machine cutting in segments?

[Tristar500]

I'm trying to figure out why my machine pauses several times when cutting this very simple part.

DXF file created on BobCad 21
G code in SheetCam

I don't see any extra nodes so maybe a setting in SheetCam?

see attached dxf.

Thanks all!

N0010 (Filename: 3hole8.nc)
N0020 (Post processor: Mach3 CNC4pc plasma no Z.scpost)
N0030 (Date: 02/06/2023)
N0040 G20 (Units: Inches)
N0050 G53 G90 G91.1 G40
N0060 F1
N0070 (Part: 3hole8)
N0080 (Operation: Inside Offset, Colour 5, T1: Plasma,1/8" Steel)
N0090 G00 X3.5171 Y0.4947
N0100 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0110 M03
N0120 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0130 G03 X3.6303 Y0.4947 I0.0566 J0.0566 F45.5
N0140 X3.6303 Y0.4947 I-0.1303 J0.1303
N0150 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0160 M05
N0170 G00 X0.3697 Y0.6079
N0180 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0190 M03
N0200 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0210 G03 X0.3697 Y0.4947 I0.0566 J-0.0566 F45.5
N0220 X0.3697 Y0.4947 I0.1303 J0.1303
N0230 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0240 (Operation: Outside Offset, Colour 7, T1: Plasma,1/8" Steel)
N0250 M05
N0260 G00 X4.0800 Y-0.0958
N0270 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0280 M03
N0290 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0300 G03 X4.0000 Y-0.0158 I-0.0800 J-0.0000 F45.5
N0310 G01 X3.0000
N0320 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0330 X0.6000 F65.0
N0340 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0350 X0.0000
N0360 G02 X-0.0158 Y0.0000 I0.0000 J0.0158
N0370 G01 Y0.6000
N0380 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0390 Y0.6500
N0400 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0410 Y1.2500
N0420 G02 X0.0000 Y1.2657 I0.0158 J0.0000
N0430 G01 X0.6000
N0440 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0450 X3.4000
N0460 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0470 X4.0000
N0480 G02 X4.0157 Y1.2500 I0.0000 J-0.0158
N0490 G01 Y0.6500
N0500 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0510 Y0.0000
N0520 M05
N0530 M05 M30

3hole8.dxf

(1.83 KiB) Downloaded 112 times

3hole8.dxf

(1.83 KiB) Downloaded 112 times

[djreiswig]

It looks like you have a bunch of P4 commands. I believe P4 causes a 4 second pause. Interesting that you are using a post with no z, but you have a THC. If you provide more information on your table it might help.

[acourtjester]

There is some funny things happening in your G-code. Lines 130 and 140 again 210 and 220 the X and Y coordinates are the same with a different radius. That may be why the holes are really bad.
I have not seen that before. Try changing to Mach3 Plasma as your post processor and see what happens.

[Tristar500]

It looks like you have a bunch of P4 commands. I believe P4 causes a 4 second pause. Interesting that you are using a post with no z, but you have a THC. If you provide more information on your table it might help.

It's not pausing as long as 4 seconds, maybe a 1/4 second. Enough to be noticeable and totally unnecessary.

It's a new post processor so, yes, maybe some tweaking needed?

[Tristar500]

There is some funny things happening in your G-code. Lines 130 and 140 again 210 and 220 the X and Y coordinates are the same with a different radius. That may be why the holes are really bad.
I have not seen that before. Try changing to Mach3 Plasma as your post processor and see what happens.

I'll pass this on to the post guy. I'm sure we can figure this out.

Thanks guys!

[acourtjester]

Ok I did some checking and it seem what I called out in the G-code was not out of the norm. I ran your DXF in SheetCam and got the same results you got. Thinking it was a problem with your drawing I redrew it in my CAD program same G-code generated. Then just a single hole same size G-code was the same for the hole alone. I just had not seen this before, maybe I did not look at it before.

[Tristar500]

I looked for path ends in Sheetcam and didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
I looks like a lot of people are using Inkscape. Any idea if it produces good quality dxf files?
I used Corel Draw maybe 25 years ago and it was completely unusable so far as generating a machineable file. I'm sure the new version are good.
Inkscape looks like it's very capable.

[plasmanewbie]

I opened your dxf in Corel and found there were 6 objects to be cut, 2 holes, and 4 line segments making up the rectangle. If I were to cut your dxf as it is I would expect 6 stops and starts. In Corel I can join the "broken" segments making up the rectangle and reduce the machine starts and stops to 3. Not sure there is anything wrong with your setup. Here is your dxf joined in Corel and saved as dxf again.

