Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAM generating short lines not G02/G03 curve segments

Hi Doug,

After you've imported the DXF, can't you just redraw the arcs? If you
have the center, radius and endpoints, it should be simple. Looks like
a lot are full circles. Use one of the short arcs to get the radius if
you need it. I recently imported some DXF files (with Vector) from
Orcad capture, and did this to "clean up" the circles I'd drawn (symbols
on a schematic).

HTH

Alan KM6VV


Doug Fortune wrote:

>
> I'm trying to graduate from hand gcoding, some of my projects are pretty
> complex (such as the master rod for a 7 cyl 125HP homebuilt radial engine
> I'm working on.. see http://www.hciaviation.com/prod-r220-a.shtml )
>
> See the master rod shape near the bottom of http://www.cnckits.com/
>
> I've generated the DXF file (which has a whole bunch of stress-reducing
> curvey but strictly portions-of-circles cuts), but I'm having trouble
> locating a CAM package which translates the DXF file into portions-of-
> circles cuts (ie G02/G03).
>
> My cnc mill will follow the G02/G03 within 0.000 10 inch but the CAM
> programs I've tried (or had my friends try on my DXF) break the circles down
> into linear segments about 5-10 thou long. This just doesn't seem
> right! Perhaps I'm looking at the wrong CAM programs!
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions (for a better, but affordable CAM program?).
>
> I can program it by hand, probably take me a day or two, but I thought
> this would be a good opportunity to settle on a particular CAM
> program. So far though, no luck.
>
> I know of an aftermarket software package called MetaCut Finish. It will
> take the already-generated-with-short-lines gcode, analyze that, and
> output G02/G03 circular segments http://www.metacut.com/ but that is
> an extra step and extra cost I'd like to avoid.
>
> regards
> Doug Fortune
> http://www.cncKITS.com