| Author | Message | |||
     Pete Brown Intermediate Member Username: Psychlist1972 Post Number: 54 Registered: 08-2004 |
I'm trying to machine my first DXF. I went through the help and the PDF file to try and figure out what I'm supposed to do, but I'm obviously still missing something. I want to machine the shape below out of sheet stock. There is one island, as I see it, the round area #2. I also have one pocket that is half the depth of the piece, that is #3. Finally, I have two holes that I will either drill or pocket (1 and 5) those go through the pice. The entire piece is about 1.6" long. Questions 1. DeskCNC recognizes 1 and 4 as boundaries, but marks 2, 3 and 5 as islands. When I try to change 3 and 5 to boundaries, it appears to work, but once I "deselect all" they remain islands. I'm obviously doing something wrong here, but the help isn't helpful. There appears no way to finish/stop the selection process either. 2. How can I create a single NC file with the pocketing for 1, 3 and 5, along with the countouring for 2 and 4? If I select all and try to generate the NC, it is applying countouring to the whole thing. This may be due to the island bit, but I am not sure. 3. Am I correct in thinking that pockets should be boundaries? What about holes to drill? 4. Where does depth come in? How does the depth set from the Edit DXF menu fit with countouring depth, or are they different?  I shortened the DeskCNC screenshot so it would be easier to see. The black line is where I cut it. I imported the 2d DXF into Rhino to create the 3d rendition. Larger version where you can see the numbers: http://www.irritatedVowel.com/pub/DeskCNC/pmb_side_rod_dxf.jpg
I am using 2.0.0.86 and sys3 Thanks. Pete http://www.irritatedVowel.com | |||
| Support Moderator Username: Support Post Number: 451 Registered: 03-2004 |
Right click for selection and deselection options. You will have to draw an outline around the entire contour to "pocket" with island around the raised round boss (think island) at the left end. Draw an offset curve just slightly larger or draw the rectangular shape of your beginning stock. The second pocket process is the long rectangular pocket. For simplicity, I would suggest you put the two processes in seperate files. Circles are selected for drilling. Simple 2D Depths( like yours) are set on the create toolpaths dialogs. Until you have a good understanding of all the options on the pocketing and contouring dialogs, I suggest you do not attempt to make toolpaths using the change depths on the edit dxf dialog. Fred Smith - IMService | |||
| Belli Button Junior Member Username: Belli Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2004 |
Always one for a challenge, but I can't download your dxf correctly, comes up as html. Post the DXF on your site or something so we can all learn. Greg Or mail to BE EE Double L EYE at EYE AFRICA dot COM | |||
| Support Moderator Username: Support Post Number: 453 Registered: 03-2004 |
Right Click - File Save as, and supply the .dxf extension. Fred Smith - IMService. | |||
| Belli Button Junior Member Username: Belli Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2004 |
Tried all that, didn't work. | |||
| Support Moderator Username: Support Post Number: 456 Registered: 03-2004 |
Works for me. The file opened right up in VectorCam. Fred Smith - IMService |
Side Rod DXF
