New Owner Questions

[j05h]

Well… I finally decided to purchase an Axiom AR8 Pro V6, which has been delivered and I have it assembled and ready to run. This is my first experience with a CNC router, however I do own other CNC equipment so I’m somewhat familiar with the operations. I am more of a metalworker than a woodworker so I still have a lot to learn, which is why I am here. Axiom has been really slow to respond to my questions so I am hoping to get some of them answered here. Below are a few questions that I have. Thanks.

- I have loaded .mmg files via thumb drive to the Richauto pendant but I can only see the beginning text of the program name. Is there a way to view the full program name on the pendant before selecting the program?

- I purchased the 9 piece Amana Spectra bit set and downloaded their tool file online. Cutting my first job with the 1/4” straight ball nose with their recommended 18k rpm at 100 IPM, I find myself getting chatter. I was cutting just regular Home Depot grade plywood. Is this normal with their speeds and feeds settings or are the better settings that I should use?

- I did purchase V Carve Pro since I could not find a way to use Solidworks with this machine. Has anybody figure out a post processor compatible with Solidworks?

I’m sure I’ll have more questions, but this is all I have at this time.

Thanks,
Josh

[eagle55]

Hi Josh,
1st Question - the Rich Auto controller (assuming that it is the A18**(mis-stated should be B18)**, as the AR8 Pro V5) only has the capability to use 8 character file names. I first thought this was a bummer but I have gotten used to it by using subdirectories for each project and abreviationg the file name with something useful like let60V for letters being cut with a 60 degree v bit (which is one my main bits for what I do) and the something like cutO125 for Cutout using an 1/8" bit. usually have about 3-5 tool paths on a job and I just want to know what project I am on and which bit to use. With my Nextwave Shark I used to have long file names but once I got past the initial disappointment it really doesn't matter.

2nd Question - You didn't mention how deep of a cut you were using. For 1/4" ball nose I would likely program for about .1" depth of cut and feed of 80-100ipm but then start out a maybe a .6 feed rate factor on on the Rich Auto then if I though it should cut faster I could try bumping it up to maybe .8 or even 1.0 feed rate factor with the Y+ and Y- buttons while running. You could do the same thing by going Y- and see if the chatter changes. I would rather take faster passes with less depth of cut than a slower one with a deep cut (more likely to powder and burn than a faster feed rate. With the NextWave Shark we had a saying..... Speed Kills!! but that was mainly because the design of the NextWave was so poor with the over usage of the HDPE plastic structure that if you went to fast it would stress the machine and cause the gantry to bend ever so slightly and "kill your project". A feature I am still having trouble getting used to not having to worry about.

3rd Question - V Carve Pro (which is what I use) is really not the proper comparison to make for Solidworks. A more appropriate comparison would be Vectric's Aspire which gets you into the realm of real 3d design capability that the V Carve just doesn't have. It can to some use and manipulation of 3d files and you can generate tool paths to do 3d work from models but lack the true ability to design 3d. Honestly I have no idea if there is or ever will be a post processor for Solid Works but I don't think there is. Others will have more experience and knowledge in that area than I do.

just some quick answer, and hopefully will be more show up. Not sure why Axiom is slow to respond. Most of the time they pick up and talk to me when I call with tech problems. If you are going through sales, that might be your problem.

Roger

[eagle55]

I haven't kept up with the later versions... what is the difference from the V5 to the V6? that is the first time that I have seen that.

[j05h]

Thank you for your help.

- I will start naming my files differently, perhaps numerically with a more descriptive name and tool ID written in a notebook for reference.

- I only used the tooling speeds and feeds set by Amana and the depth of cut set by Vectric. Like I said, I am still learning so your answer gives me a better understanding on how I should adjust these settings. I agree, I think faster speeds with reduced depth of cut sounds preferable.

- Since I can import .stl files from Solidworks into V Carve Pro, I will see how this works. I am not really in the mood to spend $2000 for another program when I already have Solidworks. I already didn't like that I had to spend $700 on a program just to run my new machine. That's an expensive post processor in my case. Hopefully I do not need to upgrade to the Aspire program. I will see how V Carve Pro works first.

Thanks for your help.

[j05h]

Feb 19, 2024 17:04:53 GMT -5 eagle55 said:

I haven't kept up with the later versions... what is the difference from the V5 to the V6? that is the first time that I have seen that.

I do not know. I would like to know this as well. I will ask when I speak with someone this week. My receipt and the box both say V6. Hopefully it is an upgrade and not a downgrade. Too many companies trying to find ways to make their products cheaper to make rather than made better. 

[eagle55]

Oh also I have a job sheet that I use that I jot down some detail, such as the name I give it on the stick and then any details that I might think I would need, plus feed factor to start with and maybe some estimated times and if it is something that I want to do over and over, I may time it to get a more accurate time for that particular job. Just a small slip of paper that I print up 4 to a sheet of paper then cut it. It keeps me focused on what I need to know when I get to the machine without forgetting one or two things if I just jot a couple things on a scrap of paper.

[eagle55]

I wasn't aware that Solid works could export in stl. (I took a basic class in Solid Works years ago when I had to learn AutoCad, but have never used it and don't do 3d in AutoCad so ignorance is my claim. But if you can get stl out of Solid Works that should be sufficient to import into VCarve Pro. I have bought STL models and used them in VCarve so you should be good to go. You just can't modify them once in VCarve. I think an upgrade to Aspire is about $1300 but honestly until just recently I never had a need to do much 3d design and what I would like to do is not worth the upgrade cost although I will probably upgrade to V11 of VCarve, soon. Another thing you might be interested in at some point. There is a way you can use a "wireless usb stick" with the Axiom and have it connected to the Axiom and wirelessly drop new files for your next project onto the "stick" while you are cutting a job. I am working on doing this but haven't gotten it done yet. If interested I can send some info for you to check it out. Came from a guru that has done it and even upgraded and gotten away from the Rich Auto controller to an awesome controller but that is a big step that takes you away from Axiom and their support. At some point I might do it but not sure I am ready for it even as awesome as it is.

[micknm]

Feb 19, 2024 15:28:00 GMT -5 j05h said:

- I purchased the 9 piece Amana Spectra bit set and downloaded their tool file online. Cutting my first job with the 1/4” straight ball nose with their recommended 18k rpm at 100 IPM, I find myself getting chatter. I was cutting just regular Home Depot grade plywood. Is this normal with their speeds and feeds settings or are the better settings that I should use?

Regarding the chatter issue, one thing to verify is that you're setting the rotation speed manually on the VFD and not relying on the tool database setting in V Carve. The RichAuto controller does not input the speed from the design software, only the feedrate.

[micknm]

Feb 19, 2024 17:04:53 GMT -5 eagle55 said:

I haven't kept up with the later versions... what is the difference from the V5 to the V6? that is the first time that I have seen that.

Looks like the main differences are 48V steppers vs 24V and prewiring for 4th axis and laser. Also says the VFD has been upgraded.

[raven]

Are you sure you have the plywood securely fastened. It might be moving a bit and it might sound like chatter. Try lowering your speed rate down to 11000.
Good luck!

[j05h]

I appreciate all the responses. I’ve been reading on cutting plywood and it sounds like I would have better success using compression bits. I ordered a couple Amana compression bits and should be able to try them this weekend. I did play around with speeds and feeds and got the chatter to stop but it still didn’t seem ideal but I guess this can be common with plywood due to the multiple layers and glue. I’m heading in the right direction anyways.

I have noticed how horrible the Axiom dust boot is, or is it just me? My collector is definitely strong enough, but the boot just seems like a poor design.