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    Acad CNC Text

    Uploaded by

    sbpathi
    Acad Cnc Text

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Acad CNC Text

    Uploaded by

    sbpathi
    23 views2 pages
    Acad Cnc Text

    Original Title

    Acad Cnc Text

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    Acad Cnc Text

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    23 views2 pages

    Acad CNC Text

    Uploaded by

    sbpathi
    Acad Cnc Text

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Problem Statement: Making AutoCad Text compatible with CNC operations

    In AutoCad, the fonts are vectored lines. But the filled in shading of fonts can cause
    problems with creating the font on a CNC machine. For example: The cost of a plasma
    cutter is about 10 cents per inch. If you follow the outline of a 2" font for a particular
    letter, the total distance is 8 inches (as an example). However, standard fonts cause CNC
    machines to raster scan the font, which scans back and forth like a TV screen at about 1/3
    the diameter of the tool. For a plasma cutter, that is about 1/8". So for the same 2" letter,
    the total distance to scan is 2 divided 1/8 is 16, or about 16 inches. Which costs twice as
    much as the single line fonts.
    Also, because the plasma cutter constantly starts and stops, considerably more slag forms
    and distorts the lettering. Single line vector fonts produce much cleaner lines for text.
    AutoCad built-in Solution:
    The built-in solution is to Explode the text font in AutoCad and erase all the interior fill
    lines (Choose a stencil or outline font and this is already done).
    Explode any font in AutoCAD using explode text command located in text menu in
    express tools. Then use that exploded text to route cutters in CNC.
    Lettering Aperture is the connecting pieces in a stencil that hold the center of a small "e",
    "p", "B", "b"... Without the Aperature connections, the centers of the letters would fall
    out. Think of stencils and how the center pieces are held in position.
    The explode command may cause certain issues when trying to cut the lettering and
    maintaining letter aperature integrity; i.e. cutting inside versus outside of the line, or the
    width of the cutter. For the lasercutter this probably won't be too much of an issue. You
    will need to work through these problems when making your own stencil lettering.
    Also be aware that you may need to erase duplicate lines that define line width on the
    outline lettering, or the CNC machine will follow the duplicate line and you will be
    charged for the extra plasma cutter opertion, even though it did not produce anything
    useful.
    You can check your fonts using BobCad in the simulate mode to see if the lettering is cut
    as expected, without having to actually cut anything.

    Ready-made Single-line Text Alternative:


    There are CNC-ready AutoCad fonts available online. Though finding them takes a bit
    of effort.
    www.dafont.com

    The problem here is these are untested, and you should test them with the simulator in
    BobCad, or on a piece of plastic with one of our machines before you send your project
    out to be commercially produced.
    Changing the lettering size:
    You can select these single line fonts and scale them like you would any drawing object.
    Because these letters are exploded line segments, they do not have the same limitations as
    fonts.
    Saving your developed Text styles:
    After making a complete alphabet and number set, you can save each letter and number
    as a Block and save it to a unique folder. The next time you need them you can copy
    them to your drawing and arrange them as you want, and then Explode ALL of the
    elements to remove the Blocks.
    CNC machines generally won't accept Blocks. All objects must be in the form of line
    elements.
    Selling your developed Text Styles:
    Disclaimer: The following is NOT expert advice, and should only be considered an
    opinion of limited consideration.
    There seems to be very few online resources that have text styles available for AutoCad
    for the purpose of running CNC machines. If you develop a particular text style, you can
    make copyrighted pictures of your text style and put them online with your email address;
    along with the Terms of Use license agreement. When they send you a check, and a
    signed Terms of Use agreement, you can mail them the copyrighted text style.

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