Weird shaped circles

[Dcatlin7921]

Please look at the attached pictures and let me know if you think this is software issue of hardware?

Thanks,

[ChillyWilly1960]

If it was software related I think it would be more consistent. Looks to me like your axis is shifting during the print occasionally or maybe the motor cable is catching on something as it moves causing an occasional skip?

[dindunuffin]

Possibly belt slipping? Check the belt tension?

[ROSS]

Possibly belt slipping? Check the belt tension?

beat me to it by 10 secs!!

[Zax]

It isn't software related, it looks like your machine is drunk 

I would check the slides are free moving and your belt tensions are correct.

You can always use he "View" feature, which is completely independent so will be a true representation of what is sent to your machine.

[ROSS]

Conspiracy theorists would probably blame aliens.....

[sapling]

So you will notice two things about these machines that can make them do things like this.
1.) Yes belt needs to be tighter for sure
2.) The mount of the laser head you will notice when it is making frequent movement it bounces a bit because there is wiggle room there. I have been noticing it a lot and am currently working on a solution to prevent the wiggle room it currently has.

If your machine jumps which I notice it happens because of these issues the entire machine can shift pretty hard I have had the engraver move several inches mid engrave because of the belt and the mount.

[dindunuffin]

My machine fit together nicely and the parts work well, its the user/operator that gives me the most trouble.

[Cardmodeller]

I have the same problem, the user/operator of mine keeps thinking up ways to mod/improve/change it.

Cardmodeller

[ROSS]

So you will notice two things about these machines that can make them do things like this.
1.) Yes belt needs to be tighter for sure
2.) The mount of the laser head you will notice when it is making frequent movement it bounces a bit because there is wiggle room there. I have been noticing it a lot and am currently working on a solution to prevent the wiggle room it currently has.

If your machine jumps which I notice it happens because of these issues the entire machine can shift pretty hard I have had the engraver move several inches mid engrave because of the belt and the mount.

Yes,I npticed #2 as well.   Be certainly interested in your solution....

[Dcatlin7921]

Fixed

It was a loose belt. 

I loosened the belt earlier because my x axis was getting hung up in the center of the gantry  But that ended up being my roller mounting bolts too tight.  I forgot to tighten the belt up.

I snugged the belt up supper tight and moved the head around in a circle a few times using gcode.  I know timing belts tend to stretch when breaking in.  Works great now!!!

[Zax]

Great job Dcatlin7921!