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ARTPath
Owner's Manual
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Gerber ARTPath Owner's Manual

Copyright Notice
COPYRIGHT2006 Gerber Scientific International. All Rights Reserved.
This document may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without written permission of the copyright owner.
This document is furnished to support the ART Path and Auto-CarveUser’s Guide. In consideration of the furnishing of the information contained in this document, the party to whom it is given assumes its custody and control and agrees to the following:
1. The information herein contained is given in confidence, and any part thereof shall not be copied or reproduced without written consent of Gerber Scientific International.
2. This document or the contents herein under no circumstances shall be used in the manufacture or reproduction of the article shown and the delivery of this document shall not constitute any right or license to do so.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
PrintedinUSA
GSP is a registered trademark,and ART Path,Auto-Carve,Sabre, Dimension, and OMEGAare trademarksof GerberScientific Products,Inc. HPGLis a trademark of Hewlett-PackardCompany. Rowmark is a registeredtrademarkof Rowmark,Inc. Microsoftand Windows are registeredtrademarks of Microsoft Corporationin the US and other countries.
FCC NOTICE
WARNING This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own risk.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulationsof the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le present appareil numerique n'emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la classe B prescrites dans les Reglements sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le Ministere des Communications du Canada.
Book One: I ntroducti on to ART Path.................................................................................. 1
Chapter 1 : Setting up ART Pa th........................................................................................... 3
Unpacking/Installation.................................................................................................................... 3
Systemrequirements ........................................................................................................................ 3
Installing the ART Path software option......................................................................................... 4
Accessing ART Path.......................................................................................................................... 4
Customer Support.............................................................................................................................5
Chapter 2 : Reviewing t he AR T Pa th Toolbox..................................................................... 7
CancelSelect...................................................................................................................................... 7
Pointer................................................................................................................................................ 7
Zoom.................................................................................................................................................. 8
Unzoom............................................................................................................................................. 8
Male................................................................................................................................................... 9
Male Auto Inlay Parameters........................................................................................................ 10
Female.............................................................................................................................................. 12
Female Auto-Inlay Parameters.................................................................................................... 13
Engrave............................................................................................................................................ 15
Engraving Channel Cut Parameters........................................................................................... 15
Cleanout........................................................................................................................................... 16
Direction....................................................................................................................................... 18
Auto-Inlay Parameters................................................................................................................. 19
Use Diagonals............................................................................................................................... 19
Drill .................................................................................................................................................. 20
Nesting............................................................................................................................................. 21
HorizontalCutline.......................................................................................................................... 22
Move Cutline................................................................................................................................... 22
Auto-Carve 3D................................................................................................................................ 23
Prismatic ...................................................................................................................... .................... 23
Set Start Point.................................................................................................................................. 23
Book Two: Menus and Proc edures................................................................................... 25
Chapter 3 : File Menu........................................................................................................... 27
New.................................................................................................................................................. 27
Open................................................................................................................................................. 27
Close................................................................................................................................................. 27
Save.................................................................................................................................................. 28
Save As ............................................................................................................................................ 28
Save Plot File................................................................................................................................... 29
Save to Spool File............................................................................................................................ 29
Save Parameters.............................................................................................................................. 30
Place................................................................................................................................................. 30
Library............................................................................................................................................. 31
Print................................................................................................................................................. 31
Print Setup....................................................................................................................................... 31
Recently Used File list..................................................................................................................... 31
Exit................................................................................................................................................... 31
Chapter 4 : Edit Menu...........................................................................................................33
Undo................................................................................................................................................ 33
Cut.................................................................................................................................................... 33
Copy and Paste................................................................................................................................ 33
Pastefrom Composer................................................................................................................... 34
PasteBack..................................................................................................................................... 35
Delete......................................................................................................................... ...................... 35
SelectAll.......................................................................................................................................... 35
Reverse Select.................................................................................................................................. 35
SelectOpen Shapes......................................................................................................................... 35
SelectUnused Shapes..................................................................................................................... 36
Chapter 5 : Shape Menu......................................................................................................37
