Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Best way to enlarge a DXF drawing for cutting tool paths?

Hi Mark,

What you want to do is use offsets, not scaling. If you have a line,
offset another line by 1/2 the tool dia. to the outside of the part
outline. If there is a curved surface, then increase the radius of the
arc by 1/2 the tool dia. Got a square corner? Swing an arc around it.
You guessed it, 1/2 the tool dia.

You might want to check out the white paper "CNC for Hobbyists" I posted
in the files section.

HTH

Alan KM6VV


Mark Roberts wrote:

>
> Hi All:
> Regarding cutting wooden parts on a HobbyCNC 3 axis mill:
>
> What is the best way to enlarge a part on a DXF file to compensate for
> the tool width? I have parts for an airplane I wish to cut. In ModelCAD
> (or any other drawing program) if I select the part and use the "scale"
> option, and I scale the selected part by 1/2 the bit size (i.e.: I scale
> the part up 0.015625 -- 1/2 of the 1/32 inch cutting tool--), I get an
> uneven result. The length and width scaled do not even come close to the
> 0.015625 outline I am trying to achieve. All I want to do is get a
> 0.015625 outline of the part I am wanting to cut, and put that outline
> on a different layer so as to use that layer for the tool path.
>
> Any suggestions? What do you all do to compensate for the tool size?
>
> Thanks for helping a newbie!
>
> Mark
>