Hi
I’ve started to use my new Arcdroid and I am now starting to program using QCad/Cam. I have a few questions about the use of CAM software for someone who has never used i. I do have the post processor installed.
- will the software override the values I put into the Arcdroid.. (ie. Z offset, ker, etc)?
- If I need to create new tool in qcad, should I create a new tool for each media and thickness around amperage, speed etc? For example 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4” steel…aluminum… stainless etc?
Any help would be appreciated, I have my settings in a spreadsheet already
I use Qcad to do my drawing and then run it through sheetcam as the post processor. I have not used the gcode directly from Qcad but I can confirm that the values used in sheetcam will override the values used in the arcdroid.
I have done some experimenting and found the following regarding the CaM processor
- you have to set up the tools for each material if you want to save them
- You need to set the safe height ( ex .5”) and cut height (ex .060”)
- Speed is either mm or imp and is set based on material thickness and power output
You can output the gcode file and it will obey the parameters for the tool assigned. Yes, it will change speeds if you chose a different tool for a separate path. For example, I cut for very clean accuracy at 57 ipm, but if I’m knocking out straight cuts on a perimeter I can use something like 67 ipm
** if your Arcdroid is properly setup and zeroed when you start the program, it will obey the safe zero heights and offset you put in during initial setup. This is important as qcad/cam seems to default the cut depth as 4” and I was confused about that.
hope this helps
