I designed and built a 4 axis router table. (Basically a mill table, with 4th axis functioning as a lathe). I purchased the Mach3 software with LazyCAM Pro, and have been running the machine since 2008 with few problems. However, lately I have been experiencing things that I cannot seem to pin down. About my machine:
48vdc Keling Technologies power supply to a Gecko G540 driver. All motors are NEMA 34 steppers wired in Bipolar Parallel configuration. I use CorelDRAW to create most basic tool path artwork, and export the files from Corel DRAW as Hewlett Packard Graphics Language *.plt files. These files are then imported into LazyCAM, and edited for tool path creation. Most files of this type are used to engrave wood carvings that I do (using MeshCAM Art software). However, something is causing the X axis to "Drift" during the engraving process. I have tried cancelling all G41 or G42 moves (so that the tool path follows at center line with No cutter diameter compensation), yet the problem persists. The artwork is a simple arrangement of lines and arcs which form the letters in the word "Lieutenant". The letters are arranged in an arc, and engrave with absolute precision and repeatability with the exception of the letters T and E near the center of the arc. The vertical lines of those two letters seem to "step over" approximately 0.050" with each pass of the cutting tool. Obsessed, with finding the cause, I filled in the damaged areas surrounding those two letters with wood putty. Then re-homed the machine, and tried it again. The cutter followed the existing cut lines with absolute precision. And repeated the "step over" on the vertical lines of the T and E AGAIN! I have checked the G code, line by line, and there does not appear to be any variation at all in the starting and ending coordinates of each of those vertical lines. The G91.1 code is inserted by LazyCAM due to the single arc that appears in the letter U. The only other G codes that appear in the file are G0 and G1. So, I am baffled. I can upload the gcode file so others may inspect it for themselves. The specific size of the area to be engraved measures 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall. The zero coordinates are at center (X3.75 Y5.355) the cutting depth starts at Z-.4200" and cuts to a depth of Z-.452" The tool I am using, is a 1/8" diameter engraving cutter which features a very sharp V cut which measures about 0.02" wide at the tip, and flares out to about 0.025" at the top. (Relative to the depth of cut). It would be great, if someone else could do a test cut of this file, and report whether or not the letters engrave correctly. The attached Lieutenant.tap file is the one I am referencing here. Any advice, or suggestions as to the possible cause is greatly appreciated!