A few years back I converted a Harbor Freight Gear-head mill to CNC. I purchased BobCAD to make my drawings and generate G-code. I'm on my third version of BobCadd (Version 23) and I can get around in it pretty well. Now that I'm trying to make drawings for Plasma (2-axis instead of three) I have no idea how to make this thing cut. If some of you guys are using BobCAD, can you send me a sample G-code that works with the Torchmate software? I'm not even sure what the code is to turn the torch on and off. Here's a video of my CNC mill in action using BobCAD and Mach III Mill.

YouTube - Making Chocks then Powder-coating (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzTZp4g8uTU)

I received the Post Processor from BobCAD for Torchmate Plasma, but I don't see where it changes anything when generating G-code. If you have a simple G-code for cutting holes or something that would be very helpful.

Thank you.
Scott - Waxahachie, Texas

The Torchmate Drivers software uses G00, G01, G02, and G03 commands. It utilized automatic M-Code executions for tool on and off commands, therefore none are needed in the code. The first cutting code needs an FXXX (XXX equals feedrate in inches per minute) to determine the speed, and that is the only non G-Code used in the software. Obviously only needs an X and a Y command for two axis Plasma

Sample Code, 3 inch square, not offset for kerf width, at 100 in/min:

G00 X0 Y0
G01 X0 Y3 F100
G01 X3 Y3
G01 X3 Y0
G01 X0 Y0
G00 X0 Y0

With .060" kerf compensation:

G00 X0 Y0
G01 X0 Y3.06 F100
G01 X3.06 Y3.06
G01 X3.06 Y0
G01 X0 Y0

Or you can simply export a 2d dxf of lines you want the machine to follow, and import it into the drivers software via the Import DXF feature and it will convert it to g-code for you.

Thanks - that is really helpful. This is a dumb question, but if I want to import the DXF file, do I have to generate the cutting path in BobCAD first or can I just import the DXF file into the Torchmate 3 software on the machine computer? I still have a lot to learn but hope to devote some time to it this weekend.

Scott - Waxahachie, TX

You can bring any DXF into the Torchmate Drivers software, and the machine will follow the lines provided. Without a toolpath being done to it, there isn't a gaurantee that it will cut out in the right order (insides before outside) and it won't be offset for the kerf or tool width. I would recommend doing a toolpath on it in BobCAD and saving the toolpath to a DXF.

I'm not too familiar with BobCAD so I won't be much help in that part of the process.

Hi,
I created a hole-drilling Excel spreadsheet that you might find useful. It can be used on a plasma cutter. Just center the plasma where you want the center of the hole and it cuts from that point to the circumference.

I can't seem to upload a file with my basic account on this site. But, the file is posted on the Torchmate users group on Yahoo groups. You can turn off the macros if you are concerned about the integrity of the file. The macros are simple "highlight and copy" procedures that you can do manually. Just copy to notepad and then to your Torchmate software to remove any formatting characters from Excel.
Cheers,
-Joe

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/sNmSTLNZQNELkf6x1hclFNG8krPhyi0Z2ahH9s3dpb8ePuQcxm 2aeyLiguAbb6BUrgdCUMtq9twJIV-xndS4zX_zNx6BWSYrl8gp/G-Code-Generators-01.xls