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CNC Plasma Cutting with ViaCAD
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Tim Olson  
#1 Posted : Friday, March 18, 2016 5:25:24 PM(UTC)
Tim Olson

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I've gotten this question a few times and would like to add a tip in the next edition of the Tips and Tricks book. I know many use ViaCAD/Shark to create data for plasma cutting and looking for some tips for new users.

--What export format do you use?

--If DXF or DWG what version?

--Do you include annotations in the file?

--Preferences for lines and arcs over splines?

--Do you use the spline to arc tool?

--Any preference for polylines over lines?

--Do you verify curve direction before sending to CAM software? Is curve direction important?


Any other tips related to this use would be greatly appreciated!


Tim
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Tem  
#2 Posted : Sunday, March 20, 2016 4:14:17 PM(UTC)
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Hi Tim,

I don't have experience with Plasma cutting yet.
I have sent several projects out for laser cutting.
Back then, about 5 years ago, the dxf files with splines were rejected.
The splines needed to be converted to arcs.
I hope that was helpful.

I could possibly get ahold of a few local services in my town that have offer plasma cutting.
Another goal firm has a water jet cutter, I could ask them what works for them too, they are in the same industrial area.

Tem
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Tim Olson  
#3 Posted : Sunday, March 20, 2016 4:29:26 PM(UTC)
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Thanks Tem for the feedback. I wonder if water jet has similar CAD input requirements as plasma.

Tim
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L. Banasky  
#4 Posted : Wednesday, March 23, 2016 2:47:23 AM(UTC)
L. Banasky

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<<<< I wonder if water jet has similar CAD input requirements as plasma.>>>>

Hi Tim,
The FLOW water jet we use accepts .dxf files. Enter the .dxf, select material, thickness etc.
The plasma cutter uses SheetCam, which converts the .dxf to Gcode, then the controller software
Mach3 uses the Gcode to perform the x,y,z axis moves and turns the torch on and off.
The ShopBot CNC router is similar to the plasma cutter, and uses .dxf files.
The laser uses Illustrator or CorelDRAW files, Red lines for vector cuts, Blue lines for vector
engraving, and Black lines for Raster data.
I always export from SharkFX to R12. I convert TTFonts to curves, and keep everything on
Layer 0, or 1. The lettering sometimes needs cleaning up, and when plasma cutting I try to
use a stencil font.
Enclosed are a couple of example files that plasma cut well. Notice that they are made up
using lines and arcs.
Larry
File Attachment(s):
Fire3.dxf (176kb) downloaded 9 time(s).
Letters2.dxf (321kb) downloaded 9 time(s).
DW Sign.dxf (329kb) downloaded 9 time(s).
L. Banasky attached the following image(s):
Fire Extinguisher Sign.jpg (100kb) downloaded 10 time(s).
Change Object To 'Curves'.jpg (94kb) downloaded 13 time(s).

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Tim Olson  
#5 Posted : Wednesday, March 23, 2016 10:00:29 AM(UTC)
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Thanks Larry, great info!

R12 did not support ellipses or splines so when you export with this version it automatically converts these types to polylines.

R12 also does not support units. Do you have any unit conversion issues? Are you using inch or mm?

Do you use the curve to arc tool?

Tim
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MaiFy  
#6 Posted : Wednesday, March 23, 2016 7:52:42 PM(UTC)
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I'm hoping to get a CNC router soon from these guys.
Hence another reason to learn cad.
Here are a couple of threads discussing poly lines and issues that perhaps may be of interest.


Discussion on polylines1

Another link

Edited by user Wednesday, March 23, 2016 7:53:40 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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L. Banasky  
#7 Posted : Thursday, March 24, 2016 2:19:01 AM(UTC)
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I found an example of a traced over bitmap, it has 4 lines, 2 circles and the rest arcs.
I work in inches, and have never noticed a problem, cut over 250 of these.
The jobs I work on are very simple, so I usually export to the lowest version available.
Larry

<<<<I'm hoping to get a CNC router soon from these guys.>>>>
Hi Maify,
Is there a link to the router, or is it made by Thermwood?
Larry

Edited by user Thursday, March 24, 2016 2:26:06 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

File Attachment(s):
Saints.sfx (12kb) downloaded 8 time(s).
Saints.dxf (16kb) downloaded 8 time(s).
L. Banasky attached the following image(s):
Traced over Bitmap.jpg (133kb) downloaded 8 time(s).

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jdi000  
#8 Posted : Thursday, March 24, 2016 12:30:03 PM(UTC)
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The curve to arc tool is awesome and works great for this application. Most object come from 3d to 2d as splines not friendly to CNC cutting.

The old r12 is probably not necessary if everything is converted to arcs. Seems like version depends on the CNC software as to what they support and what they look for like units or polylines.

