Controlling cut direction with Centerline layer in DXF

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David Hall
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Controlling cut direction with Centerline layer in DXF

Post by David Hall »

Has anyone figured out how to control the cut direction using the centerline layer? The machine seems to start anywhere it wants on the chain and go in whatever direction it feels like.

Thanks,

Dave
David Hall
Hall's Edge Inc.
eCabinets Machining Services
http://www.HallsEdge.com
Brad McIntosh
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Ceterline - Cut Direction

Post by Brad McIntosh »

David,

I believe the reason it does this is, well basically, if you are doing a CENTERLINE operation eCabinets cannot determine which side is the \"good edge\". (It's kinda like driving down the middle of the road... you're half-right no matter what direction!)

You might want to consider the CHAIN COMPIN or CHAIN COMPOUT layers as both of these operations tell Control Nesting (aka CN) which side of the geometry you wish to have your tool on and then, combined with the type of cut you have defined in the settings (climb or conventional), the correct cutting direction can be automatically determined. (Note: Unlike CENTERLINE, both variations of the CHAIN layer/operation require that the geometry be closed. This is how CN can determine what is INside and what is OUTside of the CHAIN.)

At least I possibly think that maybe it works that way.... :?
Brad McIntosh
CNC Automation

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Brad McIntosh
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Centerline Woes...

Post by Brad McIntosh »

BUMP!

David... did you resolve your \"issue\"??

Just wondering...
Brad McIntosh
CNC Automation

Home: http://www.cncautomation.com
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David Hall
eCabinets Beta Tester
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Post by David Hall »

No.

I've been running some MDF molding, panels and doors and CN just goes in whatever direction it wants to.

For the panels and doors i could try chain compin but I don't trust it. I've had problems with chain compin in the past where it picks a corner of the shape to start at and although it has compensated to the correct side of the line, the piece is still bad because it started in a corner. I guess I'll try it again and document the problem if it happens this time.

That might get me past the panels... but the matching chair rail? I still don't know if I can run it with DXF files like I want to.

Dave
David Hall
Hall's Edge Inc.
eCabinets Machining Services
http://www.HallsEdge.com
Jason Susnjara
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Post by Jason Susnjara »

Hi David,

There is a bug with the chaincompin when the bit starts in the corner. We are looking to resolve this. You can try to break up a line at the middle to see if that helps with that problem. The issue with centerline is that we don't have an idea of which way is which especially if it is just a line and not a closed contour. Are you running into bad cuts when using centerline layer names?

thanks,
David Hall
eCabinets Beta Tester
Posts: 593
Joined: Tue, May 17 2005, 12:41PM
Location: Stamford, CT USA
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Post by David Hall »

Hi Jason,

Not bad cuts, just better cuts with a finish pass in the climb cut direction. I understand lines and arcs don't have a direction, but if we could indicate a start point it would be helpful.

Even a consistant approach like lower x to higher x and lower y to higher y would help in some cases. Anything that makes the cut direction of centerline cuts predictable would improve the power of this tool.

Regards,
Dave
David Hall
Hall's Edge Inc.
eCabinets Machining Services
http://www.HallsEdge.com
Ryan Hochgesang

Post by Ryan Hochgesang »

Hi Dave,

As Jason has told you, at this time the chain comp IN/OUT layer has a bug when applied to layers with closed corner contours. Our software engineering dept. is currently looking for the fix and will release the update as soon as they can get the fix. The comp in/out layer is what needs to be used in order to get a given cut direction. When using the centerline layer there is no way to control cut direction.
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