Layer based tool selection
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:04 pm
First - the issue. We built a plasma tube cutting machine. It runs a 24 foot long tube per cut. The tube is fed to the torch as opposed to moving the torch. Since it cuts sequentially, that is it cuts then moves to the next until the whole tube has been processed, I have to mark the part between cuts. Right now, that means lots of layers, i.e. cut1, mark1, cut2, mark2, etc..
Makes for long process in setting up the drawings and the job.
My thoughts on how a solution could work: I could make my drawing with two layers, Cut and Mark. If you had an "all layers" option which would process all layers as though all elements were on the one layer, I could simply set up the plasma tool as normal and set the cut sequence as I need it to cut AND mark sequentially as required. The challenge now is changing from the torch to the scribe where required. If you could pass the layer info to the post processor, I could change the behavior based on the layer. For example, On pen down, if layer == mark, then offsetx and offsety and insert Mx into the code else do the normal code insertions.
I'm thinking simple workaround here as opposed to major code writing.
I also don't know if more goes on after the post processor which could render my thoughts impractical or impossible but being able to mark and cut large batches is becoming a major issue for me. Based on what I've been finding on the internet, a lot of guys are adding scribe functionality to their CNC's. Maybe there is more support for a more formal approach to easily embed a switch over between cut and mark.
RC
Makes for long process in setting up the drawings and the job.
My thoughts on how a solution could work: I could make my drawing with two layers, Cut and Mark. If you had an "all layers" option which would process all layers as though all elements were on the one layer, I could simply set up the plasma tool as normal and set the cut sequence as I need it to cut AND mark sequentially as required. The challenge now is changing from the torch to the scribe where required. If you could pass the layer info to the post processor, I could change the behavior based on the layer. For example, On pen down, if layer == mark, then offsetx and offsety and insert Mx into the code else do the normal code insertions.
I'm thinking simple workaround here as opposed to major code writing.
I also don't know if more goes on after the post processor which could render my thoughts impractical or impossible but being able to mark and cut large batches is becoming a major issue for me. Based on what I've been finding on the internet, a lot of guys are adding scribe functionality to their CNC's. Maybe there is more support for a more formal approach to easily embed a switch over between cut and mark.
RC