My thoughts on polylines are most polylines tend to just be apporximation of splines too many little segments and if the CNC software can't smooth these that adds too many stop and start points causing poor 2d profile cutting.

It is optimal having all arcs and straight lines.

Regards
Jason
Windows 11, 10
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Tim Olson  
#9 Posted : Thursday, March 24, 2016 6:34:14 PM(UTC)
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>adds too many stop and start points causing poor 2d profile cutting.

Do you need to sort/order the lines/arcs start to end? Or does the CNC software handle that? Or not important.

Tim
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jdi000  
#10 Posted : Thursday, March 24, 2016 6:44:22 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Tim Olson Go to Quoted Post
>adds too many stop and start points causing poor 2d profile cutting.

Do you need to sort/order the lines/arcs start to end? Or does the CNC software handle that? Or not important.

Tim


Tim

The CNC software should handle as it's sorting the cut direction based on kerf side or whether it's and internal profile like a hole or the outside profile

The curve to arc tool you added is awesome as I wish I had that years ago. If more people knee about this ....
Using shark/viacad really is a great tool for 2d drawing using with CNC with all the features - hoping for blocks in v10


Thanks

Jason
Windows 11, 10
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MaiFy  
#11 Posted : Friday, March 25, 2016 3:07:20 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: L. Banasky Go to Quoted Post
Is there a link to the router, or is it made by Thermwood?
Larry

Link to 3 Axis CNC router
I think they have a shopbot link available for their eCabs program
Hi Larry
Yes those are the sort of things I am interested in, machining logos and signs as well as cabinets and doors, perhaps making some patterns for molding (I like the draft feature in the extrude tool in SFX.)
Their software handles 98% or the joinery side, it is the other cad that extends the usefulness of the machine. I'm sure SFX will be very useful.
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L. Banasky  
#12 Posted : Friday, March 25, 2016 3:38:19 AM(UTC)
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<<<<The CNC software should handle as it's sorting the cut direction based on kerf side or whether it's and internal profile like a hole or the outside profile >>>>

Good thing for me, the cutting software makes things easy to cut.
Enclosed are a few snapshots from SheetCam.

MaiFy,
Thanks for the information.
Larry
L. Banasky attached the following image(s):
Cut Path.jpg (44kb) downloaded 7 time(s).
Inside Offset.jpg (68kb) downloaded 7 time(s).
No Offset.jpg (71kb) downloaded 7 time(s).
Outside Offset.jpg (66kb) downloaded 7 time(s).

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Tim Olson  
#13 Posted : Friday, March 25, 2016 1:26:00 PM(UTC)
Tim Olson

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I'm going to write up a tip and repost here for final review.

Many thanks all!


Tim
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Tem  
#14 Posted : Tuesday, March 29, 2016 11:56:14 PM(UTC)
Tem

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Hi Tim,

I called a few local fabricators near and in my town.
Waterjet Cutters and Plasma Cutters too.

All of them prefer DXF, most any flavor, with lines and arc elements, not poly lines or splines.

Tem
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Tim Olson  
#15 Posted : Wednesday, March 30, 2016 10:09:43 AM(UTC)
Tim Olson

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>>All of them prefer DXF, most any flavor, with lines and arc elements, not poly lines or splines.


Thanks Tem!
Tim
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Tim Olson  
#16 Posted : Friday, April 15, 2016 1:16:20 PM(UTC)
Tim Olson

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Many thank all for the feedback. I've made a first pass on a tip. Suggestions welcome!
Larry, many thanks for your example files.

Tim

Edited by user Friday, April 15, 2016 11:33:26 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

File Attachment(s):
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24c  
#17 Posted : Sunday, April 24, 2016 1:43:51 AM(UTC)
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Hi Tim,
I'm well late to this, but I have been using Shark FX to make laser cutting profiles since 2009, but to be honest I never use splines.
My laser shop always want .dxf format, and I did have a problem when they changed their software using non R12 format.
I've tried other options, as back to back tests with them in the past too, because I use a Mac, and they use PC. Nowadays, to avoid errors, I always select my line drawing and extrude it to check it is working OK, as if it doesn't extrude, it means I'll have an issue.
Then I Undo, before exporting as DXF, and double checking that file using eDrawings, as occasionally I don't see anything in the eDrawings window. (drawn in the wrong plane or colour), and If I see the shape in eDrawings, then I know I'm OK.
I have also had no issues with using millimetres either.

Mike

Edited by user Sunday, April 24, 2016 1:44:44 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

macOS 14.3.1 (Sonoma) - MacBook M1 Max 64GB 2TB SSD & external display - SharkCAD Pro v14.1.0 build 1654
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Tim Olson  
#18 Posted : Monday, April 25, 2016 10:39:16 AM(UTC)
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Thanks Mike for the feedback, much appreciated!

Tim
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