mastercam and plasma cutting

[ssilverstein]

I was wonder what tool parameters to use when setting the toolpath for a part that is going to be cut using a plasma cutting table. We have a Burney control system and a Koike Aronson plasma cutter. I have a post.

[Tim]

S,

We set Comp type to "Control", and Comp direction to "Right" as a default. Then pick your entities by whichever end gives you the desired direction of travel to keep comp to the outside of part profile. We have Burny 10 LCD Plus control retro- fitted on an old (mid 70s) Linde shape cutting machine with 4 torches and 1 Plasma station mounted to torch 1. We control kerf allowance with the control and kerf direction with our post.

The Burny control should be able to use a "K" value for kerf amount if I read the manual correctly. We have old previously existing programs (6000 plus) that we needed to keep using though.

[ssilverstein]

That makes sense to me and now that you mention the comp type as Control and the direction - it sounds familiar to me - thanks.

[jspangler]

HI

My Dad has an old flame cutter (Propane/oxygen) that he is considering getting retrofitted with the CNC control. Are you using Mastercam router or mill for your programming? Also, what compensations do you make in the part/drawing for stretching or shrinking?

 

Thanks

 

John

[Tim]

John,

We use mill to either translate DWG files or draw the parts. Then I path with comp set to "control" and comp direction set to tell the control which side the kerf is on. Our Burny control has variable kerf amount and the capability to scale up or down at the machine if needed.