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Multipass and excessive tool retracts/plunges

Discussion in 'SketchUcam Help' started by ToxicToast, May 7, 2011.

  1. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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    Not sure if this has been discussed yet, but I am having problems when it comes to multipass and pocketing/centerline paths.

    When generating code for a path defined as centerline, the gcode path will be a continuous spindle motion without breaks. When the same path is generated with the multipass setting turned on, the spindle retracts for every single line of the same path.

    Please see the example screen shots:





    Note that the depth of the centerline cut is still within the depth of the first pass. The number of retracts/plunges makes a cut take 5x+ longer with multipass turned on versus single pass. Unfortunately, I need multipass to do the cuts I need in wood.



    I could really use a solution for this as it means the difference in taking what should be a 15min total cut into an hour and half per unit session. Wont be worth it to do that much cutting when I need to produce 5 units. Starts to really add up.

    Jovian or Kwok, can you guys help me with a solution?

    Thanks in advance....Chris Attached files MDF_multipass_test.skp (1.7 MB)Â [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    ToxicToast, May 7, 2011
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  2. kyyu

    kyyu Active Member

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    Chris,

    Ewo found this bug a while back. It basically effects non loops, where each edge's multipass is completely finished before moving on to the next edge. I can't fix it, because it would take rewriting core stuff. But I did do a work around by disabling some of the new multipass stuff. So with non loop stuff, a full pass is completely done before the next pass. The only bad effect, I think, would be for plunge holes. The work around would waste time, if there is alot of plunge holes.

    Here is the mod:

    Place the new "GcodeUtil.rb" file in the following folder:
    > Google SketchUp 8ToolsPhlatboyztools

    This is already added to new phlatscript beta, where you can activate it as a feature, by setting a constant to true/false.

    -Kwok Attached files PSv0924_GcodeUtil file_hacked for semi-old multipass.zip (3.4 KB)Â
     
    kyyu, May 7, 2011
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  3. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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    Thanks for taking a look Kwok. I thought I was doing something wrong and was trying everything I could think of to get it to work right. I'll try the 924 mod and see if I can get a better result. I realize that it is a bit of a kludge if I understand your description properly. I'd have to be super cautious in that if the pass does not return completely home or if there is the slightest amount of skew/overshoot.

    Perhaps I should just try to manually patch two gcode files together and separate the depth passes from the milling?
     
    ToxicToast, May 7, 2011
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  4. kyyu

    kyyu Active Member

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    It's just reverting back to how things were done in v0.923, for non-loops, so I don't see why you have to be cautious about anything. I mean the phlatscript is what it is.
     
    kyyu, May 7, 2011
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  5. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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    OK, didn't quite understand you correctly on this. I was under the impression from your description that the code would cut everything at the first depth pass, and then return for the second pass. Hence, my concern about potential skew.

    HOWEVER, I am pleased as punch that this version completely solved my problem with this project. The code is now processing lighting fast and I should be able to run a bunch in significantly less time.

    Thank you for pointing this version to me as the solution!

    Chris.
     
    ToxicToast, May 7, 2011
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  6. kyyu

    kyyu Active Member

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    Yes, you understand correctly. I just meant, if it worked in past versions then the mod is just reverting back to the old way. So assuming no problems before, you shouldn't have to treat it any different now. Actually, it is now a hybrid, I think. Because loops (like outside/inside, and centerline loops) now complete before moving on, where as they didn't the old way? The ones I believe the mod effects, are curves that aren't closed and loose edges. These are now done pass by pass. But it's for the local region, inside a give loop. So in you lettering it should still finish each letter before moving on. In which case, there is no worry of skewing over large distances.

    -Kwok
     
    kyyu, May 7, 2011
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  7. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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    Hey, I'm just super happy this doesnt take 1 1/2 hrs to cut! Now the logo embossing takes just a few minutes and the rest of the code goes!

    Thanks again, Kwok. Really happy now the code is more optimized!
     
    ToxicToast, May 8, 2011
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