On Tuesday 31 July 2007, Thomas Fritz wrote: [...] >> Is there a FOSS .dxf to semi usable .ngc convertor utility around? > >There's Gcam [http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Main_Page], which I have tried >and think it could become very good. It uses it's own file format, but >I think it would be relative easy to make a dxf->gcam conversion >script. Gcam outputs proper arcs/circles, has a voxel preview of your >work, a 3d/2d view of your toolpath, and lets you work in terms of >pocket/extrusion boundaries and drill holes. There are some (IMHO) >slightly awkward constraints on how you can create geometry, but it's >still a very good diamond in the rough. > I've downloaded that, but its late here.
>Since you guys seem interested in the whole approach, here's the way >I've gone about it: > >Starting with Qcad, I make my drawing, either starting with a picture to >trace, my handwritten sketches, or I simply play with the geometry to >get it right. I make use of mulitple layers for diffent parts, >different heights, or even 'scratchpad' layers for tracing and working >things out (I'm influenced by my earlier experience with hand drafting). > >Once I've broken down my part into stages, I create toolpaths on >separate layers. One of the main reasons I finally paid for Qcad was >the new polyline feature they added - creating polylines from existing >chains of arcs and lines. (Sadly, this did not work properly when I >first tried it. I immediately filed a complaint with ribbonsoft...and >less than a day later, they had it working properly, with an update >available for download. Yahoo!) I'd say! >I make parallel offsets of my part outlines, using the polylines. It's >not perfect yet, and I've been trying to figure out how to make a >repeatable error so I can show ribbonsoft - but usually, it works fine. > >Qcad is mouse-centric, with the ctrl, shift, and alt keys allowing rapid >scroll/pan/zooming with the mouse wheel - and all functions are >traversed using the menu on the left, and right click backs out of any >function. > >After creating toolpaths, I save, I pop over to CAMexpert, open the >file, and export. Since the sorting and optimization in CE needs work, >unless I'm doing simple stuff I usually plan everything - I make all my >toolpaths continuous chains, using a "rapid" layer with lines for G0 >moves. You can manually choose your toolpath, where I pick the starting >point....once it's chosen, I hide the "rapid" layer, and now all my >rapid moves really are so. > >Lately I've discovered the "useful-subroutines.ngc" with EMC, and have >been using O100 functions, using Qcad as reference while I hand-write >the gcode file. Many thanks to Chris Radek! Yes, I used that several times including just this past week, its a huge time & labor saver. >As far as using tool-comp, it shouldn't be too hard with Qcad/CE - you >just have to draw it, and then edit the gcode file to put the cutter >comp codes in the right places. > >Second-to-last, I keep a version of EMC compiled on my desktop for >--simulation-only, to preview my codes (Many thanks to all you guys :) >I've been looking at gdepth [http://axis.unpy.net/01169521961], but >haven't tried it yet. > Thanks for the mini-tutorial. :-) > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------- >This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. >Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. >Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. >Download your FREE copy of Splunk now >> http://get.splunk.com/ >_______________________________________________ >Emc-users mailing list >[email protected] >https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- Cheers, Gene "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." -Ed Howdershelt (Author) My mother is a fish. - William Faulkner ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now >> http://get.splunk.com/ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
