Using hatch to get pocket cutting g-code

[rippersoft]

I have seen where hatch patterns are used within letters, circles, etc. to get the lines necessary to cut out the inside of the letter or circle. Using Ace or other product to convert to g-code would then create code that would follow the hatch line(s).

My question is what hatch pattern(s) can be used to get this effect? How do you use the hatch pattern to get this effect?

I have tried a number of different methods and loaded the drawing into NCPlot to see if the hatch is visible. The only thing that works is hand drawing the individual lines.

I am using TurboCad Deluxe 9.2.

Thanks.

[ger21]

Try exploding the hatch. I'd use something with parallel lines, and scale the hatch to get the desired stepover.

[rippersoft]

Thanks for the info. I selected the object, then created a hatch for that object and set the hatch type. I then exploded the object and the hatch and saved to dxf. I imported the dxf into NCPlot and all I get is the object without the hatch.

I wonder if TurboCad is not using hatch the same way Acad does. TC uses brush styles to fill and create the hatch. It may be that the hatch is not a polyline??

[ger21]

Is there maybe some other command to convert the hatch to lines? Vector convert, or something like that maybe? I've never used TurboCAD, so I'm not much help, but what I described above is very simple in AutoCAD.

[ger21]

ALso, try saving to an older .dxf version. V12 or even older, if you have those options available.

Can you post your sample .dxf and let me take a look at it?

[JFettig]

I like to offset the tool path to get my tool paths, they look cool while doing a good job.


Jon

[rippersoft]

Ger21,

Attached is a simple drawing in DXF format. You will find a rectangle on layer 0, a offset on layer 1, and a hatch on layer 2.

The hatch will not explode into lines. I will be curious to see what this looks like on Acad. I also wonder if a DXF to DXF (version) converter might make the hatch a polyline??

Thanks for the help.

[CJL5585]

Originally Posted by rippersoft Ger21, Attached is a simple drawing in DXF format. You will find a rectangle on layer 0, a offset on layer 1, and a hatch on layer 2. The hatch will not explode into lines. I will be curious to see what this looks like on Acad. I also wonder if a DXF to DXF (version) converter might make the hatch a polyline?? Thanks for the help.

Rippersoft:
I converted the hatch to polylines - then exploded it - It returned to the brush format. You might want to convert it to polylines then save the file - re-open the file (it should be polyline) and then see if you can explode it that way. I also used TurboCad 9.2.

Jerry

[rippersoft]

Jerry,

Thanks for the hint. I messed around with it and managed to get the hatch to explode after exploding once and saving, reloading, then exploding again.

Feels kinda like a hit and miss on this. At least I won't have to hand draw paths in lettering. What a pain.

Thank you very much!

[CJL5585]

I have found that using TurboCad that it is a sometimes hit and miss proposition. You can do something once, then the second or third try it will not work unless you save the file and exit. Then the function will work again.

Glad you got it to work.

Jerry

[ger21]

It doesn't help you much, but AutoCAD sees it as a normal hatch, and exploding it turns it into lines no problems. I also tried A9CAD, but exploding it in that caused it to disappear.

[rippersoft]

Thanks for the help, guys! I can now get down to business of designing signs. I can't imagine having to hand hatch lettering.