Hello,
I thought i would post a quick how to setup EstlCam and bust out a quick gcode with it. Simple Trace can do all of this by simply loading the DXF but if its a busy file ( ie very organic in nature) then it might be worth taking the time to set it up before hand OR if has too many segments and and you get the the file too big error. Then you would set the zero point once and then run once: each path file after the other. Ie All the interior paths then the finally the exterior to cut the part out.
Lets get started:
Once installed you need to go to go Settings Basic Settings and if your ArcDroid is set in TUNE for mm, then choose these settings otherwise you will need to mod them to match Inch setting. Dont forget to hit OK.
Usually these settings are pretty static unless the default units on your DXF file are inches and you have it set for mm. You will usually see a pop up warning about the units being off when you load the DXF simply change them and reload the DXF.
Next go the Blue wrench and edit it by clicking on it. Youll want to match this one as well. Make sure plasma is chosen as the output. Diameter is known as your kerf. Feed rate needs to modded for your material OR you can just load the resulting gcode and overwrite everytime with ArcDroid Tune. Plunge rate Z axis (not too important just dont make it too fast) and make sure your feed units match your ArcDroid Tune in either mm/min or imperial units.
The lead in when set here, is the default every time you create a new path or choose automatic in the following steps.
For a particular material you would change the feedrate and possibly the diameter(kerf) everytime otherwise its also pretty static if you work in the same material all the time.
Next up is to load the DXF and set the ZERO point. That will literally be the point when you choose ZERO on the ArcDroid as well. So could be in center, could be corner wherever you want, but very handy to know exactly what your reference point is before hand. HIT ESC to accept the change!
At this point we will start with either of two ways to create your tool paths. One is manually and one is using the automatic feature.
We will start with manual. Here I choose HOLE and set the lead in where on the circle i want it to start and then I drag it out to where i want it to start. HIT ESC and that path is done!
Now lets do the cut out path. Here I choose part as i want the outside of the part and set my lead in where I want it to be. Then Hit ESC to accept it.
OK lets do a quick preview so I know what I am getting matches what i want. I usually hit speed up so i am not there all day.
At this point I would now FILE >SAVE the Project AS to .e12 file somewhere so I dont have recreate this work again and then I would choose FILE > Save CNC PROGRAM and name it and save to my thumbdrive to be run on the ArcDroid with the path and zero point we setup.
When does Automatic Shine? Maybe something like this! Choose your zero point then Choose Automatic > Create objects Automatically and just choose the defaults and OK. YES you will still likely have to go into each of those shapes and edit the lead it to best position possible AND you should run the preview and make sure it was good and something like this you would delete the outline and then do maybe 1/2 of the inner paths as file_1. 1/2 of the inner paths as file_2. Then the outline as file_3. then Home your ArcDroid, Hit ZERO on the ArcDroid. Load your file_1 and hit run. Then you would load file_2 and run (NEVER zero again!! very important) Then load File_3 and you should be good to go.
