Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: CNC torch

On Sunday 04 April 2004 00:16, caudlet wrote:

> Interesting and certainly priced fairly but it's missing some of the
> really important things that would make it more plasma friendly:
> First, adjustable lead-ins. Either you have to add them in your CAD
> or illustration drawing (they have to be the start of the segment).  

This can be hard, as not all cad programs recognise that a collection of
lines is a 'segment' or agree on where the start is. really, the DXF to Gcode
must place the lead in.

> Another handy feature is being able to click on a closed object and
> define an inside or outside cut with offset (the torch needs offset
> just like a rotary cutting tool).  Open Line segments are cut "on-
> line" (no offset)

Again, the converter should be able to recognise the largest contour as being
an external contour and apply kerf compensation to place the torch outside
the contour. Any closed contours that are contained entirely within the
outer contour must be holes, and therfore have kerf compensation (and lead
ins) applied as appropriate.

As it stands, the program is useful, but does not offer any advanatges over a
simple converter such as AceConverter from Yeager/DAK which is available
free, and comes with source code. Additionally, Ace handles multiple layers,
so you can put your holes on one layer, and your outlines on another and then
set the priority so that the holes are cut before the outline.

So .. yes, useful to a point, but you'll need to add some more useful plasma
features before it can be used for real plasma work.

--
RapidCut CNC Technology

CNC Plasma Cutter
http://www.rapidcut.co.uk/