Hello All!
New user to Arcdroid and learning everyday! I just created a simple piece in Solid works and for some reason when ArcDroid opens the file its adding a different cut path… to better explain I have attached the screen shots of the saved Solid works file and a screen shot on the ArcDroid. Seems AD is creating a new path amd not cutting properly. Thanks in advance!
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This has to do with the Solidworks file and how it creates the radius in the bottom corner…this then goes on to break the Kerf algorithm
DXF is a horribly complicated 40 year old format that we are still finding glitches in.
We may have already solved that one. What version of Simple Trace are you Using?
Can you share the dxf file with us? By email if you can and we’ll have a look. More data is good as we continue to develop.
thanks
AM
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Yup I had a look pretty sure this one is solved in the latest version of Simple trace available on our website.
Do the upgrade and you should be golden
Cheer
AM
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Hi Andrew!
Appreciate the prompt response both here and on IG… I reupdated the firmware on both Simple Trace and Arddroid. Still having the same issue. Please see screen shot images below.
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This is the DXF file I am trying to cut.
Rear suspension Pivot Brace final with dimple #1.DXF (23.3 KB)
Thanks again in advance for the support!
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So it’s got something to do with this corner radius and the way Solidworks exports it.
I’ve got my code guy working on a fix but short term if you eliminate that radius it seems to work just fine
I’ll get back to you when we figure out where it’s breaking the kerf
Cheers
AM
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In the original Solidworks part…Did you radius those corners in sketch mode or did you extrude it first and radius them in feature mode? It seems to me we ran into that at work a few years ago. I believe making the radius’ in feature mode took care of it. I don’t know why, but it might be worth a shot.
Cmsmoke ~ I did the radius after extruding the design… Took your question and redesigned in in Sketch mode and radiused the corners before extruding. I think this fixed the issue. There are no broken cut paths or random paths. Will test tomorrow morning on an actual cut.
Had another small hiccup. in trace. When I tried to trace a 5 sided shape the last line woud not line up with the first starting point to close the loop. The stylus point is physically on the starting point but the screen shows the green circle either above or below. Any ideas? Did a calibration of both stylus and torch. Love learning new technology!! Thanks for all the help so far!
Attached is a screen shot of the now working cut path. Looks like Fillets ( radiuses) need to be done before extrusion in sketch mode. Hope there is a solution for cutting fillets in extruded mode.
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I’m glad that one of those ways solved it. I had it backward, but like I said, it has been a few years ago. I use Solidworks daily and make my extrusions first then radius, becuase it’s easier and 99.9% of the time that method is fine. Every once in a while an anomaly will rear its ugly head transfering a DXF from software to software, but it is usually solvable.
The Trace question is definetly for Andrew. I don’t have any experience in tracing a part, but have used the drawing part of it. I do have one thought…If you have the snap to grid turned on (upper left of screen), maybe it is not allowing you to close, due to the size of your grid pattern?
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Sounds like snap grid is on. You can change/toggle those parameters using the three icons inthe top left of the trace screen.
BUT you can always close a trace back to its origin easily…thats what this little parameter is for…toggle open closed polygon.
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Got it! Much appreciate both your feedback and wealth of knowledge! Definitely looking forward to learning more about this machine!
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Maybe try making a drawing of the part in the desired view then export to DXF. Make sure you remove the hole crosshairs as Archdroid seems to put those all on top of each other at the center of the grid.
Bracket.DXF (22.6 KB)
That is how I made the attached file. The issue I have is that the second one of the bolt holes the archdroid tries to cut from about an inch off the metal.
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Hey Paul
The “inch off the material” thing is almost certainly a false probe. And has nothing to do with your file
The ArcDroid probes by sensing slack in the Z cable. So if anything causes the torch to Hang up prematurely it will cause it to probe higher than expected.
So make sure your Z slides are Clean and lightly lubricated.
Make sure your torch cables are well supported and that they are not causing undue torque on the Z slides.
And don’t zip tie or otherwise attach anything to the Z cable.
You can also adjust your Head with the dovetail on the front to make sure you are operating in the upper half of the Z travel this will maximize the spring pressure and reduce likelihood of false probes
Cheers
AM
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