Repeats............................................................................................................................................. 37
Repeats dialog box....................................................................................................................... 37
Sizing Shapes................................................................................................................................... 38
Percent Size dialogbox ........................................................................................................... ..... 39
Absolute Size dialogbox............................................................................................................. 40
Join................................................................................................................................................... 41
Group............................................................................................................................................... 42
Ungroup .......................................................................................................................................... 42
Layer................................................................................................................................................ 42
SmartEdit Layer........................................................................................................................... 43
Chapter 6 : Setup M e nu.......................................................................................................45
Tool Edit.......................................................................................................................................... 45
Tool InformationDialogBox....................................................................................................... 45
Tool Edit Dialog Box.................................................................................................................... 46
Start/End Position.......................................................................................................................... 48
RouterSelection.............................................................................................................................. 50
Use Material.................................................................................................................................... 50
Material Size.................................................................................................................................... 51
Nesting Setup.................................................................................................................................. 52
Join Tolerance.................................................................................................................................. 52
Show Tool ChangerPosition.......................................................................................................... 53
Chapter 7 : Tool Pa th Menu................................................................................................55
Tools Used....................................................................................................................................... 55
Organize Tool Order dialog box................................................................................................. 55
Engrave............................................................................................................................................ 56
Male................................................................................................................................................. 56
Female.............................................................................................................................................. 56
Cleanout........................................................................................................................................... 57
Drill .................................................................................................................................................. 57
Toolpath Dialog Boxes.................................................................................................................... 58
Understanding the Tool path...................................................................................................... 58
Setting Tool path parameters.......................................................................................................58
Applying additional features......................................................................................................... 61
Using tool path templates............................................................................................................ 61
Applying a finish cut ................................................................................................................... 63
Creating an inlay.......................................................................................................................... 63
Applying climb milling................................................................................................................ 64
Selecting Lead In/Lead Out........................................................................................................ 65
Setting the spindle speed ........................................................................................................... 65
Using the Engrave command ......................................................................................................... 65
Additional information found in the Default Engrave Info Dialog Box................................... 67
Using theMale tool path................................................................................................................. 67
Applying a male basic cut...........................................................................................................67
Applying a male finish cut ..........................................................................................................68
Applying an inlay........................................................................................................................ 69
Cuttingstencils with the Femaletool ............................................................................................. 70
Applying a Female basic cut ....................................................................................................... 70
Adding a Female finishcut......................................................................................................... 72
Adding an inlay............................................................................................................................ 73
Using Cleanout................................................................................................................................ 73
Selecting Direction....................................................................................................................... 73
Applying Use Diagonals.............................................................................................................. 74
Selecting Cleanout shapes........................................................................................................... 75
UsingDrill....................................................................................................................................... 77
Retrieving Drill symbols.............................................................................................................. 77
Generating a Drill tool path......................................................................................................... 78
Chapter 8 : Outpu t Menu..................................................................................................... 81
Job Output Dialog Box.................................................................................................................... 81
Position....................................................................................................................... .................. 82
Material Used............................................................................................................................... 82
Preposition.................................................................................................................................... 82
RouterName................................................................................................................................ 83
Job Header Message..................................................................................................................... 83
In-Place Repeats........................................................................................................................... 84
Repeats.......................................................................................................................................... 85
Plotting Parameters...................................................................................................................... 87
Tool Parameters............................................................................................................................87
Chapter 9 : Panel Menu.......................................................................................................91
HorizontalCutline.......................................................................................................................... 91
Move Cutline................................................................................................................................... 91
Panel Setup...................................................................................................................................... 92
