Microkinetics / Torchmate

[hmc710]

Hi All,
I retrofitted an optical eye table 5 yrs ago with a Torchmate / Microkinetics system using Superscribe and Dos which used HPGL .plt files basically. We just upgraded to Millmaster Pro and am learning the new system and its dxf to G-Code conversion.
1. Anyone here using Millmaster Pro on a cutting table?
2. I "assume" that G-Code is a standard (complete noobie here) but the Millmaster manual doesn't explain programing much. Any good ref material on programing?
The main problem I am having is the dxf to g-code conversion. I use Acad R14. I did a drawing where I took a circle and Trimmed to tangential lines. The g-code did not recognize the arc. Am I going to have to re-learn how to draw using the Arc command? I have not tried a Fillet yet
Thanks,
Tim

[Torchhead]

I started (6 years ago) with a MicroKinetics card, drives and software (DOS based HPGL). Their software is pretty lame and since their hardware control card only runs with their software, you get trapped into a closed solution. There are sooooo many better systems out there now, especially for plasma cutting. I doubt there are many other users out there running your combo.

One of the better days of my life was when I got rid of my Microkinetics hardware/software and went with Gecko's and MACH.

[Robin Hewitt]

Originally Posted by hmc710 I did a drawing where I took a circle and Trimmed to tangential lines. The g-code did not recognize the arc. Am I going to have to re-learn how to draw using the Arc command?

G code has two commands for arcs, clockwise and counterclockwise.

It's very "go to the next point from where you are now" in it's outlook.

Arcs have an end x, y, z point and you either get a radius or an offset to the centre.

If you only get the radius there are two possible solutions so radius arcs over 180 degrees have to be broken into two but your software should be doing all this for you.

AFAIK AutoCad trims circles to arcs. OTOH I've never managed to figure out the rules for trimming rectangles, sometimes bits stick and get included in the original polyline