I downloaded a 4 tiled topographical mountain range map (STL File). The Snapmaker 2.0 CNC carving function with a very fine tip takes 4 days to carve out a L10 CM x W10 CM x H2 CM block of wood. Each tile is 10x10x2 CM and my intent it to carve the 4 tiles then line them up for a complete mountain range. This is a test for doing a much larger set of tiles.
To shorten the total carving time, I would like to do a rough pass with a larger/faster bit, then a second finer / slower speed pass for the more detailed mountain carving.
The Snapmaker AI Bot and Chat GBT suggest creating 2 separate G code files. However, I am unsure how to reset the calibration of the X,Y, and Z, axes for the second pass. I am assuming that the initial rough pass will carve out the top of the block and I therefore have nothing to line up the new finer bit.
Should I just leave the setting the way they are? or is there a better way to re-align the Z xis?
First of all, Luban is only partly able to generate a 2-pass operation - there is a workaround, which is described in this guide: Multi-Pass Rotary Guide This is focussed on the rotary, but the idea of working with an offset is also OK for flat carving.
However, this workaround has limits and imperfections - unfortunately the answer is always the same: If you want it done properly, you need to learn another software. Many work with the free version of Fusion 360, which is extremely powerful, but also has a steep learning curve. There’s other software out there, most of it rather expensive. It seems (no real personal experience honestly) that DeskProto with its hobbyist license is affordable and simpler to learn than Fusion.
That said, when I use multi-pass operations I make sure that the work origin is not milled away and is there as a reference. If this is not possible because there is no such location on the workpiece, then I’d recommend to have some other reference, e.g. a piece of the same wood, to adjust Z-height. Leaving the setting is only possible if you are able to ensure that the second bit has exactly the same height than the first, and I’d say this is nearly impossible. So here’s a sketch of the procedure I’d do if there is no possible reference point on the workpiece itself:
Install the first bit
Navigate to the work origin and save it
Note down the values for X/Y/Z - in case for whatever reason you loose the position, you’ll be able to find it again via the coordinates as long as the workpiece has not been moved.
Pick a reference - like another piece of the same wood, or, if you do not have it, anything. Place it on the wasteboard, and move the toolhead so that the bit touches the reference. Note down Z.
Remove the reference and run the roughing operation.
Install the second bit.
Move the toolhead to touch the reference again. Note down Z. Calculate the difference between last bit’s reference Z and this Z.
Move the toolhead to X/Y noted, and adjust Z by the difference between the two reference measurements. Set this as new work origin.
You can use section VIII for bit swapping information. If you’re carving the entire top surface, and don’t have a border to surface on, before you start, make sure to have a matching spare block instead.
Thank you all for the suggestion that I use Fusion 360. However, now I have Fusion related questions. I now have an error in the second Tool Path setup where I am stuck. The Parameters are set, and the Tool path progress is 100% but it is stuck and the final Stock is still In Process. I cannot run a simulation because it says the Toolpath is still generating. But the program has been stuck for 4 hours so far.
You are all correct, the learning curve for Fusion is very steep. However, a very nice Mr. Rodney Shank made a very detailed review of the process for setting up initial Rough Tool Paths then the fine tool path (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfqBKqzxl44 ). Although this tutorial is for a slightly older version of Fusion 360. The Current Autodesk Fusion is very similar. However, for my second detailed Tool Path, I get this stuck error.
I am not sure what to do at this point. Has anyone come across this problem and have a solution?
I have had similar situations several times, and never worked out where exactly the problem lies. Sometimes I played with some parameters, and suddenly it worked, sometimes I gave up and used a different toolpath. Fusion is one of the few pieces of software where you find me cursing out loud in front of my computer… My life saver was Lars Christensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5bc9c3S12g&list=PL40d7srwyc_PUk-XisDh54N-hVtLg5p6u
Morphed spiral takes a long time to generate. Though four hours seems a bit excessive. Also, I always found adaptive clearing also takes a long time. Basic 3d pocket clearing seems to be fastest and work best for me for the roughing. It might just be where the adaptive is also intensive, it’s recalculating everything and locking up. Try using a 3D pocket rough and a morphed spiral finish.
