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ARTPath and Auto-Carve 3D - Gerber Scientific Products

1. sess 148 manufactured mate 147 WOO EE 147 Material Size eiit deir erede has 51 Material surface initializing to 141 Material Used eter rends 82 Max Allowable Depth sss 116 125 Max Depth Per Pass eem 116 122 125 EE 25 Milling conventional 2 eterne 117 Move Cu tline iiie cere du 22 91 N E 21 da Eege Ee 52 New command see ee rer TIR E pen bs 27 New WIBdOW uie pere tee ber Iber penis 99 Non throughy cut ei thee 59 Non uniform eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrennnnnnnnnnnnn 39 40 O eu a E M 27 Organize Tool Order dialog box 55 89 Output MENU rro ttr ttt ee o ORE Te todo ro aeuo 81 P Panel Men ceteri ertet ENEE eb ves 91 Panel E 92 Park positions iconic ERR ERREUR Rut 84 eri 33 from Composer eR ieee 34 IT EE 35 Petcent Overlap sse t En REP 15 Percent Size dialog box onte 39 lur m E 30 Plunge Rate 59 61 116 122 125 149 flat bottom Dee te rore parete er ate dere 132 FOUSHINS COOL pedis 5 0 tede age dese E 128 Lee 82 PiePOSItI DG s ie qoid tes oss rts aus tens tastes lene dese 82 Judi NM 31 Print Set p eee tesa thes ten basa eens 31 Prismatic tool path sonet onte ct eter epo 133 dialog DORs satsat terere dente ove tege a 133 eliminating rough edges eeeeeerreeeeeereereee 136 Floor Depth retro ee 135 Surface Offset Depth tetro 135 153 Surf
2. Fattorom Climb Milling 20000 R P M V Tool Definition Basic Carving Angle e Te adem 120 000 361 Surface Offset Depth D 000 lt 1 250 T Di Max Allowable Depth 0 134 e Max Depth Per Pass 0 040 040 Feed in min Plunge inmin 4 10 E 10 00 1 250 120 000 1 250 V Cutte s Acceleration Auto E WV Finish Cut 20000R P M Depth 0 020 v Roughing Tool r Feed in rnin Plunge in min 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool Ets KD re 2000RPM _ Tool Parameters Acceleration Auto zl Cancel Preference 127 2 Click the Tool Parameters button The Current Roughing Tool Information dialog box opens Default Roughing Tool Information Roughing Tool 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool Ze Contour Feed inmin Plunge in min a C Linear De De isl IV Finish Cut 20000 R PM Depth F Feed in min Plunge in min 0 020 Pin mi 10 10 H hcceleration Auto l RE Cancel Here you can select a roughing tool as your first cutting tool and set its parameters contour or linear feed rate plunge rate finish cut Selecting Contour Contour describes a way in which the roughing tool removes excess material If you select Contour the tool removes material in a circular motion that follows the perimeter of the shape The example below shows the letter T with a contoured tool pat
3. Finishing the Design Once your design has been routed you can paint stain gold leaf or otherwise finish the carved design If your sign blank is masked you do not have to be as careful when doing this type of detailed work When finished remove the masking by peeling it off the surface of the material 143 Appendix A ART Path Glossary ACCELERATION The rate at which the router gains speed from stop to the full Feed Rate set for that tool path ACCELERATORS e Keys which provide an alternate method of accessing commands by using the keyboard rather than the mouse AUTOMATIC INLAY A feature that produces rounded corners on male and female shapes to allow for inlay without manual filing BASIC CUT The rough cut of the shape CLEANOUT Removes material from the total area of the inner shape without cutting completely through the material Can also remove background around the shape to create a relief shape CLIMB MILLING Reverses the standard cutting direction of the router The tool travels counterclockwise on the inside of shapes and clockwise on the outside of shapes CONTOUR A way in which the tool removes excess material If you select Contour the tool removes material in a circular motion that follows the inside parameter of the shape CONVENTIONAL MILLING The standard cutting direction of the router The tool travels clockwise on the inside of shapes and counterclockwise on the outside of shapes COPY
4. 1 Click View gt Color Assignments to open the ColorPicker dialog box ColorPicker fx x Cancel eeng Edit Color teen nm 777 4 _Preerence_ E Female rough path EE nale finish path EE Female lip rough path HER Female lip finish path HEE Clean out path HEE Clean out finish path HE Center drill path HEE 3D basic path EE 3D basic finish 2 Choose the tool path or feature from the list 97 Click Edit Color to open the Color Ge box Hue TE Red Ki Sat o Green 0 mI Lum o Blue o Add to Custom Colors oO D mn El m r D SEER l IiBENBHNH 4 Choose a color from the Basic colors palette or define a custom color Ui 6 T 1 2 3 4 5 eo Click OK to return to the ColorPicker dialog box The new color displays next to the tool path or feature name Click OK o define a custom color Click View Color Assignments to open the ColorPicker dialog box Choose the tool path or feature from the list Click Edit Color to open the Color dialog box Choose a color from the Basic colors palette or define a custom color Click in the color matrix or specify a custom color using the hue saturation luminosity or the red green blue definitions Click Add to Custom Colors to add the color to the Custom colors palette Click OK to return to the ColorPicker dialog box 99 Chapter 11 Window Menu Windows commands allow you to open view and close windows New
5. The example below shows the letter T with a contoured tool path creating a flat bottom Once completing the roughing tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the pointed bottom and beveled edges of the tool path Contoured Tool Path several passes to remove excess material Tool Parameters Linear describes a way in which the roughing tool removes excess material If you select Linear the tool removes material in a straight line according to the angle you choose The example below shows the letter T with a contoured tool path creating a flat bottom After completing the roughing tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the pointed bottom and beveled edges of the tool path Linear Tool Path several passses to remove excess material The Feed Rate is the speed that the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed Rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second The Plunge Rate is the speed that the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Acceleration is the rate at which the Sabre gains speed from stop to the full Feed Rate set for the tool path There are three acceleration settings Auto automatically adjusts the acceleration to the geometry of the design Low slows
6. 1 With the main power switch OFF press RESET and the UP arrow slew keys on the ARC station 2 While pressing the ARC station keys set the router main power switch to ON 7 8 Release the ARC station keys after the very first beep The ARC station display panel shows SYSTEM Press SELECT on the ARC station The ARC station display panel shows either AR600 Sabre or Dimension 200 Use the ARC station left and right arrow slew keys to scroll until your router appears in the display To help you identify your system press SELECT to choose your router The message for limit switches displays either ON or OFF Use the left and right arrow slew keys to make your choice If your router has limit switches choose ON to enable the limit switches If your router does not have limit switches choose OFF Note If you are not sure whether your router contains limit switches check the R892 receptacle at the rear of the ARC station If P892 is plugged in the router has limit switches Press SELECT The ARC station is now ready for normal operation To load the Auto Carve software option refer to Auto Carve Installation Installing the FACS 13 Control Board If your firmware revision level is lower than F you must install the FACS 13 Control Board that came with your kit into the ARC station The FACS 13 Control Board contains the IC firmware to run the Auto Carve option Ww To install the FACS 13 Control Board WARNING Turn
7. A Roughing Tool is a standard routing tool used to remove or hog out excess material When the roughing tool is deselected the default setting the V tool is used to clean out excess material in the design Depending on the size of the job the width and depth of the tool path and the carving tool you are using you decrease the cutting life of the V tool significantly by using it to clean out excess material The illustration below shows a V tool making multiple passes to carve out a design 3 dimensional carving tool making multiple passes 4 maximum allowable depth Selecting a roughing tool lets you hog out excess material with a standard routing bit before using the V tool to finish the tool path The left illustration below shows the roughing tool removing excess material in multiple passes The right illustration shows the V tool finishing the job in fewer passes thus reducing wear and tear on the tool and giving the tool path beveled edges and a pointed bottom Roughing Tool cleaning 3 dimensional carving tool out excess material making fewer passes M 4 maximum 4 maximum allowable allowable depth depth tr Note If the V tool is able to cut the job in one pass and you have a roughing tool selected the V tool will be used to do the entire job The roughing tool will not be used up To choose a roughing tool 1 With the V Bottom tab selected turn on Roughing Tool Default Carve Info VBetem
8. If you set the RPM in the tool path and do not turn on Use Smart Spindle then the RPM is displayed as a prompt and you must manually change speed This is true for both Sabre and non Sabre series equipped with either a spindle or a motor Rearrange Output Tool Order The Rearrange Output Tool Order check box allows you to view and change the order that tools are used when routing Click on the Rearrange Output Tool Order check box An X appears in the check box and the feature is turned on Click on the Rout button to open the Organize Tool Order dialog box This dialog lists the tools used in the job the order they are used and depth of cut for each tool path 89 The Organize Tool Order dialog box allows you to view and change the order that tools are used when routing In the Job Output dialog box click on the Rearrange Output Tool Order check box and then click on Rout to open the Organize Tool Order dialog box This dialog lists the tools used in the job the order they are used and depth of cut for each tool path The major benefit of this dialog box is to display the order that tools are used in so that you have the next tool ready to install for a manual tool change The order that tools are used is optimized by ART Path software to provide the most efficient and safe order You should not change the order unless you are a very advanced user with a great depth of knowledge about routing materials and tools WARNING Be extremel
9. More about Gerber Routers 105 Book Three Introduction to Auto Carve The ART Path Auto Carve 3D Sign Carving Option provides the ability to rout three dimensional fonts flourishes and other designs to give them either a hand carved or a raised look depending on the tool path you choose The Auto Carve option has many of the same features as the regular ART Path program but with the added ability to generate three dimensional tool paths and a prismatic tool path The Auto Carve option makes wood metal plastic and engraving stock signs appear hand carved saving you time resources and money The following Gerber routing systems can be used with this option Dimension 200 Sabre ADVANTAGE Router M 600 107 Chapter 13 Installing Auto Carve System Requirements Before you can install the Auto Carve option the following software and hardware releases must be running on your system Microsoft Windows 98 or higher ART Path ARC Station Firmware Revision G 4 or higher ARC Station FACS 13 Control Board or higher one To verify your software release levels l Right click the GSP Tray icon that appears on the right end of the Windows status bar to open the Gerber Tray menu 2 Click System Identification String Gerber System ID SystemID SPCFFS61E0 1322 CDE0 0100 0004250 271 System Serial Number ion r Firing Version Date Info EDGE EDGE2 128 11 04 2081232PM EDG
10. Save to Spool FILS X 29 Save Darameterg 30 Be 30 c 31 Priit EL ID UT IL TU ILLIUS 31 Print Setups csser tiskne iesi inerea gege edit iert pte nd Hidden Ceo d recen 31 Recently Used Mud 31 E a S REEE 31 UNO 33 eo M M 33 Copy and Paste lt i niet ices besten tme bein ndis diei Reiter ated Saar ti citet iti P eds 33 P st from e NNNM 34 Paste Backs ice tete detiene den an edlen ain tina andes 35 Delete 35 Select All rmm dne it ne I i esee i a d enam E dn dis 35 Reverse EE 35 Select Open Shapes siise M 35 Select Unused Shapes e entut Tenan E EOE aman eae eee 36 Chapter 5 Shape Menu iin 37 Repeats i tetuinteatnthieten da ia teen ides 37 Repeats dialog BOX iecit rettet eet pes te pi teintes te esee botes ta per tengo oed du pest 37 Sirain af oi xen 38 Percent ize dialog DOX sais derer imde diii n Gd ers Er dr d ENEN 39 Absolute Size dialog bOX eet iere geraten inen te eH KERERE KRANER EEE NEESER ERE 40 le H 41 on 42 r
11. a tool with a steeper angle e For a shallow cut Auto Carve 3D tool path or flatter corners Prismatic tool path use a tool with a wider angle When you choose the Auto Carve 3D tool path the tool cuts into the material and the stroke width looks like the example below 1 Stroke 1 Stroke Width Width te Steep Shallow Angled Angled Cutter Cutter Material When you choose the Prismatic tool path the tool shaves off the outside and or inside of a design and the stroke width looks like the example below 1 Stroke Steep vida E k _ Angled Material 1 Stroke o Cutter Width Carving Tool Sharpness The sharpness of the three dimensional carving tool is critical to the quality of your design If the cutting tool is sharp your designs will have clean sharp angles and smooth edges If the cutting tool is dull your designs will have irregular edges and rough corners These irregularities are more apparent in multiple pass jobs because the transition between passes becomes inconsistent The cutting life of the tool depends on how often it is used and the types of material it is used on It is difficult to predict when a tool has become too dull to produce a clean cut If a tool is dull design quality will be poor The following example shows the results of a design cut with a sharp tool compared to the results of a design cut with a dull tool 115 EA Results of a sharp Results of a dull cutting
12. and disconnect the ARC station power supply from the 24 volt receptacle before continuing with this procedure CAUTION Static electricity is a serious threat to modern integrated circuits Before reaching inside your system ground yourself by touching any bare metal part of the console to discharge any static electricity you may be carrying t To install ARC station firmware 1 2 3 Remove the four screws that secure the ARC station to the base Lift the cover carefully and rest it on its side next to the base Disconnect the two ribbon cables and limit switch cable from the main board using a gentle rocking motion to unseat the connections Make note of the cable locations and plug orientations so that you can reconnect them in the correct positions Remove IC7 indicated in the illustration A gentle rocking motion will loosen it R830 to R829 to GRAPHIX electrical box ADVANTAGE p Ee P891 CC Ac P833 P832 6 7 109 The replacement IC7 is mounted on a carrier which protects the IC chip and prevents it from being installed upside down Holding the IC chip by its carrier install it into the socket labeled IC7 pressing down gently to seat the IC chip Reconnect the ribbon cables and limit switch cable Replace the cover using the four cover screws The ARC station is capable of supporting several different routers Follow the procedure below to set up the ARC station for your router Kg To set up the ARC station
13. for this tool path is 315 A flat bottom tool path indicated by the circles was generated only where needed Flat Bottom areas of tool path The following example shows another flat bottom tool path generated on the same letter R The floor depth for this tool path is 197 By decreasing the floor depth a flat bottom tool path was generated in more areas However there are still areas where a flat bottom tool path was not generated as indicated by the circles Areas where Flat Bottom tool path were not generated The following example shows another flat bottom tool path generated on the same letter R The maximum allowable depth for this tool path is 118 By decreasing the maximum allowable depth even more a flat bottom tool path was generated throughout the entire letter D 124 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Default Flat bottom Tool Information Dialog Box The Flat Bottom tool is a standard routing tool that removes excess material and produces a flat bottom in the areas that require it Click the Tool Parameters button to open the Default Flat Bottom Tool Information dialog box where you can change settings Default Flat Bottom Tool Information Flat Bottom 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool v E Contour Feed in min Plunge in min C Linear Lat Al I Finish Cut 20000 run Depth Feed in min r Plunge inzmin 0 020 2j 10 10
14. gt All Programs gt GSP OMEGA gt ART Path32 to open the program The Router Selection Dialog Box automatically appears on screen 2 Click the router name that will be used to rout the current design 3 Click OK to enter in the selection and exit the Router Selection Dialog Box The screen may redraw to adjust to the size of the selected router ta To select a router after a file is opened 1 Click Setup gt Router Selection The Router Selection Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click the Router Name that will be used to rout the current design 3 Click OK to enter in the selection and exit the Router Selection Dialog Box The screen may redraw to adjust to the size of the selected router Use Material The Use Material command in the Setup menu allows the user to view a rectangle that represents the material to be cut for the job Use Material is useful when sending multiple jobs or shapes using the same material to the router without losing registration ke To turn on use material 1 Click Setup gt Use Material A check mark appears next to the Use Material command to show that it is turned on A rectangle appears on screen along with the design to represent the sheet of material on the router 51 2 Use the nesting tool to position the design within the rectangle tap To turn off use material 1 Click Setup gt Use Material The checkmark is removed from next to the Use Material command The screen redraws without the mate
15. orientation point 0 0 on the router table The router must be a limit switch router and the box checked for Absolute to function If the router is not a limit switch router but the box is checked the entire PrePosition parameter is ignored Router Name Router Name shows the name of the router currently selected Job Header Message Job Header Message is a function in the Job Output Dialog box that allows for notes or reminders to be written about a design Instructions that apply to the job appear on the router console The user must follow the message then start the router to begin routing the design You must read the Job Header Message first before routing a design A message may be a reminder to change the material 84 Chapter 8 Output Menu t To enter in a job header message 1 After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Job Output Dialog Box appears 2 Click the mouse pointer inside the Job Header Message Text Box A blinking cursor appears Type in the desired message 4 Click Rout to enter in the Job Header Message In Place Repeats In Place Repeats can be used instead of Repeats to create additional copies of a job The difference is that In Place Repeats cuts each copy in the same place The operator must change the material between each repeat and cut copies of the job out of several pieces of material Press the START key after changing material to rout the next copy of the job Clicking on In
16. turn off Outside Corners 4 Set the radius value to match the radius of the tool you are using for the male or cleanout tool path For example if the diameter is 250 set the radius to 125 Generate the Fillet Corner o on OU 10 11 12 137 While the entire design is selected select Shape Outline Select Points with a 050 offset Select Contour Deselect Hide Originals and Encase Open Originals Generate the outline Save the job and open it in ART Path Select the outside outline and generate the Prismatic tool path Select the original shape and generate a male or cleanout tool path When you rout the job the edges will be clean Generating a 3 D Tool Path ART Path lets you generate multiple tool paths for each shape in your design however only one 3 D tool can be used per generated tool path If you want to use a different 3 D tool for each shape you must generate separate tool paths for each of them gt To generate a 3 D tool path 1 ao Ut P W N P In ART Path select part or all of the design Select Tool paths Auto Carve 3D The Default Carve Info dialog box opens or Select Tool paths Prismatic The Default Prismatic Info dialog box opens If you selected Auto Carve 3D choose the tool path type V Bottom or Flat Bottom Choose the tool path parameters Click Generate The progress indicator bar fills After the tool path is generated you return to the ART Path screen The tool
