Art Path generating cut path male/female

[Mikexx]

I created a DXF file and opened this in Art Path

I selected the shape and all was highlighted implying a continuous shape.

Then selected Male in the GUI and entered details for a routing path.

When I hit generate I got the following, that implies that some cut paths are female?

Where am I going wrong?

 

[Boudica]

maybe they are non-binary.

 

[packratsigns]

Looks like your DXF is in segments. Need to join the points. What software do you use to edit or create the dxf ?

 

[Mikexx]

Looks like your DXF is in segments. Need to join the points. What software do you use to edit or create the dxf ?

Many thanks for the reply. It is a sketch in SolidWorks and the lines are continuous and joined. Move a point and two lines or arc move in sympathy.

 

[James Burke]

My guess is that Art Path is not recognizing the constraints of SolidWorks.

JB

 

[Mikexx]

My guess is that Art Path is not recognizing the constraints of SolidWorks.

JB

I used a DXF file saved from SolidWorks. This is a standard file format so wondering what the issue might be?

 

[James Burke]

I used a DXF file saved from SolidWorks. This is a standard file format so wondering what the issue might be?

I mainly use AutoCAD and just started using SolidWorks after a 20-year hiatus. I've exported several .dxf files from SW and have opened them in Gerber Omega and AutoCAD without any issues.

Try opening the rogue .dxf file in another application to see if it behaves in the same manner.

Double check your export preferences in SW to see if there's a selection that needs to be checked. Also, check your Art Path import preferences to see if there's something you may have missed.

JB

 

[James Burke]

Ok, so the way I understand the issue is that the tool path is "jumping" from one side of the cut line to the other, correct?

Assuming your original SW file is a solid (extruded) part, select the "Faces/loops/edges" button and then click on the face of your geometry. Then select the green check mark.

JB

 

[James Burke]

The curves appear to be the issue. I know from experience that many applications don't handle splines very well. Select the "Export all spines as polylines" and see if that helps.

JB

 

[James Burke]

One other thought is perhaps your .dxf file from SW has a double outline, indicating the fact that there is a corner radius around the profile of the SolidWorks model. If so, Art Path might be confused as to which of these profile lines to follow.

JB

 

[Mikexx]

Many thanks for your posts, it is greatly appreciated.
I followed your instructions to the letter. Originally it was simply a sketch but on your suggestion I extruded the part, I modified the System Options as per your post and saved the part to DXF and selected the face.

There is an improvement as in the left hand line cut path is outside, but the ArtPath is still confused with being inside/outside of the arcs.

I can open the DXF file in FreeCAD but it is noticeable that an arc is not treated as a "spline" and so not converted to polylines.

I thought I would check for a female tool path and as expected it is the reverse of the male.

I feel very stuck, as ArtPath seems very fussy on what it will import.

 

[James Burke]

I thought I would check for a female tool path and as expected it is the reverse of the male.

I feel very stuck, as ArtPath seems very fussy on what it will

There is no such thing as male/female tool paths. Your dilemma seems to stem from the way ArtPath handles "cutter compensation". In other words, which side of the path the cutter travels, and in which direction around the part.

JB

 

[Mikexx]

Art Path describes:
"Male allows the user to generate a tool path to create a solid shape from the material. Clicking
on the Male Tool opens the Default Male Info Dialog Box."

and:
"Female allows the user to generate a tool path to create a stencil from the material."

I had hoped the cut line would be continuous and reflect either obtaining a solid shape or the removal of material leading to a cut-out of the correct dimension taking into account the tool size.

So, I'm wondering where I'm going wrong?

 

[James Burke]

Art Path describes:
"Male allows the user to generate a tool path to create a solid shape from the material. Clicking
on the Male Tool opens the Default Male Info Dialog Box."

and:
"Female allows the user to generate a tool path to create a stencil from the material."

I had hoped the cut line would be continuous and reflect either obtaining a solid shape or the removal of material leading to a cut-out of the correct dimension taking into account the tool size.

So, I'm wondering where I'm going wrong?

Essentially, it boils down to semantics. It defines the "gender" based upon which side of the line it cuts.

Usually, "conversational" CNC controls typically define this as "cutter compensation". You are given the choice of placing the cut path left of the line, directly on the line, or to the right of the line.

Another factor is the direction of cutter travel around the path. "Conventional milling" is running the cutter against the path of travel. "Climb milling" is when the cutter rotates in the same direction as it travels along the path.

Regardless of what ArtPath calls it, I think their intentions are very similar, without having to burden the user with a lot of extra terminology.


In case you haven't already guessed, I'm an old-school tool and die guy.

JB

 

[James Burke]

Many thanks for your posts, it is greatly appreciated.
I followed your instructions to the letter. Originally it was simply a sketch but on your suggestion I extruded the part, I modified the System Options as per your post and saved the part to DXF and selected the face.

There is an improvement as in the left hand line cut path is outside, but the ArtPath is still confused with being inside/outside of the arcs.

View attachment 175374
I feel very stuck, as ArtPath seems very fussy on what it will import.

Is it just the screen resolution, or do you have breaks between your arcs? Honestly, your issues with ArtPath are consistent and seem to be pointing to that fact.

Start over and draw the design again, except with square corners. Then, go back and apply the radii to your sketch using the fillet (sketch) command as I've shown in the sketch below.

JB

 

[Joe House]

Have you tried opening the dxf in composer? Check and see how the lines are handled in there? You should be able to see how the shape is grouped, or not select s line segment there and see if adjacent lines move together.