New Project Need Help

[grindergary]

I have a customer who wants a 16" circle with a hole 3 1/2" dia in center then a slot from hole to outside edge. I can draw it but can't figure out how to cut it properly. Not sure if I can do it on different layers as the lines are all connected so it wants to cut all at once. Hope you understand what i'm talking about. attached dxf. The slot is just whatever the cut curf is. Plates are 1/2" thick.

This could turn into a big job if I can get it.

Thanks for any ideas.

Gary

[mdwalker]

I'm not familiar with your software but in PlasmaCam it will cut just fine. Link segments and convert to cut path. It will start cutting at the intersection of the inside circle, cut the circle and continue up the line to the outside circle and cut it.

Danny

[pertneer]

It's not so much a software issue, as an issue with thickness of material. With it being 1/2 in thick I would not even blink an eye as to procedure(inside then outside). If you were talking some really thin stuff you may want to rethink it. I would just cut it in one path.

[grindergary]

mdwalker, thanks for the reply. I am using sheetcam.

I was more interested if I can cut the hole counterclockwise to slot, up slot to outside and then run clockwise.

Thanks

gary

[rikduk]

how about you just draw just your inner and outer circle, line up the start points, then "chain-cut" them,

[mdwalker]

mdwalker, thanks for the reply. I am using sheetcam.

I was more interested if I can cut the hole counterclockwise to slot, up slot to outside and then run clockwise.

Thanks

gary

That's what I described. As far as clockwise or counterclockwise it really makes no difference as far as if it will cut. It will make a difference in cut quality. You are basically cutting one continuous line. You start with the inner circle, cut it and follow the cut path to the outer circle and cut it. Like I said, I'm not familiar with how your software operates but in PlasmaCam it's a pretty simple cut. Best thing would be to scale it down and use some thin material to make test cuts on until you are comfortable with the cut.

Danny

[I Lean]

Can you open up the slot so it's wider than one kerf? Make it something like a .100 wide slot, then it will all cut as an "outside offset" normal drawing.

[grindergary]

Thank you all for your responses. I will try to cut something later this week and try your suggestions.

Again, thank you

Gary

[beefy]

Hi Gary,

I think I finally cracked it (after pulling my hair out a few times with attempts that didn't work. The practice was good for me).

Try the attached DXF in Sheetcam. It works in mine. I'm working in metric so when I imported your dxf it went to mm, so just double check the size is still accurate. I used Coreldraw to create a workable file, it has become a powerful tool for situations like this.

In Sheetcam I checked "Offset Open Paths", "Leadin on Open Path". The file is one single open path. If the leadin does not start on the inner circle swap the start point to the other end of the open path. Also the cut direction will affect things too.

PM me with your email address if you also want the working Sheetcam job file. I tried to attach that but Plasmaspider won't allow .JOB file extensions. So I changed it to .XXX and it wouldn't allow that too. So I though a .JPG file extension will work then it said it's not a valid file, arrgh.

Hope it makes you some cash.

Keith.

[grindergary]

Thanks Keith,

PM sent to you.

Gary