17. use the Engrave tool path to cut shapes with no offset E To access the Engrave tool path 1 Using the Pointer tool select the shape s to be engraved 2 Click ToolPaths Engrave The Default Engraving Info dialog box opens 66 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu Default Engraving Info ENGRAVING Tempie O Climb Milling Disable Path Optimization BASIC CUT Tool foo 0 063 1 16 Tool l 20000 R P M r Surface Reference Feed inmin Plunge in min e Table Material L1 fm 4 Total Depth fo oo T no Depth Per Pass am Acceleration Auto v Channel Cut Cancel Preference Custom a To use Templates 1 2 In the Default Engraving Info dialog box select a template If you do not wish to change any information click Generate to generate a tool path for this job The Engrave tool path appears on top of the shape in a contrasting color wep To use the Engrave tool path To change parameters enter information as follows 1 Oc Ui RP WM In the Default Engraving Info dialog box select a tool Enter the Total Depth of the engraving Enter the Depth Per Pass Select a Surface Reference Click the Feed Rate slide bar to set the speed Click the Plunge Rate slide bar to set the plunge rate Click Generate The Engrave tool path appears on top of the shape in a contrasting color 67 Additional information found in the Default Engrave Info Dialog Box Di
18. zl Acceleration Auto X Cancel Tool Parameters Contour describes a way in which the flat bottom tool removes excess material If you select Contour the tool removes material in a circular motion that follows the perimeter of the shape The diagram below shows the letter T with a contoured tool path creating a flat bottom Once completing the flat bottom tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the beveled edges Tool Parameters Linear describes a way in which the flat bottom tool removes excess material If you select Linear the tool removes material in a straight line according to the angle you choose The diagram below shows the letter T with a zero degree linear tool path creating a flat bottom Once completing the flat bottom tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the beveled edges The Feed Rate is the speed that the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed Rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second The Plunge Rate is the speed that the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Acceleration is the rate at which the Sabre gains speed from stop to the full Feed Rate set for the tool path There are three acceleration settings Auto automatically adjusts the acceleration to the geometry of the des
19. 131 using a roughing oo 127 Conventional milling 117 122 Copy RE 33 Customer E EE 5 Cut cou EROR EU 33 Cutline Horizontal nsession ke 91 adding EE 22 MOVING oci RON Beo 22 91 D Default Prismatic Info dialog box 133 DJ rU 35 Depth bmatons 120 128 Depth pet pass ere rr rrr ttn 58 125 149 IK 19 Direction cleanout tool path 18 Disable Path Op mu zapen 67 IK 37 Drill Dwell Titue ts ies egen deiere 78 Info dialog box eere 20 79 tagged ege deet 77 SyIBDOlSs eege ee e ee TI tool path err eerte etre 53 77 Dull tools nune 114 Dwell Titie 6c uU RHENUS 78 E Bit E 33 Engrave Info dialog box 15 65 TOOL palli cetero ee Pet reote ue ER Re tores Poe R 56 65 Exiting the program eeceeeeeeneeete entes 31 152 Index ART Path F FACS 13 control board EE E 109 Feed Rate iie 59 61 116 122 125 149 flat bottom TOO i eate terea ders aeree der age ter anes 132 roughing tool i iip iter terme ttes dex es 128 Female Auto Inlay dialog box s 13 73 Basic Ub 5 omoi E 12 70 Finish Cut dialog box eee 72 Info dialog box eee eeeseeeseeesseeeeseeeeeeeeeeaeers 70 tool Geteste ior rette t er Pene etes 56 70 Eye list ctetuer RIPE 99 File Menu eee Paten vi orta Cor e M eigenen 27 Finish ario nt eire tete tt etre eene 63 Pin Shi Ule ee tette tort 6
20. 25 diameter e 110 angle 1 25 diameter e 120 angle 1 25 diameter e 130 angle 1 25 diameter e 140 angle 1 25 diameter 150 angle 1 25 diameter tr Note Engraving tools can also be used but you must know the exact angle and diameter of the tool to ensure an accurate cut Because the angle and diameter of each tool must be exact to ensure the quality of the design Gerber provides accurate 3 D carving tools The ART Path program uses these measurements to determine the correct tool height If your angle and diameter measurements are incorrect or if the tool is inaccurate the tool height will be incorrect thus altering your desired cut and design The correct angle and diameter are imprinted on the tool s shank 1 25 130 Angle Bhce Choosing a tool depends on how you want your design to look Several factors determine the look of the cut 1 Height angle and diameter of the tool the maximum allowable depth 114 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools material thickness font choice tool path Listed below are guidelines for choosing a tool Choose a steeper angled tool such as the 90 tool for a thinner stroke width or for smaller letters less than 3 4 Choose a shallow angled tool such as the 150 tool for a wider stroke width or for larger letters over 6 Foradeep cut Auto Carve 3D tool path or a sharper corners Prismatic tool path use
21. ARC station Dmmware 108 FACS 13 control board eeeeeeeereereeree 109 e 4 J Job header message eene Rs 83 Job Output dialog bs 48 55 81 In Place eet enee RS ERES 84 Job Header message tette 83 Material Used urine tite cde 82 Park POSITION iip icetee tette tee ovde tees 84 Plot pat m tets eege dee 87 uio 82 IN d LE ER Rearrange output tool order 88 REPCAES I 85 Router Name eet remite dee 83 Select Tool Changer Position 87 Use Automatic Tool Changer 87 Use Smart Spindle esses 88 TOU ote test beet onere needa veces dene nee vat oes 41 EE 52 L Jy 42 en E en eno eaten Ee 43 Lead In Lead Outs eegene ease ged 65 Libraty dieere heath wreak eee 31 Drill uere RR RE ERR TI Linear using a flat bottom tool sess 132 using a roughing tool 127 M Male Auto Inlay dialog box 10 69 Basi Qut aiias oor vetoes 9 67 Eunishi C t iine hte interi 68 Into dialog D se odio erede 67 lr 69 tool path nbi te eem 56 67 70 Masking OO orco SMILIES 139 GerberMask I eere nnne 139 GerberMask IL er irte e Re ERR 139 Sen blanks eno AHORRO RARIUS 138 Material CHALE MN es 149 le E E 148 SHIP PU Soca eei e idee ee rep vented 148 Cis cc RT eer O A 148 Material flatness carving warped material
22. Cancel Select Tool The selected shape becomes deselected Pointer Pointer selects and deselects a shape When the Pointer Tool is clicked on in the toolbox the mouse pointer changes to a pointing finger The selected shape is redrawn with a solid blue line The Pointer Tool is also used for Smart Editing Smart Edit allows the user to change the tool path settings The user returns to the specific tool path dialog box for editing the desired parameters A shape or design does not have to be selected first before it may be Smart Edited A shape must be selected with the Pointer Tool first before choosing a tool path When using the rubber band method of selection the rubber band box must surround the entire shape gt To select or deselect a shape 1 Click the Pointer Tool The mouse pointer changes to a pointing finger when moved into the working area 2 Move the Pointer Tool until it touches the shape and click the left mouse button The shape is selected and redrawn in solid blue lines If a shape is deselected it is redrawn in a contrasting color ta To select or deselect multiple shapes 1 Click the Pointer Tool The mouse pointer changes to the Pointer Tool when moved into the working area 2 Move the Pointer Tool to a top corner above the shapes to be selected 3 Click and drag the tool across the shapes to the opposite corner As the Pointer Tool is moved a rubber band box will be drawn around it 8 Chapter 2 Revie
23. Output dialog box 1 Click Output The Job Output dialog box appears on the screen 2 Click the Use Automatic Tool Changer check box 3 Click the Rout button The Select Tool s Changer Position dialog box appears on the screen The top half of the dialog lists the tools that are not assigned a tool changer position The bottom half lists the tools assigned to tool changer positions 1 10 4 To add an unassigned tool highlight that tool in the Unassigned Tools list and click Add The tool is assigned to the first EMPTY position in the Assigned Tools list 5 To change tool position assignments highlight an assigned tool and drag it to an EMPTY position 88 Chapter 8 Output Menu 6 To remove a tool from an assigned tool changer position highlight the assigned tool and click Remove That tool is now placed in the Unassigned Tools list 7 If you want to pause the tool after it is picked up by the tool changer highlight the tool in the Assigned Tools list and click Pause On Off An X appears to the left of the tool indicating that routing stops until you restart it at the control panel 8 When you complete assigning tool positions click Continue to send the job to the router tr NOTE Make certain you load the correct tool in its assigned position ART Path cannot determine if the wrong tool or no tool is loaded in a position Use Smart Spindle If you are using a Sabre series router you can click the Use Smart Spindle chec
24. Place Repeats opens the group box to select the number of repeats and the X and Y Park Position IV In Place Repeats Count of Repeats I Park Position ParkX 0 000 Parky 0 000 Count of Repeats lets you enter the number of times to perform In Place Repeats X and Y Park Position The values in these boxes move the tool out of the way to make changing the material easier for the next In Place Repeat X Park Position moves the tool horizontally and Y Park Position moves the tool vertically The Park Position is measured from the home position of the job After you put a new piece of material on the table and press START the tool returns to the job home position and routs the next copy X Park Position is a feature in the In Place Repeats Text Box that allows the user to enter in a value in inches or millimeters The tool moves in a horizontal direction from the tool s current position The tool moves the distance specified in the X Park Position Text Box at the same time the distance specified in the Y Park Position Text Box moves In between each In Place Repeat the router tool is moved out of the way which allows the user to easily change material ke To use X Park Position 1 After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Job Output Dialog Box appears 2 Click the In Place Repeats check box An X appears in the check box to indicate the feature is turned on The Repeats Text Box disappears from the d
25. Places a copy of the selected shape on the Clipboard The original selected shape remains in the working area CUT Removes a selected shape from the working area and puts it on the Clipboard CUTLINES Used to divide a design into sections when the design exceeds the height of the router CUTTER e The tool that does the cutting Also called router bit or endmill DEFAULT A value or selection made by the system when no choice is made by the user DEFINED TERM e The definition for a term appears in a small window such as this one DEPTH How deep the router plunges as it cuts the shape Z axis DEPTH PER PASS How deep the router plunges into the material per pass DISTANCE Sets the space between the centers of the repeated shapes DRILL GCA A library in the GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE to allow selection of specifically sized drill symbols used to designate location on a shape DWELL TIME Ensures a clean cut at the bottom of the drill position The router tool stays in t he drill position for the amount of time specified in the Dwell Time text box before lifting and 144 AppendixA ART Path Glossary continuing to the next drill position Dwell Time is typically less than a second Enter zero for Dwell Time to turn the feature off ENDMILL The tool that does the cutting Also called cutter or router bit ENGRAVE Material cut on the shape s contour with no offset Depth and number of passes can be specified FEED RATE e The ra
26. Repeat A design cannot be Y Repeated if it contains panels The maximum number of Y Repeats is dependent upon the routing material size or 100 Y Repeats maximum It may be necessary to use the pull down function to rout all of the Y Repeats Y Repeats is useful in routing multiple copies along the height of the same piece of material t To rout multiple copies of a design one above another l After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Output Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click and drag the mouse pointer across the Y Repeats Text Box The value is highlighted 3 Type in the desired number of Repeats 4 Click Rout to enter in the value and return to the working area Gap Between Repeats allows the user to designate how much space should be left between repeated shapes Values are specified in the X Gap Between Repeats and Y Gap Between Repeats Text Boxes X Gap between Repeats in the Job Output Dialog Box allows the user to specify the amount of space between the repeated shapes in a horizontal direction X Gap is the distance between shapes repeated along the length of the material a gt To use X Gap Between Repeats 1 After the desired tool path is generated click Output menu The Job Output Dialog Box appears 2 Click and drag the mouse pointer across the X Gap Between Repeats Text Box The value is highlighted Type in the desired X Gap Between Repeats value 4 Click Rout to enter in the value and return to
27. S F Select Panels to be Plotted Cancel Preference The Panels Setup dialog box is used to define parameters for cutting or routing a design that has been divided into panels Panel Height indicates the height of the panel The height of the panel can be changed Panel Length indicates the length of the panel and is for information only of Panels reflects the number of panels the job has been divided into Select Panels to be Plotted allows selective plotting The user enters the number s of the panel s to be plotted at that time Click on the All box if you wish all the panels in the entire design to be plotted 93 tp To use setup 1 2 Click Panels gt Setup The Panel Setup dialog box appears In the Summary box click on the up or down arrows to locate the number of the panel desired The Panel Height and Length boxes show the measurements for that panel Click and drag over the height in the Panel Height box to erase the old value and enter the new panel height desired In the Select Panels to be Plotted box enter the number s of the panel s to be plotted If you wish all the panels to be plotted click All or select the panels to be plotted separate the entries with a comma only Click OK to return to the working area to view the height modifications Return to the dialog box for further changes if desired 95 Chapter 10 View Menu View Menu commands allow you to change the work surfac
28. The maximum allowable depth for this tool path is 197 By decreasing the maximum allowable depth a flat bottom tool path was generated in more areas However there are still areas where a flat bottom tool path was not generated as indicated by the circles Areas where Flat Bottom tool paths were not generated The example below shows another flat bottom tool path generated on the same letter R The maximum allowable depth for this tool path is 118 By decreasing the maximum allowable depth even more a flat bottom tool path was generated throughout the entire letter 131 ke To choose a Flat Bottom tool 1 Select the Flat Bottom tab in the Default Carve Info dialog box Default Carve Info Flat Bottom Climb Milling 20000 R P M V Tool Definition r Basic Carving Surface Reference Angle E Table Material 120 000 EN i 0 36 Surface Offset Depth 0 000 1 250 gt TW e Di Floor Depth 0 134 a Max Depth Per Pass 0 040 Feed in min Plunge in min AL 10 Jr 00 1 250 120 000 1 250 V Cutte v Acceleration Auto J B FLAT BOTTOM TOOL Finish Cut 20000 RPM Depth 0 020 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool Feed in min Plunge in min mc 70 NE oe 20000 R P M Tool Parameters Acceleration Auto e d Cancel Preference 2 Click the Tool Parameters button in the Flat Bott
29. Window If you already have a file open you can open a copy of the file in a new window by clicking Window gt New Window This may be useful for viewing dry haul or animation moves in one window while reviewing the job in the other window Cascade Clicking Cascade in the Window menu arranges windows on top of each other with the title bars visible Tile Clicking Tile in the Window menu arranges multiple job windows so that all windows are visible Arrange Icons If you have multiple windows open and minimized click Window gt Arrange Icons to line up the icons across the bottom of the ART Path work surface Close All Clicking Close All in the Window menu closes open job windows File List The file list in the Window menu shows a list of all open jobs Click a file name to make it the active window 101 Chapter 12 Getting Help in ART Path Help is the last menu item on the ART Path programs menu The on screen Help System that is part of ART Path software is designed to quickly and easily provide procedures and information for you while you are working There are several ways to open Help topics Ina dialog box press F1 to get general information about that dialog box Press Shift F1 or click on the arrow question mark in the standard tool bar to turn the cursor into a question mark then click on a tool command or menu item to get information Click Help Help Topics to open the Help window Find
30. YR FERE Es 81 jo s 82 KEE EE E 82 la cereo M 82 Ruiter pu 83 e ER ER In Pla CO Repeats 84 OL 85 Plotting Kate eege dief deen Piste a eie eta en e de t tee 87 Tool iW 87 Chapter 9 Panel MEW iirisirin rariuiv viris svinsadrisiviS Erin nananana naandaa nandos ras rvOM favr v saanuna saaana 91 Horizontal Cutlirie iaces nenne entr eere eter anie rigen rete irt tees erige ie age eee ego 91 Kale Ce 91 E 92 Chapter 10 View Melun xix dena D E LU i RERU ET EEEEN LE ON ERI ORO INC EEM OR IET EN CARERE RENE 95 Eelere iere eidel averti ber Wen Eher dba ete Here i bir tienes 95 Toolbars and Status Bar MN Eni 95 EEGEN 95 Show Dry Haul MOVES e 96 show Path Start Point etate Detenido EE ters 96 Color Assignments iine hit i d n eege eege 96 Chapter 11 Window Menu rene nre re rennrererenrenen nnne sensa ru ta sana raton rata saa na an 99 New e 99 CASCADE 99 Tale onte mec eitis tte coti un ture cat mercer ceric rece ve coat most terete ce 99 Arrange ICONS 99 ecce RPM 99 Ig SE 99 Cha
31. a design The design is selected and redrawn in a different color Reverse Select Choosing Reverse Select in the Edit menu changes the selection condition of a shape Any selected shapes become deselected Any shapes not selected become selected e To reverse select shapes Click Edit Reverse Select The deselected shapes become selected and the selected shapes become deselected Select Open Shapes Select Open Shapes determines if any shapes in the design are open If Select Open Shapes is gray the design contains no open shapes If Select Open Shapes is black the design contains open shapes 36 Chapter 4 Edit Menu t To select open shapes 1 Click Edit 2 If Select Open Shapes is black click on it to determine which shapes are open Note All open shapes will be selected It may be appropriate for some shapes to remain open such as shapes for engraving 3 To close shapes use the Join command in the Shape menu Select Unused Shapes Clicking the Select Unused Shapes command selects highlights design shapes which do not have a tool path assigned This is useful for checking the design before routing to make sure that all shapes have an assigned tool path It can also be used to select and delete shapes which you do not want to route for example when using clip art you may not want all of the design 37 Chapter 5 Shape Menu The Shape menu provides commands that allow you to repeat size and close shapes Re
32. allows the user to control how the design is routed or plotted The following parameters are available in the Job Output Dialog Box Position Start End Position Material Used PrePosition By X and Y e Absolute PrePosition e Router Name Job Header Message e In Place Repeats X and Y Repeats X and Y Gap Between Repeats Plot AII Passes Plot at Maximum Speed e Z Lift e Use Automatic Tool Changer e Use Smart Spindle Rearrange Output Tool Order 82 Chapter 8 Output Menu Position Position shows the location where the routing tool starts and ends after cutting the design To change the start end positions click on the desired command button The Start End Position Dialog Box opens After the dialog box opens press F1 for more Help about the dialog box gt To change where the routing tool will start and end 1 Click Setup gt Start End Position The Start End Position Dialog Box appears on screen 2 In the application window a green X appears at the position the tool will start routing on Output The Start End Position is shown in the Job Output Dialog Box e To change where the routing tool will end 1 Click Setup gt Start End Position The Start End Position Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click a desired End position A solid dot fills the option button meaning the position is on 3 Click OK to save the new position Material Used Material Used shows the height and length o
