Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: bobmagnuson on June 22, 2011, 06:41:41 PM
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I generated a very simple box cabinet using Cabinet Parts Pro, nested and generated a DXF. When I load the file into LazyCam, it's ignoring one part on the DXF.
I'm trying to figure out if it's CPP that is creating a non standard DXF or it's LazyCam that is somehow misinterpreting the DXF.
I'm attaching the original DXF and the LCAM file.
Thanks,
Bob
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Knowing what it was ignoring would help. The .dxf looks OK in AutoCAD, but I don't use LazyCAM
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Sorry, I could have been a little more descriptive...
LazyCam seems to import the DXF fine, seems to generate the chains correctly, but doesn't include the part on the far right into the tool path and resulting G Code.
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Do you have a Mach3 license?
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No, I'm using the 'free' version to see if I can get my head around how this whole cad/cam thing is supposed to work.
I'm a non CNC cabinet shop right now, but am exploring other options.
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I believe that you're limited to 25 lines of code without a license, which is probably your problem.
For a cabinet shop, you don't want to be using LazyCAM. You want a CAM program that can automate the creation of g-code. The cheapest option that can do that is Vectric's V-Carve Pro.
It has a feature called Toolpath Templates. They allow you to assign machining operations to the layers of the .dxf file. What this does, is allow you to import the .dxf, and save the g-code for a nested sheet of parts in under 30 seconds.
I've been programming big industrial CNC's in high volume cabinet shops for 15 years. You want the process to be as automated as possible. This translates into much less time spent programming, and far fewer mistakes.
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Thanks, that's the kind of info I need!
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I downloaded the trial of V Carve. I see what you mean by the templating.
However, even VCarve has issues with the DXF. Instead of cutting a dado through the top of the two right most parts on the DXF, it's interpreting it incorrectly. Easily visible in the 3D view.
Though it's certainly possible, I'm not doing something correctly.
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There's nothing wrong with the .dxf
Are you trying to use a pocket operation on them? One issue could be that the two dados are touching. try doing them individually. Also, try increasing the spacing of the nesting in cabinet Parts Pro. I'll check when I get home, but I don't see a problem with the .dxf.
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I increased the spacing, that didn't help. I then edited the DXF and brought the dados inline with the part, if you saw, they extended past the part. Hopefully that explains it well enough.
That seems to have fixed the problem, so it appears that CPP is creating a DXF that has issues when generating the tool path.
Bob
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I think V-Carve Pro is getting confused because the dados are touching. The dadoes need to extend beyond the parts by half the tool diameter, or the dadoes will not be fully cleared.
I'll play with it tonight using a toolpath template. I believe it should work.
If you create a pocket toolpath separately for each dado, it should also work.
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You must be doing something wrong, as it works fine for me.
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I don't know there was ever any doubt about that! ;D
What steps did you take to create the tool paths?
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New File
48 x96
Import Vectors - Select the dxf file and it's imported.
Select the dados - Hold the shift key for multiple selections.
Choose the pocket toolpath, select a 1/2" tool, set the depth, choose contour, and OK.
That's it.
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Thanks Gerry