Machsupport Forum

G-Code, CAD, and CAM => G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions => Topic started by: geoff3881 on June 28, 2009, 03:25:21 AM

Title: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: geoff3881 on June 28, 2009, 03:25:21 AM

I have been trying to produce G code for a simple con rod profile. 2 arcs and connecting tangential lines. The process used has been :-
Draw outline in AutoCAD - save as dxf file - import via lazy CAM - clean - export G code.
I want to achieve continuous movement around the profile but get a discontinuous movement between arcs and tangential profile.
ie. the end point of say the arc does not coincide with the start point of next part. It moves eg. to the other arc and then the sides.
I modified the file to a polyline as I understood this might help.

Is there a way of forcing the machining sequence other than manually editing it ?

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: docltf on June 28, 2009, 11:50:03 AM

post a copy of your dxf and g-code file. this way somebody can get a look at what you are doing, and give you some pointers.

bill

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: ger21 on June 28, 2009, 12:15:01 PM

If you have AutoCAD 2002 or newer, I have a macro that'll output g-code directly from AutoCAD. Much quicker than going through and fighting with LazyCAM. ;)

You can download it here.
http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/acad/downloads/ac2gcv043.zip

Let me know if you have any questions.

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: geoff3881 on June 28, 2009, 01:35:28 PM

I have AutoCAD 2007 and would therefore like to try your macro. Do I need any special instructions ?
Thanks for your help.

Geoff

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: geoff3881 on June 28, 2009, 01:42:00 PM

Gerry,
Apologies - I have now downloaded the files and can now see I need to read the manual before I ask any questions !!

Thanks,

Geoff

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: ger21 on June 28, 2009, 02:19:58 PM

I have a thread on it at CNC Zone where you can ask questions without being off topic here.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8226

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: vmax549 on June 28, 2009, 11:11:53 PM

IN Lcam you should be able to arrange the cuts in any order. MAKE sure your lines are connected. For the most part Lcam arranges them as they were drawn. It is up to you to either draw them in order or rearrange them in LCAM.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: geoff3881 on June 29, 2009, 02:53:12 AM

I have tried drawing the item in the order of cut, but even with a simple form it's not very convenient. Tangential lines eg. need the circles before the tangential lines. You can fiddle around with construction lines etc., but it's not ideal.
Do you know how to rearrange them in LazyCAM after completion of the CAD profile ?
Thanks for your interest   
Geoff

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: vmax549 on June 29, 2009, 02:51:08 PM

It is basically a drag and drop process. Look in the Properties bar(lhside) you will see a tree of the chains involved.  you can reorder them by dragging them where you need them. LCAM will process from TOP to bottom as it writes the code.

Note: you cannot reorder the entities inside of the chains, just the chains.

Hope that helps, (;-) TP

Title: Re: AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code
Post by: geoff3881 on July 01, 2009, 03:20:49 AM

TP, I had a try, but without sucess. I then took a look at the LazyCAM video on the Mach site and noticed that the screens and layout look very different to mine. I have Mach R2.0.025 and LazyCAM 2.00 020 std. Do I need an update ?
The video seems to show a reasonably flexible ability to rearrange layers, chains, entities etc. Whilst I am stuck on a very basic issue !  Thanks  Geoff