33. displays a picture of the V tool a cross section of the tool path result that shows the sloped sides return height how many passes the tool will make to complete the job and the widest stroke width Surface Reference Prismatic Surface Reference Table or Material should match the Surface Reference chosen for the tool path that is used to generate the Floor Depth In most cases a Table Surface Reference is used to achieve Prismatic letters with an accurate Return Height Using Return Height Because of a shape s varying stroke widths the peak and slope of every shape will always be different The Return Height value makes the raised shapes maintain a consistent height throughout This value is measured from the base of the shape to the base of its peak as shown below When used in combination with another tool path such as a cleanout or male tool path Prismatic creates a raised effect with straight edges Prismatic tool path sloped sides Prismatic combined with a Male tool path Tem Male Tool Path produces the finished diee BE Return Height Tool Paths in progress E Excess Material 1 Note If you want to vary the Return Height within a design you must generate separate tool paths for each shape 135 The Return Height value affects the depth of the cut You decide the Return Height value based upon the material thickness the height you want the straight edge of the shape to be and how deep you wa
34. entry box A drop down list box appears Choose the same tool that was used for the Female Basic Cut 9 Click the desired routing tool 10 Enter the desired Finish Cut parameters for Web Amount Finish Amount Feed Rate and Plunge Rate 11 Click the 20000 R P M button The Enter Spindle Speed dialog box appears Type the desired speed between 6 000 and 24 000 RPM and click on OK to close the dialog box 12 Click Generate in the tool path information dialog box The Basic Cut tool path and the Finish Cut tool paths appear on screen in contrasting colors Female Auto Inlay Parameters The Auto Inlay parameters are used when a Shoulder is cut from the material The purpose of a Shoulder is to prevent light from showing through gaps between the inlaid shapes A Shoulder is also useful to hold letters in place Click on the Inlay check box An X appears in the check box The Auto Inlay parameters appear in the dialog box The Shoulder Width should be less than the tool size A typical shoulder width is 125 inches 3 175mm A typical shoulder height is 125 inches 3 175mm 14 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox The Gap is the amount of material that is cut between the male and female shapes The Gap enables the two shapes to fit together properly A recommended gap is 005 inches 127mm wide e To set female auto inlay parameters 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in
35. first zoom Unzoom is available only after using the Zoom Tool Only the Unzoom Tool remembers the last five zooms Backtracking to a sixth zoom automatically returns the design to its original appearance t To return a design to the previous appearance in a series of zooms 1 Click the Unzoom Tool 2 Click the left mouse button The magnified design redraws to its last appearance 3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to backtrack through each previous appearance in the series of zooms tr Note The design automatically returns to its original appearance on the sixth backtrack en To return a design to full size after magnifying it Click the Unzoom Tool with the right mouse button Male Male allows the user to generate a tool path to create a solid shape from the material Clicking on the Male Tool opens the Default Male Info Dialog Box Refer to the Toolpath Dialog Boxes section for more information The shape must be selected before the Male Tool is available for use ea To set male basic cut parameters 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected 2 Click the Male Tool in the Toolbox The Default Male Info dialog box appears on screen Default Male Info Templates Climb Milling Iv Lead In Out 20000 R P M r BASIC CUT 2 Tool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool E Plunge in min Surface Reference rFeed in min Ge L Ce Ces SE ap d Total Dep
36. fully dry before applying GerberMask If it is not dry GerberMask may lift the finish Use GerberMask I on smooth non porous surfaces such as acrylics and metals Use GerberMask II on rough porous surfaces such as wood Note If using GerberMask I on a rough surface the force from the routing tool may pull it up from the sign blank P To apply GerberMask to your sign blank l Lay thesign blank on a flat surface 2 Cutoffa piece of GerberMask large enough to cover the sign blank 3 Unpeel the backing place the GerberMask on top of the sign blank and smooth it out using a squeegee Make sure there are no air bubbles 4 Cut off any excess GerberMask from around the edges of the sign blank Routing the Design Initializing the Router D200 or AR600 Initializing the Z axis is an essential procedure when using any Gerber router The Z axis must be set every time the tool or material is changed and whenever the operator prepares to cut draw or engrave When you initialize the router keep the material as flat as possible using clamps double sided tape and or a vacuum table If possible avoid warped or uneven material Any change in material thickness will affect the final output of your design and result in inconsistencies throughout E To initialize the router D200 or AR600 l Insert the appropriate tool into the router If needed refer to your router manual for tool installation instructions 2 Secure the sign blank on the
37. how deep the tool cuts into the material in each pass This value cannot exceed the Max Allowable Depth or the height of the tool being used If you enter a value that exceeds the Max Allowable Depth or the tool height the system automatically enters the lesser of these two values in this field Feed Rate is the speed at which the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Plunge Rate is the speed at which the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second 117 Acceleration is the rate at which the Sabre gains speed from stop to the full Feed Rate set for the tool path There are three acceleration settings Auto automatically adjusts the acceleration to the geometry of the design Low slows acceleration to increase precision for very detailed work Normal maintains the same level of acceleration throughout the job V Tool Definition parameters must be filled in The most important aspect of 3 D routing is defining the angle and diameter of the tool you are using Both of these measurements must be precise to ensure accuracy when routing your design The measure of the angle and diameter of the tool are located on the tool s shank Select the desired tool from the drop down list at the bottom of the V Tool Definition box Once you have selected the tool ART Path automatica
38. off the computer system unplug the router from the AC outlet and disconnect the communications and power cables from the back of the ARC station before continuing with this procedure 110 AN Chapter 13 Installing Auto Carve CAUTION Static electricity is a serious threat to modern integrated circuits Before reaching inside your system ground yourself by touching any bare metal part of the console to discharge any static electricity you may be carrying Remove the two screws from each side of the ARC station and carefully remove the ARC station cover Disconnect the ribbon cables from the ARC station board Using a nut driver loosen and remove the four screws next to the connectors at the back of the ARC station base Remove the four phillips head screws holding the ARC station board to the base and remove the board Gently place the new board onto the base making sure that the metal gaskets are properly placed Insert but do not tighten the phillips head screws into the board and base Insert and tighten the four nuts that secure the connectors to the back of the ARC station base Tighten the phillips head screws that secure the board to the base 9 With the front of the board facing you reconnect the ribbon cables onto the s 10 11 appropriate connectors making sure that the ribbon cables are not twisted Connect the R832 ribbon cable to the P832 connector located in the front left of the board T
39. path is displayed inside the design in a contrasting color design closely Remove any unusual shapes or loops in your design program Note If a generated tool path looks irregular use the zoom tool to check your see example at right Smart Editing a Tool Path Smart Editing lets you change 3 D tool path parameters or add information to the tool path such as Finish Cut or Climb Milling after the tool path has been generated Smart Editing also displays the deepest depth in the Basic Carving section of the dialog box This information is helpful if you want to use a flat bottom tool 138 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools en To Smart Edit a tool path 1 Using the Pointer tool double click on the tool path The Current Carve Info dialog box for that tool path opens Current Carve Info Flat Bottom Climb Milling 20000 R P M V Tool Definition r Basic Carving Surf Angle PU eae 1200 Max ToolPath Depth 0 134 in lie uses Surface Offset Depth 0 000 lt 1 250 gt I J Dia Floor Depth 0 134 Max Depth Per Pass 0 040 Feed in min Plunge in min EOE 10 4 35 00 1 250 120 000 1 250 V Cutte v Acceleration Auto vl J FLAT BOTTOM TOOL Finish Cut 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool 20000 RPM Tool Parameters Cancel Preference Delete Choose new values for the parameters that you want to change 3 Click Generate Note ART Path regenerates the tool path wh
40. stroke width by using a wider shallower angled tool use the same tool but make the design smaller to reduce the stroke width use the same tool with thicker material thereby increasing the maximum allowable depth select the Flat Bottom tab to create a flat bottomed design with beveled edges Selecting Flat Bottom The Flat Bottom tab when selected tells ART Path to generate a tool path with a flat bottom using a flat bottom tool You would choose the flat bottom tab in two circumstances You want to create a flat bottom tool path for design purposes You received an error message while generating a V bottom tool path because the deepest depth of the tool path exceeded the maximum allowable depth in the design In this instance the Flat Bottom tool prevents the V tool from cutting through the material Creating a flat bottom tool path maintains a specific stroke width for a job when you are limited by the material thickness and also creates a unique carved effect Using the Flat Bottom tool The Flat Bottom tool is a standard routing tool that removes excess material and produces a flat bottom in the areas that require it If you select a flat bottom tool and the deepest depth of the tool path does not exceed the maximum allowable depth ART Path will not generate a flat bottom tool path and the design will have a V bottom instead Selecting a flat bottom tool gives ART Path permission to generate a flat bottom if necess
41. the Tool Paths menu that etches a design into the material on the shape s contour without using an offset After a file is opened and selected a Tool Path must be chosen before a design is routed Clicking on Engrave opens the Default Engraving Info Dialog Box For more information on the Default Engraving Info Dialog box refer to the section Toolpath Dialog boxes The shape must be selected before the Tool Paths menu is available for choosing the desired tool path Male Male is a command in the Tool Paths menu that creates a solid shape from the material After a file is opened and selected a Tool Path must be chosen before a design is routed Clicking on Male opens the Default Male Info Dialog Box For more information on the Default Male Info Dialog Box refer to the section Toolpath Dialog boxes The shape must be selected before the Tool Paths menu is available for choosing the desired tool path Female Ki Female is a command in the Tool Paths menu that creates a stencil from the material After a file is opened and selected a Tool Path must be chosen before a design is routed Clicking on 57 Female opens the Default Female Info Dialog Box For more information on the Default Female Info Dialog Box refer to the section Toolpath Dialog boxes The shape must be selected before the Tool Paths menu is available for choosing the desired tool path Cleanout Cleanout is a command in the Tool Paths menu that routs
42. tool 3 Click the Set Start Point tool and the cursor turns into an arrow The default start point is shown as a small square on the tool path D ARTPath Clearly Pools plt SE File Edt Shape Setup TooPaths ou Panels View Window Help DSW Apr e g 24 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox 4 Click and drag the Set Start Point arrow across the tool path at the location to set the new start point The new start point is designated by a small square and the original start point is removed Book Two Menus and Procedures The ART Path programs are grouped by menu and procedures The chapters in this book a separated by menus and procedures within those menus Chapter 3 File Menu Chapter 4 Edit Menu Chapter 5 Shape Menu Chapter 6 Setup Menu Chapter 7 ToolPaths Menu Chapter 8 Output Menu Chapter 9 Panels Menu Chapter 10 View Menu e Chapter 11 Window Menu Chapter 12 Help Menu 27 Chapter 3 File Menu The Open command in the File Menu opens many different kinds of files including plot files PLT job files JOB AutoCAD DXF files router files RTP and many other files created by popular graphics programs including Adobe Illustrator AI and Adobe Acrobat PDF files There are a variety of import filters that can be used when import the files See OMEGA Help for detailed explanation of each filter and its capabilities New Choosing New in the File menu open
43. tool cutting tool Cross section 3a cv dan Cross section m e a using a sharp tool using a dull tool If you are having problems with design quality the first thing you should do is replace the old carving tool with a new tool of the same dimensions If you are in doubt of the sharpness of the cutter run the test job found in the JOBS directory that corresponds to the cutter you are using For example if you are using a 90 cutter run 90 TEST RTP If the cutter gives you straight lines and smooth edges and you are pleased with the results your cutter is probably sharp If the cutter produces irregular edges and corners it is probably dull and you should replace it with a new one Three dimensional tool paths are generated the same way as any other ART Path tool path You can also generate multiple three dimensional paths on the same design Selecting a 3 D Tool Path Auto Carve There are two three dimensional tool paths to choose from in the ToolPaths menu Auto Carve 3D and Prismatic Auto Carve 3D lets you generate three dimensional fonts flourishes and other designs giving them a hand carved look Three dimensional carving requires special flat bottom or V shaped tools provided by Gerber Unlike regular router tools that give each tool path straight sided flat bottom cuts the angled sides of the 3D cutters create a beveled cut The type of cut produced depends on the angle diameter and height of the tool you use Selecting
44. with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected Selectthese two shapes 17 2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar Click Cleanout to open the Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box Default Cleanout Info Overlap 40 Safety Dist 30 gt CLEANDUT Teva A Direction Autonlay d S Ze Horizontal C Vertical Contour 20000 R P M Use Diagonals 20000 FP BASIC CUT Tool 01 0 063 1 16 Tool Plunge in min eg E SS Table aterial um MR Jre Total Depth 0 100 Depth Per Pass 0 100 Acceleration au zl Cancel Preference Custom 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears 5 Click the desired routing tool 6 Enter the desired Cleanout parameters for the Total Depth Depth Per Pass Feed Rate Plunge Rate Surface Reference Acceleration RPM s and Direction 7 Click Generate The tool path appears in a contrasting color To set parameters to cleanout a foreground shape l Select the foreground shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected N Click Tool Path from the menu bar UJ Click Cleanout The Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box appears on screen A Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry
45. 3 117 122 dialog BOX ir ete e vitreo Tutos Yates 68 72 SE EE e E 63 flat bottom tool 132 TE iere rotes 128 rM 63 Flat bottom tabi eiere merceners 121 129 Flat bottom tool 122 129 CHOOSING oi cesses cde eite he en e 131 COMLOUM 2 En 124 131 eed TALE Lene Rm Ee Dee 132 finish t zen oreet te ener Pede tuas 132 Information dialog box 124 TWICE Ee ree Ee De ee yen rd 124 132 plunse Tale ses eae 132 Floor Depth 2isstacadinndicuinenionean 122 135 G CAP ise MC 37 86 py 64 Generating a 3 D Tool Path 137 Gerber M s s retener rette te e te etes 139 GLOSS Y ett t tete tru I ere EI RACINE EEC 143 G OUD ei A 42 H LGM orae EE E T 101 EI 104 COPYING LOPICS id es Lecce wes ee ENEE coge op 104 finding topic seine esteri ote cone p 101 finding frequently viewed topics 103 finding previously viewed topics 102 Personalizing topics eeeeeeeeene 104 printing TOPICS vases eei oer tec erret dee ee 103 topics in topic D nen 102 Horizontal Cutline osito sere tto terat oer e 22 91 IV le D 148 I Initializing TEE 139 140 tothe material teatro preti Dogs ae 141 t th table isis cicsccsssecgessasaccevssiesdves boss teveatenape ihe 140 lr ge 63 CICA OU c iom reto tere nr rt eti etaed 19 E iter o E tub M ide etin hares 64 le 64 Jos Place Repeats eii etri eebe ees 84 Installing
46. 3 Installing Auto Carve Select Components Select the components you want to install clear the components you do not want to install Components OMEGA CP Monument Option ART Path Option Auto Carve 3D Option ImageRIP Option Description ART Path will be selected if you already own it If not you may add it by selecting now Another screen will ask for your password Space Required 23107 K Space Available 712572 K Lees 5 When the Enter Software Password dialog box opens type in the password included when you purchased the option Click Next to load the software tr Note If you attempt to install the software on a system other than the one it was purchased for you will get a security error If this occurs follow the instructions in the dialog box 6 After the installation is complete click Finish and restart your computer You are now ready to use the Auto Carve option 113 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Three dimensional carving requires special V shaped tools available through Gerber Unlike regular router tools that give each tool path a flat bottom cut the angled sides of the 3 D cutters create a beveled cut The type of cut desired depends on the angle diameter and height of the tool as well as the tool path you use A sampling of the carving tools available are listed below For a complete list contact your distributor e 90 angle 1 25 diameter e 100 angle 1
47. 5 Gerber Scientific International Inc System Serial Number 1000000 System ID SPCFF561E0 1322 CDE0 0000 0004 2 5 0 10 RBase 25 0 101 Updates B Gerber Scientific Products 3 Verify that the version listed in the Rbase field matches the software that you are installing 4 Click OK to return to your desktop 4 Chapter 1 Setting up ART Path Installing the ART Path software option This procedure describes loading ART Path as an option after OMEGA has been installed gt To install the ART Path software option 1 Insert the OMEGA installation CD disk into the disk drive The OMEGA Setup Wizard should automatically display If it does not click Start Run to display the Run dialog box Type D Setup exe and click OK Where D is the drive containing the disk 2 Click Install Products to display the Install Products menu 3 Click Install OMEGA 2 5 Follow the instructions until the Installation Type dialog box displays Choose Add Reload Individual components and click Next 4 AttheSelect Components dialog box turn on ART Path Option If you have purchased the Auto Carve Option turn on this option as well Auto Carve requires a password to load Click Next to load the software Select Components Select the components you want to install clear the components you do not want to install Components DMEGA CP Monument Option ART Path Option Auto Carve 3D Option ImageRIP Option IT Descriptio
48. A piece of a design that is formed by a horizontal cutline Panels occur when the design exceeds the size limit of the router The panels are later pieced together to form one complete design PASS One complete movement the tool makes around the entire shape at a single depth PASTE Places a shape stored on the Clipboard onto the center of the working aera PLOT FILE Created when a design is saved from Composer Plot files have a PLT extension and may be opened in ARTPath PLT extension Signifies a plot file format PLUNGE SPEED e The speed at which the tool cuts down into the material Z axis REDRAW Use to refresh the screen by erasing and redrawing the design Press F7 or click View Redraw RETURN HEIGHT e The size of the straight edges of a Prismatic shape ROUGHING TOOL Used to clean out excesses material in a 3D design to extend the life of the V tool used to create the final design ROUTER BIT The tool that does the cutting Also called cutter or endmill ROUTER FILE A design saved from ARTPath with an RTP extension Router files can ONLY be opened by ARTPath RPM The button allows you to set the RPM speed of the cutting tool RTP extension Signifies a router file format SACRIFICIAL MATERIAL Material the workpiece is attached to keeping it steady on the router table during routing and allowing the system to cut through the workpiece without damaging the router table It is discarded at the end of the
