Laser

[toby]

My jtech laser works great but it runs really rough on the machine. The machine is jerky. I can run the same path using the normal post and it’s smooth as usual but when I run the laser post it’s like a million tiny moves. It looks great just seems hard on the machine. Anybody else have this problem?

[gerry]

What machine, jtech laser, and Post Processor are you using?

[toby]

Axiom AR8. I’m using the post from axiom and the jtech laser kit for the axiom machine.

[gerry]

1. Do you set the SPINDLE DELAY FUNCTION=0 for Laser, then back to 4000 for normal CNC?

2. SET NTLLG
Press MENU
Highlight AUTO PRO SETUP and press OK to select
Scroll down and select GCODE SETUP
Scroll down to the SPINDLE
The setting here should be set to NTLLG
IF the setting is anything else:
Highlight that setting and press DELETE
Highlight NTLLG and press ENTER
Again use the Stop/Cancel button to go back on

3. What are the your defined Vectric Laser TOOL database settings?

Tips for Laser operation:

We recommended that you use the Quick Engrave tool path with the following settings:

Hatch Angle = 45deg, Fill option selected

Feed-rate = L00 inch per minute

Set the Laser shroud to approx. tf9" from the surface of the material for optimal focal length.

Beam diameter at optimal focal length = .0L2"

When engraving, set feed rate to 50-12Sipm (lnch Per Minute)


When cutting, set feed rate to 5-10ipm (l/8" thick material at most)


t is recommended that a new tool is created within tooling library and labeled as Laser. A standard End

Mill is ideal with a diameter of 0.012" and a pass depth of 0.001"


Stepover can vary, to allow lighter or darker fill and can be adjusted within the Quick Engrave tool-path.

During testing a75o/o step over was used with great results*

Additional setup recommendations, and support are availab

4. If possible, post your job. Simplify. See if you get the same problems with a few letters of text and a box.

[toby]

Yes to all those. It’s setup correctly and everything works fine and looks fine. My only problem is the jerky movements. Straight moves are silky smooth but curves run like it’s a million tiny moves. I don’t have this problem when using the regular cutting tool post. I can post the exact same path with the different post and only the laser post runs rough.
Thanks for your help with this by the way. It’s got to be in the post. I was hoping someone else has had this issue.

[gerry]

Put your post here and I'll check it against mine.

[toby]

So I put the code side by side to compare. One cuts smooth and one doesn’t.
The only difference is the spindle RPM on every line and the M3 toggling the laser. I’m gonna try to delete the some of the S16000 commands and see if that makes a difference. I will leave the S16000 M3 lines. I don’t know why that would make a difference but that’s the only thing that isn’t the same.

[gerry]

What is the name of the pp you are using? I'm using the Axiom_HHC_Laser.pp. 

[Axiom Tool Group]

Toby,

Within the controller GCode Setup...there is a line that I have found that could effect this depending upon the design.


Go into the controller MENU and select the Auto Pro Setup, then scroll down and choose the GCode Setup.

Look for the line that will show S READ (on the left)...make sure that it is set to IGN S (on the right).


If needed...highlight the line and press DELETE.

You should see the two options, READ or IGN.


Make sure to select the IGN option...then press OK and exit the MENU.

*This will effect how the machine interprets the curve commands, where the software by default may have RPM in the code.

[toby]

Sorry for the delay in response but it turns out it is the S16000 command on every line. I used the find and replace to remove them and now it’s silky smooth. Jerky movement issue resolved!!!! Thanks for your help.

[kwm6989]

Gerry, I have a AR16 with an Richauto controller and there is not a setting in the GCode - G Spindel that shows NTLLG. Any Help would be nice.

[gerry]

Aug 10, 2023 19:54:28 GMT -5 kwm6989 said:

Gerry, I have a AR16 with an Richauto controller and there is not a setting in the GCode - G Spindel that shows NTLLG. Any Help would be nice.

Call Chad. I think the AR16 uses a different controller.