Test.dxf

(162.64 KiB) Downloaded 109 times

Test.dxf

(162.64 KiB) Downloaded 109 times

[Tristar500]

Thanks.
I've been playing around with Q cad and it cuts as it should.
Seems like the issue is with BobCad .

[plasmanewbie]

It is possible that Qcad is seeing the individual segments starting and ending points matching and automatically connecting the broken segments in the design. Glad you have found something that works better for you

[Tristar500]

I opened your dxf in Corel and found there were 6 objects to be cut, 2 holes, and 4 line segments making up the rectangle. If I were to cut your dxf as it is I would expect 6 stops and starts. In Corel I can join the "broken" segments making up the rectangle and reduce the machine starts and stops to 3. Not sure there is anything wrong with your setup. Here is your dxf joined in Corel and saved as dxf again.

Test.dxf

What version of Corel are you using? I started with Corel3, then been using 12 for the past 20 years.
I'm sure they have come a long way since then.

[plasmanewbie]

I am using Corel 2018, have been using Corel for over 20 years and have had really good luck with it.

[adbuch]

I opened your dxf in Corel and found there were 6 objects to be cut, 2 holes, and 4 line segments making up the rectangle. If I were to cut your dxf as it is I would expect 6 stops and starts. In Corel I can join the "broken" segments making up the rectangle and reduce the machine starts and stops to 3. Not sure there is anything wrong with your setup. Here is your dxf joined in Corel and saved as dxf again.

Test.dxf

Plasmanewbie - that's a handy feature of CorelDraw to link/join the individual path segments. I normally use Design Edge to do this, but I just tried it with my version of CorelDraw 2020 and it work great.

[Tristar500]

I'm really used to the older versions of CorelDraw. (I have V 12, it's 20 years old and not eligible for an upgrade)
What do you have to pay to get a version that works well for plasma cutting?
the Corel site mostly want's to sell you a "seat" and that does not work for me as I'm an occasional user and will probably use it to clean up files for personal plasma work.

[adbuch]

I'm really used to the older versions of CorelDraw. (I have V 12, it's 20 years old and not eligible for an upgrade)
What do you have to pay to get a version that works well for plasma cutting?
the Corel site mostly want's to sell you a "seat" and that does not work for me as I'm an occasional user and will probably use it to clean up files for personal plasma work.

This is the version I bought on Amazon. It says "Educational" but it is fully functional. I don't use it very much, but purchased it to try to learn how to use it. Hence "Educational".
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B1 ... =UTF8&th=1

There is now a newer version available for the same price.
https://www.amazon.com/CorelDRAW-Graphi ... le_sw?th=1

David

[plasmanewbie]

Plasmanewbie - that's a handy feature of CorelDraw to link/join the individual path segments. I normally use Design Edge to do this, but I just tried it with my version of CorelDraw 2020 and it work great.

I works very well and with the "Gap Tolerance" setting it can join even the most sloppily created designs. I ussually keep my gap tolerance around .010" and if segments still haven't joined I will increase the tolerance distance until it does. Super handy.

[plasmanewbie]

I'm really used to the older versions of CorelDraw. (I have V 12, it's 20 years old and not eligible for an upgrade)
What do you have to pay to get a version that works well for plasma cutting?
the Corel site mostly want's to sell you a "seat" and that does not work for me as I'm an occasional user and will probably use it to clean up files for personal plasma work.

Corel V12 should work just fine and you shouldn't have to spend any more money. They come out with new versions all the time but I find its all pretty much the same with a new look and a higher price. What problems do you have with your V12?

[Tristar500]

I'm really used to the older versions of CorelDraw. (I have V 12, it's 20 years old and not eligible for an upgrade)
What do you have to pay to get a version that works well for plasma cutting?
the Corel site mostly want's to sell you a "seat" and that does not work for me as I'm an occasional user and will probably use it to clean up files for personal plasma work.

Corel V12 should work just fine and you shouldn't have to spend any more money. They come out with new versions all the time but I find its all pretty much the same with a new look and a higher price. What problems do you have with your V12?

I went ahead and purchased Corel 2020 (educational ver). Many, many years ago Corel was super sucky at creating files for machining.
so far I'm digging it. Going to try to clean up the file I uploaded here and see if it fixes the problem with the machine pausing.

