Hi all,
Very new to Gsender. Have a Blue Carve Turbo cnc which I purchased 2nd hand about 3 weeks ago. Initially I ran Easel for everything as per the manufacturers recommendation for beginners and quickly ran into issues with the program going into a loop. After some advice I swapped out the usb cable, install a filter thingy on the usb cable and switched to Gsender for Gcode duties.
All was going well, ran quite a few short 20-30 min files with no issues that weren’t operator error. Until today when I decided to risk a piece of my good wood to make a guitar fretboard. Used an stl file into Easel ( which is just stupid at accepting them, swappng programs again shortly)
Put roughing file file into Gsender, test ran, outline etc all good. Started job and first minute or so was good then it took a deep dive into the wood and well you get the idea.
So I’m hoping the brains trust here can point me in the right direction as to what’s going on. I’m not sure if it’s software, or hardware or a simple setup in Gsender issue. At a loss as to where to look next.
Thanks in advance for any help greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the world of ohnooo. You jump in fast don’t ya. I’ve had my cnc for about 1.5 years now and just ordered some real wood (padauk, robinia and other hardwoods) to up my game. After 3 weeks I burned out my router trying to flatten some pine so I took my time after that.
Fails will be made and finding out the cause is the most important step. I’m still not sure what happened that cursed day but am gratefull it did when it did.
That however does not get you anywhere.
I have had something simular happening during a job, but is was clear the bit just slipped from the collet and doug in deep. I’m sure that is not what happened at your project.
What I would do is dryrun the same job with a high up z-zero and no bit installed and the router turned off, to see if the fluke is repeatable. That does require some quality time spend with your new buddy though.
If it does not occure, maybe run the job on some wee cheap material first.
If you post your actual toolpath-file here, smarter peeps than me can have a look at it.
And just for dissaster-tourists like me, can you post a pic of the… disaster?
Hope you find out the cause, for only then a lesson can be learned.
Thanks for the reply. I did think maybe it was a loose bit but sadly not. Don’t think I can attach the file as I’m new here I’m restricted on what I can post. I do have the horror video timelapse for the truly twisted mind to enjoy. But again can’t share.
I ran the file in gSender.
60% of the file cuts from the center out at a depth of -0.60mm ie. most of the surface.
14% of the file cuts the outer perimeter at -0.60mm. Only one sweep down across, up and across
15% of the file cuts the outer perimeter at -3.60mm. Only one sweep down across, up and across
The final 11% of the file cuts the outer perimeter at -6.60mm. Only one sweep down across, up and across.
So there are two “deeper” cuts on the outer perimeter, one from -0.60 to -3.60mm and the next -3.60mm to 6.60mm ie. 3mm deep cuts
How deep was the cut on your job when you said the Z axis lost it?
I reckon it went close to 20mm deep in a downward trajectory so not just straight down then following a path but following a path while getting deeper. My only thought is that it’s a connection from the laptop issue, But I’m very new to this type of setup. I used to run a big cnc with a dedicated controller unit so it was design in Rhino and Vcarve then stick on a usb and plug into the cnc and go for it.
I didn’t see that happen when I ran the file.
I see you have a Blue Carve. Are you in Australia? I have an acquaintance running one. I don’t know if he uses gSender but I can find out.
I also see you are running gSender V1.1.7. Is that correct?
I use V 1.2.2 which is the most stable version I believe. Later and earlier versions all gave me problems to varying degrees.
Yeah in Australia, I’ve spoken to the Blue Carve group and they all recommended Gsender and v1.1.7. I’ve just grabbed a usb hub which someone suggested, and I’ll try v1.2.2. and try running more files. I don’t think it’s file related, it’s just very random which is frustratting.
Thanks heaps for your help I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’m in Australia too - Sydney.
The Blue Carve controller, from their website, is Arduino UNO based. I built my own CNC including the controller which is also based on a UNO.
I have found V1.2.2 to be the most stable and have had no faults since using it (touch wood😁).
Your file, which I ran on my controller and gSender, showed no sharp Z gouge as you described.
One thing I would suggest is to go to the gear wheel icon ( top RH of screen), select “Safety” and set “Movement” then “Safe Hejght” to “0 “mm
Feel free to reach out if you need more help.
Ive been flogging the cnc and touch wood no issues!!! Grabbed a usb hub and upgraded to the 1.2.2 version as reccommended. Thanks heaps for all the avdice. Much appreciated.
Pic of one of my test pieces. Next up is taking the plunge back into my good wood and guitar bits.