49. Click Panels gt Move Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand 2 Move the tool to the cutline to be moved 3 Click and drag the cutline to the desired position 4 Release the mouse button To remove a horizontal cutline 1 Click Panels gt Move Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand 2 Move the tool to the cutline to be removed 3 Click and drag the cutline off the screen or until it meets another cutline 4 Release the mouse button 23 t To remove more than one horizontal cutline 1 Pull down the Panels menu and click on Move Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand 2 Move the tool to a cutline 3 Click and drag the cutline into the next one to be removed The two horizontal cutlines merge to create one cutline 4 RepeatSteps 1 and 2 until all the desired cutlines are merged into one Click and drag the cutline off the working area The cutline disappears Release the mouse button Auto Carve 3D KA The Auto Carve 3D Tool lets you generate a three dimensional tool path For more information refer to the section Auto Carve 3D Prismatic DN The Prismatic Tool lets you generate a three dimensional prismatic tool path For more information refer to the section Prismatic Set Start Point The Set Start Point tool allows you to change the location at which the cutter begins routing t To set a new start point l Create tool paths on the shapes to be routed 2 Select the tool path with the Selection
50. Copyright Notice COPYRIGHTO 2006 Gerber Scientific International All Rights Reserved This document may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright owner This document is furnished to support the ART Path and Auto Carve User s Guide In consideration of the furnishing of the information contained in this document the party to whom it is given assumes its custody and control and agrees to the following 1 The information herein contained is given in confidence and any part thereof shall not be copied or reproduced without written consent of Gerber Scientific International 2 This document or the contents herein under no circumstances shall be used in the manufacture or reproduction of the article shown and the delivery of this document shall not constitute any right or license to do so Information in this document is subject to change without notice Printed in USA GSP is a registered trademark and ART Path Auto Carve Sabre Dimension and OMEGA are trademarks of Gerber Scientific Products Inc HPGL is a trademark of Hewlett Packard Company Rowmark is a registered trademark of Rowmark Inc Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries FCC NOTICE WARNING This is a Class A product In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures Th
51. E FX 26 11704 2005 12 37PM Mare 79 0707 72006 Tha AM Options GSPCFF561E0 1322 CDE0 0100 0004 2 5 0 271 S N 1000000 Edge 1 2 128 11 04 2005 12 32 PM Edge FX 26 11 04 2005 12 37 PM Maxx 79 10 07 2005 11 41 AM Cancel 3 Review your software information in this dialog box 4 Click OK to return to your desktop 108 Chapter 13 Installing Auto Carve tp To verify your ARC station firmware revision 1 2 Turn on your ARC station The display shows the revision level of the firmware Choose one of the procedures below Ifyou have Revision G or higher install the Auto Carve option as described in Installing the Auto Carve Option Ifyou have Revision F firmware install the new ARC station firmware that came with your kit as described in To set up the ARC station If your revision level is lower than F install the FACS 13 Control Board that came with your kit into the ARC station as described in Installing the Auto Carve Option Installing ARC Station Firmware Each router is controlled by a program encoded on an integrated circuit IC chip This program is called firmware If you have Revision F firmware you must update your router to run the firmware required by Auto Carve Follow the instructions to install the new firmware IC in the ARC station and to set up the ARC station for your router AN A WARNING Turn off the computer system unplug the router from the AC outlet
52. Pass Feed Rate Surface Reference RPM s Acceleration and Plunge Rate into the dialog box N Click the 20000 R P M button The Enter Spindle Speed dialog box appears Type the desired speed between 6 000 and 24 000 RPM and click on OK to close the dialog box 8 Click Generate The tool path appears in a contrasting color gt To set female and finish cut parameters 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected 2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar 3 Click Female to display the Default Female Info Dialog Box 13 Default Female Info Templates Climb Milling JW Lead In Out 20000 R P M r BASIC CUT Tool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool e Surface Reference r Feed in min D Table C Material J gt 10 4 10 Total Depth 0 100 Acceleration Auto X Depth Per Pass 0 100 S r Plunge in min Finish Cut 20000 R P M 00 0 063 1 16 Tool Plunge fin min Web Amount 0 050 Feed in min Finish Amount aos TI ej 10 j IT Acceleration Auto e I Auto nlay Cancel Preference Custom 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears 5 Click the desired routing tool Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters Click the Finish Cut check box an X appears in the check box The Finish Cut parameters appear on screen 8 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool
53. Use the Paste command to add the copied shape at the exact location it was copied from in the design create multiple copies of a shape Select a shape in the design The shape is redrawn in a different color Click Edit gt Cut or Copy Click Edit gt Paste The selected shape appears in the working area The shape must be moved to the desired location using the Nesting Tool Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create as many copies as required move a shape from one file to another Select a shape in the design The shape is redrawn in a different color Click Edit gt Copy or Cut Click File gt Open Open the desired file that will receive the new shape from the clipboard Click Edit gt Paste The selected shape appears at the exact location it was cut or copied from the design The shape must be moved to the desired location using the Nesting tool Paste from Composer Paste lets you insert objects from Composer directly into ART Path Choosing Paste inserts the contents from the Composer clipboard into the ART Path working area You can paste the Composer contents into the working area as many times as desired Use the Nesting tool to move the added shape to the proper location zt Paste places a shape in the middle of the work area Paste Back replaces the shape in its original location in the job Paste Back does not place the copied shape in its original position if placed ina different file Note You cannot pas
54. Y Distance is the center to center distance of repeated shapes in the y axis Repeats Number of X Repeats X Repeats are the number of copies of the original shape created to the right of the original X Repeats defaults to 1 Number of Y Repeats Y Repeats are the number of copies of the original shape created above the original Y Repeats defaults to 1 Tip Preferences command button saves the current Repeat settings These settings will be v applied each time a shape is repeated in ART Path The Preference settings remain in effect until the Preference command button is clicked on again tap To adjust the space between the selection boxes surrounding repeated shapes 1 From inside the Repeats Dialog Box click the Gap option button to turn it on 2 To create multiple copies to the right of the original x axis enter a value in the Number of X Repeats text box To create a gap in the X axis enter a value in the X Gap text box 4 To create multiple copies above the original y axis repeat the previous steps changing the value for Number of Y Repeats and Y Gap 5 Click Repeat to save the number of Repeats and the Gap space The multiple copies are created te To set the distance between the centers of repeated shapes l From inside the Repeats Dialog Box click the Distance option button to turn it on To create multiple copies to the right of the original x axis enter a value in the Number of X Repeats text box 3 To cre
55. a SPL file and send it to the router at the same time by turning on the Send file to router check box in the Save as dialog box After creating the SPL file open it in GO Manager and send it directly to the router using the File Open amp Cut command tap To save a spool file 1 Click File gt Open to open an existing file 2 Click File gt Save to Spool File to open the Save As dialog box 3 Turn on Send file to router if you wish to output the job to the router while you save the spool SPL file 30 Chapter 3 File Menu Save in gt jobs wi EI rh E C Autotext Backup calibrat O Edgetest Ca Efontsmp Import test files Learning arte Samples Cy Smplfont lt Jii gt Filename Busy Bee Daycare SPL Save Save as type Gerber Spool Files spl zl Cancel Iv Send file to router Description Use 3 4 sign foam 4 Choose the folder to Save in Type the file name Click Save No Note You cannot edit an SPL file If you change the original RTP file you must save it again as an SPL file to reflect the changes Save Parameters A parameter PRM file containing all of the job settings is created when a job is output If you set up a job with tool paths repeats or other job output settings and then choose not to rout the job you can save these parameters in a PRM file When you later reopen the RTP file the saved PRM file resets the job parameters To save job paramets 1 Set
56. a flat bottom tool path maintains a specific stroke width for a job when you are limited by the thickness of the material and also creates a unique carved effect Default Carve Info Flat Bottom Climb Milling 20000 R P M V Tool Definition r Basic Carving Surface f Angle Fog c cmm 32 00 0 361 Surface Offset Depth 0 000 es I WF Dia Floor Depth 0 134 Max Depth Per Pass 0 040 Feed in min Plunge in min _ dm E 10 00 1 250 120 000 1 250 V Cutte Acceleration Auto el EES IV FinishCut 20000 RPM Depth 0 020 r Feed inmin Plunge in min 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool mim mia 10 4 De 20000 RPM Taol Parameters FREE TZ 1 E 10 cceleration Auto FLAT BOTTOM TOOL Cancel Preference The 20000 R P M button allows you to set the RPM speed of the cutting tool Clicking on the button opens the Enter Spindle Speed dialog box Basic carving parameters must be filled in When choosing values for these parameters consider any inconsistencies in material and avoid warped or uneven material Variations in material thickness will affect the final output of the design Note When you Smart Edit the deepest depth of the tool path is display in the Basic Carving section of the dialog box This information is helpful if you want to use a flat bottom tool Surface Reference Table or Material should match the Surface Reference chosen for the tool
57. acceleration to increase precision for very detailed work Normal maintains the same level of acceleration throughout the job Finish Cut when selected creates an additional pass that skims material and may produce a smoother finish depending on the type of material being cut When you choose Finish Cut more dialog box information appears allowing you to choose the Depth Feed Plunge and 120 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Acceleration rates of that pass You can use this feature with the roughing tool flat bottom tool and the V tool Depth Limitations when using a 3 D carving tool the wider the stroke width the deeper the tool must go If the tool has to go deeper than the maximum allowable depth to maintain the stroke width it could cut through the material as shown below Note Choosing a maximum allowable depth that is slightly less than the thickness of your material will ensure that the cutter will not cut through the material Stroke Width gt A the maximum allowable depth Tool cuts through the material If this occurs the tool path will not be generated and an error message appears telling you the deepest depth of the tool path exceeds the maximum allowable depth Therefore Art Path cannot create a V bottom with the given parameters At this time you must decide whether to try to maintain the desired stroke width by using a wider shallower angled tool use the same tool but ma
58. ace reference rirni iens 134 tool path option eee eeeeeseecseeesereeeeeeeeeeeees 133 using small tools 136 Proc dure Sucot eee oerte ei 25 Pushsthrough eee etras See Inlay R Dium EE 95 REPEATS ete rete Peso tert ete Per Red EES 37 85 E te beu te nro ben tatu pet toes 86 sl 84 Returti Height titer 134 ROUGHING 00 ete tette etin ette eee 117 COMTO sonore oe tores v et esee Eege 118 127 feed Tale oras EEN 128 TTTS E i E E reiner tete trenes 128 Information dialog box eses 118 IUNII IEEE tr 118 127 DEER eegene 128 Router initializing to the table eeeeeneeeee 140 MAING E 83 Selection ioci re ree beet seroma aaa ge 50 Routing the design seeeesess 139 140 RPM eee eee ome be em taxed see 149 RPM DUTON on rene repetere brerei 65 S ND 28 DAVE M 28 Saye Parameters odere ces toe peus 30 Save Blot Elle a ceret t tet er three eben 29 Save Spool Be eorr Pere pel ten Sc 29 Select eet EE 35 cleanout Shapes e ertet eee teretes 75 Op n S apes EE 35 tool changer position seen 87 Unused Sbapes eene 36 Set Start Pott E 23 NIXn MSN Ub E 45 Shape MH eenegen 37 Sli tp tools USING ceo edere eo tero Ode Pes ee epo ons 114 Shoulder LO eiie reet edens 64 Show Dry Haul Memes kk 96 Show Path Start Pont 96 Show Tool Changer Postion ees 53 Sizing SHAPES se
59. ach of the topics you have viewed since you opened Help in this working session If you click Options gt Display History Window the Windows Help History list box appears showing all the topics you have viewed since you opened Help in this working session If you close Help then re open it the previous topics are gone a To sequentially find previously viewed topics Click Back in the Window button bar gt To find and choose a previously viewed topic 1 Click Options gt Display History Window to open the Windows Help History list box 2 Double click on the topic to review 103 Finding frequently viewed topics If there is a topic that you need to frequently refer to you can bookmark it and jump to it instantly gt To bookmark a topic 1 Open the topic that you want to be able to jump to 2 Click Bookmark gt Define to open the Bookmark Define dialog box The topic appears in the Bookmark name text box while other previously bookmarked topics appear in the list box Bookmark Define HE Bookmark name Decorative borders Drawing Shapes Cancel di Delete 3 Click OK to add the new topic to the list and close the dialog box v Tip To remove a topic from the list highlight it and click Delete gt To find frequently viewed topics 1 Click Bookmark to open the Bookmark menu 2 Click the name of the topic you want to jump to Printing topics If you need a paper copy of a topic you can p
60. ad In Lead Out When Lead In Lead Out is selected the feature is applied when cutting a shape with Basic Cut When Finish Cut is selected Lead In Lead Out applies to the Finish Cut and not the Basic Cut When the router begins a cut the tool plunges 015 4 mm outside of the shape start point and gradually leads in to the start point After completing the cut the router leads out from the end point before lifting the tool The router leads into and out from the material that is discarded after the shape is cut as shown below Lead In Lead Out on a male shape On a large shape the Lead In Lead Out path may not be visible Setting the spindle speed The RPM button in the tool path dialog boxes allows you to set the RPM speed of the cutting tool Clicking on the button opens the Enter Spindle Speed dialog box and displays the default RPM 20 000 To change the RPM type a new value in the text box The speed you can set ranges from 6 000 to 24 000 RPM ART Path uses the RPM value for different purposes depending on whether you have a high frequency spindle or conventional router motor and the type of router you are using For more information refer to Use Smart Spindle in the Job Output section Enter Spindle Speed x Using the Engrave command The Engrave tool path cuts the shape along its contour with no offset Engrave can be used to plot a shape at its actual size If you are using a knife tool to cut masking or vinyl
61. ake care not to bend the pins Connect the R833 ribbon cable to the P833 connector located directly behind the P832 connector Take care not to bend the pins Connect the R891 ribbon cable to the P891 connector located toward the back left of the board Take care not to bend the pins R830 to R829 to GRAPHIX electrical box ADVANTAGE SN a P891 CC Ac P833 P832 Note If the ribbon cables are on backwards they will not slide easily onto the pins Replace the ARC station cover onto the base and tighten the four screws to secure the cover to the base Reconnect the communications cable and the ARC station power cable 111 To set up the ARC station 1 7 With the main power switch OFF press RESET and the UP arrow slew key on the ARC station While pressing the ARC station keys set the router main power switch to ON Release the ARC station keys after the very first beep The ARC station display panel shows SYSTEM Press SELECT on the ARC station The ARC station display panel shows either AR600 Saber or Dimension 200 Use the ARC station left and right arrow slew keys to scroll until your router appears in the display To help you identify your system Press SELECT to choose your router The message for limit switches displays either ON or OFF Use the left and right arrow slew keys to make your choice If your router has limit switches choose ON to enable the limit switches If your router does not hav
62. an area of a shape without completely cutting through the material After a file is opened and selected a Tool Path must be chosen before a design is routed Clicking on Cleanout opens Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box For more information on the Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box refer to the section Toolpath Dialog boxes The shape must be selected before the Tool Paths menu is available for choosing the desired tool path Drill Drill is a command in the Tool Paths menu that allows the user to set the parameters to generate a Drill tool path into designated drill symbols After a file is opened a Tool Path must be chosen before a design is routed Clicking on Drill opens the Default Drill Info Dialog Box For more information on the Default Drill Info Dialog Box refer to the section Toolpath Dialog boxes In order to generate a Drill tool path a drill symbol must be placed and saved on the design in Composer After the design is opened in the ART Path program the drill symbol is selected Drill symbols range in size from 1 16 inch to 1 2 inch If the drill symbol is larger than the tool chosen for the Drill tool path no tool path is generated If the drill symbol is smaller than or equal to the tool then the Drill tool path is generated A shape must be selected before the Tool Paths menu is available for choosing the desired tool path Drill cuts into the material to create a hole for mounting the signage 58 Chapter 7 To
63. appears in the working area at the position the tool will start routing from A red circle appears in the working area at the position where the tool will end routing Start End Position may be set as a Preference setting Start End Position can also be accessed from the Job Output Dialog Box 49 en To change where the routing tool will start 1 Click Setup gt Start End Position The Start End Position Dialog Box appears on the screen Start End Position Start C s 8 e So y s Cancel Preference 2 Click a desired Start position Click OK to save the new position The design is redrawn in the working area with an X showing the Start position Fd ARTPath Cropping template PLT EIER Edit Shape Setup ToolPaths Output Panels View Window Help Xx DSW trel 9 2 4 8 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 H AD el t t ai zi Eocmre lt x t e a 6 4 2 C x 19 590 Y 19 180 gt To change where the routing tool will end 1 Click Setup gt Start End Position The Start End Position Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click a desired End position A solid dot fills the option button meaning the position is on 3 Click OK to save the new position gt To view where the routing tool will start and end 1 Click Setup gt Start End Position The Start End Position Dialog Box appears on screen 2 A green X appears on the work su
64. ary The following picture demonstrates how a flat bottom tool creates a flat bottom while the V tool creates beveled edges Flat Bottom tool cleaning out excess material and creating a flat bottom at 400 canada CHE beveled edges a L 4 maximum 4 maximum allowable allowable depth depth 130 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools If you want a flat bottomed design check the ART Path screen after you generate a tool path Flat bottom tool paths are displayed in magenta and are created when the maximum allowable depth is less than the deepest depth of the tool path Once the tool path s generated Smart Edit the tool path to view its deepest depth in the Basic Carving section of the dialog box Then you can decrease the value of the maximum allowable depth so that it is less than the deepest depth Continue this process until the design fits your needs Note The ability to create a flat bottom depends on the design size If the stroke width is too narrow to create a flat bottom you will need to resize your design The example below shows a flat bottom tool path generated on the letter R The maximum allowable depth for this tool path is 315 A flat bottom tool path indicated by the circles was generated only where the tool path exceeded the maximum allowable depth Flat Bottom areas of tool path The example below shows another flat bottom tool path generated on the same letter R
