09-30-2025 Q&A: Toolpath Undercuts, Pendant File Issues, and Machine Settings

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In this Q&A session, we explored common CNC workflow challenges including undercut ridges in 3D toolpaths, troubleshooting NextWave pendant file recognition issues, customizing toolpath start points, and solving design/vector problems for suspended shapes. We also covered strategies for laser toolpaths, fine detail carving issues, and adjusting machine acceleration for more accurate time estimates.

Key Tips Learned in this Q&A:

• 3D Toolpath Lip Fix: Undercuts or lips on one side of a bowl can result from raster stepovers not dividing evenly across a component. Increasing stepover percentage or using a larger boundary offset removes the ridge.

• NextWave Pendant File Issues: File naming matters—avoid special characters, extra periods, or long filenames. Ensure USB drives are formatted FAT32 and under size limits (often <32GB). The 10.1 pendant is especially picky.

• Toolpath Start Control: Change raster angles or use molding/two-rail sweep toolpaths to control where toolpaths begin and how thickness transitions are handled.

• Suspended Shapes (like a crab in a box): Use ungrouping and trimming vectors to separate cutouts, then rejoin closed vectors for inside profile cuts. Consider two-sided cutting for clean results.

• Time Estimate Accuracy: In Vectric, adjust machine acceleration and rapid rates under Machine Setup. Get specs from your CNC manufacturer or measure manually to improve prediction accuracy.

Questions Answered in this Q&A:

• 00:01:25 – Why does my bowl model show a ridge/undercut only on one side?

• 00:10:15 – How do you accurately select the edge of a 3D component in 2D view?

• 00:13:31 – Why aren’t my toolpaths showing on the NextWave 10.1 pendant (file transfer issue)?

• 00:23:38 – How do I change toolpath start points and vary thickness along slopes?

• 00:33:54 – How can I cut a crab shape suspended in a box?

• 00:42:43 – Why does my laser toolpath cut twice or darker than expected?

• 00:48:18 – Why won’t my fine detail bit cut (seems too high above material)?

• 00:51:52 – How do I get square corners with a two-rail sweep?

• 00:56:41 – How can I adjust machine settings in Vectric to make time estimates accurate?

Keywords:

cnc, vectric, toolpaths, nextwave, pendant issues, usb format, 3d modeling, raster angle, molding toolpath, two-rail sweep, laser toolpath, time estimates, machine acceleration, suspended shapes