Wish List
Limit Switches
Hard wired and adjustable on X.Y.Z Axis
Router Power on Control Panel
Ability to turn on Router On/Off from Control Panel
Physical Index on X.Y Axis for (0,0)
Index Marks on X/Y Axis (Like a Table Saw for 0.00) - Would be helpful when using Jigs on the Table for speedy alignment to (0,0)
Option - Right Mouse Click On X Y Z Button
Provide an Option to Disable the Right Mouse Click on these Buttons. Once the Pointer is on a X Y Z Button, and the Right Click Event fires, that Axis starts moving and will not stop until the Pointer is moved off that Button. This would be a good Safety Feature.
Option - 0, 0, 0 Movement
Provide a Button somewhere on the Panel, which when Clicked, will Disable the 0, 0, 0 Button. Click again, the 0, 0, 0 Button is Enabled. During Alignment, or just moving about, this would be a good Safety Feature.
Option - Touch Plate Dialogs
Provide the ability to Enable/Disable the various messages for the Touch Panel usage. Once in a rythym, these can be a nuisance.
Job Restart
Be able to Restart a Tap File at a specific Line Nbr.
Servo Motor Excess Current
If one makes something stupid happen, or is not close by on a long job when it turns Rogue, by sensing (excess) Servo Motor current draw in the Control Panel, the whole thing could be shut down without doing major damage to the Shark mechanism.
Park/Unpark
After a Toolpath File is processed, the Chuck returns to 0, 0, 0. This is fine, but then alot of the time, the router has to be moved to get at the work on the bed. It might be nice to add an Optional "Park" Feature to each Toolpath File. If Enabled, at the end of creating the Toolpath, one would specify the X, Y, Z Values and place the Gantry at a spot convenient for that Toolpath. Since this is specific to the Toolpath, the Park location could be specific to each Process to make life more convenient.
Security and Registration etc ...
I have been around alot of development and installation dialogs. Whether Vectric or Wave, these folks need to take a Deep Breath and realize one thing. If, they want to collect Names and Addresses of users, the process could be alot simpler. A sixty character code is silly. And a Thirty Day window? For a unit I just paid alot of money for? Should be better. This process is the clumsiest I have ever seen. I may have Registered VCarve three times by now. As far as secret codes etc to actually run the machine, without the Control Box, nothing runs. What better Security does one need?
Post Processor Files
Wow, overwhelming at best. For me, I will probably never work in Metric nor ever use the plethora of devices listed. By backing up the "PostP" Folder in its entirety, archiving it somewhere, all the Metric ".pp" Files can be deleted followed by all those you might not ever use. My Dropdown Box now contains the single ".pp" File I will always use. Much simpler. Locations for all these things can be found around page 110 of The Manual. One can always add back, a post processor needed at a future date.
Hard Stops On Each Axis
One should take the time to mark the Hard Stops at each end of each Axis. Use red tape, marker, whatever, but some form of visual indication how far to go manually before the servo motor is jammed.
Led Strip Lights
Would sure be nice to have two strips of Leds under the router platform to ensure the chuck/bit are readily visible.
Custom Nuts
Where the ordinary nut with nylon insert is tucked away in the frame, create a custom nut that would conform to the outline of the hole. Providing a larger bearing surface. Less deformation.
Washers
Would not the use of washers increase the surface area under stress and provide for a better fit?
Touch Plate
Here is an idea for making this easier to use. Courtesy Dave of Rockler Maplewood Mn.
This would require making a new cord for the plate. But, not hard to do, just keep the connector polarity correct.
Get the two plugs needed and some speaker wire. Then, instead of a pigtail at the end like now, run a wire from the control box up to the router itself. Then, if you have Sam's billet clamp, loosen a nut for it and with a proper connector crimped on the end of the wire, slip it under the nut and tighten. Or, loosen the plastic clamp and tuck in next to the router body. Or, any other screw/nut/bolt that makes contact with the body of the router somewhere.
Control Panel Physically Present
It would be useful to not have the Control Panel Box physically plugged in to the computer, and run the Control Panel Software. I do all my development in a room on the 2nd floor, and the equipment is in the basement. The Control Panel time estimates are usually very good. So, one can tweak the G-Code for the best timing.
Plastic Router Clamp
This would be more useful if, the front two holes that hold the clamp to the support would be larger. That way, one would tighten the back two, whose bolts are tight in their holes and serve as dowel pins. Then, tighten the clamp itself and finally the front two holes. Now, those front holes are so tight to the bolt, there is no give at all, and the only clamping force is the deformation caused by the front bolt as it is tightened.
Touch Plate Usage
Sometimes, when using this, the Z Axis comes down so hard, a bit can be chipped. Specifically, the sixty degree bit Rockler sells with a 1/2" shank. Make an adjustment to the downward rate so can establish continuity without any issues.
v2.0 User Interface
Some ideas for simply regrouping existing features. The ToolPath and G-Code can be swapped with the Button.