How to download from Plasmaspider to Pronest

[kiloiv88]

I am once again new to Plasma Spider, years ago I was a member and had figured out how to upload and download from here, but now I'm at a new company with a new machine and software. I am Using Libre cad and pronest. Our machine is a Shop Sabre using a Hypertherm Powermax 65 SYNC. I can download off here, but I don't know what I'm doing as far as getting it from Libre cad to my machine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tcaudle]

its all about import and export file types. Most CAD files are in either DXF or DWG (autocad native format.
So LibraCAD needs to have an EXPORT filter that will export DXF (more about that in a minute) or a format that Pronest can handle.

I have never looked at LibraCAD although I use Libra Office that includes libraDraw and wordprocessing and spreadsheet.
Its been my experience that the libra products have a lot of IMPORT types they support, but few EXPORTS. To further complicate things the DXF foramat is not "Standard" so there are different releases and not all EXPORTs support later features and not all imports will handle the later features if you do use the Exports. Its a frustrating format to use and takes some experimenting to get it to work.

One handy tool is to get the PRO version (not expensive) of ORCAD that if nothing else is an excellent translator of CAD files
Not sure if anyone here uses LibraCAD but if they do maybe they can chime in and list what EXPORT file formats and version it supports.

[acourtjester]

You will need a CAM package to go from DXF to a G-code, I do not know if the Shop Sabre provides a CAM package with it some table companies do.
If not many here use SheetCam as a G-code generator to convert the DXF files. If using SheetCam you will need to be sure to use a post processor that is setup for Shop Sabre shown in the attached image.

shop sabre.jpg

[kiloiv88]

Thank you for your response, this actually does make sense. Shop Sabre literally sold us the machine and left it at that, I have been having to learn this all on my own. one of the tasks I found out I had to do was get a post processor for pronest. I found this out the hard way a few days ago. Anyways, we do have a 1-year subscription for EnRoute Fab, another long story there as to why we don't have it yet but should in the next few days. There are instructions on an NDriver setup from Shop sabre to, I'm assuming, Link EnRoute up with Shop Sabre. I will be patient and wait to get the correct EnRoute program and start playing with it again. I do appreciate your response.

[tcaudle]

I was under the impression that Pronest provides POST processors for different systems. Whether they have one for WINCNC is another story (Shop Saber Control Software) . Usually a table vendor provides the necessary Control and CAM software and supplies a POST to generate proper G-Code. The POST is a custom piece of software that takes the native tool paths and outputs the CORRECT g-code that the specific controller needs. Some design software and CAM software have open POST you can read and change . Pretty sure Pronest is closed and they have to write any POST they do not already have. Its my understanding that Pronest can export in DXF to import to another CAM program that DOES have a POST for your controller. It ehy do allow DXF export of the nested job then it would import to a progrma like SheetCAM and there will be drivers for WINCNC .

Well, Good luck. We will help as much as we can. Enroute MAY be able to import the DXF and then have a POST for WINCNC. If not it may not prove to be a justified expense.

[kiloiv88]

Shop Sabre did screen share with me and did the post processor procedure. I can do basic shapes and a few others through pronest that they already have installed within, just got to change the dimensions. But I'm a welding instructor and I have students who have picked out some things to cut out of Plasma spider, so I'm trying to get this all figured out before break for them. Installing EnRoute Fab now, hopefully better luck with it.

[tcaudle]

If you want something that is easy to use, low cost and has open POSTs (includigng several For WINCNC amd ShoprSaber plasma) then get a copy of SheetCAM TNG. Will directly import DXF and SVG (both foramts off PlasmaSpider) and genertate correct G-code

You can get good support here and via tutorials and videos online

While you are at it a good vector drawing tool is Inkscape. Price is right: FREE. A lot of us use it . You can import DXF and SVG and export in several formats but the native SVG maintains the true shapes (arcs and complex curves) and imports directly to SheetCAM.

It won't cost you a lot of money to try these solutions and you don't have to pay "rent" for any of them.

The biggest problem with Inkscape is its has TOO many tools and things you can do but if you learn the few tools you need to draw shapes and edit art files its gets a lot easier.

If you look back over a lot of the posts here there are some really detailed instructiosn on how to use these tow packages.