65. ate repeats with spacing from the center of the shapes enter a value in the X Distance text box 4 Tocreate multiple copies above the original y axis repeat the previous steps changing the value for the Number of Y Repeats and Y Distance 5 Click Repeat to save the number of Repeats and the Distance The multiple copies are created at the specified distance apart Sizing Shapes There are two ways to change the size of a shape by a specific percentage or to a specific size A shape must be selected to be sized Shapes on which a toolpath has been generated cannot be resized You must delete the toolpath before resizing the shape 39 Percent Size dialog box Percent Size changes the size of a shape by a specific percentage Percent Size Percent Size Size Type Size Type C Non uniform Uniform Non uniform C Uniform l Size From l Size From e Lower Left Comer Center Lower Left Comer Center Height 100 00 Size Length 100 00 Area 0 311 Area 7 667 Cancel Cancel Size Type Uniform changes the overall size of a shape by a desired percentage It is an option button in the Percent Size dialog box The system defaults to Uniform and shows the size of the selected shape is 100 0 meaning that the shape is full size Changing the Uniform Size adjusts the height and length of the shape equally A shape must be selected to be sized Non uniform changes the length and height
66. aths additional feat res eie terere 61 lei zu HL 73 DTA ER 77 Ixiuc e 65 Female e M 70 Feb en Em 63 Flat Bottom eterne tree repens 129 D EE 137 lr E 63 Male eret erre asia oe Ro E D A RUDI ESSE 67 parameters iiec eiie rte geet gege 58 templates tore rrt eret ere caepit 61 Tool selection guidelines ssnnsessssseseerereeeeee 114 Toolbare cu dee AEN ed 95 Toolbox Caller H Cleanout EE 16 ere HIE 20 PIE suecparsnayeecionavences eee 15 fetal a 12 EE 9 MOSHING iiie EHE HERUM SEENEN 21 Dodge M 7 OM UCET Mn 7 WN ZOOM T 8 ZOOM 8 Tools WISER E 55 U WDA lore MMC 33 U ngrOUp iine teats ete tern te tr ap etr en erepta ot 42 Util f OEIL i eie oerte eoi peto Ee 39 40 Use Diagonal Socii recoins enres 19 74 Use Material erre rre prae reae rper ets 50 V VSbottom tabe etie tec ito ier con ho ee ue oe tees oo cedere 115 depth limitations ien tice teett ube 128 rohing tool iter dee Ro irae doge tx 126 View MGI m 95 V Tool definition 117 122 125 W Warped material CAL VIDE i uen ete One entidades 148 jm 63 Window Mein sis ive vro as dd aue vo eode aS Oo do oe e Uo oi ON 99 le 99 CASCADE EE 99 CLOSE call em 99 lua E 99 ua 99 EH 99 Wood CAT E 147 Bled
67. box A drop down list box appears 5 Click the desired routing tool 18 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox 6 Enter the desired Cleanout parameters for the Total Depth Depth Per Pass Feed Rate Plunge Rate Surface Reference Acceleration RPM s and Direction 7 Click Generate The tool path appears in a contrasting color Direction Cleanout Direction refers to the horizontal or vertical direction of the Cleanout tool path Selecting a Direction in Cleanout makes cutting cleanout shapes more efficient Use Horizontal when the design contains many horizontal elements Use Vertical when the design contains many vertical elements Cleanout with horizontal direction Cleanout with vertical direction Cleanout tool path consists of two paths The first is the cleanout path the second path follows the shape contour and smoothes the edge 19 Original shape Cleanout contour path Cleanout tool path Auto Inlay Parameters An inlay consists of a solid male shape that fits snugly into a stencil female shape or cleaned out area A cleanout shape can be cut as an inlay shape By applying Auto Inlay to a Cleanout tool path the Cleanout shape is automatically cut with rounded corners Auto Inlay produces shapes with matching corner radii which do not require hand filing t
68. c roe ee rir ere kt cee 38 Smart Spindle oie Iter terere eee coe 88 SmartEdit Auto Carve tool paths esses 137 Io P 43 Speeds and Feeds chat 149 e tel D 88 SO HEMT Ss Sas Pas esse T 65 e EIB 29 154 Index ART Path Start End Position ouod eHURRH PH 48 Status Bar Su EO WOHNUNG 95 Stroke widtli i ICI MD 114 Surface Offset enero niie 116 Depth enne eere me ed 121 135 Surface Reference 59 116 121 System Identification Stmng 107 System requitements nene 3 107 T Templates Chang gereret OE uae nie EU xe N 62 creating and using eese 61 D necs estratti tune 62 Edit dialog box ient ettet tts 59 62 Three dimensional carving tools 113 guidelines for choosing sess 114 USING a Cull tool 4 eerte rete rite 114 using a sharp tool 114 Three dimensional signs CIA iie ro mier HR dre 138 St EE 141 E 138 POMEL ER 140 Three dimensional tool paths 115 ORT 59 KU 99 Tool cupi p 46 changer position sca ese eene terrere 46 D isto DISSE 58 Dien EE 46 TYG ss eases soca akc Ie PIERII 46 ool C ane eene URINE 47 Tool EE 45 dialog EE 46 47 Tool Information dialog box sse 45 Tool order rearranging eeeeeeeeees 88 Tool path dialog box pens 58 133 flat bottom taB elie aie 129 V T ool definition zeg 125 Tool Path Menu enron DUREE 55 Tool p
69. ce point changes depending on the type of tool path generated by ART Path ART Path generates tool paths that produce two types of results through cut non through cut Through cut tool paths cut entirely through the material To accurately machine a through cut tool path without cutting into the table the Sabre must know the exact location of the table surface We call this a table surface reference A table surface reference is used along with a nominal material thickness because the exact thickness of the material is not required to 60 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu machine to the table Establish a table surface reference by initializing a tool to the table using the Z init gage Nominal thickness 0 750 Table reference for through cutting Non through cut tool paths rout into the material to a specified depth without cutting completely through the material The Sabre must know the location of the top surface of the work piece to achieve a precise depth of cut We call this a material surface reference A material surface reference is used with the actual material thickness Establish an actual material thickness by initializing the tool to the material surface with the Z Init gage Any errors in referencing the material surface result in toolpaths that are too shallow or too deep Material reference ae Depth of cut 0 250 into material Actual thickness 0 732 Material reference for non through cutting Asso
70. ced Designs are automatically saved to the hard disk as a router file into the C Jobs directory The system adds an RTP extension to the end of the file name If the file was opened from the floppy or CD drive the file will be saved to that drive and not the hard drive The Save command is available only when a design has been opened and has changed in appearance Job and plot files are automatically saved as router files A copy of the job or plot file remains in its original form esp To save new changes to an already named file l Click File gt Save 2 The system automatically saves the changes in the design without leaving the working area The file will be saved as a router file with an RTP file extension Save As Choosing Save As in the File menu accesses the Save As dialog box Here you can keep all changes made to a design and store the design as a router file using the same file name or a different file name When Save As is clicked the edited version of a file may be saved under a unique name The original file does not change and is not replaced The file extension for router files RTP is added at the end of the file name If the same file name is given to two different designs a message box appears asking if the previously stored design is to be replaced by the new design having the same name Save As can also be used to save a file with the same name Save As also allows the design to be saved in a different drive or
71. ciating the type of surface reference to specific tool paths in ART Path automates the cutting of a job with multiple tool paths The Sabre retains the nominal and actual material thickness in its memory When processing the job Sabre uses the specified surface reference and the material thickness for each tool path without operator direction ke To choose the Surface Reference 1 Choose a tool path to generate 2 In the Tool Path Info dialog box turn on Table or Material in the Surface Reference box 3 Click Generate to process the tool path with the selected Surface Reference 61 Setting Feed Rate and Plunge Rate Feed Rate and Plunge Rate are controlled by on screen slide bars Plunge in min Click ends to increment s Hn There are two ways to set the slide bars for the desired speed Click and drag the slide bar Click and drag Click a slide bar end to increase or decrease speed by increments of one Applying additional features In addition to setting parameters you can apply the following features in combination with the tool path Tool path templates Finish cut Inlay Climb milling Leadin lead out Spindle speed Using tool path templates The Templates feature is used to easily and quickly recall information from previous jobs ART Path also provides default templates which are available in the dialog box for each tool path engrave male female cleanout and drill You may wis
72. ck the Feed Rate slide bar to set the speed Click the Plunge Rate slide bar to set the plunge rate Click Generate The Female Basic Cut tool path appears on the design in a contrasting color 72 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu Original shape Female basic cut Adding a Female finish cut The Finish Cut is a final pass that smoothes the edge of the shape by removing the finish amount and web The Finish Cut is optional However the edge quality of the shape is improved with the Finish Cut over a shape cut with the Basic Cut alone gt To use the Female Finish Cut 1 2 a W 5 6 7 8 Complete the Female Basic Cut dialog box Turn on Finish Cut The Finish Cut dialog box opens M Finish Cut 20000 R P M FINISH CUT Tool 00 0 053 1 16 Tool Plunge in min Web Amount 0 050 Feed n min Finish Amount 0 015 fa Bi 10 E 10 Acceleration auo gt z Select a tool The Finish Cut and basic cuts should use the same tool Enter a Web Amount If an amount is not entered the web amount defaults to the default value Enter the Finish Amount Click and drag the Feed Rate slider to set the speed Click and drag the Plunge Rate slider to set the plunge rate Click Generate Both the Basic Cut and Finish Cut tool paths appear on the design in contrasting colors Original shape Basic cut Finish cut 73 Adding an inlay An inlay consists o
73. ck to Composer to make design changes then reapplying tool paths to the changed design Print Clicking Print in the File menu opens the Windows standard Print dialog box Please refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation for using this dialog box Print Setup Clicking Print Setup in the File menu opens the Windows standard Print Setup dialog box Please refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation for using this dialog box Recently Used File list The Recently Used File list in the File menu displays the last eight files that were accessed in ART Path Exit Clicking Exit in the File menu closes the ART Path program 33 Chapter 4 Edit Menu Edit commands allow the user to change the condition of job router or plot files in the working area The following commands are available for editing purposes Undo Choosing Undo from the menu bar cancels the previous editing operation Undo must be clicked on immediately after making an error Undo will undo only the previous command To cancel the previous editing operation choose Undo from the Edit menu before clicking anywhere in the working area The last edit is cancelled Cut Choosing Cut from the Edit menu removes a selected shape from the working area and puts it on the clipboard A cut shape can be placed back into a working area using the Paste or Paste Back command as many times as desired Cutting is similar to cutting out a picture with a pair of scissors Cu
74. color to show it is selected 2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar 3 Click Female to open the Default Female Info Dialog Box Default Female Info Templates Climb Milling Iw Lead In Out 20000 R P M BASIC CUT Tool oi 0 063 1 16 Tool r Plunge in min r Surface Reference Feed in min a Table C Material D gt 10 10 Total Depth 0 100 Acceleration Auto X Depth Per Pass 10 100 Finish Cut 20000 R P M FINISH CUT Tool 01 0 063 1 16 Tool Ge Plunge in min a Web Amount Joren Ford pw Finish Amount fo 015 Far ni 10 Acceleration Auto E z IV Auto Inlay r AUTO INLAY Shoulder width 0 050 Shoulder Height 0 050 Gap fo 001 Cancel Preference Custom 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears Click the desired routing tool Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters Click the Auto Inlay check box an X appears in the check box The Auto Inlay parameters can be entered 8 Enter the desired Auto Inlay parameters for the Shoulder Width Shoulder Height and Gap see the guidelines above for reference If no shoulder is desired set shoulder width amp height to zero 9 Click Generate Both the Auto Inlay tool path and the Basic Cut tool path appear on screen in contrasting colors 15 Engrave The Engrave Tool etches a design into the material on the shape s contour without usi
75. d in the Composer Drill Library The Drill Library is created when ART Path is installed The drill symbols are sized to match tool sizes Both English and metric drill symbols are provided English drill symbols range from 1 16 to 1 2 in 1 16 inch increments Metric drill symbols range from 1 to 12 millimeters in 1 millimeter increments 78 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu t To retrieve a drill symbol Each drill symbol can be retrieved into a design as many times as needed 1 In Composer open the plot file requiring the drill symbols 2 Click File Library 3 Select a drill symbol 4 Click OK The drill symbol appears on the design 5 Use the Move Tool to place the drill symbol in the desired location 6 Repeat steps 1 through 6 to retrieve the drill symbol again A drill symbol can be retrieved as many times as required gt To create a custom drill symbol 1 In Composer click the Circle tool Move the Circle tool to the place on the design where a drill symbol is needed Click the Circle tool to set the center point Move the Circle tool out from the center point until the circle reaches the desired size Click the right mouse button to set the circle Click the Pointer tool Click the circle to select it Click Shape gt Absolute Size Length is highlighted o On OU P U N Type the desired circle diameter for Length The Height automatically resets to the Length value 10 Click Size The circle is redrawn to the size required
76. delines above for reference If no shoulder is desired set shoulder width amp height to zero 9 Click Generate in the tool path information dialog box The Basic Cut tool path the Finish Cut tool path and the Inlay Tool path appear on screen in contrasting colors 12 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox Female Female allows the user to generate a tool path to create a stencil from the material Clicking on the Female Tool opens the Default Female Info Dialog Box Refer to the Toolpath Dialog Boxes section for more information The shape must be selected before the Female Tool is available for use P To set female basic cut parameters 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected 2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar 3 Click Female to display the Default Female Info Dialog Box Default Female Info Templates Climb Milling Iw Lead In Out 20000 R P M r BASIC CUT Tool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool D r Plunge in min Surface Reference Feed in min Table C Material 1 lm E 10 Total Depth 0 100 Acceleration Auto M Depth Per Pass 0 100 z Finish Cut Autodnlay Cancel Preference Custom 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears Ui Click the desired routing tool eo Enter the desired parameters for Total Depth Depth Per
77. directory When no drive is designated the file is automatically saved to the hard disk as a router file into the C Jobs directory A design may also be saved as a router file onto a diskette Save As is useful for changing an existing design and keeping an original version without any changes The system automatically adds an RTP extension to the file name When using the Save As command job and plot files are automatically saved as router files A copy of the job or plot file remains in its original form Router files can be opened imported into Composer or GSPPlot If extensive editing of a router file is necessary the original plot or job file should be opened and edited in the Composer program t To save changes to a file and keep the original version 1 Click File gt Save As The Save As dialog box appears on screen 2 Type ina file name in the File name text box 3 Click OK to save the new file name The new file name appears in the title bar 29 Save Plot File Save Plot File in the File menu keeps all changes made to a design and stores the design as a plot file using the same file name or a different file name When Save Plot File is clicked the edited version of a file may be saved under a unique name The original job or router file does not change and is not replaced The file extension for plot files PLT is added at the end of the file name Save Plot File is useful for changing an existing design but keeping the ori
78. dth is 125 inches 3 175mm 11 A typical Shoulder Height is 125 inches 3 175mm The Gap is the amount of material that is cut between the male and female shapes The Gap enables the two shapes to fit inches 127mm wide together properly A recommended gap is 005 gt To set male and auto inlay parameters 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected 2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar Click Male to display the Default Male Info Dialog Box 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears 5 Click the desired routing tool Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters Turn on Auto Inlay to display the Default Male Info Templates I Climb Milling Iw Lead In Out Auto Inlay parameters T Jor 0 063 1 16 Tool r Surface Reference r Feed in min Table C Motil T gt 10 Total Depth 0 100 ean Acceleration aw gt Depth Per Pass 0 100 Finish Cut m FINISH CUT 20000 R P M Tool 01 0 063 1 16 Tool Web Amount fo 050 Feed in min Finish Amount joos mim im Acceleration Auto Plunge inmin IV Auto Inlay r AUTO INLAY Shoulder Width 0 050 Shoulder Height 0 050 Gap 0 001 Cancel Preference Custom 8 Enter the desired parameters for Shoulder Width Shoulder Height and Gap see the gui
79. e and display toolpaths Redraw Use the Redraw command in the View menu to refresh the screen by erasing and redrawing the design Press F7 or click View gt Redraw Toolbars and Status Bar When a job is opened the Standard Toolbar appears across the top of the screen and the Status Bar appears across the bottom of the screen If you turn off these bars you will increase the size of the working area To turn off the bars click the commands in the View menu so that the check mark to the left of the command goes away Click again to turn them back on The check mark reappears Animate ART Path animates how the router will cut the job A line is drawn illustrating the movement of the router as it cuts each tool path In Auto Mode the animation begins immediately and continues until the job is complete In User Defined mode you must press and hold any key to begin animation Animation of tool paths stops when the key is released You may continue the animation by pressing a key again During animation the up arrow and down arrow keys control the drawing speed Press ESC to stop the animation at anytime When animation is complete click View gt Redraw to clear the tool path illustration from the screen gt To animate the toolpaths of a job 1 Click View gt Animate to open the Animation Control cmm nimation Control dialog box o User Defined 2 Click User Defined or Auto Mode Ed Click OK Once animation has started u
80. e limit switches choose OFF Note If you are not sure whether your router contains limit switches check the R892 receptacle at the rear of the ARC station If P892 is plugged in the router probably has limit switches Press SELECT The ARC station is now ready for normal operation Note If there is a problem with setting up the ARC station check to make sure that all of the ribbon cables are properly placed Installing the Auto Carve Option The Auto Carve software can only be installed on the system it was purchased for and will not install on another system Therefore you are required to enter a password during installation This password is found in the password envelope that is included with your option Be certain that your system meets the requirements listed in System Requirements d To install the Auto Carve option l Insert the OMEGA installation CD disk into the disk drive The OMEGA Setup Wizard should automatically display If it does not click Start Run to display the Run dialog box Type D Setup exe and click OK Where D is the drive containing the disk 2 Click Install Products to display the Install Products menu 3 Click Install OMEGA 2 5 Follow the instructions until the Installation Type dialog box displays Choose Add Reload Individual components and click Next 4 AttheSelect Components dialog box turn on Auto Carve 3D Option Auto Carve requires a password to load Click Next 112 Chapter 1
