LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Hello, I have a problem that I'm not being able to find a solution for. I got tired of searching but I can't find any information.

Sometimes it happens to me that when I download a design to the laser machine, I check the worktime preview and it tells me "X" minutes. Then I proceed to cut that file, and it turns out that the working time is way much longer! When I check the worktime again, it now tells me "Y" time.

Yesterday I quoted a 3-file job, which gave me 37 minutes of cut, and ended up being actually 72 minutes, practically double!

I asked in some groups and several people have told me that the same thing happens to them and what they do is immediately start and stop the cut on that file, and then calculate the worktime to make sure it gives them the correct time.

It´s there a way to fix this?

Thanks!

That is a common problem with CNC and laser software- there are just too many variables to do anything other than a rough guess as to the time required. Some software will allow the user to add a multiplier to the estimate which, with a bit of finessing, will be closer- but still not really accurate. If it comes to pricing and is critical, you could run the job or part of the job without the laser engaged to get a better feel for the time. After being in business since 1978, I try to double the time I 'think' will be required, then I am rarely surprised, and if I am it is often a happy suprise.

I used to calculate by soft but always with errors, until I realized that I could do it directly with the controller. The point is that it works fine 95% of the time, I would like to understand where is the error in the other 5%. I don't know if there is a bug at the firmware or if i'm doing something wrong.

Running the project with the laser beam turned off is an option, but it's impossible to do with all the projects.