Time Trials

[Martin Boekers]

Ron, I want a Zing like yours! Is it on steroids? I don't cut Birch, but am no where near that
with Alder or Cherry. Even at 75watts. Both have recent tubes and tested in at 75.
Is Birch real light and easier to cut?

[Mike Mackenzie]

I would like to add something to this. There are vector speeds that are controlled through the driver that really do not equate to the number you set. It is controlled by what the MFG determines to be a threshold speed for there motion systems. Example speed 20 is just a number the driver controls. What the vector speeds really are is usually done behind the scenes. The example of Ron's test say alot in the fact that the actual TIME is only three seconds different using a range from 85-100. What this is telling me is there is a max vector speed that is programmed into the driver.

Its not what SPEED # you put into the driver as it is the TIME it takes to cut.

By the way when I have a chance I will run this file using four different era systems all with different powers. Everything from a 10 year old system to a brand new system.

[Tom Majewski]

In the cnc router area we all talk inches per minute. Maybe we should put rulers on our beds and make a cross reference chart.

[Richard Rumancik]

I would like to add something to this. There are vector speeds that are controlled through the driver that really do not equate to the number you set. It is controlled by what the MFG determines to be a threshold speed for there motion systems. . . . Its not what SPEED # you put into the driver as it is the TIME it takes to cut.

You are right, Mike, it depends on what the driver does when commanded to cut at a specific speed. In the GCC Mercury, there would be NO difference between 85% speed and 100% speed - in fact, I found out that the Mercury maxes out somewhere around 30-35% speed if I recall correctly. In other words, the GCC driver limits the top vector speed to be around 30% of maximum rated machine speed (that being the raster speed). So any vector speed setting above 35% won't appear to have an effect on job time as internally it is maxed out. Epilogs have a separate vector maximum speed so they will behave differently.

Tom, I only wish we could talk in inches per minute (or inches per second) . But the laser manufacturers generally only talk i.p.s. for rastering and this is a maximum. I am waiting for the day that we can actually input the speed in ips in the driver (rather than as a percentage-speed) like a real machine tool.

[Dan Hintz]

Hey, Hey Hey....... Some of us take Government work to a whole new level!

According to my wife, those levels are typically populated by devilish imps and freakish sub-humans.

[Craig Matheny]

Craig,
You have 1/2" BB in your post (2 above) and I think it should be 1/8"/3mm.

Correct 3mm 1/8"

[Adrian Hill]

There are a number of issues to consider:
1. If the cut path is optimized from left top to right bottom, it should be faster than right top to to left bottom. I think so because right to left the carriage would have to retrace from the right bottom to the lft top whereas if if cuts from left top to right bottom it would only retrace from mid Y left to top right.
2. The speed of the carriage movement between cuts is also a factor. This could totally skew the test.

I also don't think that one should do anything special such as cleaning the lenses etc before running the test, the idea is to test the speed in real world conditions rather than ideal conditions. I think that it isn't a speed test, it is more of a general performance benchmark.

I agree with a number of other people:
1. Use 3mm Perpex.
2. Cut a square without having the carriage reposition during the cut. (this will prove the cut speed)
3. One could also check the carrige speed simply by instead of cutting a square in 4 lines, cut only 4 x 2mm circles at the corners.

[Chuck Stone]

In the GCC Mercury, there would be NO difference between 85% speed and 100% speed - in fact, I found out that the Mercury maxes out somewhere around 30-35% speed if I recall correctly. In other words, the GCC driver limits the top vector speed to be around 30% of maximum rated machine speed (that being the raster speed). So any vector speed setting above 35% won't appear to have an effect on job time as internally it is maxed out. Epilogs have a separate vector maximum speed so they will behave differently.

I just ran several copies of the same file. Wrote down the times
50 speed 4:19
30 speed 4:20
20 speed 4:20
15 speed 4:11
10 speed 4:26

no apparent difference in the cutting, either. Once I get down below 10, it slows down and
there's a noticeable difference in the cutting. This is on a 30w Mercury

[Craig Matheny]

I am really frustrated with this post and some of the ones I have read lately....It is very interesting that some one can post something (in this case me) and so many people can give their 2 cents worth (you and that is what we want) but so many do not stay on topic. This post was done for one reason and one reason only to get all of us that cut allot of Baltic Birch on some what of the same page with out making it some scientific process. Yes it is not a perfect test by any means but as you have read in this post everyone has an opinion on how the test should be done so what is the correct answer? There is none. So I asked for some simple information from those that want to share their settings and some have, but most of you went off topic or wanted to change the request to what you wanted to see happen start a new post it free.

I have been here for a short time (and probably just wore out my welcome) and I have noticed that as every forum you go to, That there is always a select few that always has to have an opinion on every topic and half the time the post is irrelevant to the original topic (you know who you are). The idea behind this forum is to help others not hear yourself type and try to be funny.

I will step down off my soap box and if I offended you then sorry but I believe this needed to be said.

[Doug Griffith]

there is always a select few

...and I haven't even thrown in my nonsensical logic.

I think part of the problem is that whatever information is gathered and surmised as fact will, in time, be falsely perceived as fact by future readers of this thread. The regulars you mention are just trying to approach it from the best possible angle to achieve the best possible results.

In a nutshell, if enough people posted their results using various materials, machines and settings. I'm talking thousands. We'd be able to apply some math and generate a power/speed/freq curve that we could use as a base. That would be about it. A base.

My 2 cents.

[Rodne Gold]

This is a public participation forum and you really have no right to dictate the terms of an answer or who should answer. Your attitude in this post leaves much to be desired in my opinion , others are not trying to derail your thread , they are trying to help , not hinder you.

[Adrian Hill]

I must point out that I only put in 2c ZAR which equates to only 0.00291226 US Dollars. I would have liked to put in 2c USD but that is far too rich for my blood.

[Jiten Patel]

I like to sing in the shower. Sorry for straying, just thoughts I put in my 2 pence, yes that's right pence!

[Chuck Stone]

I have been here for a short time (and probably just wore out my welcome) and I have noticed that as every forum you go to, That there is always a select few that always has to have an opinion on every topic and half the time the post is irrelevant to the original topic (you know who you are). The idea behind this forum is to help others not hear yourself type and try to be funny.

Is this your first time visiting a forum, Sparky?

[Douglas J Miller]

I must point out that I only put in 2c ZAR which equates to only 0.00291226 US Dollars. I would have liked to put in 2c USD but that is far too rich for my blood.

And your contribution is highly appreciated! Thank you!

<<I like to sing in the shower.>>

Not me. We have two dogs, and they like to join in. Problem is the wife says she can't tell the difference between the dogs howls and mine. Pretty humbling, actually.