81. e router 91 Chapter 9 Panel Menu Panels commands insert and move horizontal cutlines in a design and help to set up panel division Horizontal Cutline CH Choosing Horizontal Cutline from the Panels menu inserts horizontal cutlines to specified positions into a design The system inserts horizontal cutlines into a design that exceeds the height limits of the router table A cutline creates panels that show where a design will be divided for routing A cutline may also be moved or removed to best suit the design needs using the Move Cutline command A design cannot contain more than 90 horizontal cutlines A horizontal cutline may not be inserted into a repeated design Moving a horizontal cutline cannot result in creating a panel larger than the router will allow Any cutline the system requires for routing panels cannot be removed It is recommended to generate a tool path before inserting horizontal cutlines into a design If the horizontal cutlines are inserted before a tool path is generated the cutlines are deleted from the design and need to be reinserted To create a horizontal cutline 1 Click Panels gt Horizontal Cutline The mouse pointer changes to moving hand The solid red horizontal line moves as the hand moves Move the horizontal cutline to the desired position Click the left mouse button to secure it 4 Repeat steps 1 through 3 to insert another cutline The cutlines are numbered in sequence Move Cutline Cho
82. eet irent dere DOR dE DERE tad Uv DUIS DER URS 147 Z Z axis IndtaliZIBg sss o EE 139
83. efault Drill Info dialog box select a tool Be sure to select a tool that is the same size as the drill symbol 2 Set the spindle speed 3 Enter the Total Depth of the drill 4 Enter the Depth Per Pass 5 Click and drag the Plunge Rate slider to set the Plunge Rate 6 Enter the new Dwell Time in seconds 7 Click Generate The Drill tool path appears as a crosshair on top of the shape Note If the drill symbol is larger than the tool selected in the Drill dialog box a Drill tool path will not be produced However ART Path will produce a Drill tool path for a symbol that is smaller than the tool selected in the Drill dialog box 81 Chapter 8 Output Menu Output controls how the design will be routed and is also used to send a job to the router Clicking on Output opens the Job Output Dialog Box Job Output Dialog Box Job Output p Postin 7 Router Name Start r Sabre408 1 COM1 E MEN Job Header Message AY Ese dea Job Start Load Matl Height 12 523 J In Place Repeats Repeats Length 23 927 Max Depth 0 100 Repeats ax Depth 0 1 Thickness CS l ReptY i Gap between Repeats c PrePosition l Gapx 0 000 GapY Io ooo Position X fo 000 Z Lift 0 250 Automatic Tool Changer Installed Position Y 0 000 Plot all Iw Use Smart Spindle Passes Rearrange Output Tool Order B RENS T Plot at Maximum speed Preference Cancel Rout Plot L Continue Job Output
84. eight of a shape individually by specific values Clicking Non uniform allows you to type in separate values for length and height The bottom of the dialog box displays the area of the selected shape and the height and length are shown as percentages Length Shows the length of the shape Height Shows the height of the shape 41 Size From Size from Lower Left Corner The shape changes size from the lower left handle only The point remains in the same position Size from Center The shape changes size from the center handle gt To change the length or height of a shape individually to specific sizes 1 In the Absolute Size dialog box click on the Non Uniform option button A solid dot fills the button meaning the function is on Double click the mouse pointer in the Length text box to highlight it and type in a desired value Double click the mouse pointer in the Height text box to highlight it and type in a desired value Click the Left Corner option button to size the shape from the left corner or click on the Center option button to size the shape from the center Click Size to save the new value and return to the working area The shape is redrawn showing the changes esp To change the length and height of a shape proportionally to a specific size 1 2 Join Click the Uniform Option button In the Absolute Size dialog box double click the mouse pointer in the Length or Height text box to h
85. en a parameter affecting the width of the tool path is changed When a speed or depth parameter is changed ART Path saves the new parameter setting but does not regenerate the tool path The three dimensional routing option makes it easy to create designs with a hand carved look by using Gerber s 1 2 3 Method for preparing your material The 1 2 3 Method has three basic steps 1 Masking the surface of the sign blank 2 Routing the design 3 Finishing the design Before beginning the 1 2 3 Method follow the guidelines set by the manufacturer to sand paint stain polish or otherwise prepare your sign blank Preparing the sign blank before routing the design makes finishing the carved portion of the sign easier Masking the Sign Blank Masking the process of covering the sign blank with a special adhesive vinyl called GerberMask is an optional step that helps in the painting and gold leafing process Masking the sign blank prevents paint gold leaf or sizing from spreading onto the rest of the sign when finishing the routed design If you are using a brass sign blank you may not need to mask the surface if you are not going to paint it 139 There are two types of GerberMask GerberMask I and GerberMask II GerberMask I is a low tack adhesive and GerberMask II is a high tack adhesive Both types of adhesives bond with the material but can be removed easily without leaving a residue Be sure the sign blank s finish is
86. er are contained in the manuals provided with the tool changer option You do not need to assign tools in the order they are used in the job Also if you assign tools that are not used in a job only the necessary tools are used and the changer skips unused tools For example the carousel may start with tool position 5 change to position 1 and then change to position 7 if those are the three tools used in a particular job ke To assign tool positions using the Tool Edit dialog box 1 Click Setup gt Edit The Tool Information Dialog Box opens 2 Click the desired routing tool and click on Change The Tool Edit Dialog Box opens Tool Edit Tool Type n i Tool Diameter 1 250 in C Straight E V Cutter Tool Angle 140 000 degrees Tool Changer Position o Tool Description 1 250 V Cutter w 140 amp ngle cont Gerber Router Bits 3 Enter a number from 1 10 in the Tool Changer Position entry box Enter a zero 0 to remove the tool from an assigned position in the tool changer 4 Click Continue to return to the Tool Information Dialog Box 48 Chapter 6 Setup Menu To assign tool positions using the Job Output dialog box 1 2 3 Click Output The Job Output dialog box appears on the screen Click the Use Automatic Tool Changer check box Click the Rout button The Select Tool s Changer Position dialog box appears on the screen The top half of the dialog lists the tools that are not assigned a too
87. es per minute millimeters per second Acceleration is the rate at which the Sabre gains speed from stop to the full Feed Rate set for the tool path There are three acceleration settings Auto automatically adjusts the acceleration to the geometry of the design Low slows acceleration to increase precision for very detailed work Normal maintains the same level of acceleration throughout the job V Tool Definition parameters must be filled in The most important aspect of 3 D routing is defining the angle and diameter of the tool you are using Both of these measurements must be precise to ensure accuracy when routing your design The measure of the angle and diameter of the tool are located on the tool s shank Select the desired tool from the drop down list at the bottom of the V Tool Definition box Once you have selected the tool ART Path automatically calculates the angle diameter and tool height Conventional milling cuts inside shapes in a clockwise direction and the outside shape in a counterclockwise direction Climb Milling changes the direction of travel so that the tool cuts inside shapes in a counterclockwise direction and the outside shapes in a clockwise direction You can use climb milling for metals to get a better quality edge The Climb Milling check box lets you specify a reverse direction for cutting Finish Cut when selected creates an additional pass that skims material and may produce a smoother finis
88. f a solid male shape that fits snugly into a stencil female shape Both male and female inlay shapes must be cut with the same diameter tool A shoulder can be cut to create special effects as well as help hold the shape in place ina finished sign Inlay parameters are Shoulder and Gap gt To create the Female Inlay 1 Complete the Female Basic Cut dialog box 2 Turn on Auto Inlay The Auto Inlay dialog box opens Iw Auto Inlay AUTO INLAY Shoulder Width 0 050 Shoulder Height 0 050 Gap 0 001 3 Enter the Shoulder Width amount The Shoulder Width must be less than the tool diameter 4 Enter the Shoulder Height amount Enter the Gap amount 6 Click Generate to create the Basic Cut and Auto Inlay tool paths Both paths will be shown in contrasting colors on the design Original shape Basic cut tool path Inlay tool path If the Finish Cut is also turned on when Auto Inlay is selected the Auto Inlay Cut will also have a Finish Cut Four cuts are generated for the tool path Basic Cut Finish Cut Inlay Shoulder and a finish cut for the shoulder Using Cleanout The Cleanout tool path removes material from a shape without cutting completely through the material The Finish Cut Lead In Lead Out and Climb Milling features are not available with Cleanout Selecting Direction Cleanout Direction refers to the horizontal or vertical direction of the Cleano
89. f the material needed to rout the design Setting Thickness The material thickness must be entered in the Job Output dialog box before outputting the job to the router Enter the material thickness in the Thickness box The thickness value is sent to the Sabre during job output and displays as the Nominal material thickness At the router there is an opportunity to verify or modify the Nominal material thickness before routing the job Enter a thickness value within the range of 0 001 and 4 50 inches 0 025 to 114 3 mm AN CAUTION Thickness value must match the total depth of the through cut tool paths or the table may be damaged during machining Preposition Preposition is the distance the router tool moves in either a horizontal Preposition By X or vertical Preposition By Y direction from the tool s current position Both the Preposition By X move and the Preposition By Y move are one time moves only Preposition By X in the Job Output Dialog Box allows the user to enter in a value to move the routing tool a horizontal distance from its current position A negative X value will move the tool to the left A positive X value will move the tool to the right PrePosition by X is measured in inches but may be changed to metric from the Windows Control Panel The tool can be positioned to the desired location before the design is cut PrePosition by X is a one time move 83 en To use Preposition by X 1 After the desired tool path
90. for the drill 11 Use Repeats in the Shape menu to create additional copies of the custom drill symbol Generating a Drill tool path In general the steps for generating a Drill tool path are the same as the other tool paths However the only shapes to be selected are the drill symbols Also the Drill tool path supports an additional parameter Dwell Time Dwell Time ensures a clean cut at the bottom of the drill hole The router tool stays in the drill hole for the amount of time specified as Dwell Time before it lifts and continues to the next shape to be drilled Dwell Time is usually less than a second AN CAUTION Some materials such as acrylic foam or wood can melt or burn when using a dwell time For these materials set Dwell Time to zero seconds tap To access Drill 1 Using the Pointer tool select the drill symbol s 79 2 Click gt Drill to open the Default Drill Info dialog box Default Drill Info DRILL Temples O Tool 01 0 063 1 16 Tool Surface Reference Plunge inzmin e Table Material 20000 R P M 4 Total Depth o3 oo Dwell time sec 0 300 10 Depth Per Pass o3 oo Cancel Preference Custom en To use Templates 1 In the Default Drill Info dialog box select a template 2 If you do not wish to change any information click Generate to generate a tool path for this job The Drill tool path appears as a crosshair on top of the design gt To use Drill 1 In the D
91. ginal version of the file unchanged If the same file name is given to two different designs a message box appears asking if the previously stored design is to be replaced by the new design having the same name Save Plot File also allows the design to be saved into a different drive or directory When no drive is designated designs are automatically saved to the hard disk as a plot file into the C Jobs directory A design may also be saved as a plot file onto a diskette When using the Save Plot File command the original version of the plot file is overwritten with the new plot file information The system automatically adds a PLT extension to the file name When using the Save Plot File command job and router files are automatically saved as plot files A copy of the job or router file remains in the system in its original form Wu To save the file as a plot PLT file 1 Click File gt Save Plot File to open the Save As dialog box The file type to save as is PLT 2 Choose a folder to Save in The default folder for plot files is C Jobs Type in a file name in the File name text box 4 Click OK to save the file as a PLT file Save to Spool File Organize your workflow when processing large files by saving to spool SPL files An SPL file allows you to rout the job at your convenience without having to render the job at that time Creating an SPL file is particularly beneficial when working with large files You can create
92. h depending on the type of material being cut When you choose Finish Cut more dialog box information appears allowing you to choose the Depth Feed and Plunge rates of that pass You can use this feature with the roughing tool flat bottom tool and the V tool The Flat Bottom tool is a standard routing tool that removes excess material and produces a flat bottom in the areas that require it If you select a flat bottom tool and the deepest depth of the tool path does not exceed the floor depth ART Path will not generate a flat bottom tool path and the design will have a V bottom instead Selecting a flat bottom tool only gives ART Path permission to generate a flat bottom if necessary The following picture demonstrates how a flat bottom tool creates a flat bottom while the V tool creates beveled edges 123 Flat Bottom tool cleaning out excess material an 3D carving tool creatin creating a flat bottom at 400 beveled edges 5 TE Ae maximum Ae maximum allowable allowable depth depth If you definitely want a flat bottomed design enter a Floor Depth in the Flat Bottom tab of the Default Carving Info dialog box After you generate the tool path check the ART Path screen to view the results Flat bottom tool paths are displayed in a contrasting color You may Smart Edit the tool path to adjust the floor depth until the design fits your needs The following example shows a flat bottom tool path generated on the letter R The floor depth
93. h and Height appear 3 Double click the mouse pointer on the Length or Height text box The box becomes highlighted 4 Type ina percent value Typing in a value greater than 100 increases the shape s size Typing in a value less than 100 decreases the shape s size 5 Double click the mouse pointer in the remaining Size text box and type in a value 6 Click the Left Corner option button to size the shape from the left corner or click on the Center option button to size the shape from the center 7 Click the Size command button to save the new values and return to the working area Absolute Size dialog box Absolute Size changes the overall length and height of a shape to a specific size A shape must be selected to be sized Shapes on which a toolpath has been generated cannot be resized You must delete the toolpath before resizing the shape Absolute Size Size Type C Non uniform Uniform Size From LowerLeftComer C Center Height 0 402 Length 0 774 Area 0 311 Height 100 0 Length 100 0 tees Size Type Uniform changes the length and height of a shape proportionally Any increase or decrease in the Length will automatically increase or decrease the Height This is also true of adjusting the Height The system defaults to Uniform The bottom of the dialog box displays the area of the selected shape and the height and length are shown as percentages e Non uniform changes the length and h
94. h creating a flat bottom Once completing the roughing tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the pointed bottom and beveled edges of the tool path EW Shape gt Contoured Tool Path 4 Several passes to remove excess material IS sl EE da Selecting Linear Linear describes a way in which the roughing tool removes excess material If you select Linear the tool removes material in a straight line according to the angle you choose The example below shows the letter T with a linear tool path creating a flat bottom Once completing the roughing tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the pointed bottom and beveled edges of the tool path 128 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Mi Shape Linear Tool Path Several passses to remove excess material min Selecting Feed Rate Feed Rate is the speed that the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed Rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Selecting Plunge Rate Plunge Rate is the speed that the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Acceleration Acceleration is the rate at which the Sabre gains speed from stop
95. h to save parameters from a job for use in the future with other jobs or tool paths or you may also recall default parameters or parameters you have already saved Templates may be set at the same time you enter the tool path values or after a job has been sent to the router and you decide that you wish to save the parameters gt To retrieve a tool path template 1 From the menu bar click ToolPaths and select the tool path desired The dialog box for that tool path appears 2 Click the down arrow at the right of the Template description box and highlight the desired template 3 The template with all saved values appears in the dialog box for that tool path 62 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu en To create a tool path template 1 From the menu bar click ToolPaths and select the tool path desired The dialog box for that tool path appears Enter the parameters desired Click Custom The Template Edit dialog box opens Template Edit Template Description 1 8 ACRYLIC 1 8 BIT P505228 SINGLE PASS CUT TO MASK Delete Arrange Cancel Enter a unique description to help you remember the job at a future date Click Save The dialog box for the tool path selected returns with the Template message filled in All the information is saved in the Template for future use even if you did not generate a tool path tp To change a tool path template 1 From the menu bar click ToolPaths and select the tool path desired The dial
96. he button opens the Enter Spindle Speed dialog box Basic carving parameters must be filled in When choosing values for these parameters consider any inconsistencies in material and avoid warped or uneven material Variations in material thickness will affect the final output of the design Note When you Smart Edit the deepest depth of the tool path is displayed in the Basic Carving section of the dialog box Surface Reference Table or Material should match the Surface Reference chosen for the tool path that is used to generate the Surface Offset If there is no Surface Offset the Surface Reference for Auto Carve 3D is automatically set to Material Surface Offset Depth defines the surface of a cleanout area of the design that is machined using a Cleanout tool path This value must be less than the thickness of the material or the tool could cut into the table Surface Offset Depth is an optional parameter Set Surface Offset Depth to zero if your Auto Carve design is at the top of the material surface Max Allowable Depth defines how deeply the V Bottom tool may cut into the material depth of cut This value must be less than the thickness of the material or it could cut into the table Max Allowable Depth is defined from the top surface of the material or the Surface Offset Depth If you have a Surface Offset Depth that depth plus the Max Allowable Depth must be less than or equal to the material thickness Max Depth Per Pass defines