Chapter 1 0 : View Menu.......................................................................................................95
Redraw............................................................................................................................................. 95
Toolbars and StatusBar........................................................................................................... ....... 95
Animate........................................................................................................................................... 95
ShowDry Haul Moves................................................................................................................... 96
Show Path Start Point..................................................................................................................... 96
ColorAssignments..........................................................................................................................96
Chapter 11: W indow Menu................................................................................................99
New Window.................................................................................................................................. 99
Cascade............................................................................................................................................ 99
Tile ................................................................................................................................................... 99
Arrange Icons.................................................................................................................................. 99
CloseAll .......................................................................................................................................... 99
File List ............................................................................................................................................ 99
Chapter 1 2 : Getti n g Help in ART Path............................................................................101
Finding a topic................................................................................................................................101
Finding additionaltopics in the Topic pane..............................................................................102
Finding previously-viewed topics.............................................................................................102
Finding frequently-viewed topics..............................................................................................103
Printing topics................................................................................................................................103
Copying topics...............................................................................................................................104
Personalizing Help topics..............................................................................................................104
Displaying the ART Path version..................................................................................................104
Book Three: Intr oduc t ion to Auto- Carve........................................................................105
Chapter 13: Installing Auto-Carve...................................................................................107
SystemRequirements....................................................................................................................107
Installing ARC Station Firmware..................................................................................................108
Installing the FACS-13 Control Board...........................................................................................109
Installing the Auto-Carve Option.................................................................................................111
Chapter 14: Three-Dimensional Carving T oo ls..............................................................113
Carving Tool Sharpness.................................................................................................................114
Selecting a 3-D Tool Path Auto-Carve.....................................................................................115
Using the Default Carve Info dialog box V-Bottom.............................................................115
Default Roughing Tool InformationDialogBox.......................................................................118
Generating a 3D V bottom tool path..........................................................................................120
Using the Default Carve Info Dialog Box Flat-bottom............................................................121
Default Flat-bottom Tool InformationDialog Box....................................................................124
Generating a Flat-bottom3D tool path.........................................................................................125
Setting V-Toolparameters..........................................................................................................125
Choosing basic carving parameters...........................................................................................125
Using a roughing tool............................................................................................................. ....126
Defining Depth Limitations........................................................................................................128
Selecting Flat Bottom..................................................................................................................129
Prismatic ...................................................................................................................... ...................133
Reviewing the Default Prismatic Info dialogbox.....................................................................133
Eliminating RoughEdges...........................................................................................................136
Generating a 3-D Tool Path ......................................................................................................... ..137
SmartEditinga Tool Path..............................................................................................................137
Masking the Sign Blank.................................................................................................................138
Routing the Design........................................................................................................................139
Initializing the Router (D200 or AR600)....................................................................................139
To initializea Sabrerouter to the table ......................................................................................140
To initializea Sabrerouter to the material surface......................................................................141
Finishing the Design......................................................................................................................141
Appendix A: ART Pa th Glossary.......................................................................................143
Appendix B: Material Flat n ess.........................................................................................147
Manufactured Material..................................................................................................................147
Wood...............................................................................................................................................147
GrainType and Sawing Techniques..........................................................................................147
Moisture Content and Humidity...............................................................................................148
Shipping.......................................................................................................................................148
Storage.........................................................................................................................................148
Carving into a Warped Panel........................................................................................................148
Appendix C: Spe e ds and Feed s for Standard R outer Motor.......................................149
Index....................................................................................................................................151
1
Book One: Introduction to ART Path
ART Path32 is an OMEGA output tool that is used to link a Gerber routing system to OMEGA programs. The Gerber routing systems listed below can be used with the ART Path program:
♦ Sabreseries 404 and 408 ♦ Dimension 200
♦ ADVANTAGE R outer 600
ART Path allows you to benefit from the OMEGAComposer's design capabilities while offering routing features such as:
♦ Climb Milling ♦ Lead In/Lead Out ♦ User-defined Tool Table ♦ Nesting Placement ♦ Drill
ART Path automatically generates tool paths for male, female, engraved, or cleanout tool paths. It also enables automatic cutting of inlay shapes with rounded edges, use of multiple cutters and/or depths of cut within the same job, and operator messaging while the job is being cut on the router.
Jobs created in Composer are brought into the ART Path program where the design may be viewed closely and nested for better positioning to conserve material.
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Chapter 1: Setting up ART Path
Unpacking/Installation
♦ If you are adding the ART Path option to your existing OMEGA release, please
continue with the instructions below (starting with the “Package contents” paragraph) in order to install ART Path on your system.
