Hey all!
I have had an issue I have not encountered before when running sublayers, one for fill and one for trace.
As seen in the pics, the trace somehow offset but only above the fill.
The offset doesnt show up in the preview.
Im reasonably certain it isnt that my material moved because the flourish before the name I have on a third layer but is also set with a sublayer for a trace and ut did the same offset.
Any idea what I have done and how I can fix it?
Thanks in advance
Then it’s a mechanical problem, most likely in the Y axis drive train.
Scale this test pattern to fit the platform and run it as fast as it will go in Line mode with optimizations turned off and power set to mark cardboard:
Any distortion in the results on the cardboard indicates a mechanical problem that needs fixing.
Assuming the results look a little weird, you can use this debugging guide for Sculpfun lasers:
You’ll recognize most of the parts and the list of possibilities will show you all of the places to check.
Good hunting …
Thanks a bunch. I will get into it this afternoon
I ran the test pattern and I dont see any issues. I will go ahead and check for mechanical issues anyway.
Take a good picture and let us look over your shoulder!
There are some wavy lines within the straight “spokes” of the circle, but I think thats just from the corrugation of the cardboard.
Agreed! All the shapes look well-formed, which is good.
However, every vector has a gap at its starting point, which suggests the laser isn’t lighting correctly when the head begins moving. If that filled region in your first picture was done with single-direction scanning, you’re looking at the problem right there.
Assuming the Jiccoda L1 is a GRBL machine, this Troubleshooting page seems relevant:
You now have a test pattern to verify your configuration changes. When that pattern comes out right, run your original layout on cardboard to see if it improves.
I have been using bi directional fill, if thats what you are referring to?
The Jiccoda is a GRBL machine, I will go through that troubleshooting page.
The only mechanical issue I found was the Y axis was too tight, according to the “tilt test”, so I loosed that just a bit.
Thanks so much for the help so far!!!
After you fix the vector startup gaps, measure and fill in the Scanning Offset Adjustment table:
It looks pretty good now, so you may not have much to correct, but run the test squares over a wide range of speeds to be sure it’s all good.
The Initial Offset adjustment may be relevant, as it can shift the whole pattern one way or the other. Test on squares and use up plenty of cardboard!
Oddly enough, just adjusting the tension on the Y axis took care of that offset line in the original engraving. I didnt expect that, but I guess it shows just how sensitive these can be.
I changd the X/Y Max rates from 10200 mm/m (10000 is the machine max speed) down to 6000 and it closed those gaps completely!
I ran the Scanning Offset tests from 600 mm/m up to 3500 mm/m in 8 increments and all of them looked good in comparison to the problem pics in the article!!
Thanks so much for the resources. You read and read but don’t always find the right articles!
