DXF Angle CAM

 From:  stefano (LIGHTWAVE)
9938.12 In reply to 9938.11 
Hi Martin, its good to know what others use for production...the machines I sometimes tinker with dxf is not required. I might call dxf "fun format". It's like a defacto standard that's not that standard.

Years ago requested a factory I was in partnership with used same design tools as it saved a load of time; had enough of pro engineer and alpha cam sending me back exploded mess. The post was also to highlite what happens on typical routes from standard packages with good ol "dxfs". You wont find R12 or polyarcs in most standard drawing tools. Also, seems machines that cost thousands and thousands are in many ways or sometimes using software flavours that are not documented well enough.

I am based on a glass factory; 3 waterjets and 5 glass cncs at my disposal. I was really curious to see what dxfs work or how well they work on the two main cam platforms. It was about 2hours work with many types of dxf files and in the end found the polyarc tolerance I like best and would work on all machines.

My setup....
I run a small prototyping company and the workshop has a few cncs, my American laser engraver works fast and easy direct from Coreldraw. I use .eps to Vectric to do gcode (mach3) on an engraving machine. Also if I need to do a print and cut job I use CADLINK software occasionally; "signlab" is the main one...i have "engravelab" running a legacy engraving machine that I turned this into a small router but not made time to test it...

Almost forgot about signlab/engravelab option at my disposal until before, seems the polyarc function is there if I ever wanted to go that route. I use some plugin toold for coreldraw and can get perfect polyarcs for any cam people. If anyone is interested or uses corel pm me will happy do a demo or convert a few files. I've not ruled out that German software as it looks like very good potential for a workflow/production idea I'm working on. It can easily work from a command line.

When I was evaluating cnc stuff years ago Cam Bam interested me and was one I remembered as "promising". Are you using any of the advanced features like that scripting?

Does it take Gerber files for isolation milling?
What machines are you running??

Kindest Regards

Stefano

Update: Vectric/Aspire also seems "in" the polyarc club
https://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?t=29528
I think the cheaper cut2d product they sell likely has the same
filters.

Update: signlab confirmed polyarc export.
Not tested but very likely fine.

EDITED: 12 Sep 2020 by LIGHTWAVE

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