I’ve been struggling with randomly wavy cuts. The gift of good measure seems to cut well, but this is an example where you can see that straight scores (around the text) are not really scored straight.
Any advice on where to look would be appreciated. Thanks!
I should have mentioned that this is on PG Medium Walnut Hardwood and using all PG settings (HD for everything). The wood is held down with honeycomb pins and seems to be flat.
Check your belts and rails for any debris-- that’s the easiest potential fix.
You can also turn off your machine and gently move the gantry forward and back, and the head from side to side, and see if you feel any bumps or resistance that might clue you (and Support) in on where to look for the issue.
Are you willing to post your art here (just the score lines are needed)? If it’s not in your art it looks like …exactly what @geek2nurse just posted so I’mma gonna stop typing here 
The engraves appears to be ok, just the cuts and scores as you say. Very weird.
Need to see the file for any further evaluation. It’s going to be a process of elimination.
Oh wow. Y’all responded so quickly! Thanks and so sorry for the delay 
Check your belts and rails for any debris-- that’s the easiest potential fix.
You can also turn off your machine and gently move the gantry forward and back, and the head from side to side, and see if you feel any bumps or resistance that might clue you (and Support) in on where to look for the issue.
Well, I think this is it. For starters, the left belt is a lot looser than the right. But I think you pointed me to the main culprit that explains all of the issues I’ve had since I got this machine. One of the two black wheels behind the laser head (that rolls along the extrusion - I think a v-wheel?) is cracked, so it gets hung up as it’s getting pushed further from the extrusion and then snaps back when it passes the crack. I’m not sure how well you can see it, but here’s a video: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12fwcz6BLerSQ65VT8uSmGsujDlW1H27P
Are you willing to post your art here (just the score lines are needed)? If it’s not in your art it looks like …exactly what @geek2nurse just posted so I’mma gonna stop typing here
It’s looking like it’s a physical issue, but I’ve attached the SVG that I uploaded to the GFUI just in case.
The engraves appears to be ok, just the cuts and scores as you say. Very weird.
With what I shared above, I think maybe it’s because the engrave was small enough that it was able to move back and forth without hitting the crack in the wheel. Does that sound right?
Need to see the file for any further evaluation. It’s going to be a process of elimination.
Attached!
So, the next question is, where do I get one of these wheels and are there instructions for changing it out?
Support will arrange for a replacement carriage plate when they see your post. 
Good deal. Thanks!
I’ll wait for support to chime in, but it looks like this is what I need to do with the loose belt: Gear and/or belt slippage?
I’m so relieved. I’ve been driving myself crazy, thinking that I was doing something wrong with settings, material, or software. I guess this gives me time to spend learning more on the software side
Yep! That’s it!
I wish everyone had your sunny outlook on things! I hope your part arrives in record time!
Haha, thanks! Maybe I’m finally learning to be patient. I’ve wanted a laser cutter for years (thus trying to replicate the Epilog sample that I got at a woodturning show several years ago) and I knew it would take time to get good at it and learn vector design. I’m just so glad to know why I’ve had so many confusing issues! I’ve been going in circles, with occasionally awesome results mixed with seemingly random problems like this. I’m excited to see what I can do after it’s fixed.
Did you print that vertically as shown, or horizontally (rotated 90º in the UI)?
Just for comparison, I ran this print both ways on some scrap - used score instead of cut for the outline. Engraves are 125lpi, they weren’t important for this test. Here are the results - there’s definitely something going on mechanically with your machine.
It was vertical. Thanks for testing that! It’s pretty clear that the wheel is causing the issue. I see the laser head move out and in, just like the jumps in my cuts.
Did you make those key caps?
No problem. I hope support can get this taken care of quickly.
No… cheap overlay that came with my latest laptop cover (which is wood grain). They are usually obtrusive but this is the first one I’ve gotten that’s not.
Awesome. I might have to get one of those.