97. he drop down list at the bottom of the Tool Definition Box Once you enter the angle and diameter of the tool ART Path automatically calculates the tool height Choosing basic carving parameters There are four basic carving parameters for each type of 3 D tool paths When choosing parameter values take into consideration any inconsistencies in material and avoid warped or uneven material Variations in material thickness will affect the final output of the design The four basic carving parameters are e Maximum allowable depth defines the maximum depth that the tool can cut into the material This value must be less than the thickness of the material If it is not the tool could cut into the routing table e Maximum depth per pass defines how deep the tool cuts into the material in one pass This value cannot exceed the maximum allowable depth or the height of the tool being used If you enter a value that exceeds the maximum allowable depth or the height of the tool the system automatically enters the lesser of these two values in this field Feed Rate is the speed at which the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second e Plunge Rate is the speed at which the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second 126 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Using a roughing tool
98. he shapes to group with the Pointer tool or the Select All command 2 Click Shape Group F6 Ungroup The Ungroup command separates previously grouped items into individual shapes Ungroup is only available if the design has grouped shapes tap To ungroup shapes 1 Choose the shapes to ungroup with the Pointer tool or the Select All command 2 Click Shape gt Ungroup F5 Layer Some file formats imported into ART Path PLT or DXF for example have layers that contain common features such as engraving or drilling You see which shapes are on the layers of the design by choosing the layer command in the Shape menu All components of the chosen layer display in a contrasting color Y Tip Every job has at least one layer which is named the same name as the file tep To view layers by menu selection 1 Opena file with layer data 2 Click Shape gt Layer and choose a layer from the drop down list The portion of the design assigned to that layer displays in a contrasting color u To view layers by selecting the design 1 Open a file with layer data 2 Using the pointer tool select a portion of the design All parts of the design assigned to that layer display in a contrasting color 3 Click Shape Layer A checkmark appears next to the layer associated with the highlighted part of the design 43 SmartEdit Layer After generating tool paths for a layer of a design you can modify the tool path with the SmartEdit Layer command Ch
99. hold the shape in place in a finished sign Inlay parameters are Shoulder and Gap gt To create the Male Inlay Complete the Male Basic Cut dialog box Turn on Auto Inlay The Auto Inlay dialog box opens M Auto Inlay AUTO INLA Y a Shoulder width 0 050 Shoulder Height 0 050 Gap 0 001 70 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu 3 Enter the Shoulder Width amount The Shoulder Width must be less than the tool diameter 4 Enter the Shoulder Height amount Enter the Gap amount 6 Click Generate to create the Basic Cut and Auto Inlay tool paths Both paths will be shown in contrasting colors on the design i Note The user will not see a separate toolpath for inlay if shoulder parameters are set to zero If the Finish Cut is also turned on when Auto Inlay is selected the Inlay Cut will also have a Finish Cut You will see four toolpaths Basic Cut Finish Cut the Inlay shoulder and a shoulder finish cut Cutting stencils with the Female tool mm The Female tool path is used to cut stencil shapes The Female tool path is divided into three parts Basic Cut Finish Cut Inlay The Basic Cut is required for the tool path A Finish Cut can be added to the Basic Cut Inlay can also be applied along with the Finish Cut or with just the Basic Cut Lead In Lead Out and Climb Milling are the features available with the Female tool path Applying a Female basic cut The Basic Cut provides the rough cut of the shape The Basic Cu
100. hrough the work piece Initializing to the table with a Table Z Init and establishing a surface reference with a Material Z Init determines the actual material thickness The surface reference data along with the actual thickness allow the Sabre to plunge into the material to the exact depth specified in Art Path because the exact location of the material surface is known The Sabre prompts you to verify nominal thickness and to set actual thickness which establishes the material surface reference once a job is received from Art Path Even if the job contains multiple toolpaths that use different tools you are only required to establish the surface reference once for each job All non through cutting tool paths use the same material surface reference p To establish a surface reference with material initialization 1 Install a tool in the spindle 2 Move the spindle motor to the area that the job will be routed 3 Place the initialization gage on top of the material under the tool 4 Press the Z axis down arrow to lower the tool until it just scratches the surface of the gage You should be able to feel a slight scratch as you slide the gage under the tool AN CAUTION Lower the tool carefully You can damage the tool by driving it into the gage 5 Press the MATL Z INT function key to open the Z INIT MATERIAL menu 6 Make sure the tool still touches the gage and then press A to complete the initialization The system returns to the MAIN MENU
101. ialog box and the In Place Repeats Text Box appears in the dialog box 3 Click the mouse pointer inside of the Count of Repeats Text Box Enter in the desired repeat value 85 4 Enter the desired value X Park Position Text Box Click Rout to enter in the value from the text box 6 After entering in the desired values press the Start key on the Router console The repeat is cut and then the router tool moves to the park position Y Park Position is a feature in the In Place Repeats Text Box that allows the user to enter in a value in inches or millimeters The tool moves in a vertical direction from the tool s current position The router tool moves to the Y Park Position after cutting the first repeat and stops To resume plotting or cutting the next repeat press start on the router console The tool moves the distance specified in the Y Park Position Text Box at the same time the distance specified in the X Park Position Text Box moves In between each In Place Repeat the router tool is moved out of the way which allows the user to easily change material To use Y Park Position l After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Job Output Dialog Box appears 2 Click the In Place Repeats check box An X appears in the check box to indicate the feature is turned on The Repeats Text Box disappears from the dialog box and the In Place Repeats Text Box appears in the dialog box 3 Click the mouse pointer inside of the Cou
102. ic Floor Depth defines the distance between the Surface Offset and the base of the Prismatic letter If there is no surface Offset Depth it is set to zero the Floor Depth is the distance from the top of the material surface to the base of the Prismatic letter The value of Floor Depth should match the depth value used for a Cleanout cut through Engrave or Male tool path that surrounds the Prismatic letter Note The deepest cut plus the Surface Offset Depth must be less than or equal to the Floor Depth If their combined value exceeds the Floor Depth the Deepest Cut error message appears The Floor Depth must be less than or equal to the material thickness Setting a depth offset of a Prismatic tool path An optional parameter Surface Offset Depth is located in the Current Prismatic Info dialog box Surface Offset Depth allows you to define the cleanout depth in relationship to the top surface of the material Enter a Surface Offset Depth if you plan to cleanout an area of the 136 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools design before routing a Prismatic tool path This is useful when your Prismatic letters are recessed below the top surface of the material Note The Surface Offset Depth value in the Prismatic dialog box and the Total Depth value in the Cleanout Info dialog box should be the same When a surface Offset Depth is entered Prismatic tool paths are calculated from the Offset surface rather than the top of the mate
103. ighlight it Type in a desired value Click the Left Corner to size the shape from the left corner or click Center to size the shape from the center Click Size to save the new value and return to the working area A proportional increase or decrease is applied to the other size text box Join closes open shapes The Join command closes open shapes by automatically connecting the open points For open points to be joined automatically they must be within a distance from each other that is specified by the Join Tolerance command described in the Setup menu gt To join open shapes 1 2 3 Click Edit gt Open Shapes Any open shapes are highlighted Click Shape gt Join All open shapes that fall within the Join Tolerance should be joined Click Edit gt Select Open Shapes to verify that open shapes have been joined If the open points do not fall within the default Join Tolerance they will not be joined If necessary adjust the tolerance by using the Join Tolerance command 42 Chapter 5 Shape Menu Group Group combines shapes so that you can work with them as a single object You can select copy mirror rotate and size grouped shapes as a unit Grouping shapes together makes it easy to move them on the work area You may select the grouped shapes and apply one tool path to the entire group When selecting grouped shapes all components of the group display in a contrasting color To group shapes 1 Choose t
104. ign Low slows acceleration to increase precision for very detailed work Normal maintains the same level of acceleration throughout the job Finish Cut when selected creates an additional pass that skims material and may produce a smoother finish depending on the type of material being cut When you choose Finish Cut more dialog box information appears allowing you to choose the Depth Feed Plunge and Acceleration rates of that pass You can use this feature with the roughing tool flat bottom tool and the 3 D tool 125 Generating a Flat bottom 3D tool path To generate a Flat bottom 3D tool path 1 Select part or all of the design Choose Tool paths from the ART Path menu bar Choose Auto Carve 3D The Default Carve Info dialog box opens Choose the Flat Bottom tab Choose the tool path parameters ao Uc P W N Click on Generate The progress indicator bar fills After the tool path is generated you return to the ART Path screen The tool path is displayed inside the design in a contrasting color Setting V Tool parameters The most important aspect of 3 D routing is defining the angle and diameter of the tool you are using Therefore V Tool parameters must be filled in for either tool path you choose Both the angle and diameter measurements must be precise to ensure accuracy when routing your design The measure of the angle and diameter of the tool are located on the tool s shank Select the desired tool from t
105. ing a topic The Navigation pane on the left side of the window contains three tabs the Contents tab the Index tab and the Search tab The Contents tab is arranged in the same order as the Table of Contents of this reference manual and is synchronized with the topic displayed in the Topic pane in the right side of the window The Index tab displays an alphabetical listing of keywords associated with topics The Search tab provides access to full text search Note To open the Navigation pane togele the Help Topics button in the Window button bar until the Navigation pane is visible v Tip To view both the Help topic and the work space at the same time click Options gt Keep Help on Top gt Default If the Help display is too small or difficult to read click Options gt Font and choose a larger font size e To find a topic 1 Click on the Contents Index or Search tab to display the choice 2 Scroll through the list 3 Click a topic in the list to display it in the Topic pane Y Tip If you open the Index tab a quick way to find a topic is to type a word related to what you want to do For example if you want to move an object type Move The list automatically scrolls to display the word Move highlighted and the subtopics under it 102 Chapter 12 Getting Help in ART Path Finding additional topics in the Topic pane The Topic pane contains three additional navigation tools Clicking on words or phrases that are i
106. ing the ART Path TOoolbOX ssssssussnsunnunnnnunnunnnnunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnannnnnnnnnnnnann 7 eumd EN 7 eu 7 TAO o M 8 WIN ZOOMM 8 Malen oie tdi d ah nhs Minha Matin antennae 9 Male Auto EE 10 Lc 12 Female Auto Inlay Parameters scirent trente nette tte eene AE Ee EE EEE EA aeaaea 13 EN OT AVES 15 Engraving Channel Cut Parameters esee Pct pie nde en P EIE rien 15 Cla OU bis 16 Bises 18 Ee 19 Use Diagonal sci PR 19 Drill an didn E mathendomran men dein md edd ond dada wade ain khan kaa 20 a 21 Horizontal Cutline 5 en caseo comes eem i rn ia ie t P i da rn gs 22 e ER TR EE 23 lestis 23 Set Start POMP E 23 Book Two Menus and Procedures TET TPL 25 Chapter 3 File Men isse ioa Corin ra ana Rar aoa a NEW a 27 OPEN 27 CN OSC icc NT ER 27 Dave hens NUSENEPI IMEEM MEI MEIN II MUI II 28 SIVE AS ROTE TDI qm 28 Save EE 29
107. ing the material The user cannot select or move the material rectangle 52 Chapter 6 Setup Menu Nesting Setup Nesting Setup is a command in the Setup menu that lets you display the outermost shape or both the inner and outermost shapes of a nested shape Selecting Nesting Setup opens the Nesting Setup dialog box Nesting Setup Ze Show DuterMost shapes when Dragging C Show InnerMost OuterMost shapes when Dragging OK Cancel Preference ub To set up nesting 1 To display the outermost shape click Show Outermost Shapes when Dragging 2 To display both outermost and innermost shapes click Show Innermost Outermost Shapes when Dragging To save your selection as the default click on Preference 4 Click OK Join Tolerance The Join Tolerance dialog box allows you to increase or decrease the distance allowed between shape points that will be closed automatically by the Join command If the shapes you want closed by the Join command were not closed increase the Join Tolerance Join Tolerance Join Tolerance Cancel Preference gt To increase or decrease the join tolerance 1 Type a new tolerance in inches or millimeters in the Join Tolerance dialog box 2 To save this tolerance as the default click Preference 3 Click OK 4 Click Shape gt Join All open points within the distance tolerance that you just entered are joined 53 Show Tool Changer Position Click on this command to turn it on and d
108. ional However the edge quality of the shape is improved with the Finish Cut over a shape cut with the Basic Cut alone emp To use the Male Finish Cut 1 2 Complete the Male Basic Cut dialog box Turn on Finish Cut The Finish Cut dialog box opens UJ oU A o o N 10 1 2 69 Iv Finish Cut 20000 R P M FINISH CUT Tool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool bd r Plunge in min EANAN 0 050 Feed in min 4 Finish Amount 0 015 lei 2j 10 Acceleration Auto m zi Click the Tool box down arrow The tool list appears The Finish Cut can use a different tool than the Basic Cut Click a tool to select it choose the same tool used in the basic cut Set the spindle speed Click and drag the Web Amount box Enter the desired web amount If a web amount is not entered the web defaults to the minimum value Click the Finish Amount box Enter the Finish Amount Click and drag the Feed Rate slide bar to set the speed Click the Plunge Rate slide bar to set the plunge rate Click Generate Both the Basic Cut and Finish Cut tool paths appear on the design in contrasting colors Original shape Male basic cut Finish cut Applying an inlay An inlay consists of a solid male shape that fits snugly into a stencil female shape This type of inlay is also called push through Both male and female inlay shapes must be cut with the same sized tool A shoulder can be cut to create special effects as well as help
109. is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual may cause harmful interference to radio communications Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own risk This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications Le present appareil numerique n emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la classe B prescrites dans les Reglements sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le Ministere des Communications du Canada Book One Introduction to ART Path erra aas L Chapter 1 Setung Up ART Path enge E Unpa cking InstallabOnssgieei uri on rita rai e rbi dor God vla egteg 3 E E 3 Installing the ART Path software Option ett akakaa 4 EN sodmennqemedenm dede aeimide ded hd a ni e 4 Customer SUP POLE M 5 Chapter 2 Review
110. is generated click Output The Job Output Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click and drag the mouse pointer across the Preposition By X Text Box The value is highlighted 3 Type in the desired value Type a minus sign in front of the number if moving the tool to the left 4 Click Rout to enter in the PrePosition By X value The tool moves to the new position before the design begins to plot or cut Preposition By Y in the Job Output Dialog Box allows the user to enter in a value to move the routing tool a vertical distance from its current position A negative Y value will move the tool toward the front A positive Y value will move the tool toward the back PrePosition by Y is measured in inches but may be changed to metric from the Windows Control Panel The tool can be positioned to the desired location before the design is cut PrePosition by Y is a one time move be To use Preposition by Y 1 After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Job Output Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click and drag the mouse pointer across the Preposition by Y Text Box The value is highlighted 3 Type ina desired value Type a minus sign in front of the number if moving the tool toward the front 4 Click Rout to enter in the PrePosition By Y value The routing tool moves to the new position before the design begins to cut Absolute defines the router tool position at a specific location on the router table relative to the
111. isplay the tool changer positions in the Tools Used in Job dialog box For more information on Tools used refer to the Tool Path menu section The Tool Changer positions will be displayed in each of the toolpath dialog boxes Tool s Used in Job Tools Used Continue 01 0 063 1 16 Tool 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool 55 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu The Tool Paths Menu allows the user to choose the type of tool path the router tool will follow when routing a shape Tools Used The Tool s Used in Job dialog box lists all the tools used in the current job This list does not display the order that the tools are used that information is shown in the Organize Tool Order dialog box Tool s Used in Job Tools Used Continue 01 0 063 1 16 Tool 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool Organize Tool Order dialog box The Organize Tool Order dialog box allows you to view and change the order that tools are used when routing Organize Tool Order 1 8 carbide tool 20000 0 100 Move Up Move Down WARNING Be extremely careful when changing the tool order Failure to follow the guidelines can result in tools breaking which may cause personal injury or damage to the material or router In the Job Output dialog box click on the Rearrange Output Tool Order check box and then click on Rout to open the Organize Tool Order dialog box This dialog lists the tools used in the job the order they are used and depth of cut fo
112. itpion eol aceto ento ir 141 Finishing the D sigu einen the ertt rh EH ERE E ERDAR SNEER REEERE SEa REX SERER GE ESSERE EE 141 Appendix A ART Path Glossary eren nnne nnne LOS Appendix B Material Flatness eene nnne LOZ Manufactured Matias niin intitle i cn FEOCR eege Ded ata cal DR EP ra belg el fata 147 ML EP 147 Grain Type and Sawing Techniques terne ensi a AX XE CUR ee 147 Moisture Content and Humidity iae eerte retenti etie eter pee Ret edet iere een 148 GEREENT 148 Carving intoa Warped Panel terere ee eere dne eei innare dave t Lari dosage da 148 Appendix C Speeds and Feeds for Standard Router Motor 149 Book One Introduction to ART Path ART Path 32 is an OMEGA output tool that is used to link a Gerber routing system to OMEGA programs The Gerber routing systems listed below can be used with the ART Path program e Sabre series 404 and 408 Dimension 200 ADVANTAGE Router 600 ART Path allows you to benefit from the OMEGA Composer s design capabilities while offering routing features such as Climb Milling Lead In Lead Out User defined Tool Table e Nesting Placement Drill ART Path automatically generates tool paths for male female engraved or cleanout tool paths It also enables automatic cutting of inlay shapes with rounded edges use of multiple cutters and or depths of cut within the same j
