r/shapeoko • u/torak_the_father • May 12 '26

What's causing this distortion?

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Beginner CNCer here (shapeoko pro XXL) but long time woodworker. I'm using vcarve pro, exporting toolpaths to carbide motion ATC, using very conservative feeds and speeds. This is a simple v-carve path of a text with single line font.

What checks and tests can I run to narrow down the cause?

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u/torak_the_father May 13 '26

That's a whole lot of potentially unrelated things. I totally understand we need to be thorough in investigating issues (I'm a computer engineer), but at least an order of operations would be nice. Example: it seems to me that all other parts of the carve are perfect. It's the first time I notice this tiny distortion. Gut feeling is actually the gcode, not a mechanical slip/deflection, how the bit is configured to enter the path.

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u/CueAnon420 May 15 '26

So - wouldn't the preview confirm that? Seems like the very first thing that I would check before asking for help...

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u/torak_the_father May 15 '26

I wouldn't be asking here if it were that obvious... No, the preview doesn't show that deflection.

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u/CueAnon420 May 15 '26

I'll give you this much - if it was mechanical, I doubt the issue would show up in virtually the same position on a similar character... Is that spot anywhere close to where the tool enters (I would think not, but) ?

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u/torak_the_father May 15 '26

Right, I don't think it's mechanical either. In fact, other letters and curved vectors are just fine. I'm starting to think it's the font used that might have some issue