Tool Path GCode is a set of tools to help the
cad/cam machinist generate his own GCode file right from AutoCad. I originally wrote this
program to help in my own work. I could get around fine in AutoCad but I found it
frustrating to have to learn a new program just for the in-between CAM preprocessing to
come up with the GCode file I wanted. Tool Path GCode will run right in the AutoCad
environment where I am comfortable. It is a set of tools to help generate tool paths
written to a file. You draw your tool path and run one of the Tool Path GCode functions. Iit will prompt you to select your tool path and write that path in a gcode
format to a file (or append a gcode file you are working on). I like to edit and put my
own GCode files and programs together. With this set of functions I draw my paths and
generate the code and then open the gcode text file and add in feed speeds and or the
depth (z) of a portion of a cut. All the functions in ToolPath GCode
have one common goal (output a path in gcode format) but they will complete the task with
different methods depending on how you want to work. Here is an
example of how Tool Path GCode can help put together a GCode program file.
3D AutoGCode
3d AutoGCode using the "new vertexes" selection will work with:
* open or closed pline (plain, fit or spline curves)
* open or closed 3dpoly (plain or 3D B-spline curve)
* open or closed Spline (Nurbs) curve
It will take the "New Vertex Jog Distance" entered and divide the entity into
pieces this size, find the coordinates of these vertexes and write them to file in gcode
format. Note: if you enter in a very small distance for the "Jog Distance" it
does take some time for it to compute these points and the file size can get large.
3D AutoGCode using "Existing Vertexes" will work with open or closed plines.
It will work with a curve fit pline or a 3d spline but it will only collect the vertexes that make up the entity and will not be as smooth as probably desired.
Instead of this command using "existing vertexes" consider the PolyGCode command below as it
supports arcs within a polyline.
PolyGCode will use the gcode commands G02 and G03 along with G01 so that it
can interpolate arcs and lines from an AutoCAD polyline containing arcs and lines.
3D Pick Point Gcode allows
the user to select points in 3d space using any of the object snap modes. It will write
these coordinates to file in gcode format. It will also allow you to enter gcode
commands during the function.
Another CNC GCode program: "Hand
Engraving Simulation CNC Machine"
