Creating And Cutting A G-Code File With Autodesk ® Fusion 360; Converting An Image Or .Pdf To .Dxf For Cutting - Eastwood VERSA-CUT Assembly And Operating Instructions Manual

CREATING AND CUTTING A G-CODE FILE WITH AUTODESK
• Once the sketch is created, extruding the design in the manner you desire it to be cut out is recommended (extruded distance does not matter). This will
make pathing simpler.
• Using the "Change Workspace" drop down menu on the left of the main toolbar, change from the current workspace to the "MANUFACTURE" workspace.
• In the main toolbar switch to the "FABRICATION" tab.
• Select the "2D Profile" tool in the "CUTTING" box. The 2D Profile window will open and default to the "Tool" tab.
• In the "Tool" tab select the desired plasma tool. The "Select Tool" window will open.
- To create a tool, navigate to the local library in the "Libraries" box (Local -> Library), then press the "Create new tool for waterjet, laser, and
plasma cutting." icon in the top right of the window.
- In the "Cutter" tab switch the type to "Plasma cutter" and verify the unit is Millimeters.
- Set the kerf width to the desired value. The kerf width is typically 0.50mm - 1.50mm, but for best dimensional accuracy, measure the kerf
width yourself.
- Press OK to finish. Now this tool will always be available for future selection in the local library.
• In the "Geometry" tab, click the face that is to be cut out.
• In the "Passes" tab, Tolerance of the machine path can be adjusted. For best cut quality Sideways Compensation should be set to Left. Compensation Type
controls whether the kerf width is to be controlled by the Cutting Control System "In control" or by Fusion 360 "In Computer".
- For designs with small and/or intricate features allowing Fusion 360 to compensate is highly recommended. The CNC Cut Controller cannot calculate
compensation pathing for small, intricate features and will default to zero kerf. If using Fusion 360 to compensate, check that the kerf width in the
Cutting Control System is set to zero.
• In the "Linking" tab Lead-In/Lead-Out can be adjusted and cut entry/exit positions can be altered.
• When finished, press the OK button. If no errors appear, the toolpath has been generated.
- To view the toolpath in motion, select "Simulate" in the "ACTIONS" box. The path the Plasma Torch will take can be manipulated with the control
arrows at the bottom center of the window.
• To output the path as G-Code for the Eastwood CNC Plasma Table, select "Post Process" in the "ACTIONS" box. This will generate the G-Code for the
selected toolpath(s). Press the Post button and save it to the desired location.
- If running the Post Process for the first time, download the Eastwood CNC Plasma Table post configuration .cps file from the product webpage
(listed below the instruction manual download). Using the "..." button in the Configuration Folder box select the folder the post configuration was
downloaded to. Now in the Post Configuration box the Eastwood CNC Plasma Table post configuration can be selected. The default output folder can
also be changed below.
• Transfer the file you just saved to a USB flash drive and then plug it into the machine.
• Once the USB stick is inserted, a part can be imported from the Main Cut Screen by pressing F2 to enter the file menu, then pressing F2 again to go to
USB device.
• The USB stick's files can be navigated using the arrow keys,
• When the desired file is selected, press
• Files can be saved to the machine's storage by pressing F5 on the file when it is selected in the USB menu.

CONVERTING AN IMAGE OR .PDF TO .DXF FOR CUTTING

• To cut an image file or .PDF file, it must be converted to a .DXF file so that Fusion 360 can open it in a manner that a cut path can be created from.
• This is easily done for free from a website such as https://convertio.co/ which can translate a variety of file types to a .DXF drawing.
• When converting an image, if it does not convert the file to a .DXF as desired it may be helpful to use a photo editor to increase the contrast, neutralize
colors, or edit certain aspects out. Extraneous line segments can also be removed after the conversion with Fusion 360.
• On convertio.co, choose your file to be converted, then in the drop-down menu to the right of to navigate to CAD > DXF.
• Press the Convert button and download the converted file.
• In Fusion 360 navigate to File > Open or use key combo CTRL + O, then select "Open from my computer..." and find the converted .DXF file.
• From here, follow steps in the previous section CREATING AND CUTTING A FILE WITH AUTODESK FUSION 360.
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FUSION 360
® ®
, and, ESC.
to open it.
Eastwood Technical Assistance: 800.343.9353 >> tech@eastwood.com