Embedded Files
Preparing the File
Preparing the File
Download your DXF file off onto the plasma cutter computer.
Export a drawing using Onshape or Download a file from another program
Give the file a unique name.
2. Click on this icon Open VCarve Pro
3. Press the "New" tool to Create a new file in VCarve.
4. Adjust the Height and Width if needed
then Click OK
5. Press the "Import Vectors" button shown below to Import your DXF file
6. Merge the vectors
Select your whole DXF by clicking in one of the corners and dragging the rectangle over every line.
Select the "Join" Button from the Edit Objects tab
A small window will pop up, click "Join"
7. Calculate Internal Toolpaths
Select a line from the inside of your part (should highlight entire inner vector)
Select the "Toolpath" tab on the far right of the screen
Select the top left option for a 2D toolpath
Make sure settings match the image if using 1/8-inch aluminum Make sure allowance is -0.0065 for correct tolerance and cut size
Note that Internal Toolpath Machine Vectors are set to "Inside/Left"
Then name the toolpath and click "Calculate"
8. Calculate External Toolpath (outline)
Go back to 2D view
(a) Merge Vectors (skip if outline is already one vector (one solid piece))
Click a part of the outline
Once highlighted, hold shift and click the remaining segments of the outline
Repeat earlier steps to merge vectors
(b) Once outline is one vector (one solid piece)
Select a part of the outline (whole outline should be highlighted)
Select the "Toolpath" tab on the far right of the screen
Select the top left option for a 2D toolpath
Make sure settings match the image if using 1/8-inch aluminum Make sure allowance is -0.0065 for correct tolerance and cut size
Note that for the outline the machine vector is selected to be "Outside/Right"
Then name the toolpath and click "Calculate"
9. Export Internal Toolpath
Select your internal toolpath and then select Save Toolpath from the Toolpath tab
Then click Save Toolpath(s)... and save it into the downloads folder of the computer
10. Export External Toolpath
Repeat steps used for Internal Toolpath
Cutting the part
Cutting the part
1. Left Click on the Icon shown to open the CNC Software
2. Once the software opens click the green button on the side of the Plasma cutter
3. Click the button shown below with two plugs to enable the machine
4. Agree to any safety warnings that pop up
5. Place material in the machine in desired location
6. Zero X and Y Axis of the Plasma Cutter
Use the direction pad to move the tip of the plasma cutter to the desired location of the bottom left corner of the part.
Click Set then click Zero X and Y
7. Zero Z Axis of the Plasma Cutter
Use the direction pad to move the tip of the plasma cutter to move the tip lightly touching the metal
Click Set then click Zero Z
*IMPORTANT* Don't move on with tip on the metal, as it will ruin the nozzle and electrode. Make sure to follow steps 3 and 4 before proceeding
Click on the 0.01 movement setting to the right of the arrows, and then move the Z up until it reaches 0.06
Then set Z to zero again
The whole point of this process is to get the torch head 0.06 inches above the metal
8. Dry Run
Click the load button
Find your Internal Toolpath
3. Click Dry Run
4. Make sure all settings match the image
5. Click the Play Button
Make sure the tip never goes off the edge of the material and everything runs smoothly
9. Cut the part
Unclick Dry Run
Open the exhaust vent by rotating the red lever to the vertical counter-clockwise position, parallel to the exhaust pipe
Make sure that IC airflow turned on (switch turned to auto on metal box next to laser cutters)
Open the compressed air valve by rotating blue lever to the vertical up position, parallel to the pipe
Click the Reload Button
Click the Play Button
10. Now upload your External Toolpath (Outline) and repeat previous steps
Removing the Part
Removing the Part
!!Do Not Open the Machine until following these steps!!
!!Do Not Open the Machine until following these steps!!
Move the tip to the back of the machine with the direction pad
Disconnect the computer from the machine by clicking the button shown below with two plugs
3. After the compressed air turns off
Close the compressed air valve by rotating blue lever to the Horizontal position, Perpendicular to the pipe
Close the exhaust vent by rotating the red lever to the horizontal clockwise position, perpendicular to the exhaust pipe
4. Wait 5-10 minutes allow parts to cool.
Use gloves to remove parts
5. Remove the extra metal from the CNC machine as well as your part.
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