customer and explain that their blank is "faulty" and that you recommend using a flat bottomed cut.

The next alternative I'd attempt would be hand sanding to fix the V profile, using sand paper and a block of wood held at a 45 degree angle.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...

[myxpykalix]

In talking to the company it turns out that they had an issue with the paint and sanded the surface down and repainted it, so it isn't anything i did or an issue with my equipment, thank goodness! They say they can fix it in house so that works for me! Thanks for your help all...