Lack of Smoothness

Anyone else seeing, since 5.22, that there is a new lack of smoothness between g-code lines. Consider a simple circular arc using G2 type commands, I have seen a stuttering between each g-code line.

The same seems to apply with simple g1 commands.

My observation seems to be that there is a stall or pause in the machine between each g-code instruction. Example: a pocket operation in F360 using smoothing (e.g. G2 and g3) with each segment being 90 degrees, the machine significantly stops and restarts between each movement.

This type of operation would be smooth as butter in the past (ESS or earlier CNC12 versions, perhaps).

Anyone else seeing this?

To clarify what I am perceiving…

Its like you had a G1 X2 and followed by G1 X4, but at 2 inches the machine stalled for some amount of time instead of just cleanly through the two instructions

What smoothing settings are you running?

You can adjust them (or turn them on/off) right from the main screen under “Smoothing” (Button on the bottom of the screen)

This is with (CNC12) smoothing disabled. I did go through these settings – they are interesting. But the behavior I am describing falls well within the typical 2D paths that shouldn’t require additional smoothing.

It really feels like:

  • do a line of g-code
  • pause for some unknown reason
  • do the next line

The Final Cut result is just fine (precise), but the machine start/stops seem so violent.

I should add: I didn’t see this 5.18 of CNC12. Nothing else changed on the machine.

Unless you have a specific reason to turn it off smoothing should always be on.

The behavior you are describing is “exact stop” otherwise known as “smoothing off” so each line of G code would command the machine to stop. Smoothing prevents this from happening.

Can you export your profile (right click on it in the profile manager and hit export)

Download the file and post it to FileMail.com and post the link here. Also send me the exact g code you ran that generated these results.

FYI, if exact stop mode is one it will say G61 instead of G64.

A new day and different observations, but the TL;DR is that it seems to all be running fine.

I misspoke above – my default was to use CNC12 with smoothing on, using the F4 precision router setting. I only disabled smoothing while trying to troubleshoot this. I used air cuts of a simple pocket and 3d contour.

What I was seeing yesterday seemed to be the machine running in exact stop even though precision router was selected. The UI even showed the “Smoothing ON” text next to the job name.

Today everything is moving as expected – smooth as butter when with “Precision Router”.

I can’t explain it… but now at least I know what to look for.

Glad you got it sorted. To repeat what I said above: Always have smoothing on. I go between contouring router and precision router most of the time. Every now and then I use VCarve mode, but countouring router works pretty well for VCarving too.