Practical CNC Help with lead ins

[cmwelding]

Is there a way to adjust where the torch starts its cut on a part and if so ho do you do it? Im trying to change the way it cuts holes. For example the machine currently starts the cut on the outer edge of the circle . I would like it to start in the center make its pierce and proceed to to outer edge of the cicle and cut al normal. Can this be done?

[Torchhead]

What are you using to generate the G-code for the machine to run? Things like lead-ins, kerf offsets, pierce moves, etc are best done in a good CAM application. SheetCAM has automatic lead-ins and all the other parameters above and you can control start points by clicking the "S" cursor tool and moving the start point visually on the toolpath. If you are running the WINCNC version of Practical's machine (and probably BOBCAD?) then there is a POST in SheetCAM for WINCNC.

If you don't use SheetCAM then you will have to make a lead-in on your drawing and make sure it is the first node in the chain. I don't know if there is a way to re-order the nodes in BOBCAD.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[Killerdub]

Tom,

You are saying that Sheetcam has a post processor for WINCNC? If so where?

[Torchhead]

SheetCAM ships with over 70 different POST processors. In the new TNG there are 3 or 4 just for WINCNC.

[cmwelding]

I couldnt find it either in the Sheet CAM TNG software but I went to their website and downloaded the sheetcam standard download and imported the right wincnc post I needed. After that I just uninstalled the sheet cam standard and ran my new sheetcam software with the added post saved. It worked fine.

[Killerdub]

I could not find it on the new TNG version either, but Tom says there are 3-4 versions. Are they in the sheetcam help forum?

[Torchhead]

I could not find it on the new TNG version either, but Tom says there are 3-4 versions. Are they in the sheetcam help forum?

Admittedly I have TNG Development Version installed but I when to the app, opened the POST PROCESSOR selection box (in a different place than the old SheetCAM) and there they were; including one for Plasma. I opened it and it looks like most of the other POSTS for plasma where the toolpath has no control over the Z moves but the XY moves and torch firing should happen at the right time.

TOMCAUDLE
www.CandCNC.com