I have a dxf file with what is a spiral path geometry. When I try to NC it in BobCad the tool rapids to the safe z height and then goes across the geometry to start the next spiral in the opposite direction. I'd like to eliminate the waste of it rapiding across, and simply move to the closest spiral arc and cut in the opposite direction. Is there an easy way to make each spiral arc opposite the proceeding one, so that BobCad will do what I want? Thanks.

Rob

http://www.hermandesign.us/BobCad/spiralpaths.JPG

Yes there is. Try this

:cheers:

Yeah, thanks. I found that one, but that makes all of the little arcs opposite eachother in the larger arc shape. I need one chain of arcs to go one way and the others to go the other way. I could do it by hand, but this is just the beginning of this project.

Rob

Maybe, there is a parameter I am missing in BobCad. One where you could set a limit on the length it uses to find the next point to machine as a function of the distance from last point machined? In my case it would be less than 1" (.0625") actually.

Rob

I found the solution...I think. This may be helpful to others, so I am answering myself and you too, toby.

I splined the lines with arc of .004 accuracy. I then selected all and used the flip every second one command. This did not work for the line segments, but it may be for the better since I now have fewer entities and maybe the machine will run smoother and faster. Thanks.

Rob

Nix that. Arcs are a bad idea for this application. For some reason, when I zoomed all the way out, the flip every second option worked the way I wanted. I was zoomed into a segment of the spirals and it was flipping each and every other line segment. Thanks again.

rob

Have you resolved the issue yet?
Honestly I just use the control key (on the keyboard) and select what I want in the direction I want them.

Try this

Hold down the Shift Key and select your geometry the way you want to machine it and alternate every other chain of arcs. This is a little time consuming but it will work.

:cheers:

See the new post I just put up about the size of the parts I am working on. the smallest part is 5ft x 2.5ft! I would have to manually select 960 ends of lines in zoom mode. Yes, it is resolved. It seems the flip every second option works differently if your view has the entire geometry in it or is just zoomed in on a part of it even with ALL selected in either case. Thanks for your help.

Rob