How do I use the VCarve Pro & Aspire tool to estimate machining time and create a job sheet?

Overview

There are two tools for understanding how long a job will take and for documenting it: the machining time estimate (in the Toolpaths Summary form) and the Create Job Sheet function, which produces a printable summary. These are useful for quoting CNC work, managing production runs, and communicating setup information. Both are available in VCarve Pro and Aspire.

Estimating Machining Times

The estimate is based on the feed rates specified for each tool. The estimates for individual toolpaths, plus the overall time for all visible toolpaths, are calculated using the Rapid Rate, the Scale Factor, and the Machine Acceleration settings. Times are shown in hours:minutes:seconds. You can tune it with these fields:

• Rapid Rate: the maximum feed rate your machine runs for rapid moves (typically a G0 or G00 move)
• Scale Factor: complex toolpaths (simultaneous 3-axis moves, V-carving) are less likely to reach the programmed feed rates, so the times are multiplied by the Scale Factor. Many people use one scale factor for simple 2D work and another for 3D or V-carving. The best way to set it is to note estimated and actual machining times over a period of time
• Machine Acceleration: using the acceleration values of your machine gives a more accurate estimate, since the machine cannot reach the toolpath feed rate instantly. Ask your machine supplier for accurate acceleration values
• Machine: choose which machine's acceleration values to use. A link opens the Machine Configuration tool if you need to adjust them
• Notes: notes for the summary of the toolpath can be written here (click Apply to store them)

How accurate it is: The estimate assumes the machine runs at the specified feed rate. In practice it is reasonably accurate for long continuous cuts, and it can underestimate time for complex toolpaths with many direction changes. It does not include tool change time, fixture time, or material loading. If your controller provides an estimated machining time, that is usually more accurate because it knows where the machine accelerates and decelerates.

Improving accuracy: Make sure the Tool Database feed rates match what your machine actually achieves. If your machine is limited to 150 IPM but the tool is set to 200 IPM, the estimate will be optimistic.

Create Job Sheet

A job sheet contains a summary of the information you need when you run the toolpaths for your project at your CNC machine.

Access: Toolpaths menu > Create Job Sheet, then choose a file name and location to save the document. Hold Ctrl while choosing the menu item to open the job sheet automatically after it is created.

Format: A self-contained HTML document that opens in most web browsers and can be printed from there.

What the job sheet includes:

• Job Layout: a thumbnail of the vectors on the current job or sheet, inside a rectangle representing your material size
• Material Setup: the information needed to position and datum the workpiece at the machine: the dimensions of the material block, the home position the machine starts from and returns to, and the clearance above the material for rapid moves. For two-sided jobs it also shows which side the sheet belongs to and the flip direction
• Toolpaths Summary: each toolpath's name, the tool required, and an estimate of how long it will take to cut
• Job Notes and Individual Toolpath Summaries

Multiple sheets and two-sided jobs: If the job has multiple sheets, a job sheet is created for every sheet that contains toolpaths. For a two-sided job, create a job sheet for each side by switching sides. The software adds "_Top" or "_Bottom" to the file name.

Customizing: The Job Setup Sheet Editor gadget (Gadgets menu) lets you change the logo and title, change the header and footer colors, and include or remove each of the five sections. For a step-by-step on building an operator run sheet, see the entry on job setup sheets.

Using the Job Sheet for Production

The job sheet is useful for:

• Quoting: the total time estimate forms the basis for labor cost calculation
• Operator instructions: print it and attach it to the material so the machine operator knows the tools, the material setup and the home position
• Tool change sequence: the toolpath summary shows which tools are needed
• Multiple operators: when someone else runs your programs, the job sheet provides the setup information they need

Batch Saving Toolpaths

Related to job documentation: use Visible Toolpaths To Multiple Files (Toolpaths menu) to save each visible toolpath as a separate file in one click. Combine this with the job sheet for a complete run package:

• Job sheet (HTML) = setup instructions
• Multiple toolpath files (such as .tap or .nc) = one per toolpath, named clearly