problem when using "mill pocket" (sticks at 50% indefinitely)

[alanesq]

I have built myself a CNC router and would love to use LaserWeb with it as it is an amazing bit of software but I have tried everything I can think of but am unable to get "mill pocket" to work with most of my files.

It works great until I try to clear a larger area with a relatively small bit.
i.e. I tend to use a 3.175mm bit but if I try to create a larger pocket then the time taken goes up very quickly until it completely fails. It will work with a large square no problem but as soon as the shape starts to become more complicated then I run in to problems. It will get to 50% quickly but often never gets past this.

Changing the step-over and segment can help in some cases but I find most of my projects I am unable to get it to work. I usually end up having to go back to JSCut in most cases :-(

e.g. If I draw a square box (I use Inkscape - demo files attached) this works no problem in seconds, if I then stretch one of the sides out in an arc this also works ok but if I reverse the stretch direction so that one of the sides arcs inwards then this causes the problem and it fails to complete.
I have attached the SVG files I am using here: SVG-files.zip
Note: If I make the cutter 10mm it works in a few seconds but as I reduce it down towards the desired 3.175mm it seems to take exponentially longer to complete until failing completely.
If I make the tool larger or the shape smaller then it completes no problem so the issue seems to be related to the relationship between tool size and shape size? i.e. if the tool is small compared to the area of the shape to cut out it fails.

Adnl: I have just discovered someone else reported this exact same issue some time ago but it refers to Google+ which is no longer available so I do not know if a resolution was found. #523

Laserweb-Workspace.txt

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Update:
I have found that if I modify the SVG file in Inkscape by selecting everything and then from the menu select "Extension", "modify path", "flatten beziers" then set it to around 0.5
It will then have a much better chance of completing in Laserweb although still takes a long time.

[celianvdb]

Hi,
I'm having exactly the same problem. I noticed that the tool size does have a big effect.
Last try I made
3 mm : ok ( couple of seconds )
2 mm : ok ( couple of seconds )
1.1mm : ok ( couple of seconds )
1 mm : Didn't finished after 10 minutes.

If I can help by anyway don't hesitate !

[alanesq]

Something which may give a clue as to what the problem is?

I created some basic text 100mm x 30mm (using Inkscape) and selecting the four letters individually in LaserWeb created a mill pocket operation, this takes around 12 seconds to calculate - no problem there.
But, If I then combine these four letters in to a single path (in Inkscape by selecting PATH, UNION) so that I can then select the whole word in LaserWeb with a single click, when I then try to create a pocket operation it is still stuck at at 50% after 5 minutes...

Note: I have attached the files I used text-demo.zip

[cprezzi]

@alanesq Instad of combining the objects, you should just group them (CTRL+G). Even with separate objects you should be able to select the whole file to create an operation for all.

[alanesq]

@alanesq Instad of combining the objects, you should just group them (CTRL+G). Even with separate objects you should be able to select the whole file to create an operation for all.

Hi,
I tried this but you still have to select each letter individually in LaserWeb (not a problem with this 4 letter word but can be a pain with a lot of text if you have to select the parts you want an operation to act on).