dxf to G-code...how to fill?

[UCFMems]

Hey everyone,

The lab that I work at just recieved our new CNC Mill/Lathe, and I'm wondering if you can help me out with a quick question. At the moment I am using AutoCAD to save my design as .dxf and importing into FlashCut CNC to run the g-code. However, I'm wondering how to create a completely cut out section of a piece, for example, if you took a solid 2in x 2in block of aluminum and cut a 1in x 1in square that is 1 inch deep, so it is not simply the outline of the square, the entire square is milled out.

So far, the only thing that I have been able to think of is using an exploded hatch pattern, when it imports into FlashCut it seems to read everything correctly and will mill out the entire section that was hatched (using a basic horizontal line hatch pattern.) I was just wondering if there was a better way of representing this in the .dxf file so it could make the minimum amount of cuts on the machine. I know a few years ago I was using a piece of software that knew a specific hatch pattern in AutoCAD represented a full milling, but I'm not sure if that feature exists anymore (or if it is even supported in FlashCut.)

[ger21]

Try http://www.sheetcam.com . I believe it has pocketing.

Or just offset your 1" square multiple times toward the middle to remove all the material. On the rare occasions I need to do something similar on our router at work, I'll make multiple offsets towards the center, then go back, and snapping on the corners, draw 1 continuous polyline in a spiral pattern going diagonally on 1 side to step into the smaller offsets. Then delete the original offsets and use the 1 polyline, which eliminates all the rapid moves.

[BlueChip]

Hi ... just for conversation sake ... check this out ...
http://www.kentechinc.com/cadtogcode.shtml

[HuFlungDung]

UCFMems,

I suppose I sound like a broken record (if you know me ) but why not get some real cadcam software? Creating toolpaths is a lot of work, is highly inflexible, and you will grow to hate it

That is if you are going to be doing much with your machine, you might as well get some software that will help you get the most use out of it.

For example, do you understand about roughing and finishing cuts, climb milling versus conventional, oops, you wrote a program and don't have a tool to match it, etc. Take OneCNC for example, since I am familiar with it. None of the above conditions would take more than 5 seconds to correct, and then you are ready to post code to your cnc.

You can still make good use of your Autocad skills, and concentrate on making good 3d models. Let the computer do the toolpathing.

[UCFMems]

Thanks a bunch guys, I was actually looking into getting some good cad/cam software, the problem is that the majority of the milling we will be doing is extremely simple and most of the time using full fledged cam software would be overkill. However, I might need to get one anyways just for the rare occasion that I need to do something like this.

That then brings up another question...what software package would you recommend for importing Inventor files? I'm a big AutoDesk person, been using AutoCAD and Inventor since highschool (I'm only in college now ) and haven't gotten around to learning Pro-E or Solidworks yet. So whatever cad/cam software we'd get would have to be fully compatable with Inventor.

[HuFlungDung]

UCF,

What kind of file types can you output from Inventor? OneCNC can import iges, DXF, Rhino 3dm, VDA-FS, STEP and SAT file types. Their file translators are highly acclaimed.

Also OneCNC XR will be released in 4 flavours, to handle up to 3 axis. If you get an online demo done for you by OneCNC in Florida, you can get a good idea of what each package offers, to see what suits your needs. Make sure to lock your credit card up before you look at the demos

[UCFMems]

I am fairly certain that Inventor is able to export to iges as well as possibly STEP and SAT files, so that shouldn't be a problem. I've been looking at the information they have on the OneCNC website and I really like what I see. Now it will just be a matter of convincing my project lead that we need to look into spending some money on cam software .