Torchmate Cad Cam LT V9 - Having trouble creating tool paths

[Ole school]

Still having trouble creating tool paths. As a test we are trying to cut a square base plate with 4 holes. We have created a file drawn in Auto Cad using Torchmate Cad Cam LT V9 and to my knowledge it is done correctly. We have attached a file and would appreciate if you can open the file and check if this is done correctly. We are trying to accomplish cutting the holes first and the square second with connected lead ins.

Thank you!

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Refer back to my post in your other thread on what to do verifying the shape is closed, quoted below. The attached file is it from TM Cad or Autocad, if from TM Cad, what you attached is a blank file. Likely due to the fact you had tool paths only checked and since you are trying to export the original you would need to uncheck this box, if no tool paths exist then uncheck the box, if you are trying to export a tool path then check the box. The check box does exactly what is implied.

Drawing a base plate with 4 holes, couldn't be any simpler and is very easy to do within TM Cad no need to create it in Autocad. Watching the videos under TM University explains every aspect of using TM Cad 16 videos in all from creating basic shapes to advanced node editing, https://torchmate.com/tmu-1-cad-introduction


"You will notice on the export screen there is a check box for Tool Paths Only, it does exactly what it implies exports only the tool path. You may also be dealing with open shapes, for example a box is made up of 4 lines if they are not one continuous line then you may have 4 pierce points to complete the box. Show fill is a good way to determine if a shape is open (not fully defined) when on if the line is dotted it is a broken line, you can also go to Edit > Select by Open Objects. To close a shape go to Arrange > Convert to Polyarc the back to Arrange > Connect Path and enter a tolerance of .1 or whatever the largest gap is."

 

[Kchoghead]

I agree just draw it up in torchmate cad, tool path it then export it to your cut software

 

[Ole school]

I have attached the CDL file from torchmate cad cam so you can see what ive done with the toolpaths and cad geometry. I know that you can draw in torchmate but I prefer to draw in autocad some shapes I draw require a lot of layout. I been using autocad for many years and it is simply just much faster to create dxf part files in autocad directly from scaled detailed drawings that I have to draw anyway so I just copy the parts directly from the dwg file. Also with most sub work from fabricators they will send dxf file packages with all the parts already created. Instead of recreating the files I just use what they send. Now my shapes are always closed and joined in autocad. When I view fill in torchmate cad cam the shapes are solid with color so that’s not my issue. One thing I was doing wrong as you stated was exporting toolpaths with the cad geometry so that issue is now solved. My issue now is how to make the lead in apart of the toolpath. Im guessing after I sequence and create my female and males tool paths/ leadins…. Is to “connect” to leadins to the toolpath. Im not sure how to do this…. Im guessing I just highlight the individual toolpaths and click “connect path”? Thank you!

 

[Kchoghead]

here is the file with the toolpath on it ready to cut

 

[Kchoghead]

Draw it in auto cad if you prefer but tool path it in torchmate cad-cam

 

[Ole school]

Thanks, How did you connect the tool path?

 

[Kchoghead]

in tm cad , machine , create tool path, male, basic cut(set feed rate), leadin/0ut (create leadin) then ok....move the part with toolpath to the 0x0 and then machine, output, save to desired place

 

[Ole school]

Thanks Doug and KCHOGHEAD, my operator said it looks good..... for now