Re: BobCAD/CAM v.s. Dolphin CAD/CAM

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "follicely_challenged"
<dave_pearson@b...> wrote:

> Fred,
> Thanks for the reply, I'm just trying to get my head around the way
> chaining works in Vector
>

There ar several twists to it. The chaining is simply jumping from
one endpoint to another, provided the entities are within the general
accuracy setting (chain gap in some systems). A chain can be frozen
by making an Object. This is like a grouping, except that Vector
remembers the selection and can generate G-code directly from the
object with only a single click to select the entire composite.

>
> I machine a lot of complex 2D shapes in plastic, if I am machining
> several passes down to depth, I like to leave 2 or 3 lugs on the

last

> pass, this leaves the component held in the material, thus stopping
> it from being damaged by the component breaking away, how would I
> achieve this in Vector?

Two tricks here, 1) "contour tooling" automatically creates the
entire toolpath, similar to a pocket, but simply makes duplicate
copies every so often till the specified depth is reached. 2) Create
segments (lines or arcs segments) on the last pass that are at the
location desired for the lugs (I call them tabs). Set their layer
Attribute = TAB. When Vector generates the G-code, it will
automatically create lifts at the specified positions, cut the length
of the segments, and then plunge back to depth.

>
> > Well, there is one magic thing, Vector assumes that if you cut
> > something, it should rapid to the start position, and if you cut
> two
> > things that are separated by some distance, it should also rapid
> > between them.
>
> I'm surprised you mention this, do you mean some Cam systems don't

do

> this?

Some systems feed instead of Jog. I mention it because there is so
little hidden action in Vector and this is one that some don't expect.

Best Regards,

Fred Smith
IMService