Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

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Crawdaddy
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Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by Crawdaddy »

I am cutting out parts which have a hole in the middle. Is there a function on the plasmacam software in which to position that circle exactly in the middle of the part without having to eyeball it and keep measuring?

Thanks.
jimcolt
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by jimcolt »

Crawdaddy.....I believe there is a way to center drawn items in the PlasmaCam software....however I never use it.....so I could not figure it out on mine. If you join the yahoo user group called PlasmaPig.....there are over 500 PlasmaCam owners that will help you with any and all PlasmaCam questions....the group is not affiliated with PlasmaCam...but have a few PlasmaCam employees that participate to help answer questions and solve problems....you need your machine serial number to join. I guaranteed someone on that site can answer the question quickly!

Jim Colt
Jetdctr
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by Jetdctr »

It would depend on the shape of the rest of your part. Say you had a square, then you can do a Midpoint snap to the edge and draw an Ortho line across the part. Do the same for an adhacent edge and Center snap the Circle onto the cross hair you created. It should then be centered. Now erase the target lines and Done.
Jetdctr
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by Jetdctr »

I forgot to mention, in case you may not be aware of it yet.

The Snap functions are accessed in the Plasmacam program by clicking the center mouse key, or the button on the keyboard that resembles a page. It should be near the space bar.

Bob
djs
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by djs »

Jetdctr, i have a plasma cam and i can't do what you are discribing ? am i missing something.............................


djs
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by Jetdctr »

Let me see if I can explain how to get the Snap functions up.

Open your Pcam program

Sample:

1. type Q for a circle and draw a circle on your screen big enough to see well.

2. type Q again to draw another circle, but this time select the center mouse key or the PAGE button on your keyboard.

3. A Snaps selection window should pop up.

4. select Center Snap

5. then highlight the first circle to select it by clicking on the line.

6. Now as you drag your mouse, you should see another circle being drawn.

You can use this to Snap to Mid points of a line, End Points, Cross Section Etc., It's a very helpful tool.

Let me know if it works for you.

The key thing is, you have to select a Drawing fuction first, before you can access the Snap menu.
djs
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by djs »

very nice...... might need to start reading the manual...nah, better learning from someone else..... works like a charm, thank ya.....................


djs
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Re: Plasma Help Needed - Exact distance between objects on part

Post by Complete_Loser »

Thank you fellers. I could not remember how to do this to save me life. Back out to the shop i go. :)
You want it done cheap and fast, it wont be right.
You want it done right and fast, it wont be cheap.

You want it done right and cheap.., come back in a year..
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