A. Cad Compress: FastCAM will check for connected entities and attempt to combine or reduce them into one long entity to improve cutting performance.
Max line length to round: This setting tells FastCAM the maximum total length of connected entities it is permitted to compress to one entity. This length should be set relative to the part size and the mean entity length in the part. In general, a larger part with longer entities will benefit from a larger length limit. Note that the number that FastCAM generates automatically as a default is based on the overall part size and a fairly good indicator.
Max. shape divergence: When compressing and replacing multiple entities with one long entity it is unlikely that it will cover the exact path of all the old entities, so this value sets a margin of error. If the replacement entity is too far away from the original, it won't be added in. The larger this number, the more likely a set of entities will be compressed, but the more deformed the shape will become. As with Max line length, divergence should be proportional to the part size.
Q. After running 'CAD Clean' and CAD Compress', there was a prompt to 'check against original'. When I select 'yes' the pointer (mouse cursor) showed that it was processing. When I left-clicked I discovered a drop down list with a blue message that said 'Plot'. When I left-clicked again, another drop down list with a blue message said 'Satisfactory'. How do you define Satisfactory?
A. Check Against Original: Once the software has completed checking the entire drawing and decided on which entities to compress, it will overlay the original on top of this compressed shape, as 2 different colours. You can view the shape through FastPLOT ('Plot'), a simulator that allows you to visually inspect how much deviation has taken place by allowing you to zoom in to different places closely before you cut.
Satisfactory?: You are asked to confirm because compression may sometimes deform the original shape. Meaning you will lose some of the original details. The definition is subject to the customer's requirement as to the size and finer cut quality of the part. This can range from a large shipping panel 5ft long becoming one inch longer on one end due to compression. Hardly a problem therefore this is satisfactory. A small jagged leaf cut out that has been compressed into an oval would be unsatisfactory.
Q. When trying to match DXF layers to machine processes, I noticed a duplication of a layer name. Do I need to delete the duplicated layers?
A. The duplicate DXF layers do not interfere with FastCAM's layer matching.
If you want, you can remove the duplicate layers by deleting the file in your FastCAM directory C:\Program Files\FastCAM\DXF.DAT.
Q. I followed your figure on CAD layer shown on page 142 (FastCAM Reference Manual, Revision 6) and noted that DXF layer name at the left column (under the heading 'Drawing Analysis') is defined with 'OUTSIDERPROFILE' AND 'INSIDERPROFILE'. Also, there are two machine processes available Op#1 - Plasma1 and Op#2 - Plasma2 under the heading 'DXF LAYERS PREDEFINED'. I have parts that also need to be cut inside and outside the line. My question is should I define the 2 DXF layers each for the inside cut and outside? The Plasma1 and Plasma2 as shown in the example, are they referring to two plasma torches or just one plasma torch but two operations?
A. Some torches are very flexible. There are setups where 2 different torches are used to cut inside and outside separately or alternatively the same torch might have multiple settings or profiles where it is used for a variety of job types. However, if you are using the same torch with the same settings to cut insides and outsides, there is no need to separate it into two processes.
Q. I tried to place some text (not to be marked on plate) on the part and then tried to move it around. I couldn't do it. Also, is it possible to include text for scribing onto the plate?
A. Once you have added Text to the screen it is now a 'Text Entity'. This is useful for part identification within a nest. If you click on the 'red cross' show control point button on the toolbar, you will see that on the bottom left of the text there is a control point. This is the text reference point. To move the text, go to the Text Menu and select 'move' item. Select a text reference point (you can click on the Show Control Point button again to help you find it and select a new point to place the text again).
It you want to convert the text to machine movements for part marking it is simple enough to do but it is sold as an add-on function and costs $495.00. Once you install the TextMarker option you can create text marking code in both FastCAM and FastNEST, depending on the Marking tool you want to use. FastCAM can then convert the text into simple lines and arcs to make use of marking tools. We also support printer heads that use their own format and accept a string only as input from the NC file.
Video Demonstrations are being added to the Downloads Area of our