What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
Forum rules
and Helpful information
and Helpful information
IMPORTANT: Please click here and read this first, before asking for help
Also, be nice to others! Read the FreeCAD code of conduct!
Also, be nice to others! Read the FreeCAD code of conduct!
What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
My current workflow looks like that:
I go to the draft and select body/bodies.
Next set view to top and Modification->Shape 2D View.
Next I move all the 2D shapes so they don't intersect also I try to align them to optimize space usage.
Next I select all the shapes and File->Export to dxf
My dreams workflow:
- I can select multiple parts or groups not only Bodies but I will have 2D shape created for every body separately. (currently when i select Part I get 2D shape for the whole part)
- Shapes will not intersect and will be packed relatively tight. (Like automatic UV unwrapping (with islands) in 3d modeling software)
Any Tips ?
I go to the draft and select body/bodies.
Next set view to top and Modification->Shape 2D View.
Next I move all the 2D shapes so they don't intersect also I try to align them to optimize space usage.
Next I select all the shapes and File->Export to dxf
My dreams workflow:
- I can select multiple parts or groups not only Bodies but I will have 2D shape created for every body separately. (currently when i select Part I get 2D shape for the whole part)
- Shapes will not intersect and will be packed relatively tight. (Like automatic UV unwrapping (with islands) in 3d modeling software)
Any Tips ?
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
My laser uses gcode, so sketch, Path workbench, generate gcode, import gcode to laser control, burn
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Spock: "...His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
I don't have a laser cut device and companies want dxf, sometimes they provide online cost calculator that is using dxf format.
So I need dxf In the end, but the question is how fast can I generate it. My current workflow is slow.
So I need dxf In the end, but the question is how fast can I generate it. My current workflow is slow.
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Spock: "...His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_Nest
But in real live, the parts are arranged by hand.
Greetings
user1234
But in real live, the parts are arranged by hand.
This is a technical forum, so dreams and magic are not relevant here. Ideas or conception are relevant.
Greetings
user1234
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
Unfortunately ArchNest gives me an error:
So I guess it will not work for shapes prepared for laser-cut.Executing conformity tests ... One of the shapes does not contain exactly one face. Aborting
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
As far back as the 1980's there was nesting software for sheet metal manufacturing. They take a list of the shapes to be cut and arrange them so as to minimize waste, required clearance, etc.user1234 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:31 pm https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_Nest
But in real live, the parts are arranged by hand.
This is a technical forum, so dreams and magic are not relevant here. Ideas or conception are relevant.
Greetings
user1234
I know of nothing like that in FreeCAD, but several software programs do appear in a web search.
But, they probably require 2D geometry files as input.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Spock: "...His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
Path workbench has a dxf postprocessor. Try it and see if your dream has already come true.
A Sketcher Lecture with in-depth information is available in English, auf Deutsch, en français, en español.
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
I have a macro that is selecting all the visible bodies so I can batch 2DView them, I already made first step to walk a path of my dream.
For now I'm satisfied, experimenting with new workbench right now will harm the time of my work.
Re: What is the optimal workflow for lasercut.
This website nests your SVGs. But it wants everything to be "children" and it ignored all of my gears... much like every feature in FreeCAD does...
https://svgnest.com/
https://svgnest.com/