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CAM View (Toolpath Workbench)

Overview

CAM View is where you design toolpaths from DXF files. Here you import parts, configure cutting tools, create operations, arrange parts on the material sheet, and generate G-code for the controller.

Switch to CAM View by pressing Tab from Control View.

Importing a DXF

Open File > Import Part (or use the import button in the left pane) to load a DXF file.

DXF Importer Dialog

When importing, you can configure:

  • Quality (8--16): Controls curve approximation resolution. Higher values produce smoother curves with more line segments.
  • Scale factor: Multiplier applied to the imported geometry.
  • Unit auto-detection: The importer reads the DXF header to determine whether the file uses millimeters or inches and converts accordingly.

Supported Geometry

The importer handles the following DXF entities:

  • Lines
  • Arcs
  • Circles
  • Polylines (including bulge arcs)
  • Splines
  • Ellipses

Layer Filtering

Layers named "Construction" and entities with non-continuous linetypes are automatically skipped during import.

Parts Panel (Left Pane)

The left pane shows a tree view of all imported parts.

  • Master parts and duplicates: When you duplicate a part, the copy is linked to the master. Changes to the master propagate to duplicates.
  • Layer visibility: Toggle individual layers on or off.
  • Right-click context menu: Delete parts, view properties.
  • Properties window: Shows dimensions, path count, vertex count, scale, rotation angle, and simplification settings.

Job Options

Configure the cutting job parameters:

  • Material size: Set the width and height of your sheet metal. This defines the working area shown in the viewport.
  • Origin corner: Choose which corner of the material corresponds to the work zero position. Four options are available (one for each corner).

Tool Library

The Tool Library stores your cutting tool definitions. Each tool represents a set of plasma cutting parameters for a specific material and thickness.

Creating and Editing Tools

Each tool has the following parameters:

Parameter Description
Tool name A descriptive name (e.g., "3mm Mild Steel")
Pierce height Z height during the initial pierce. Set higher than cut height to protect the torch from blowback.
Pierce delay Time in seconds to wait after firing the torch before moving. Allows the arc to fully penetrate the material.
Cut height Z height maintained during cutting. Critical for cut quality.
Kerf width Width of material removed by the plasma arc. Used for offset compensation so finished parts match the design dimensions.
Feed rate Cutting speed. Too fast causes dross on the bottom; too slow causes excessive heat and wider kerf.
THC target voltage Arc voltage setpoint for Torch Height Control. THC adjusts the torch height during cutting to maintain this voltage, which corresponds to a consistent cut height.

Tool Operations

Operations connect tools to DXF layers, defining how each layer gets cut.

Creating an Operation

  1. Select a tool from the Tool Library.
  2. Select a layer from the imported parts.
  3. Configure lead-in length and lead-out length. These control the approach and exit paths that prevent the pierce from damaging the cut edge. Default is 1.5x the tool's kerf width.

Managing Operations

  • Enable/disable: Toggle operations on or off without deleting them.
  • Operations list: All operations appear in the left pane. The order determines the cutting sequence.

Part Layout and Nesting

Manual Positioning

Switch to Nesting Tool mode to move parts:

  • Drag parts to reposition them on the material sheet.
  • Ctrl+scroll on a selected part to rotate it in 5-degree increments.
  • Shift+scroll on a selected part to scale it.

Automatic Nesting

Press the Arrange button to run automatic nesting optimization. This positions parts to minimize material waste.

Exporting

Save G-code to File

Use File > Save GCode to write the generated toolpath to a .nc or .gcode file for later use or transfer to another machine.

Send to Controller

Press Send to Controller to transfer the G-code directly to the machine. This automatically switches to Control View so you can run the job.

View Controls

Control Action
Right-click drag Pan the view
Scroll wheel Zoom in/out
Contour Tool Select and edit contours
Nesting Tool Select, move, rotate, and scale parts