Imorted dxf has breaks in toolpath

[StevenB]

Im sending polylines from autocad to Mastercam in dxf (R12), but occasionally the toolpaths are broken - yet they are joined in all other programs - (autocad, Turbocad, Vector cam). Any ideas?

[crazy^millman]

Look at your tolerence when export the DXF. I would also look at my chaning tolerance and maybe set it at .002 or soemthing like that. Splines are the worse for being broken may only be .00005 but if you have your Mastercam wanting to work to a tolerence like that or tighter then it sees the gaps and say I will only machine connected line. I would try to trim them to each other, Join them or even remake them. Now comes the pain you say I have 1000's to do then I would look at 2004 or Even 2005 of Autocad has been some great changes in it's spline and tolerence capabilites.

 

HTH

[cadcam]

How about bringing in the DWG instead?

 

What version of MC?

[BernieT]

I would guess the tolerance for chaining is determining the result. In my experience DXF from Autocad almost always has gaps or overlaps and must be 'cleaned up'. Also, if any arcs come through, be sure to run 'Screen-Comb Views' first.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

DXF sux... Go with DWG!

[Mike Mattera - TFM]

Ploylines sux... Use real geometry. Lines and arcs.

 

Somewhere there is a tolerance for the output. It's probably set to .xxx (3 places). Or it was just drawn badly.

 

You can force Mastercam to use bad geometry by using the chaining tol. Just remember at some point when you get a bad toolpath, it's garbage in, garbage out.

 

Mike Mattera