♦ If you are upgrading to or have just purchased OMEGA, you should already have
followed the instructions in the Getting Started guide for installing OMEGA as well as any other fonts, libraries, and options acquired, including ART Path. Refer to documentation for your particular router if necessary for instructions on physically connecting the router to the OMEGA system.
System requirements
Before ART Path can be installed and used, your system should be set up with the following releases:
♦ OMEGA 2.0/2.1 with Microsoft® Windows® version 98, 2000, ME, or XP ♦ OMEGA 2.5 and higher with Microsoft Windows version 2000 or XP
To verify your OMEGA release
1 Right-click the GSP Tray icon that appears on the right end of the Windows s tatus bar
to open the Gerber Tray menu.
2 Click About GSP Tray. The number in the Rbase field is your OMEGA version.
3 Verify that the version listed in the Rbase field matches the software that you are
installing.
4 Click OK to return to your desktop.
Chapter 1
4
Setting up ART Path
Installing the ART Path software option
This procedure describes loading ART Path as an option after OMEGA has been installed.
To install the ART Path software option
1 Insert the OMEGA installation CD disk into the disk drive. The OMEGA Setup Wizard
should automatically display. If it does not click Start > Run to display the Run dialog box. Type D:\Setup.exe and click OK (Where D:\ is the drive containing the disk).
2 Click Install Products to display the Install Products menu. 3 Click Install OMEGA 2.5. Follow the instructions until the Installation Type dialog box
displays. Choose Add/Reload Individual components and click Next.
4 At the Select Components dialog box turn on ART Path Option. If you have purchased
the Auto-Carve Option turn on this option as well. Auto-Carve requires a password to load. Click Next to load the software.
5 When the installation completes, click Finish and restart your computer.
Accessing ART Path
To access Art Path
Click Start > Programs > GSP OMEGA > ART Path32.
5
Customer Support
If you require assistance installing or using ART Path, contact your Gerber
!
Please use a phone that is close to your system and have the following available before calling:
If you have an OMEGA system, please have the following information ready as well:
distributororGerberTechnicalSupportat: Phone: 860-644-6971 Fax: 860-871-3862 e-mail: gsptech@gspinc.com
♦ Microsoft Windows version numbers ♦ Systemserial number ♦ Router serial number ♦ Router User Manual
♦ OMEGA, Windows, and hardware utility CD’s. ♦ OMEGA Reference Guide ♦ The names of any peripheral (output) devices, such as a printer.
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Chapter 2: Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox
The Toolbox is located on the left side of the ART Path window. The toolbox contains tools, which allow the user to select, zoom in, and position the shapes in a design. You can also choose a tool path from the Toolbox.
Cancel Select
Cancel Select makes all previously selected shapes unavailable. It is useful in correcting a selection mistake.
To deselect a shape, click on the Cancel Select Tool. The selected shape becomes deselected.
Pointer
Pointer selects and deselects a shape. When the Pointer Tool is clicked on in the toolbox, the mouse pointer changes to a pointing
finger. The selected shape is redrawn with a solid blue line. The Pointer Tool is also used for Smart Editing. Smart Edit allows the user to change the tool
path settings. The user returns to the specific tool path dialog box for editing the desired parameters. A shape or design does not have to be selected first before it may be Smart Edited.
A shape must be selected with the Pointer Tool first before choosing a tool path. When using the rubber band method of selection, the rubber band box must surround the entire shape.
To select or deselect a shape
1 Click the Pointer Tool. The mouse pointer changes to a pointing finger when moved
into the working area.
2 Move the Pointer Tool until it touches the shape and click the left mouse button. The
shape is selected and redrawn in solid blue lines. If a shape is deselected, it is redrawn in a contrasting color.
To select or deselect multiple shapes
1 Click the Pointer Tool. The mouse pointer changes to the Pointer Tool when moved
into the working area.
2 Move the Pointer Tool to a top corner above the shapes to be selected. 3 Click and drag the tool across the shapes to the opposite corner. As the Pointer Tool is
moved, a rubber band box will be drawn around it.
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
4 Release the mouse button. The shapes are selected and redrawn in solid blue lines. If
shapes are deselected, they are redrawn in a contrasting color.
