Layers and Offset codes.

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srl
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Re: Layers and Offset codes.

Post by srl » Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:59 am

Just found a problem going from G41 to G42 .
After two years I'm still coming to terms with G40-42.
Every rapid will now set the path back to G40. A 'A" (angle in) entity will setup the offset set in the following entity.
So closed contours will need the Ramp On from center option in the dialog for offset cutting. "CO" Cut outer parts will have the ramp on turned around automatically.
srl
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srl
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Re: Layers and Offset codes.

Post by srl » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:05 am

At last here is some real testing with the above file.
The three shapes are all the same. The first has 'CO6' (cut outer 6mm) in the layer name. The second 'CI6' (inner). The third has CI with P6 for pocket. The Z levels are also set. You can get the dxf file at the end of this post. You must set the direction in the CAM dialog, in this case clock wise.
qcadcad.png
qcadcad.png (84.09 KiB) Viewed 11807 times
Here is the generated path.
qcadtest.png
cad Shot
qcadtest.png (102.12 KiB) Viewed 11807 times
The LinuxCNC sim.
Here you can see the G41 and G42 path as it is all in the same direction. In my latest file you can set the direction of closed contours by putting CW or CCW in the layer name or custom properties.
linuxcnctest.png
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The real thing after a quick vacuum.
DSC07989.JPG
pic path
DSC07989.JPG (51.08 KiB) Viewed 11807 times
The first part cut out fits into the second cut. It over ran at the end as I didn't set the Ramp Off.
DSC07991.JPG
pic 2
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It also fits the third, but not all the way of course as it was milled to half its thickness 1.5mm.
DSC07992.JPG
pic3
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srltest.dxf
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Husky
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Re: Layers and Offset codes.

Post by Husky » Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:29 am

Hi srl,
WOW - I'm impressed! I hope Andrew is watching this very carefully ... :wink:

I'm not (yet) a cnc guy but you really catches my curiosity.

First off all - a couple questions ... e_surprised

- Could I create a template drawing with a couple default cutting layer like a tool list? If yes - would your app ignore unused layer or do I have to delete them?
- Could I alternative use the Custom Property's in the Property editor instead the layer solution?
- Different depths for Z for each entity are possible? (start depth different to end depth),
- QCAD CAM Simulation will show me the correct cutting path (inside, center, outside)?
- export also as .plt or .stl possible?

Sorry for stu... questions! :oops:
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

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srl
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Re: Layers and Offset codes.

Post by srl » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:48 am

Thanks for questions.
Trying to think up documentation is painful.
Firstly all invisible layers are ignored.
Yes custom properties can be used for nearly every thing. I need to go over it and fix which has priority, I feel that properties will have it.
I have the "A" that changes the Z level from the previous to the following entity. maybe I can add something like "ZE(float)" to set the end point depth.
Qcad Cam Sim is good but only for direction. To see path compensation and that the Gcode works you need the program itself. Its not too hard to set up the sim version on VirtualBox.
And sorry I've only looked at standard GCode for linux cnc.

srl
Last edited by srl on Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Husky
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Re: Layers and Offset codes.

Post by Husky » Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:25 am

srl - thank you for the answers :D
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

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