Processing complex line types

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andrew
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Processing complex line types

Post by andrew » Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:19 am

From a QCAD or QCAD/CAM user:
Can I convert entities with complex line types (e.g. zig-zag lines) to G-Code or use complex line types to make a machine tool follow a comlpex pattern?

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andrew
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Re: Processing complex line types

Post by andrew » Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:32 am

Line patterns are mainly intended to distinguish different lines on screen and on paper. Line patterns in CAD are not generally meant to be precise enough for further processing.

When zooming in, one can quickly see that the zig-zag lines for example are not forming a connected path. This has to do with the way how these patterns are defined in CAD (DXF/DWG). So even if the software you are using to control your machine or produce G-Code would be able to recognize zig-zag lines or other line type patterns, the idea of processing these line patterns with a machine would still not work or at least not be ideal.

It's therefore recommendable to construct the exact geometry to be cut (including zig-zag lines) using regular lines or polylines instead. One way to create a zig-zag line would be with parallels and pasting points along entities, connecting dots or rotate with multiple copies.

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