Big Drawing

[tony3di]

Hello all.
I've been using sheetcam for the past 2 months without problems. I use it with mach3 and all works well. Now i have a new chalenge. My plasma table has a cut area of 4' X 4' and i need to cut a design with 4' X 8' in the same sheet. Anybody here did something like this. Whats the best way to do it without having to cut the sheet in two.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[tony3di]

I basically need to do something similar as in the video, from 11:25 to 12:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4knPtYjc2s8 . Anybody done this or something similar without having to create two diferent designs before cutting? What is the best method for you guys?

[ArchieF]

Hi Toni,

you might find some ideas watching this video :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qamt1w3 ... e=youtu.be

Richard

[WyoGreen]

What you're talking about is called indexing. You basically lay out your design for a 4' x 8' sheet, making 2 levels, each one 4' x 4'. You then put the 4 x 8 sheet on your table, supporting the overhanging end with a roller or such. You cut the 1st 4x4 level, then move the sheet and cut the 2nd 4x4 level. You have to make sure the sheet is moved (indexed) just right so the cuts line up with each other. I've done this a few times, and as long as you're careful with you're layout and indexing, it works very well. A search for plasma indexing should turn up a few videos showing this process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZKtq7YfZbg

Steve

[tony3di]

So I see... What i was missing was the creation of a 2nd layer to do the 2nd cut. What i still haven't got correctly is the mach3 part specially set it to avoid end stops and sorts. Lot of work if you have to do several big cuts for this Xmas. Any pointers on the mach3 side 'cause haven't found a video about just yet.

Thanks

[tony3di]

I finally got everything working great on the mach3 . I managed a simple way with all your help, to make these bigger parts in a very consistent and acurate manner.
Thanks again guys.