Zoom
Zoom magnifies a piece of a design for a closer look. When the Zoom Tool is clicked on, the mouse pointer changes to a cross hair with a small magnifying glass shown in the lower right corner. The design is centered and fills as much of the working area as possible after each zoom.
All tools and menu commands work on a zoomed design as on an unzoomed design. Line lengths remain the same at every magnification.
To magnify part of a design
1 Click the Zoom Tool. The tool is highlighted. The mouse pointer changes when moved
into the working area.
2 Move the Zoom Tool to a top corner above the shape to be magnified. 3 Click and drag the Zoom Tool across the shape to be magnified. A dotted box is drawn
around the shape.
4 Click the right m ouse button. The area within the box is magnified. 5 Repeat Steps 1-4 to magnify the shape again.
Unzoom
The Unzoom Tool returns a design to its original appearance or to the previous appearance in a series of zooms.
Unzoom remembers the appearance of the previous five zooms performed on the same design. Clicking the left mouse button on the Unzoom Tool backtracks the working area to the previous zoom appearance. Clicking the right mouse button on the Unzoom tool returns the design to its original appearance before the first zoom.
Unzoom is available only after using the Zoom Tool. Only the Unzoom Tool remembers the last five zooms. Backtracking to a sixth zoom automatically returns the design to its original appearance.
To return a design to the previous appearance in a series of zooms
1 Click the Unzoom Tool. 2 Click the left mouse button. The magnified design redraws to its last appearance. 3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to backtrack through each previous appearance in the series of
zooms.
Note: The design automatically returns to its original appearance on the sixth backtrack.
9
To return a design to full size after magnifying it
Click the Unzoom Tool with the right mouse button.
Male
Male allows the user to generate a tool path to create a solid shape from the material. Clicking on the Male Tool opens the Default Male Info Dialog Box. Refer to the “Toolpath Dialog Boxes” section for more information. The shape must be selected before the Male Tool is available for use.
To set male basic cut parameters
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes in
color to show it is selected.
2 Click the Male Tool in the Toolbox. The Default Male Info dialog box appears on
screen.
3 In Basic Cut, click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop
down list box appears.
4 Click the desired routing tool. 5 Enter the desired parameters for Total Depth, Depth Per Pass, Feed Rate, Plunge Rate,
RPM’s, Acceleration, and Surface Reference into the dialog box.
6 Click Generate, the tool path appears on screen in a contrasting color.
To set male and finish cut parameters
Note: It is important for Finish Cut to use the same tool used for Basic Cut.
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes in
color to show it is selected.
2 Click Male from the Tool Paths menu. The Default Male Info Dialog Box opens.
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
3 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
4 Click the desired routing tool. 5 Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters. 6 Turn on Finish Cut to display the Finish Cut parameters.
7 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop down list box
appears.
8 Click the desired routing tool. 9 Enter the desired Finish Cut parameters for Web Amount, Finish Amount, Feed Rate
and Plunge Rate.
10 Click the 20000 R.P.M. button. The Enter Spindle Speed dialog box appears. Type the
desired speed (between 6,000 and 24,000 RPM) and click OK to close the dialog box.
11 Click Generate in the tool path information dialog box. The Basic Cut tool path and the
Finish Cut tool paths appear on screen in contrasting colors.
Male Auto Inlay Parameters
Auto-Inlay parameters provide information on how the two shapes (male and female) are routed. The two auto-inlay shapes must be routed with the same tool. Auto-Inlay is an optional parameter.
Auto-Inlay parameter values for shoulder width, shoulder height, and gap are entered when a Shoulder is cut from the material. A Shoulder prevents light from showing through gaps between the inlaid shapes. A Shoulder is also useful to hold letters in place. Click on the Auto­Inlay check box. An X appears in the check box and the Auto-Inlay parameters appear in the dialog box.
♦ The Shoulder Width should be less than 2 or equal to the tool size. A typical shoulder
width is .125 inches (3.175mm).
11
♦ AtypicalShoulder Height is .125 inches (3.175mm). ♦ The Gap is the amount of material that is cut between the male and female shapes. The
Gap enables the two shapes to fit together properly. A recommended gap is .005 inches (.127mm) wide.