[plasmanewbie]

I'm really used to the older versions of CorelDraw. (I have V 12, it's 20 years old and not eligible for an upgrade)
What do you have to pay to get a version that works well for plasma cutting?
the Corel site mostly want's to sell you a "seat" and that does not work for me as I'm an occasional user and will probably use it to clean up files for personal plasma work.

Corel V12 should work just fine and you shouldn't have to spend any more money. They come out with new versions all the time but I find its all pretty much the same with a new look and a higher price. What problems do you have with your V12?

I went ahead and purchased Corel 2020 (educational ver). Many, many years ago Corel was super sucky at creating files for machining.
so far I'm digging it. Going to try to clean up the file I uploaded here and see if it fixes the problem with the machine pausing.

Let me know if you have any questions I have been using it for years and can likely help.

[Tristar500]

So far it's really familiar. Only problem I'm getting is the program doesn't want to close. I get a message saying some of the operations in the background.....
Finally had to go to taskbar and end task to close the program.

[plasmanewbie]

So far it's really familiar. Only problem I'm getting is the program doesn't want to close. I get a message saying some of the operations in the background.....
Finally had to go to taskbar and end task to close the program.

Classic Corel BS. My 2018 does something similar, a pop up telling me to upgrade comes up at the end of every use and I have to use the task manager to close the upgrade window. Very annoying.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

I'm really used to the older versions of CorelDraw. (I have V 12, it's 20 years old and not eligible for an upgrade)

Corel with all their greed made the upgrade pricing only available from the previous years version, they tried this in the past and changed their policy after people stopped buying their product. Now they did it again (we started a thread on this a year or so ago) CD 16 here, I like it as it has drivers for the vinyl cutter as well..

[Tristar500]

Good to know.
I take it nobody has found a fix for this?

[Tristar500]

I'm still getting one unnecessary pause during the cut. Not sure if it's something in the Corel file or post.
It happens just after cutting out the final outline of the part. Machine goes about an inch and pauses a bit then smoothly cuts the rest no problem.

Here's the code and file.

N0010 (Filename: corel2020.nc)
N0020 (Post processor: Mach3 CNC4pc plasma no Z.scpost)
N0030 (Date: 06/06/2023)
N0040 G20 (Units: Inches)
N0050 G53 G90 G91.1 G40
N0060 F1
N0070 (Part: corel2020)
N0080 (Operation: Inside Offset, Colour 5, T1: Plasma,1/8" Steel)
N0090 G00 X0.4700 Y0.8705
N0100 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0110 M03
N0120 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0130 G03 X0.3568 Y0.8705 I-0.0566 J-0.0566 F45.5
N0140 X0.3568 Y0.8705 I0.1432 J-0.1432
N0150 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0160 M05
N0170 G00 X3.6432 Y0.7573
N0180 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0190 M03
N0200 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0210 G03 X3.6432 Y0.8705 I-0.0566 J0.0566 F45.5
N0220 X3.6432 Y0.8705 I-0.1432 J-0.1432
N0230 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0240 (Operation: Outside Offset, Colour 7, T1: Plasma,1/8" Steel)
N0250 M05
N0260 G00 X-0.0586 Y1.3995
N0270 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0280 M03
N0290 M63P4 (***THC Inhibited, AD2***)
N0300 G03 X0.0545 Y1.3996 I0.0565 J0.0566 F45.5
N0310 G02 X0.2243 Y1.4703 I0.1704 J-0.1699
N0320 G01 X1.0356
N0330 M62P4 (+++THC Allowed, AD2+++)
N0340 X3.7755 F65.0
N0350 G02 X4.0158 Y1.2216 I-0.0031 J-0.2434
N0360 G01 Y0.2381
N0370 G02 X3.7850 Y-0.0156 I-0.2422 J-0.0115
N0380 G01 X3.7843
N0390 X0.2527 Y-0.0157
N0400 X0.2143 Y-0.0155
N0410 X0.2137
N0420 G02 X-0.0157 Y0.2201 I0.0112 J0.2404
N0430 G01 Y1.2297
N0440 G02 X0.0545 Y1.3996 I0.2406 J0.0000
N0450 M05
N0460 M05 M30

Thanks for the help!

corel2020.dxf

(162.56 KiB) Downloaded 117 times

corel2020.dxf

(162.56 KiB) Downloaded 117 times

[adbuch]

See if this one works any better.
David

corel2020 test.dxf

(17.87 KiB) Downloaded 103 times

corel2020 test.dxf

(17.87 KiB) Downloaded 103 times