Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Kently on November 15, 2009, 09:25:15 AM

Title: Replicating Parts
Post by: Kently on November 15, 2009, 09:25:15 AM
I have a part that uses 25 toolpaths. I designed it in Aspire and would now like to cut multiple parts from a single sheet of material. I don't want to have to redo all of the toolpaths in Aspire when I replicate the parts onto the sheet. Is there any way in Mach to load a g-code file and then tell Mach to run i multiple times at differnet x and y offsets?
Title: Re: Replicating Parts
Post by: budman68 on November 15, 2009, 10:55:11 AM
Hi Kently,

Possibly I'm misunderstanding but doesn't Aspire have the nesting feature that allows you to copy the part  multiple times to fit in a full size sheet?

Or, couldn't you use the "array" function as well that's available in Aspire?

I have VCarve Pro and it has both the Array and Nesting feature and I would think these functions would do exactly what you're asking.

Dave
Title: Re: Replicating Parts
Post by: Kently on November 15, 2009, 12:17:34 PM
I don't think that is what I am needing. I can easily copy the parts on the sheet. What I am trying to avoid is having to select each vector and generate a new toolpath.
Title: Re: Replicating Parts
Post by: budman68 on November 15, 2009, 12:33:42 PM
Hmmm....I think I understand. So you need something that would only nest the actual toolpath itself so that you don't have to keep selecting all of them.

I see that you asked over at the Vectric forum so it should be interesting to see what they come up with.

Dave
Title: Re: Replicating Parts
Post by: derekbpcnc on November 15, 2009, 12:44:52 PM
I have a part that uses 25 toolpaths. I designed it in Aspire and would now like to cut multiple parts from a single sheet of material. I don't want to have to redo all of the toolpaths in Aspire when I replicate the parts onto the sheet. Is there any way in Mach to load a g-code file and then tell Mach to run i multiple times at differnet x and y offsets?

I do the same thing. 1 "program" that is called 10 times to give me 10 parts at different locations.
I use the work offset table to program the location of the X and Y offset and call each of the offsets.

ATB
Deker


Title: Re: Replicating Parts
Post by: HimyKabibble on November 15, 2009, 12:52:59 PM
You need to read up on fixture offsets - G54-G59, and G92.  Probably G92 is what you want in this case.  You setup the existing code as a subroutine, set the fixture offset with G92, then call the subroutine.

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: Replicating Parts
Post by: Hood on November 15, 2009, 01:00:44 PM
oops sorry, posted in the wrong thread :(