Part 1 Milling date creation prepare menu


Functions in CAM area

Prepare the CAM functions in the menu

Dimension line
Measurement two positions
Measurement to frame
Mark intersection points
Join tracks
Sort tracks
Track optimisation
Finish track

Prepare the functions in the menu
The functions available in your program are dependent on your program configuration and can deviate from these instructions. You always obtain current information on the operation of the functions using the program help.
Dimension line

The data indicate a line between two points. The point last input is saved and is again available as first point of a renewed measurement. With this, for example, a point can be specified in Zoom and thereafter the 2nd point can be positioned in another graphic setting. With simultaneous pressing of the <Sft> key, the next point in ActLayer is held.


Inputs:

<L>, <Ret>: Determine start of the dimension line.
<R>, <Esc>: End function.

Display:

dx, dy: Length of the dimension line in X and Y (Cartesian values).
R, An: Length of the dimension line R and direction An (polar values).
Measurement two positions.

Survey two positions to each other and display the result of separation X and Y, length and angle. The measurement takes place over all graphic layers.

Inputs:

Position1 (x,y) Select the 1st position.
Position2 (x,y) Select the 2nd position.
<R>, <Esc>: End function.

Display:

dx, dy: Separation of the positions in X and Y (Cartesian values).
R, An: Separation of the positions R and direction An (polar values).
Measurement to the frame

Display the location of a position absolute and relative to the frame. The measurement takes place over all graphic layers.

Inputs:

input position (x,y) Select the position whose location is to be indicated.
<R>, <Esc>: End function.

Display:

X, Y, Z Data of the position (absolute, referred to the zero point).
li, bo, re, to: Separation of the position to the frame (relative, to the work limit).

li: Separation of the position to the frame left.
bo: Separation of the position to the frame bottom.
re: Separation of the position to the frame right.
to: Separation of the position to the frame top
Mark intersection points
Check of the data in the actLayer before milling path calculations.


Auto TrackCheck (checked vector and text data):
The following is carried out in succession: track optimisationjoin trackscheck direction of rotation(embossed or incised correction), check intersection points.


Limitations:

  • If the layer contains 3D or milling data the function is aborted.
  • If text data is available for this layer the check is complete, however without text and result adoption in the graphic layer. Otherwise, the checked and possibly corrected data are adopted in the graphic layer.

Track check (checks vector data only):
Closed contours are filled and errors which are to be found within the selected grid resolution, are marked. Contours are marked green or blue according to their direction, sections are marked in yellow. The area around errors, such as crossovers and false direction of rotation are marked in red. The marked areas can contain errors. Therefore they should be examined again in ZOOM.

Following the examination the areas enclosed by the contours are displayed using Areas enclosed by contours: in mm², cm² und m². The accuracy is determined by the check resolution set.

Seek intersection pts (checks vector data only):
All crossovers are marked and saved. The latest registered crossovers are also drawn in the CAD with every graphic configuration. If double points are present in the data set then these points are marked, however max. 500 points.

Delete intersection pts:
Deletes the actual list of intersection points. The list of the crossovers is also deleted with the next milling correction or with the next call-up of marked intersection points.

Join tracks

Open sections in the ActLayer, as far as it is possible within the selected tolerance, are combined into contours. If the error is set to 0 (recommended setting), the program seeks, automatically with gradually increasing tolerance, to close the contours. The automatic procedure is ended when all contours are closed or an error value of 10mm is exceeded. The contours are subsequently correctly rotated for an embossed milling path calculation.

Sort tracks
Determine workingoff sequence of the paths.

Auto:
Automatic milling path sorting. The contours and sections in the ActLayer are so sorted the shortest free paths result. This function does not always lead to more favourable milling procedures and should therefore be employed only after comprehensive editing.

First:
The following path to be clicked-on is placed at the first position.

Last:
The following path to be clicked-on is placed at the last position. Alternatively sorting can be using the marking tool (arrow). The data are bound in this order at the end of the layer after cancellation of the marking. In this way the data have been worked off in the order in which they were marked.

One forward:
The path to be clicked-on is moved forwards one place.

One backward:
The path to be clicked-on is moved backwards one place.

Reverse the sequence:
The sequence of the paths is reversed.

Sort track/section:
Closed contours and open sections are sorted into different layers.

Sorting inwards/outwards:
The data are so sorted that paths lying inside are worked off before the paths lying outside. Sections are sorted before contours, i.e., worked off first.

Contour nesting:
Separate the content of the ActLayer into sections and contours and group the contours starting from the outside. This function is required primarily for contour sorting for ‘HCAM . ReliefVTR’.

Track optimisation
This function removes unnecessary supporting points and repeatedly reoccurring completely congruent tracks in the Actlayer. Smaller contours can be filtered out and open sections closed. The application is particularly suitable for data processing after a border search in the scanner program.
Least elongation: Smaller contours, which undercut this value in their elongation, are filtered out.
Least number of support points: Polygons with few support points are removed.
Close track: With YES open sections are closed into contours.
Vector resolution (Support point resolution: High resolutions require a long calculation time and lead, under certain circumstances to errors. If the resolution is to remain unchanged, then one is to work with the highest setting (500000).
Finish track
Auto clean-up. Vector data (e.g. from the scanner module) are processed. This function sharpens detectable corners and smooth curves. If paths are marked, then they are marked, otherwise process the data in the ActLayer.
Scan image resolution: This function should be first set with ca. the doubled scanner resolution and then set ever coarser until the desired result is achieved.
Setting finish track [0..3]: The data to be worked contain

0 Fine straights and arcs (without corner determination with interpolation).
1 Straights, corners and arcs (standard) (with corner determination with interpolation).
2 Mainly straights, corners (with corner determination without interpolation).
3 Straights and corners, coarse, (with corner determination without interpolation).
Track optimisation [Y/N]: Finally, unnecessary points are removed using a Track optimisation.

Note:
This function can be employed repeatedly very advantageously. Before the first call-up save your graphic in another layer. Now use Finish track with Track optimisation = YES on one of the layers. You can compare the result with the specification at any time. As required, Finish track repeats with the same or somewhat smaller Scan image resolution. If the function has altered your data to
o much, then get back the last result using UnDo.