To set male and auto-inlay paramet er s
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer tool. The selected shape changes in color
to show it is selected.
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Male to display the Default Male Info Dialog Box. 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool. 6 Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters. 7 Turn on Auto-Inlay to display the Auto-Inlay parameters.
8 Enter the desired parameters for Shoulder Width, Shoulder Height and Gap (see the
guidelines above for reference.) If no shoulder is desired, set shoulder width & height to zero.
9 Click Generate in the tool path information dialog box. The Basic Cut tool path, the
Finish Cut tool path, and the Inlay Tool path appear on screen in contrasting colors.
Chapter 2
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
Female
Female allows the user to generate a tool path to create a stencil from the material. Clicking on the Female Tool opens the Default Female Info Dialog Box. Refer to the “Toolpath Dialog Boxes” section for more information. The shape must be selected before the Female Tool is available for use.
To set female basic cut parameters
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer tool. The selected shape changes in color
to show it is selected.
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Female to display the Default Female Info Dialog Box.
4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool. 6 Enter the desired parameters for Total Depth, Depth Per Pass, Feed Rate, Surface
Reference, RPM’s, Acceleration and Plunge Rate into the dialog box.
7 Click the 20000 R.P.M. button. The Enter Spindle Speed dialog box appears. Type the
desired speed (between 6,000 and 24,000 RPM) and click on OK to close the dialog box.
8 Click Generate. The tool path appears in a contrasting color.
To set female and finish cut parameters
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes in
color to show it is selected.
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Female to display the Default Female Info Dialog Box.
13
4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool. 6 Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters. 7 Click the Finish Cut check box, an X appears in the check box. The Finish Cut
parameters appear on screen.
8 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop down list box
appears. Choose the same tool that was used for the Female Basic Cut.
9 Click the desired routing tool.
10 Enter the desired Finish Cut parameters for Web Amount, Finish Amount, Feed Rate
and Plunge Rate.
11 Click the 20000 R.P.M. button. The Enter Spindle Speed dialog box appears. Type the
desired speed (between 6,000 and 24,000 RPM) and click on OK to close the dialog box.
12 Click Generate in the tool path information dialog box. The Basic Cut tool path and the
Finish Cut tool paths appear on screen in contrasting colors.
Female Auto-Inlay Parameters
The Auto-Inlay parameters are used when a Shoulder is cut from the material. The purpose of a Shoulder is to prevent light from showing through gaps between the inlaid shapes. A Shoulder is also useful to hold letters in place. Click on the Inlay check box. An X appears in the check box. The Auto-Inlay parameters appear in the dialog box.
♦ The Shoulder Width should be less than the tool size. A typical shoulder width is .125
inches (3.175mm).
♦ Atypicalshoulder height is .125 inches (3.175mm).
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
♦ The Gap is the amount of material that is cut between the male and female shapes. The
Gap enables the two shapes to fit together properly. A recommended gap is .005 inches (.127mm) wide.
To set female auto-inlay parameters
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes in
color to show it is selected.
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Female to open the Default Female Info Dialog Box.
4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool. 6 Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters. 7 Click the Auto-Inlay check box an X appears in the check box. The Auto-Inlay
parameters can be entered.
8 Enter the desired Auto-Inlay parameters for the Shoulder Width, Shoulder Height and
Gap (see the guidelines above for reference.) If no shoulder is desired, set shoulder width & height to zero.
9 Click Generate. Both the Auto-Inlay tool path and the Basic Cut tool path appear on
screen in contrasting colors.
15
Engrave
The Engrave Tool etches a design into the material on the shape's contour without using an offset. Clicking on the Engrave Tool opens the Default Engrave Info Dialog Box. Refer to the section “Toolpath Dialog Boxes” for more information. The shape must be selected before the Engrave Tool is available for use.
To set engraving parameters
1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes color
to show it is selected.
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Engrave. The Default Engraving Info dialog box appears on screen.
4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired Engraving Tool. 6 Enter in the desired parameters for Total Depth, Depth Per Pass, Surface Reference,
Acceleration, RPM’s and Plunge Rate into the dialog box.
