Good day all,
I have been trying out the CNC for the first time over the last few weeks. I Have it actually doing some of the basic wizards built into Mach3 just to get a feel for what I can do as I learn more Cad/Cam stuff. I tried the circle wizard just fine, but the Rectangle pocket ones and other shapes are causing me a few problems.
When I set it to cut a rectangular pocket, the y-axis drifts negative after each successive plunge. As you can see in the pic, it looks like a bunch of steps. The X and Z seem to be doing fine. The good news is that the bottom edge to the far edge measures the correct width.
I tried playing with all the CV settings. Tried changing the pulse and steps up to 4(maybe try 5?), up the frequency from 25k, to 35 and 45. Also I tried using the backlash settings and shuttle settings, and that only made the steps worse. I also tried CV mode and Exact stop.
The work piece isn't shifting.
To see if it was a mechanical problem I switched the pin settings for the x and y axis and the 'steps' also switched sides. So I believe this to not be a mechanical problem, but a software setup thing.
Mostly I was trying 2"x1" pockets, 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep and going in 1/16 step depths. I have also tried this on 2x2 and 3x3 pockets all with the steps showing up on the same side and getting bigger as the pocket gets bigger.
The system is:
G540 gecko
48V Meanwell PSU
300oz or so steppers
Mach3
Spindle: laminate trimmer(securely held, and not shifting in the holder)
So please any suggestions on what I have missed would be helpful.
Attached is the gcode and a pic of one of the cuts. They generally al look like that. Some with bigger steps.