No underspeed with temporary material

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15 Sep 2025 13:09 #335018 by alangibson
No underspeed with temporary material was created by alangibson
Hi all,

I'm adding a hole underspeed feature to MetalHeadCAM . After setting a temporary material, velocity reduction with M67 doesn't change the velocity shown in the QtPlasmaC interface. It stays at 1700 mm/min the whole time.

I'd appreciate it someone can spot my error. Thanks in advance.
(Generated by MetalHead CAM for LinuxCNC QtPlasmaC)
(2025-09-15T11:29:55.159Z)
G21 (Set units to millimeters)
G40 (Cutter compensation off)
G49 (Tool length offset cancel)
G64 P0.1 (Path blending tolerance)
G80 (Cancel canned cycles)
G90 (Absolute positioning)
G92.1 (Cancel coordinate system offsets)
G94 (Feed per minute mode)
G97 (Constant surface speed off)
M52 P1 (Enable paused motion for adaptive feed control)
M68 E3 Q0 (Set velocity to 100%)
F#<_hal[plasmac.cut-feed-rate]> (Use material feed rate from HAL)
(o=0, ph=1.5, pd=0.1, ch=0.5, fr=1700)
(Path 1)
G0 Z10 (Move to safe height)
G0 X15.2 Y11.5 (Move to path start)
G0 Z1.5 (Move to pierce height)
M3 $0 S1 (Plasma torch on)
G4 P0.1 (Pierce delay)
G1 Z0.5 (Move to cut height)
M67 E3 Q60 (Reduce velocity to 60% for hole cutting)
(Native circle full arc)
G3 X15.2 Y11.5 I-3.7 J0 (Full circle counterclockwise)
M67 E3 Q0 (Reset velocity to 100%)
M5 $0 (Plasma torch off)
G0 Z10 (Retract to safe height)
G0 X0 Y0 (Return to home)
M2 (Program end)

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16 Sep 2025 01:26 - 16 Sep 2025 01:26 #335049 by snowgoer540
Replied by snowgoer540 on topic No underspeed with temporary material
What version are you on? There were issues with adaptive feed that have been resolved.  A simple update may fix your problem.
Last edit: 16 Sep 2025 01:26 by snowgoer540.

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22 Sep 2025 09:19 #335273 by alangibson
Replied by alangibson on topic No underspeed with temporary material
I'm on 2.9.3. I'll update and see what I get.

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22 Sep 2025 23:02 #335309 by snowgoer540
Replied by snowgoer540 on topic No underspeed with temporary material
That is not really helpful, need to know the QtPlasmaC version in the window's header.

For what it's worth, I ran your G-Code on v2.10-009.071, it runs fine.

I added a feature in 2.10 that changes the "VEL:" label to show when a reduction is present. In this case, the line read "VEL@60%: 1020"

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23 Sep 2025 11:38 #335320 by alangibson
Replied by alangibson on topic No underspeed with temporary material
I just checked and I was actually on LinuxCNC 2.9.4. QtPlasmaC version is v2.9-238.315. Is that version effected by the bug you mentioned? I'm going to assume so since the gcode works for you.

I've also just deployed a new version of MetalHeadCAM to metalheadcam.alan-gibson.workers.dev/. I'd really appreciate your feedback on it as I'm specifically targeting QtPlasmaC.

The basic workflow is:
- Click the hamburger menu and then Tools so you can add your tool parameters
- Import a DXF file on the Import stage
- Skip the Edit stage for now as it doesn't do much yet
- Click the topmost Apply button on the Prepare stage
- Add operations to parts and shape chains on the Program stage, making sure to select what you want to cut in the Apply To dropdown.
- Simulate the program on the Simulate stage or just skip it
- Download gcode on the Export stage

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24 Sep 2025 01:43 #335349 by snowgoer540
Replied by snowgoer540 on topic No underspeed with temporary material
It should be fixed in that version:

forum.linuxcnc.org/plasmac/53657-holes-3...iour?start=20#308841

But probably you should try updating.

I will try to make some time to have a play with your CAM code.

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24 Sep 2025 11:44 #335361 by alangibson
Replied by alangibson on topic No underspeed with temporary material
I've just put up a YouTube video with a quick demo:

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24 Sep 2025 23:36 #335389 by snowgoer540
Replied by snowgoer540 on topic No underspeed with temporary material
You should be careful what you wish for, I'm known for breaking software and finding bugs in these parts :) It's kind of how I got my start into the LinuxCNC project.  Phill probably still has nightmares haha but maybe I made up for it in the later years. 

Feedback:

1.  I'm not keen on the idea of uploading my dxf files to a random website (no offense intended).  Probably has to do with my line of work for my day job, but even still I can imagine there would be customers that would be upset about that if they consider their work proprietary or NDA, etc. (dead horse beat).  That said, I can see the convenience aspect as well.  Nothing to install, just internet connection.  I still prefer local software.  Don't worry I have plenty of benign dxfs to upload.  

2.  There are two types of countries:  Those who use the metric system, and those who have been to the moon (I know, I know, you guys are right, the metric system is easier, but I still prefer the dinosaur units over here).  So the attached dxf file is one that I exported in imperial units.  I am not sure what your software made of it, but it doesn't seem right since the size in the bottom says 46.59mm x 9.37mm.  I'm fairly certain it's 46.69in x 9.37in.  Seems like you have at least some plan to handle units as the lead in/out section says "units".

3.  The zoom is a bit wonky.  The movement is very small with my mouse wheel.  It "feels" like when you get zoomed too far in in CAD and the mouse wheel is less effective.

4.  In the Prepare section, the "Apply" buttons are a little confusing to me.  It seems intended to just click the top most apply, but the other ones (except detect chains) seem to do nothing, and then 3 of them are greyed out? 

5.  In Program, it wasn't immediately apparent to me where I go to add a tool.  Of course these are all in the metric system, but I accepted the defaults to have a play.  The kerf was hilariously large so I went back and made it smaller, but it still seemed ... off.  

6.  In tools, I am not sure a rapid speed is necessary.  Normally these would just be G0 which dont require a speed since it's driven by the machine's settings.  

7.  It's nice that I can add an operation by part.  But it would also be nice to have a "select all" option.

8.  I am not sure what "fit" does next to the lead in/out length?  The default was 5 units which is hilariously large, and checking or unchecking "fit" seems to have no effect.  That said, when I change it to something reasonable (.25), then fit does seem to keep the arc length within the kerf width...

 

9.  It seems to have put the leadin on the wrong side for some of the parts (the ones with an inner "circle").

 

10.  You can also see from the pictures above that it choked on the splines around the outside of the part.  When I simulated this, it moved at an incredible speed around these sections (again I attached the file so you could have a play).  

11.  I am a bit unsure between the Kerf Compensation of Outside, Inside, and Part.  This doesn't seem to be strictly necessary?  Wouldn't the kerf always be toward the scrap (or away from the part)?

12. When I clicked export it says "No paths available. Please create operations first.", but it just let me simulate it?

13. Some maybe helpful notes about cutter compensation: linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/plasma/qtpl...:cutter-compensation

I am not sure when you'd actually want to use cutter comp, I've always just relied on the CAM to offset the paths for me, and therefore it renders cutter comp unnecessary.

I think that's enough for one my first go at it haha. Hopefully that doesn't feel like I'm beating you up. Seems like you are working toward a good thing.

I am unsure what all of your goals are for the project, but if you need inspiration, SheetCAM is a pretty good software to try and emulate. I cant think of much I would want to do that it does not. It's nice to have free options for sure!








 
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