vector help! Not vectoring smoothly.

**james burchfield** · 11-16-2011, 5:06 PM

I have a epilog legend ext 60 watt. Today i was making some sample blocks and noticed that they arn't coming out smoothly and instead squiggly. Has anyone had this problem or might know the cause?IMAG0344.jpg

**Craig Matheny** · 11-16-2011, 5:35 PM

It looks like a bad trace

but I know that is not what the art looks like.. With that said do a cleaning clean the encoder strip and the assembly it should clear up

**Frank Corker** · 11-16-2011, 5:43 PM

I'd agree. Looks like a bad trace to me.

**james burchfield** · 11-16-2011, 5:57 PM

The file is a good trace i drew it in autocad. I was thinking it might be a vibration problem?

**Craig Matheny** · 11-16-2011, 6:02 PM

I just ran the file after I un grouped it all and then merged the file together it seems to run fine check your encode strip something seems to be messed up

**james burchfield** · 11-16-2011, 6:08 PM

Ok thanks will do.

**Dan Hintz** · 11-16-2011, 6:18 PM

That looks like mechanical problems... make sure your carriage is on the track solidly, the lens is securely screwed in, and there's no play in the belt and idler pulley.

Cool effect, if you can repeat it on command

**Mike Chance in Iowa** · 11-16-2011, 7:00 PM

Originally Posted by james burchfield

The file is a good trace i drew it in autocad. I was thinking it might be a vibration problem?

It could be a vibration problem. If your laser is not on a sturdy table, or your air compressor shares the same table as your laser, that could cause a problem. The air compressor could vibrate enough to make the table & laser wobble. I would still check for mechanical issues like loose belts or it needs cleaning inside.

**Michael Hunter** · 11-16-2011, 7:14 PM

I think Dan has it - check the lens assembly is done up tight.

**Mike Null** · 11-17-2011, 7:41 AM

it's possible that your bearings are shot or that you have dirt on the bearing tracks.

**Scott Shepherd** · 11-17-2011, 9:46 AM

What speed did you run this at?

**Mark Ross** · 11-17-2011, 10:49 AM

Two things here. Check and clean your x encoder strip (its under the blue cover. Next, disable your x/y on the front panel menu. Now over on the left hand side of your machine, there is a transfer pulley from the y axis motor up to long rod on the front of the machine, at the ends of these rods, that is where your left and right y axis belts interface. Move the carriage slowly in the y direction and watch the transfer pulleys and the pulleys on the belts. See if they are slipping at all. There are two allen set screws that hold those pulleys against flat spots on the rods. If any of these set screws are loose, they need to be tightened. I use standard loctite on these as they have a tendency to get loose about once every two years or so on us. I have a 36 ext also and when I had problems, it ended up looking like what you posted.

**james burchfield** · 11-17-2011, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Shepherd

What speed did you run this at?

I run it at 70 speed 10 power.

**AL Ursich** · 11-17-2011, 1:09 PM

A lot of great advice.... To half split to Artwork or Mechanical of the machine.... Draw a Circle and Rectangle in Corel and see what happens... We do this all the time with the CarveWright CNC to fix bad carvings.... Art or Bearings....

AL

**james burchfield** · 11-22-2011, 11:24 AM

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. It turns out it was the decoder strip was a little dirty.

Thread: vector help! Not vectoring smoothly.

Thread Tools

Rate This Thread

Display

vector help! Not vectoring smoothly.

run speed

Posting Permissions