About sending CAD files

If your not a CAD person don't worry we can still read Bits of paper, Fax's, Word Doc's, PDF's, JPGS, Spreadsheets, etc.

It's been a few years since I first wrote these notes thing have moved on quite a bit that time.

Tips to sending CAD files for CNC routing machining

Importing from Apple Mac vectorworks can still cause problems but not as many as we used to get.

It's always a good idea to also send a PDF file so we can check against the CAD file, which can sometimes be corrupted when converting to our CAD/CAM software.

Intersecting curves, and lines need to connect.

Lines on top of each other can cause problems.

We can sort these things out but if their are a lot of curves or shapes it can be very time consuming.

Scale should be 1 - 1 full size. Not vital but a good idea.

We machine from files in millimetres so millimetres are preferred.

Polylines with thicknesses should be set to thickness zero.

2D Files

All the parts on a single of CAD file grouped in material, and thicknesses.

If we have 20 or 30 individual files to handle it's harder to get an over view for quoting, and key file can be missed.

Notes, and details on the file are very useful. Files can be loaded on different computers stations, and emails, and note become separated.

Using layers for groove depths board thicknesses different hole sizes an be very useful.

Early version of DXF, and DWG are can be more reliable than the latest version.

When we transfer data via DXF we will use version 13 or 2000 if possible.

We find DWG slightly more stable than DXF.

If you have a 3D model it is always useful for getting an over view.

It can take time to convert a 3D file into a 2D file so send the 2D file as well.

3D Files

We Machine with Alphacam, and use Rhino3D for preparation

We can take most 3D Solid and Surface files our favorite is Rhino3D.

Mesh files like STL can loose definition when the parts are large.

An indication of the block size is always useful.