[magma-joe]

I am working on a ESAB Silhoutte 1000 optical trace plasma machine with a Burny 2.5 CNC control.

From what I have learned, after the machine does an optical trace, the files created are apparently ESSI? The owner has about 300 part programs saved in the Burny control and and backed up on a computer hooked up to it via a rs232 cable.

The machine was made in the mid to early 90's. I have 2 questions. Can the ESSI files be removed and converted to DXF files? This would allow him to contract with another shop with newer equipment to cut his parts.

Question 2, are there cad cam programs available to draw parts and export in ESSI to feed the Burny 2.5 CNC? If this were possible it could eliminate the need for the optical trace.

I am sure the best situation would be to upgrade to new controls but perhaps there are some other options to consider?

Thanks for any information.

Magma-joe

[Web Goblin]

Hi,
ESSI can be converted back to DXF files for export.
There used to be an addon for Autocad which allowed import of ESSI files Might have been called "ESSI to CAD" or something similar. I also think that some of the newer types of CAD programs can import ESSI files.
Post Processors are available to convert DXF files to ESSI. Again some CAD programs have these built in.

Regards

Ian