Hey guys,

I am trying to send a dxf file to a supplier to have this dragonfly sign plasma cut from 3/16" thick sheetmetal. He is telling me that I have a bunch of random points in the file. He is concerned that the torch will refire on each of these points and not cut well.

What steps do I need to take to make sure this cuts smoothly?

Thanks,

Sam

Hi Sam,
If you can, post your .dxf and I'll open it in SheetCam, and see what the problem is.
Larry
I opened your .pdf, and exported as .dxf, opened it in SheetCam and errors were indicated.
Removed the overlaps and duplicates and it opened in SheetCam with no errors.
Don't know how you constructed this drawing, but why all the lines, instead of arcs?
Sorry about the .dxf in inches, you can scale to mm.
Larry
The .dxf file exceeded the file size to upload.

Edited by user Friday, January 6, 2023 3:54:56 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Here is the 2nd file.

A few questions:
1. Does this mean avoid splines and straight single or multi-lines?
2. Do I need to trace each path in the path and order that I want it to cut?
3. Should I connect the lines with the from curves polygon tool?

Thanks

Thank you, Larry. I appreciate it.

A useful technique I use.

I have a flatbed CNC router (3600mm x 1500mm bed)

I export files from VCad as DXF's and the machine software has some settings when importing.

I'm using Viacad pro 10
One technique I use to check if files are going to be cut on my machine, is to use the extrude tool to test the soundness of the file.
The extrude tool is a bit random and sometimes it indicates where the breaks are and sometimes it doesn't.

The key point is
If an outline wont extrude, my machine software wont cut it.
As in your file I broke it down into individual components to extrude which helps to isolate problem areas.

It had many errors and I see others have helped you with clean up.
If you look in the picture where the check boxes are, this where there are problems that need to be fixed.

After the test extrude I control Z to undo the extrude or just pull the solid away from the lines.
In your case I would clean it up bit by bit then do a final extrude of the whole object.

Using this technique I can clean up any file by just using Via cad.
For single line curved drawings I add lines to make a closed object then extrude. If its sound I then delete the extra lines.

Hope this helps 👌😊

Just too add to what happens when files go to the cnc.
You might have a nice looking picture.
So when we send that picture to the CNC and ask it to write G code, G code is what tells the machine what to do to make your picture, object depending on what type of CNC it is. (G code can be written manually but These days software has been developed to write it automatically which is obviously a huge time saver.
It looks at / examines all the lines in your drawing and starts writing. When it hits any little gaps, untrimmed intersections, hidden double lines, funny arcs, sometimes unclosed objects, it doesn't know what to do.
So it throws back an error message and then you have to track down what it is that is confusing it.

That's why the extrude tool is so good at picking up glitches, It examines all the lines like a CNC and if it cant make sense of the lines, it wont extrude.
If you give your CNC person clean files they will love you for it. 😉

Edited by user Monday, January 9, 2023 5:43:54 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Added picture and clarification

Thanks, great tips.

My CNC supplier said he thought now it would now work good.