Why is my laser not cutting square?

[justing]

Good Morning,
I am a very happy customer of yours since I received my LS6090 back in September with no issues at all. However for some reason it has started to not cut square? I assume an alignment issue but cannot workout why my squares are now like parrallelograms. Any help will be gratefully received.
Many Thanks
Justin

[Spooky]

Hiya Justin,

Which direction is out is it in? 2d (Height and width) or is it cutting out of square as it cuts through (a tapered cut)?

Can be a lot of reasons (thankfully most of them not serious)

best wishes

Dave

[justing]

Dave,
The issue is 2D, very evident in the y axis (down the table rather than across).
Many Thanks
Justin

[Spooky]

hummmm, something sounds loose Justin....lemme go have a look at my machine and see what could be causing it.

best wishes

Dave

[silverstreamdesigns]

For my two pen'orth it sounds as if the "Traversing Arm" (the lump that runs from the back of the table to the front) has moved and isn't square to the table - hence the Laser/Mirror Carriage doesn't travel true at 90 degrees!

As Dave said, probably something has moved or is loose!

[Spooky]

That was my first thought Sil, but there are two bedways from front to back that employ roller V bearings, both would have to be loose to cause the problem. (quite possible I guess)

Hummm or possibly belts?

Justin, is the error the same every time? ie: if you cut the same thing 5 times do you get the same end result?

With the same end result that suggests software problems or suchlike
With a different error every time that would suggest something loose?

At the toothed belts in good condition?

Do the axis drives (servos) whine or make an unusual noise?

If you cut the square in the top left of the bed do you get the same result at the bottom right?

Is the cut through the material at right angles to the material surface? ie: a perpendicular cut not tapered?

I'm leaning towards a lose lens holder at the minute it will depend on wether the errors are consistant or not?

best wishes

Dave

[justing]

Dave,
I have been testing the laser with your suggestions and here are the answers to your questions:

Is the error the same every time? ie: if you cut the same thing 5 times do you get the same end result? Yes

At the toothed belts in good condition? Yes

Do the axis drives (servos) whine or make an unusual noise? No

If you cut the square in the top left of the bed do you get the same result at the bottom right? Yes. Ran a test cutting at all 4 corners of the bed and the result is identical.

Is the cut through the material at right angles to the material surface? ie: a perpendicular cut not tapered? An almost perfect perpendicular cut

I ran a test creating 100mm squares and each side was 1.5mm off square on each edge. I have checked all bearings, gears and belts and all is good and the machine hasn't received any knocks or bangs since we have received it. I am personally leaning towards a software issue (I am running 5.3). Can I uninstall the software and re-install without too many issues?

Many Thanks
Justin

[Spooky]

Hiya Justin,

Sure you can re-install without problems. (I've had to on a few occasions when changing laptops)

I'd agree that it sounds like a software issue (most likely the actual servo board drivers) one thing that can interfere with servo drivers is games, are you using a dedicated laser PC or does it have a lot of other stuff installed on it?

Reson I ask about games is they access the same IRQ's as the board drivers and can cause conflicts (something a reinstall won't fix)

Could I also ask if any other software has been installed just before the laser started cutting funny?

best wishes

Dave

[justing]

Dave,
The PC is a dedicated standalone specifically for the Laser. The only softwares on it are Techsoft 2Dv2 and the Laser 5.3 software (plus all the standard windows stuff).

I will uninstall and re-install the Laser software and see if that makes a difference.

Many Thanks
Justin

[justing]

Dave,

I have re-installed the software and checked all belts and moving parts again. I have checked the laser allignment and it is also spot on - but it still cuts out of true. aaarrgghh!

Can I reboot the software on the laser itself? Or is it now a hardware issue?

Justin