7 Click Generate to set the tool path. The tool path appears on screen in a contrasting
color.
Engraving Channel Cut Parameters
The Channel Cut featuregenerates tool paths for channels whose width is larger than the diameter of the available cutters. Turn on Channel Cut and set the stroke width. ART Path automatically calculates the number of passes required and the percentage of overlap that occurs.
Chapter 2
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
To use Channel Cut
1 In the Default Engraving Info box, turn on Channel Cut to display the Channel Cut
dialog box.
2 Enter a value for the Stroke Width of the crease channel. 3 Click Generate to create a Channel Cut tool path for this job.
Cleanout
Cleanout routs an area of a shape without completely cutting through the material. C licking on the Cleanout Tool opens the Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box. Refer to the section “Toolpath Dialog Boxes” for more information. The sha pe must be selected before the Cleanout Tool is available for use.
To set parameters to cleanout a backgr ound shape
To clean out a background around a shape, select the background and the shape it surrounds. If needed nest the shapes before generating the Cleanout tool path.
1 Select the shapes to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes in
color to show it is selected.
17
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Cleanout to open the Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box.
4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool. 6 Enter the desired Cleanout parameters for the Total Depth, Depth Per Pass, Feed Rate,
Plunge Rate, Surface Reference, Acceleration, RPM’s and Direction.
7 Click Generate. The tool path appears in a contrasting color.
To set parameters to cleanout a for egr ound shape
1 Select the foreground shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape
changes in color to show it is selected.
2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar. 3 Click Cleanout. The Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box appears on screen. 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool.
Chapter 2
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
6 Enter the desired Cleanout parameters for the Total Depth, Depth Per Pass, Feed Rate,
Plunge Rate, Surface Reference, Acceleration, RPM’s and Direction.
7 Click Generate. The tool path appears in a contrasting color.
Direction
Cleanout Direction refers to the horizontal or vertical direction of the Cleanout tool path. Selecting a Direction in Cleanout makes cutting cleanout shapes more efficient.
Use Horizontal when the design contains many horizontal elements. Use Vertical when the design contains many vertical elements.
Cleanout tool path consists of two paths. The first is the cleanout path; the second path follows the shape contour and smoothes the edge.
19
Auto-Inlay Parameters
An inlay consists of a solid male shape that fits snugly into a stencil female shape or cleaned-out area. A cleanout shape can be cut as an inlay shape. By applying Auto-Inlay to a Cleanout tool path, the Cleanout shape is automatically cut with rounded corners. Auto-Inlay produces shapes with matching corner radii, which do not require hand filing to ensure a good fit.
A typical use of Cleanout and Auto-Inlay is to clean out a foreground shape, and cut a mating male shape for inlay.
To apply inlay to a Cleanout shape, click on the Auto-Inlay check box in the Cleanout dialog box.
Note: A Cleanout Inlay shape and its mating shape must be cut with the same diameter tool.
Use Diagonals
The Use Diagonals feature allows certain shapes to be cut more efficiently by eliminating some tool up moves by the router.
Shape with cleanout tool path without diagonals
Shape with cleanout tool path with diagonals
Chapter 2
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Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
Drill
The Drill Tool allows the user to generate tool drilling positions designated on the design in Composer. When the design is opened in the ART Path program, the drill symbol designates the tool drilling position. Clicking on the Drill Tool opens the Default Drill Info Dialog Box. Refer to the section “Toolpath Dialog Boxes” for more information. The shape must be selected before the Drill Tool is available for use. The user must open a drill symbol from the Composer Library before designating a drill tool path in the ART Path program.
If the drill symbol is larger than the tool chosen for the Drill tool path, no tool path is generated. If the drill symbol is smaller than or equal to the tool, then the Drill tool path is generated.
To open and position a drill symbol from Composer
1 Create a design to be routed in Composer. 2 Click File. A drop down menu appears on screen. 3 Click Library. The File Open Dialog Box appears on screen. 4 From the Libraries List Box, click on Drill. The Drill.GCA’s appear in the Files List Box. 5 Click the desired drill symbol. Make sure the drill symbol chosen is not larger than the
routing tool.
