newbie tool diamter compensation problem

Hi All,

I am new to cnc and trying to engrave a square (0.5 in. x 0.5 in. outside edge) into aluminum with a sherline 3-axis cnc mill using tool diamteter compensation. The program is below, created with the help of inkscape. It works perfectly, the square is exactly the size i want, except that the last cut line overshoots on the Y axis by about 1/2 the tool diameter. Can anyone see what I have done wrong?

Thanks!

%
(Header)
(Generated by gcodetools from Inkscape.)
(Using default header. To add your own header create file "header" in the output dir.)
M3
(Header end.)
G21 (All units in mm)

(Start cutting path id: rect3473)
(Change tool to Default tool)

G00 Z5.000000
G42 D1
G00 X0.074466 Y12.625551 (comp intro line)

G01 Z-0.125000 F100.0(Penetrate)
G01 X12.625534 Y12.625551 Z-0.125000 F400.000000
G01 X12.625534 Y0.074480 Z-0.125000
G01 X0.074466 Y0.074480 Z-0.125000 (this line overshoots position reached at comp intro line by about 1/2 tool diameter)
G00 Z5.000000

(End cutting path id: rect3473)


(Footer)
M5
G00 X0.0000 Y0.0000
M2
(Using default footer. To add your own footer create file "footer" in the output dir.)
(end)
%

Hi

This would be a very good project to learn coding by hand, CAD/CAM seems overkill.

I am not sure exactly what dimensions you started with, it looks as though you are using cutter comp and adjusting the coordinates.

If you write a simple program to cut a 12.5mm square like so

Because you have told the interpreter that the cutter diameter is 1mm and you want to stay to the right side of the line (G42 D1)
all you need to do is program the finished size you actually want, in this case 12.5 mm

The plot from the cut below shows that it takes a course 0.5mm inside the line all the way around




regards

Thanks for the reply. The example code you supplied does the same overshoot on the same cut. It seems like something is wrong with my configuration external to the program.
The tool is 0.0mm length and 3.175mm diameter. I think G42 D1 specifies the first tool in my tool list (which is what I want), not a tool with diameter 1mm.

I have been able to get the cut I want by turning off tool compensation and turning it back on right before the cut that always overshoots. The resulting code looks like this:

This should no be needed. Any idea what the problem might be?

I think G42 D1 specifies the first tool in my tool list (which is what I want), not a tool with diameter 1mm.

Well unfortunately you are wrong, D stands for diameter
www.linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gcode/gcode.html#sec:G41_1-G42_1

I am rather unsure as to why the first 3 sides would not have overcut.

The other alternative is to program 12.5mm minus cutter radius, with no cutter comp, does this overcut?
If so there may be something more fundamentally wrong

regards

No, I am not wrong. In my context D stands for tool number:
www.linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gcode/gcode.html#sec:G41-G42

There is no overcut when I don't use cutter comp.

Thanks

Apologies, think I had word blindness.
I was looking at 42 D1 and seeing 42.1 D1, even in my prog :blush:

As ArcEye showed it is a good idea to start the program with a preamble that puts the machine in a know state...

What position is the machine in when you start the program?

perhaps try changing this...

%
(Header)
(Generated by gcodetools from Inkscape.)
(Using default header. To add your own header create file "header" in the output dir.)
M3
(Header end.)
G21 (All units in mm)

(Start cutting path id: rect3473)
(Change tool to Default tool)

G00 Z5.000000
G42 D1
G00 X0.074466 Y12.625551 (comp intro line)

....rest of program

To

%
(Header)
(Generated by gcodetools from Inkscape.)
(Using default header. To add your own header create file "header" in the output dir.)
M3
(Header end.)
G21 (All units in mm)

(Start cutting path id: rect3473)
(Change tool to Default tool)

G00 Z5.000000
G42 D1

G00 X-2 Y10

G00 X0.074466 Y12.625551 (comp intro line)

...rest of program

Are you using backlash compensation?

Rick G

Thanks Rick G I had tried adding in another move like that already but it didn't help. I start the program with the machine in the home (0,0,0) position.

The overshoot always happens on the last cut / edge of the square. However, if I continue on to re-trace half of the fist cut (first edge of the square) then the machine won't overshoot because it follows a previous cut

G01 X0.074466 Y0.074480 Z-0.125000 (this line overshoots position unless I add the next line)
G01 X12.625534 Y6 Z-0.125000 (Y6 is about half the line already cut on the first pass)

I found an example of cutting out the inside profile of a square with tool comp and they seem to arc in and out of the cut. I'm not sure why this is needed but I guess its what i have to do. See Figure 5 here:
linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gcode/tool_compensation.html#_examples