Engraving and Cutting Alignment issue

[Mike Syv]

Hi all,

I have a strange one here that appears to be RDWorks related. I noticed the problem when printing some artwork and decided to do some testing. Basically, what is happening is depending on the artwork, the scan layer and cut layer are not properly aligned in some cases. It seems to happen when the scan area is farther away from the origin point of the print.
Figure 1 shows my drawing and the selected graphics I'm using for my test. You'll see I have selected four boxes (inside are scan and outside is surface cut). I've inset a photo of the resulting print on the laser. Notice that the scan is diagonal.

Figure 1.jpg

Figure 2 shows the same two boxes being cut, except I've changed the origin point for the selected graphics. Prints normally.

Figure 2.jpg

PS- if I print the entire graphic shown in the figures 1 and 2, it prints fine.

Figure 3 is shows an actual file (sorry to block out the artwork- can't show it publicly yet. Note the top "0" and it's alignment to the outline cut. The "2" below it is also out of alignment but getting closer. Note the artwork in RDWorks and that it is aligned. I've tried this with "selected graphics" and not selected graphics and the result is the same.

Figure 3 copy.jpg

PS- if I print the entire graphic shown in the figures 1 and 2, it prints fine.

The challenge I have is sometimes I need to outline a scan area and they are not aligned. I'm not sure if what I describe above has anything to do with it, but everything else seems normal. I've adjusted my Scanning/Reverse interval at the speed I'm scanning (100mm/s). I've tried faster and slower (with the appropriate adjustment to intervals) and it still happens periodically. I've looked at the stepper motors and belts. I've tried importing my dxf in metric and imperial in case there is a bug on conversion and have run RDWorks in both metric and imperial. Files are being generated from AI.
In all photos, the image is printed top to bottom as you see them in the photos with scan imaging in the X (L-R) direction on the cutter.
All seems tight with no slippage. I'm kind of out of ideas now. I've searched around on the site and couldn't find anything helpful.

I'm running a Ruida 644XG and RDWorks 8.01.18

does anyone have any thoughts or troubleshooting ideas?

[Pete Cyr]

What speed are you running
Are the rails lubricated?

[Mike Syv]

The scan is running at 100mm/s and the cut is 5mm/s.

Rails are lubricated.

[Jeffrey Aley]

Interesting problem. And you've been very thorough in your testing.

What does the simulator show?
Does it matter in what order the layers are processed (cutting before scanning, and vice-versa)?
Have you calibrated out the backlash in the system?

Screenshot 2020-10-25 201612.jpg

What are your speeds and acceleration settings, especially when NOT cutting:

Screenshot 2020-10-25 201934.jpg

(you might try reducing the accel dramatically (e.g. by half), as an experiment).

Last experiment - try LightBurn with the same file.

[Jeffrey Aley]

Two additional thoughts:
1 - turn off "Path Optimize" (it's right above "Output selected graphics").
2 - try 8.01.24.

[Mike Syv]

I was thinking there may be a bug in 18. I actually upgraded to 47 and the problem is still there time to time. I haven't turning off optimize path yet...I'll give that a shot. Was considering Lightburn. I've been watching it develop for a couple of years now. Looks like it's pretty good and would get me off parallels on my Mac (I don't think that's the issue btw as the connection is really stable and no pauses or delays).

I recall running a backlash test when I got the cutter, but can't remember what I did as it was about 3+ years ago. Might need to look at that again. Let me know if you see anything glaring. Hoping to have materials by end of week and setting up for my holiday cutting projects.

Haven't checked the simulator. I was actually looking for it tonight, but can't remember how to run it...I'm sure it's right in front of my face, but just can't see it on screen

Thanks for the help

Here's my Cut and Sweep parameters.

CutParam.jpg

SweepParam.jpg

[Pete Cyr]

I use 18 with no issues.
It would appear for the alignment issue it is not a problem all the time from the first picture shown.
I assume everything else was outlined correctly except the inner 0 in the last number of 2020.

I would look at the layer itself for a cause.

[Jeffrey Aley]

I was thinking there may be a bug in 18. I actually upgraded to 47 and the problem is still there time to time. I haven't turning off optimize path yet...I'll give that a shot. Was considering Lightburn. I've been watching it develop for a couple of years now. Looks like it's pretty good and would get me off parallels on my Mac (I don't think that's the issue btw as the connection is really stable and no pauses or delays).

I recall running a backlash test when I got the cutter, but can't remember what I did as it was about 3+ years ago. Might need to look at that again. Let me know if you see anything glaring. Hoping to have materials by end of week and setting up for my holiday cutting projects.

Haven't checked the simulator. I was actually looking for it tonight, but can't remember how to run it...I'm sure it's right in front of my face, but just can't see it on screen

Thanks for the help

Here's my Cut and Sweep parameters.
CutParam.jpgSweepParam.jpg

Cut your idle speed in half, and all acceleration parameters in half (just as an experiment), and try the file again.
The simulator is found here:

Screenshot 2020-10-26 085750.jpg