cnc-club.ru

I just started working with gcodetools yesterday so forgive my ignorance
In the tutorial you say to set the tool diameter, where
I have downloaded the latest version, under help tab is says 1.6.01
Whether I use all in one -> tool library or just select tool library there are only radio buttons, no fields to fill in
I am trying to work throught the tutorial 'Gcode tools ver. 1.2 Area processing tutorial'

Richard

Tool library tab, just adds a tool definition to the painting.

So select tools library tab and press apply. You'll see that the green rectangle with several parameters will be added to the scene. You can edit those parameters using Text tool (F8).

PS It's should be easier to use specialised extensions instead of all in one.

Basically, to Export any path to Gcode use Gcodetools -> Path to gcode, fill in filename, chose Path to Gcode tab and press Apply. A set of orientation points and a tool will be added automatically. And the Gcode for the Path will be generated.

Thanks for the help
I really appreciate your hard work
If possible can I export, I believe it is called, parametric gcode
What I have done so far all the gcode values are "hardcoded"

Richard

In newer versions there's an Post-processor option. And all parameterization is done there.

So open preferences tab and choose Post-processor: Parameterize Gcode.

Thanks
Doin great so far
I figure sooner or later you are going tell me to just edit the gcode but before then I will ask first
Is there a easy way to ramp down and/or make spiral cuts

Richard

Unfortunately there's no way to ramp down now. But it's in the plans.
As for the spiral cut there's a development feature: http://www.cnc-club.ru/forum/viewtopic. ... =164#p1959

I guess that is why setting different values in the tool dialog makes no difference
I tried changing penetration angle and depth step but could see no change
How does your app determine the order of the cuts
I am trying to find a way to order the cuts so that the inside of objects are cut out before the outside

Richard

Penetration angle is not working now. I'll be used when ramping penetration will be implemented.

As for the order of cutting. Gcodetools orders the paths to reduce the time to go from one path to another. To make sure that one paths will be cut before others just put them to the other layer. Cutting is done from topmost layer to bottommost.

You can check the order of cutting by Gcodetools -> Tools Library -> Select Just check tools and press Apply.

In the development version you can choose between cutting path-by-path and pass-by-pass. Also theres option that disables path sorting.

Using tools check you should get something like this:

First Thank you for a useful tool

2 problems possibly related problems.

1. I do not understand the orientation tab or how you are creating or using orientation points.
Where can I find information on this?

2. In trying to generate a path I an getting the following error:

File "gcode_tools-develope.py", line 1730, in effect
self.orientation( self.layers[min(1,len(self.layers))] )
IndexError: list index out of range.

What Am I doing wrong?

Craig,
Enumclaw,WA,USA
(Just North of Mount Raineer)

Craig Kernan писал(а):1. I do not understand the orientation tab or how you are creating or using orientation points. Where can I find information on this?

Orientation points is a system which allows to orientate/scale/transpose the drawing to your machine requirements. Basically it defines zerro point and (100,0) point of the machine. Also 3rd coordinate of orientation points defines machining depth. So for example if you want to mill from Z=100 to Z=20, define the points like (0;0;100) and (0;0;20). All values are in machine units.

Craig Kernan писал(а):2. In trying to generate a path I an getting the following error: File "gcode_tools-develope.py", line 1730, in effect self.orientation( self.layers[min(1,len(self.layers))] ) IndexError: list index out of range.What Am I doing wrong?

Attach your svg, I got to check it.

Thanks for the feedback.

After experimenting I found that If I applied orientation first the problem seemed to go away.:
I will send a file if you still want it.

New problem, possibly a bug:

In inkscape I used scaling x=-1 to flip the svg image in x.
Result appeared to be OK and placed in the place, ( Image flipped about x center line of the image)

When using g-code tools on the flipped image the resulting file contained the g-code for the correctly flipped image
+ g-code for the anchor points of the not flipped image.
(The extra code seemed to be drill holes for straight segments and short paths for curved segment.)

Craig

Craig Kernan писал(а):When using g-code tools on the flipped image the resulting file contained the g-code for the correctly flipped image + g-code for the anchor points of the not flipped image.

You can easily flip axis using post-processor flip: basic syntax:
flip(x); flips x axis
flip(xy); flips x and y axis
flip(y,x); flips x,y axis
flip(x,y); flips x,y axis
See gcodetools post-processor theme for some additional details.

As for drilling there's dfx point for that. Dfx points were implemented to be able import single points from dfx files. You can add a dfx point from orientation tab.