Full Version: Vector cut problems - ridges in all materials

From: Upacreek [#21]
 10 Mar 2005
To: ALL

Thanks everyone for the input. Since I haven't seen other's laser engraving it's hard for me to compare what is correct or not.

When I talked to Tech Support today, I was informed that they look at some of the forums too, but that I can't expect to see the same results as others who have different machines then I do and that I should not rely on any comments other then what Tech Support tells me. Even though you guys are doing it for a living, they know best.....

I sent full size pictures (no cropping or editing smaller) and Peck said he couldn't see the horizontal lines in the acrylic example I posted. Also that I can't expect acrylic to laser as well as other plastics.

I had Peck confirm that I was focusing correct, and that my settings were acceptable (similar to their manual recommendations) so I do not see how it can be user error. (Which I am fully willing to accept - as long as I'm told how to correct my errors!) I even offered to put the machine on the floor to rule out any type of microscopic table wobble!

I have already done an alignment test to all 4 corners (several times) and I have already leveled the table in Nov. (the right side was 2 clicks lower then the left). I clean the machine regularly.

I feel the request for more samples is another stall tactic. I was a computer monster in my former life doing the full gamut from teaching, troubleshooting, documentation, testing, tech support & building the junk (er, software & equipment) for about 20 years and I know what stalling is. (I'm not that old! I started full-time IT work while in Hi Sch.) Requiring more samples on all laser material is a waste of time & product, but they are unwilling to pursue anything until I send more samples.

I'm tired and grumpy so I better stop before effin this and effin that starts showing up.

Oh and sorry, "what creek am I up" ... those are the personalized plates on my CJ5 (Jeep). For those who don't get it. Jeep + Mud = you eventually .... get stuck .... which means "You are up a creek without a paddle"...

AJ - I'll try your settings and see if there is any difference. Thank you.

Michel

From: old man (OLDMAN) [#22]
 11 Mar 2005
To: Upacreek [#21] 11 Mar 2005

send me your address and I will send you a sample off of my machine---that way you can compair the outputs----could epilog be stalling as they have never seen this problem before???

aajj at comcast dot net

EDITED: 11 Mar 2005 by OLDMAN

From: bobkat [#23]
 11 Mar 2005
To: old man (OLDMAN) [#22] 11 Mar 2005

They have seen this problem before, they are just stalling because that is what they do. I had a similar problem at one time, so I sent samples, and got no response for 2 days, so I called. They got the samples but didn't know where they were, or how to fix the problem. Before we got that problem solved, there was another problem with the I-beam, so the entire axis had to be replaced, which coincidentally, solved the original problem. That being said, my guess (at least on the raster issue), is an alignment problem. As far as the ridges on the cut edge, that is a problem with every Epilog machine I am familiar with, but only on corners. I have not seen this on straight cuts. My best guess is a tickle problem with the tube, and they can't pulse it fast enough to make a smooth cut.

From: old man (OLDMAN) [#24]
 11 Mar 2005
To: bobkat [#23] 12 Mar 2005

I get good results from my 45 watt Epilog Mini. The corners are as smooth as the rest of the cut. The Mini is a new machine and JUST maybe the demand outstripps their ability to test the machines before they ship them.
Hopefully they will get it right soon as word can spread real fast about problems with production. I paid about $15k for mine and that is alittle more than pocket change where I live.

A J Palik
Photon Graphics

From: bobkat [#25]
 12 Mar 2005
To: old man (OLDMAN) [#24] 12 Mar 2005

I sure hope you are not correct about demand getting in the way of testing the machines before they ship them. That kind of makes their business model one of "screw the customer, lets make money". There seem to be more and more companies working that way these days; look at the thread concerning Simba Cal.

From: UncleSteve [#26]
 12 Mar 2005
To: bobkat [#25] 12 Mar 2005

Or just look at the 800 pound gorilla, Microsoft!

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27]
 12 Mar 2005
To: bobkat [#25] 12 Mar 2005

Bob,

I doubt the "Screw the customer, let's make money" statement applies to Epilog. Though, as you say, it seems to be the mantra of some companies.

It's my hope, that by bringing these issues to light, companies will use the "constructive" criticism to better themselves.

If the comments are viewed merely as criticism, valuable (though sometimes harsh) customer feedback is being ignored.

As the start page says, "This is a forum for the discussion of the awards and engraving industry..."

As unpleasant as they can be, the "feedback" threads are an important part of improving the industry.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

From: bobkat [#28]
 12 Mar 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27] 12 Mar 2005

I agree, but it does appear that valuable feedback is going unheeded. I have been watching your posts concerning Simba Cal, and it appears that they don't care what anybody has to say. Everyone knows I am not a big fan of Epilog, but to their credit, at least they (Peck) will reply to a post on this forum.

From: Upacreek [#29]
 19 Mar 2005
To: ALL

Thought I'd give everyone an update on what has happened. This way, future people will have answers when they are looking up this problem.

After talking with Epilog, I have adjusted all three belts on the Mini. One belt was looser then the others, and I tightened all 3 to the best of my ability.

Adjusting the belts has greatly improved both my vector cutting and raster engraving.

Thanks to AJ sending me some samples, I was able to compare his output samples with mine and adjust the belts some more to try to improve my output.

I now have raster quality as good as his and my vector cutting is actually smoother then his.

I still have minor problems when cutting perfect circles. The ridges are barely evident, but I do have a small "bump" at the 4 & 10 position. They become more evident when I cut smaller circles. It's like someone put a speed bump in those two spots.

This problem may become an issue with the model train stuff I cut. If the designer starts creating more curved items, the bumps could throw off his designs.

Thank you everyone once again for all your suggestions.

Michel

From: rich (SPYDER62) [#30]
 19 Mar 2005
To: Upacreek [#29] 19 Mar 2005

Happy you got it worked out. Just got my 35 watt Mini last week and had ridges were the beam hit the vector grid. My rep was by today to get me set up and help me as needed. on the plastic he just uped my speed some and all is fine. I did some of the little boxes for the gals at work and it cut the holes for the hinge just fine no ridges or anything.
I have found that the setting in the supplied manual are way off from what I have to run.

From: Upacreek [#31]
 19 Mar 2005
To: rich (SPYDER62) [#30] 20 Mar 2005

I agree with you Rich. The settings listed in the manual are way off. The latest manual edition is better then the original one I received - which contained many contradictions to itself.

Not only do they lack in proofing documentation, they lack in testing product upgrades. Their last mini print driver update could not read any of your saved print settings. If you didn't have your print settings documented somewhere you would have had to uninstall the latest print driver, install your old driver (if you saved it) and then open each saved print file and document the settings. Then install the new driver and re-create & save your print settings.

On the positive note... Now you can have fun and start lasering all sorts of things. You look at things differently ...... hmmmm .... what will the laser do to my ..... shoe ..... wallet .... crock pot lid .... rock .... dog's bone ... candle.

When trying something new, we've found we're running out of adjectives to describe the fun & cool results.

M.

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