Exporting DXF.. Or not..

[ACP]

I've had my system for many years and have come across the following problem:
For many years Tool Paths were simply done by selecting and then
Export dxf
This created the fg
c file gcode and was then opened in TM3.
This method was simple and worked great for years.
I have now been getting this error;
Loading program...

Error, line 141 in Savana2.fgc:
No vector was specified for the
center of the arc in the selected
plane
... so it loads up to line 141 and stops.
The solution, I'm told is to go back to CAD and Machine Output, dadada which i can do but....
I'll address the various issues brought up by Machine Output after seeing response to this..
Thanks in advance..

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Try unchecking calculate run time on the Torchmate driver software.

 

[ACP]

Where in TM3 software is this option?

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Sorry not an option in TM3, my bad Dont really no the fix for this, if you are exporting as a dxf(polyarc) then you can also try exporting as a dxf(polyline), only other option is to try to find what circle or arc is causing the problem in the cad software, you would have to be able to look at the gcode to decipher what line 141 pertains to.

 

[LECS-Chad]

Another way to avoid this is to generate the G-CODE right out of the TMCAD software. This eliminates the "interpretation conversion" from DXF to code.

 

[ACP]

OK,, Now two probs:
1 On my multi tool machine, I need an M20/21 code not M50/51..
2 Actually the second problem is to change tools within the gcode,, as I've done before.. No prob..
3 Another issue however,, Machine outputing the fgc files requires that the tool path must be Black.. In straight exporting of DXF, I always created and stored tool paths for different materials (Kerf widths) as different colors.. mmm
Hey, I'm in the process of installing TM on a new computer and wonder if I can use the new Version 8 of CAD.. Or should I download the old 7.1??
Any comments??
Thanks,,

 

[LECS-Chad]

CAD: You will only be able to use the version your license is step up for. So pending on the dongle number/license you have will determine the version you should be using.
Multitool: Here is the whole manual telling you how to properly set up your machine for multitool

 

[LECS-Chad]

For our TM3 customers: