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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    258

    OMG all the toolpaths!!!

    Ok I am going out of my mind.

    I need to cut some pc's for a RC plan kit.

    I have them CAD in DXF and the run them in Mach 2 to convert to gcode.

    Oh and between DXF and Mach 2 I converted to plotter in Corel.

    When I convert the DXF to gcode I get like 50 or more tooth paths.

    I ran the Sim and got 18 mins to cut a pcs that would take maybe 3 mins with a jig saw.

    There are just to many tool paths. The pc is egg shaped with the center cut out. But the tool path runs a 1 inch cut then picks up goes to the top of the pc does the same then runs some where else all star shapped. I need it to drop once run the full inner circle, pick up and drop and route the out circle.

    I need help

    BTW I used corel draw to group the layers cause I thought the tooth path was picking up each line from each layer, I soon found out it did me no good.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Try drawing the inside and outside each as 1 continuous line. The star shapes are probably the rapid moves.
    Gerry

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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    258
    Quote Originally Posted by ger21
    Try drawing the inside and outside each as 1 continuous line. The star shapes are probably the rapid moves.
    If by rapid moves you mean when the z is moving to location without cutting, then yes thats the prob. The code has way to many rapid moves all in red in mach 2 in star shape.

    Well I am not cading the parts so I would have no idea as how to make them continuous. All I know is corel and I have just started using it.

    Is there some kind of program that I can load the gcode into and it will show the tool paths with all the rapid moves and I can edit the rapid moves?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    2103
    Post your file here and I will backplot it, re-do the toolpath and let you try that.

    Mike
    No greater love can a man have than this, that he give his life for a friend.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    765
    If you can post the DXF file that you have, I'll see if I can convert it to a more optimized G-Code.

    Scott

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    258
    Thanks guys.

    I did work with it a bit and I got the rapid moves knocked out a lot. My prob now is its cuts the same lines one way then goes and cuts it again another way. lol

    I am not sure how to post files?
    I will try.

    Ok i think I got it but it would only allow me to up the dxf file.

    I have a lot of patterns like this to do so I am looking for help on how to do this myself mostly as I am sure no one wants to do all these for me

    Thanks
    Attached Files Attached Files

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    765
    OK, here's what I came up with. I had to load it into Rhino and convert it to an R12 DXF file so that I could bring it into NCPlot. But once in NCPlot, it's pretty simple to join the objects into a joined chain and convert to G-Code.

    Regards,
    Scott
    Attached Files Attached Files

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