6 Click Open. The chosen drill symbol appears in the working area. 7 Select the drill symbol with the Pointer Tool. 8 Use the Move Tool to position the drill symbol to the desired location in the design.
Repeat this process to add and position additional drill symbols to the design.
9 Save the design. The drill symbols appear on the design when the file is opened in the
ART Path program.
To set drill parameters to a f ile c ont ai ning drill symbols
1 Open a file containing drill symbols. 2 Select the drill symbol with the Pointer Tool. The selected shape changes in color to
show it is selected.
3 Click the Drill Tool from the Tool Box. The Default Drill Info Dialog Box appears on
screen.
4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box. A drop-down list box
appears.
5 Click the desired routing tool. 6 Enter the desired Drill parameter for the Total Depth, Depth Per Pass, Plunge Rate,
Surface Reference, Dwell Time, and Single Speed.
7 Click Generate to enter in the parameters. The tool path appears in a contrasting color.
21
Nesting
Nesting allows the user to select, move, mirror, and rotate shapes for closer placement to conserve material. When the Nesting Tool is clicked on in the toolbox, the mouse pointer changes to a crosshair with a circle.
To move shapes using the nesting tool
1 Click left on the Nesting Tool. The Nesting Tool becomes available for use and the
mouse p ointer changes into a .
2 Set the cross hair on a shape (or draw a rubber band box around multiple shapes) and
click left on the mouse pointer to select the shapes.
3 Click right to "grab" the shape and move it to the desired location by moving the
mouse.
4 The keyboard can also be used to rotate, mirror, and position the shapes. All of the
Nesting methods may be used at the same time. Use the keys indicated to achieve the moves desired.
♦ X - mirrors the shape in a horizontal direction
♦ Y - mirrors the shape in a vertical direction
♦ 1, 3, 5, or 9 - rotates the shape in a counterclockwise direction in 1, 30, 15, and 90
degree increments
♦ 2, 4, 6, or 0 - rotates the shape in a clockwise direction in 1, 30, 15, and 90 degree
increments
♦ The up and down arrow keys help position the shapes more closely together.
5 Click right to anchor the shapes in position. 6 Click the Nesting Tool to exit Nesting.
Chapter 2
22
Reviewing t h e ART Path Toolbox
Horizontal Cutli ne
Horizontal Cutline inserts a horizontal cutline at a specified position into a design. ART Path automatically inserts horizontal cutlines into a design that exceeds the height limits of
the router table. A cutline can also be placed in the design by the user to divide the design for routing. A cutline may also be moved or removed to best suit the design needs using the Move Cutline Tool.
Moving a horizontal cutline cannot result in creating a panel larger than the router will allow. Any cutline the system requires for routing panels cannot be removed. It is recommended to generate a tool path before inserting horizontal cutlines into a design. If the horizontal cutlines are inserted before a tool path is generated the cutlines are deleted from the design and need to be reinserted.
To create a horizontal cutline
1 Click Panels > Horizontal Cutline. The mouse pointer changes to a hand with a solid
red horizontal line across it that moves as the hand moves.
2 Move the horizontal cutline to the desired position. 3 Click the left mouse button to secure it. 4 Repeat steps 1 through 3 to insert another cutline. The cutlines are numbered in
sequence.
Move Cutline
Move Cutline allows the user to move a horizontal cutline to a different position in a design. A Horizontal Cutline may be moved or removed to best suit the design needs using the Move Cutline feature. Cutlines can also be dragged out of the rulers or created and moved using the tools in the toolbox.
To move a horizontal cutline
1 Click Panels > Move Cutline. The mouse pointer changes to a hand. 2 Move the tool to the cutline to be moved. 3 Click and drag the cutline to the desired position. 4 Releasethemousebutton.
To remove a horizontal cutline
1 Click Panels > Move Cutline. The mouse pointer changes to a hand. 2 Movethetooltothecutlinetoberemoved. 3 Click and drag the cutline off the screen or until it meets another cutline. 4 Releasethemousebutton.
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