Mach 3 / CS Labs Smoothing

**Neale** · 21-08-2019

I use Mach3 and an IP/M on my router and have never noticed any jerkiness on curves. Don't know if that is luck or the right settings! I've been using F360 with various cutting strategies recently, some of which use a large number of short straight line segments which Mach3 seems to handle ok. So it seems ok whether or not G2/3 or straight line segments are used. I am using steppers rather than servos and it does seem possible that servo tuning would have an effect here.

**Chaz** · 21-08-2019

Originally Posted by Neale

I use Mach3 and an IP/M on my router and have never noticed any jerkiness on curves. Don't know if that is luck or the right settings! I've been using F360 with various cutting strategies recently, some of which use a large number of short straight line segments which Mach3 seems to handle ok. So it seems ok whether or not G2/3 or straight line segments are used. I am using steppers rather than servos and it does seem possible that servo tuning would have an effect here.

Thanks. I have no issues with straight lines, its when arcs / circles are involved.

**Neale** · 21-08-2019

I was thinking of the case where F360 is approximating non-circular curves (e.g. adaptive clearing strategies) using many very short straight line segments so there are a lot of rapid direction changes. Mach3 is supposed to smooth these, as I understand it. This kind of tool path is bad news if Mach3 is configured to "exact stop" mode but in constant velocity mode it's fine.

On reflection, though, probably not very relevant as you are using analogue servo controls which introduces a whole bunch of other variables. Good luck!

**Chaz** · 21-08-2019

Originally Posted by Neale

I was thinking of the case where F360 is approximating non-circular curves (e.g. adaptive clearing strategies) using many very short straight line segments so there are a lot of rapid direction changes. Mach3 is supposed to smooth these, as I understand it. This kind of tool path is bad news if Mach3 is configured to "exact stop" mode but in constant velocity mode it's fine.

On reflection, though, probably not very relevant as you are using analogue servo controls which introduces a whole bunch of other variables. Good luck!

Yep and the same code runs without an issue on Centroid.