Messages

21

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 13, 2009, 10:08:05 PM »

I don't know, its Acad2010.  I did like I said. Helix command, drew helix/spiral, went to Pedit, chose object, defined properties(which I don't remember explicitly what I chose, but made a few clicks), and saved as r12dxf. Closed Acad, pulled up the shape in Lcam. It came up complete, just as drawn, but had 2 places where it was broken(chains).Came up on Mach screen not complete but for right now, I am satisfied I at least got something close. I don't know my way around Lcam since I'm new to cad and cam, but these small sucesses help me make it through till tomorrow.

22

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 13, 2009, 08:22:47 PM »

Yes helix command, or spiral because it's 2d. I'll read about what you said explode and spline tomorrow. I'll also check and make sure it's not trying to pick up height( or make a helix). Could be an error I'm making there too. Thanks buddy.

23

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 13, 2009, 07:54:41 PM »

I drew a new spiral, changed the line properties with the Pedit feature, saved it as r12dxf, and it loaded to Lcam. It looked right, but had a couple breaks in the chain. I'll work on that next. At least I learned this much!  Thank you guys for all your help and comments. You  truly are worth your weight in gold.

24

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 13, 2009, 11:17:03 AM »

Ok thanks  Ger. One last question, Is this an L-cam thing or are there cam programs out there that these line segment rules do not apply? This is the question I posted on Vectric's forum. It basically says exactly what I need to know:

Hi to all. I researched the various programs Vectric offers for a while now, and do have a general understanding of each of them. I currently use Autocad 2010 and Mach3. I don't know much about the cam programs out there, but have found out a few things. What I need is a cam program that will accept Autocad dxf files that contain shapes like spirals and ellipses. Currently the Lazycam that comes with Mach is choosy, and needs certain spherical shapes to be converted to polylines or something like that.( A true ellipse is one continuously changing line wheras polylines are a lot of tiny straight lines that make up the shape). Some shapes like 2d spirals I'm told Lazycam will not even accept. Do any of the Vectric products make simple these cam abilities or is this a fundamental rule that applies to all cam programs? Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

25

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 13, 2009, 06:12:36 AM »

Okay, it does work. I just loaded a rectangle, and it worked fine. My question now is if I want to send an ellipse or a 2d spiral to l-cam, will it work and why/why not?
Thank you guys fotr all the help and bearing with me.

26

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 12, 2009, 10:48:52 AM »

Whoops, I celebrated too soon. Still no luck. Here's what I'm doing, bear with me because my pc tower is not hooked to the internet and I have no screen shots. I made a simple drawing in my Acad 2010( which is fully licensed and has no issues). I go to Save as, and the default is Dwf file, but gives the options of saving to different Dxf formats. The selection it gives me to choose from for the dxf type formats are: Acad 2010, 2007 and 2007LT, 2004 and 2004LT, 2000 and 2000 LT, and R12 LT2.  I did not see R14 anywhere on the options. I saved it in each of these formats at one point or another in my many attempts to pull up my drawing in L-Cam with no success.   I then tried  Export, and didn't see where I could export it to a dxf format(mabye I didn't look hard enough), but for the heck of it, exported it to bmp. format, and it did pick it up in L-Cam.( though it had some pieces of the drawing missing. I have been closing out my Acad and saving the file change after each attempt( as I have heard that closing it out is necessary for L-Cam load) Please can someone give me a walkthrough on simply how to take a cad drawing and bring it up on Lazycam?

27

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 11, 2009, 06:48:28 PM »

Ok, thank you. It is Acad 2010, so I should export it as DXF always then?

28

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Problems loading cad files to L-cam

« on: November 11, 2009, 05:50:09 PM »

Just got a new cad program, actually, my first. It is full version Autocad. My problem is, I draw up something and export it, and can't get it up on Lazycam. I exported it as a dwf, and the second time as a pdf and no luck. I seem to always lose my files somewhere. The l-cam did load something, but it didn't remotely look like what I created in cad. My L-cam is trial version, but it should still let me import stuff right?

29

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to use the Run From Here option.

« on: August 07, 2009, 02:31:15 PM »

Ok, thanks a lot fellas. Your help is golden!

30

General Mach Discussion / How to use the Run From Here option.

« on: August 05, 2009, 09:41:50 PM »

Hi fellas. Just wanted to say thank you to all for the great help and advice you've given. My cnc router has been buzzin away with no problems for over a month!
I haven't yet learned how to cycle start other than in the beginning of the program. If I want to start somewhere say in the middle of the program, what must I do?
So far, I have had to run the program all the way from the beginning if I want to get to a certain tool change or M00 command and it wastes a lot of time.