113. job SHANK The non cutting area of the bit which the collet grasps SHOULDER Asmallledge that follows the edge of the shape Used for inlays to prevent the male shape from pushing through the female stencil Also allows a male shape to be set in a female shape without falling through SMART EDIT A method for changing the settings of previously created toolpaths while they still appear on the screen 146 AppendixA ART Path Glossary SPINDLE MOTOR The router motor which rotates the cutter SPINDLE SPEED Router motor rotation speed which is measured in revolutions per minute RPM STATUS INDICATOR BAR e Graphically displays the status of the current tool path as a percentage The status indicator bar disappears from the screen when the tool path generation is complete STROKE WIDTH The width of a tool path when cutting a font or design SURFACE OFFSET DEPTH e The surface of a cleanout area of the design that is machined using a Cleanout tool path SURFACE REFERENCE e Directs the router to initialize from the table or top of the material surface to determine the exact location of the tool in relationship to the chosen surface TEMPLATE A feature found in each tool path default dialog box that allows the user to save parameters for future use with a unique name Templates can be set at the same time you enter tool path values or after a job is sent to the router THROUGH CUT TOOL PATH Cuts entirely through the materia
114. k box When the Use Smart Spindle check box is used ART Path will use the spindle speed set in the toolpath dialog boxes to automatically set the correct spindle speed for your router or to receive a prompt informing you what the correct RPM should be for the standard router you are using Setting the Spindle Speed The 20000 R P M button in the tool path dialog boxes allows you to set the RPM speed of the cutting tool Clicking on the button opens the Enter Spindle Speed dialog box ART Path uses the RPM value for different purposes depending on whether you have a high frequency spindle or conventional router motor and the type of router you are using If you have the Use Smart Spindle check box turned on in the Job Output dialog box and are routing with a high frequency spindle mounted on a Sabre series router ART Path displays the tool change message and the RPM in the keypad display as well as automatically changing the spindle speed Note If you are using the tool changer option the spindle speed automatically changes after a new tool is loaded in the spindle If you have the Use Smart Spindle check box turned on and are routing with a standard router motor mounted on a Sabre ART Path displays the required tool and the RPM as a prompt for you to manually change the speed For non Sabre routers do not turn on the Use Smart Spindle check box If you do you will receive a bad data from GA error message on the ARC Station display
115. k box lets you hog out excess material before using the V tool to finish the tool path The left illustration below demonstrates the roughing tool removing excess material in multiple passes The right illustration shows the V tool finishing the job in fewer passes thus reducing wear and tear on the V tool and giving the tool path beveled edges and a pointed bottom Roughing Tool cleaning 3 dimensional carving tool out excess material making fewer passes y 4 maximum A maximum allowable allowable depth depth Note If the V tool is able to cut the job in one pass and you have a roughing tool selected the V tool will be used to do the entire job The roughing tool will not be used Default Roughing Tool Information Dialog Box A Roughing Tool is a standard routing tool used to hog out excess material Click the Tool Parameters button to open the Default Roughing Tool Information dialog box where you can change settings Default Roughing Tool Information Roughing Tool 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool bd Contour Feed in min Plunge in min abd f 10 C Linear IV Finish Cut 20000 RPM Depth Feed in min Plunge in min 0 020 af gt io Acceleration auto X Tool Parameters Contour describes a way in which the roughing tool removes excess material If you select Contour the tool removes material in a circular motion that follows the perimeter of the shape 119
116. ke the design smaller to reduce the stroke width use the same tool with thicker material to allow you to increase the maximum allowable depth select the Flat Bottom tab to create a flat bottomed design with beveled edges Generating a 3D V bottom tool path e To generate a 3D V bottom tool path 1 Select part or all of the design Choose Tool paths from the ART Path menu bar Choose Auto Carve 3D The Default Carve Info dialog box opens Choose the V Bottom tab Choose the tool path parameters ao u P W N Click on Generate The progress indicator bar fills After the tool path is generated you return to the ART Path screen The tool path is displayed inside the design in a contrasting color 121 Using the Default Carve Info Dialog Box Flat bottom The Default Carve Info dialog box Flat Bottom contains the choices you make for generating a three dimensional tool path These choices include depth and speed settings tool definition finish cut and climb milling The Flat Bottom tab also tells ART Path to generate a tool path with a flat bottom using a standard V bottom tool Use the flat bottom tab in two circumstances Ifyou want to create a flat bottom tool path for design purposes Ifyou received an error message because the deepest depth of the tool path exceeded the maximum allowable depth in the design In this instance the Flat Bottom tool prevents the V tool from cutting through the material Creating
117. l TOOL The router tool bit used to cut the job TOOL HEIGHT The V tool angle and diameter automatically determine the tool height The tool height value cannot be altered TOOL PATH e The route that the tool takes as it cuts through the shape TRAVEL SPEED The speed at which the tool travels through the workpiece measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Also called Feed Rate UNGROUP e Separates previously grouped items into individual shapes V BOTTOM The shape of a design created by a 3D carving tool V TOOL A router bit with a V shaped cutting surface used to produce 3D designs WEB A small amount of uncut material securing the shape to the material until the finish cut Z INITIALIZE Initializes the tool position above the workpiece for depth accuracy 147 Appendix B Material Flatness As mentioned earlier in this manual material flatness is a major factor in determining the final result of a carved design The information below gives recommendations for choosing manufactured and natural material for three dimensional carving Manufactured Material Most manufactured materials remain flat enough to carve designs using the Auto Carve 3D Option Materials that require little if any special handling include Acrylic Aluminum Brass Engraving Stock Rowmark e Foam Board Medium Density Fiberboard MDF Medium Density Overlay MDO Particle Board Polycarbona
118. l changer position The bottom half lists the tools assigned to tool changer positions 1 10 Select Tool s Changer Position Unassigned Tools Continue Cancel 00 0 125 1 8 carbide tool Add Remove Pause On Off Assigned Tools Soo owosomvA WOX X X X X X X x m m m m rm rm m rm rm zzzzzzizzz c 707070707077 AAA zl zl zl ll zl lt lt lt x lt lt lt lt lt x lt lt To add an unassigned tool highlight that tool in the Unassigned Tools list and click on Add The tool is assigned to the first EMPTY position in the Assigned Tools list To change tool position assignments highlight an assigned tool and drag it to an EMPTY position To remove a tool from an assigned tool changer position highlight the assigned tool and click Remove That tool is now placed in the Unassigned Tools list If you want to pause the tool after it is picked up by the tool changer highlight the tool in the Assigned Tools list and click Pause On Off An X appears to the left of the tool indicating that routing stops until you restart it at the control panel When you complete assigning tool positions click Continue to send the job to the router Start End Position Start End Position sets the position where the tool will Start End routing relative to the design Start End Position is a command in the Setup menu Selecting Start End Position opens the Start End Position dialog box There are eight Start and eight End Positions A green X
119. l to the tool size Both male and female shapes with shoulders are shown below When no Shoulder is required shoulder width and height are set at 0 00 Male shape with shoulder C width j Shoulder height Shoulder width Shoulder height Female shape with shoulder Gap provides clearance between the two inlay shapes With a gap inlaid shapes fit easily together with room for expansion and contraction The factors listed below influence gap size Material combinations and thickness Temperature Weather conditions A typical gap is 005 1 mm wide The gap can be applied to either a male or female inlay shape or both Note If a Gap value is generated on both shapes the values are added together Applying climb milling The Climb Milling feature changes the cutting direction of the router The standard direction is called conventional milling the reverse direction is called climb milling Conventional and climb milling create different edge qualities on routed shapes Both conventional and climb milling are illustrated below Standard Reverse CO mme Q Q 65 Climb Milling changes the direction of cutting not the order in which the shapes are cut Inside shapes are always cut before outside shapes Selecting Lead In Lead Out The Lead In Lead Out feature prevents the tool plunge from creating a dimple on the edge of the shape Both male and female tool paths have the option for Le
120. ll tool path is generated emp To open and position a drill symbol from Composer 1 2 3 4 5 eo 9 Create a design to be routed in Composer Click File A drop down menu appears on screen Click Library The File Open Dialog Box appears on screen From the Libraries List Box click on Drill The Drill GCA s appear in the Files List Box Click the desired drill symbol Make sure the drill symbol chosen is not larger than the routing tool Click Open The chosen drill symbol appears in the working area Select the drill symbol with the Pointer Tool Use the Move Tool to position the drill symbol to the desired location in the design Repeat this process to add and position additional drill symbols to the design Save the design The drill symbols appear on the design when the file is opened in the ART Path program t To set drill parameters to a file containing drill symbols 1 Open a file containing drill symbols Select the drill symbol with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected Click the Drill Tool from the Tool Box The Default Drill Info Dialog Box appears on screen Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears 5 Click the desired routing tool 6 Enter the desired Drill parameter for the Total Depth Depth Per Pass Plunge Rate Surface Reference Dwell Time and Single Speed Click Generate to enter in the parameter
121. lly calculates the angle diameter and tool height Conventional milling cuts inside shapes in a clockwise direction and the outside shape in a counterclockwise direction Climb Milling changes the direction of travel so that the tool cuts inside shapes in a counterclockwise direction and the outside shapes in a clockwise direction You can use climb milling for metals to get a better quality edge The Climb Milling check box lets you specify a reverse direction for cutting Conventional Milling Direction Finish Cut when selected creates an additional pass that skims material and may produce a smoother finish depending on the type of material being cut When you choose Finish Cut more dialog box information appears allowing you to choose the Depth Feed and Plunge rates of that pass You can use this feature with the roughing tool flat bottom tool and the V tool A Roughing Tool is a standard routing tool used to hog out excess material When the roughing tool is deselected the default setting the V tool is used to clean out excess material in the design Depending on the size of the job the width and depth of the tool path and the carving tool you are using you decrease the cutting life of the V tool significantly by using it to clean out excess material 118 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools 3 dimensional carving tool making multiple passes ee 4 maximum allowable depth Selecting the roughing tool chec
122. matically calculates the number of passes required and the percentage of overlap that occurs 16 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox ap To use Channel Cut 1 In the Default Engraving Info box turn on Channel Cut to display the Channel Cut dialog box Default Engraving Info r ENGRAVING Templates Climb Milling Disable Path Optimization BASIC CUT Tool 01 0 063 1 16 Tool X 20000 DEM Surface Reference r Feed in min Plunge in min imi 10 Total Depth 0 100 LH Depth Per Pass 0 100 een Auto zi Table C Material Channel Cut CHANNEL CUT Channel Width 0 065 Number of Passes 2 Minimum Percent Calculated Overlap Percentage 96 8 Overlap 10 Cancel Preference Custom 2 Enter a value for the Stroke Width of the crease channel 3 Click Generate to create a Channel Cut tool path for this job Cleanout Cleanout routs an area of a shape without completely cutting through the material Clicking on the Cleanout Tool opens the Default Cleanout Info Dialog Box Refer to the section Toolpath Dialog Boxes for more information The sha pe must be selected before the Cleanout Tool is available for use tap To set parameters to cleanout a background shape To clean out a background around a shape select the background and the shape it surrounds If needed nest the shapes before generating the Cleanout tool path 1 Select the shapes to be routed
123. mb Milling v Lead In Out 20000 R P M r BASIC CUT pg Tool Io 0 063 1 16 Tool r Plunge in min r Surface Reference Feed in min Table C Material gt 10 Total Depth 0 100 memo E 11 Depth Per Pass 0 100 L Finish Cut Auto nlay Cancel Preference Custom 68 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu To use Templates 1 2 In the Default Male Info dialog box select a template If you do not wish to change any information click Generate to generate a tool path for this job The Male Basic Cut tool path appears on the design in a contrasting color aap To use the Male Basic Cut tool path 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 In the Default Male Info dialog box turn on Climb Milling Turn on Lead In Lead Out Set the spindle speed In the Basic Cut field click the Tool box down arrow Click the tool to select it Enter the material thickness the Total Depth field Enter the Depth Per Pass ART Path automatically determines the number of passes Choose a surface reference RPM s and Acceleration Click the Feed Rate slide bar to set speed Click the Plunge Rate slide bar to set plunge rate Click Generate The Male Basic Cut tool path appears on the design in a contrasting color Original shape Male basic cut Applying a male finish cut The Finish Cut is a final pass that smoothes the edge of the shape by removing the finish amount and the web The Finish Cut is opt
124. n ART Path will be selected if you already own Change it If not you may add it by selecting now Another screen will ask for your password Space Required 23107 K Space Available 712572 K E 5 When the installation completes click Finish and restart your computer Accessing ART Path ke To access Art Path Click Start gt Programs gt GSP OMEGA gt ART Path32 Customer Support Grae Ifyou require assistance installing or using ART Path contact your Gerber en distributor or Gerber Technical Support at Phone 860 644 6971 Fax 860 871 3862 e mail gsptech gspinc com Please use a phone that is close to your system and have the following available before calling Microsoft Windows version numbers System serial number Router serial number e Router User Manual If you have an OMEGA system please have the following information ready as well e OMEGA Windows and hardware utility CD s e OMEGA Reference Guide The names of any peripheral output devices such as a printer Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox The Toolbox is located on the left side of the ART Path window The toolbox contains tools which allow the user to select zoom in and position the shapes in a design You can also choose a tool path from the Toolbox Cancel Select D Cancel Select makes all previously selected shapes unavailable It is useful in correcting a selection mistake To deselect a shape click on the
125. n 200 the maximum should be 2 25 inches 5 7 cm Plotting Parameters Plot All Passes allows the user to test plot all passes for a tool path Click on the Plot All Passes check box An X appears in the check box and the feature is turned on Plot At Maximum Speed overrides the feed rate value entered in the tool path dialog box Plot at Maximum Speed is only used when a design is plotted Tool Parameters Use Automatic Tool Changer If you are using a tool changer the Use Automatic Tool Changer check box allows you to assign tools to a tool changer position Click on the Use Automatic Tool Changer check box An X appears in the check box and the feature is turned on Click on the Rout button to open the Select Tool s Changer Position dialog box which enables you to add and remove tool position assignments Select Tool s Changer Position If you are using a tool changer the Select Tool s Changer Position dialog box enables you to assign tools to a tool changer position The top half of the dialog lists the tools that are currently not assigned to a tool changer position The bottom half lists the tools assigned to tool changer positions 1 10 An entry of EMPTY in the bottom list indicates a tool position that is not currently in use In the Job Output dialog box click the Use Automatic Tool Changer check box and then the Rout button to display the Select Tool s Changer Position dialog box u To assign tool positions using the Job
126. n green type and underlined displays additional information directly related to the open topic If you click on the double arrows in the Help button bar you sequentially step forward and backward through the main help topics in the order in which they appear in the Table of Contents The Browse buttons let you read the help file as if it were a book Another navigation tool is the See Also button directly below the topic title Clicking on this button displays a Topics Found list box with many topics both directly and indirectly related to the open topic For example in the Decorative borders topic there are subtopics such as Setting the radius and Absolutely sizing the border as well as topics related to drawing in general such as Circles and ellipses and Rectangles and squares t To find additional topics and information 1 Click on a green underlined word or phrase or on the See Also button If you click on the word or phase the Help topic for that subject appears 2 Click on the Previous lt lt and Next gt gt buttons on the Help toolbar to step through the main Help topics in sequential order 3 If you click on the See Also button click on a topic in the Topics Found list box then click Display to open the topic Finding previously viewed topics There are two ways to find previously viewed topics If you click on Back in the Window button bar you sequentially step back through e
127. n the Available Tools list box Tool Type enables you to specify whether the router is a straight or v cutter tool Tool Diameter is the diameter of the router tool Tool diameters range from 1 16 inch to 2 inches All tool diameters must be entered in decimal form For example a 4 inch tool bit diameter is entered in as 25 If more than one tool is entered in the tool list with the same diameter but with a different description the tools are treated as separate entries Tool Angle is used to specify the angle of v cutter tools Tool Changer Position if your system has one it will enable you to assign a tool to a position in the tool changer Tool Description allows you to type in a description of the router tool The Continue command button saves the information entered in the Tool Edit Dialog Box and returns to the Tool Information Dialog Box The Cancel command button aborts the Tool Edit Dialog Box and returns to the Tool Information Dialog Box add a routing tool Click Setup Tool Edit The Tool Information Dialog Box appears on screen To 1 2 Click Add The Tool Edit Dialog Box appears on screen 3 Select either Straight or V Cutter in the Tool Type box 4 Type in the size of the tool to be added in the Tool Diameter entry box Tool sizes must be entered in decimal form For example 1 4 inch tool would be entered in as 25 5 Ifthe selected tool type is a V Cutter then type in angle of the tool in
128. ng an offset Clicking on the Engrave Tool opens the Default Engrave Info Dialog Box Refer to the section Toolpath Dialog Boxes for more information The shape must be selected before the Engrave Tool is available for use P To set engraving parameters 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes color to show it is selected 2 Click Tool Path from the menu bar 3 Click Engrave The Default Engraving Info dialog box appears on screen Default Engraving Info ENGRAVING Tempie E Climb Milling Disable Path Optimization r BASIC CUT Tool foo 0 063 1 16 Tool 20000 R P M Surface Reference e Table Material Feed in min Plunge in min mim mo Total Depth 0 100 Kg Depth Per Pass 0 100 Acceleration Auto X sl Channel Cut Cancel Preference Custom 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears Click the desired Engraving Tool Enter in the desired parameters for Total Depth Depth Per Pass Surface Reference Acceleration RPM s and Plunge Rate into the dialog box 7 Click Generate to set the tool path The tool path appears on screen in a contrasting color Engraving Channel Cut Parameters The Channel Cut feature generates tool paths for channels whose width is larger than the diameter of the available cutters Turn on Channel Cut and set the stroke width ART Path auto
129. nt of Repeats Text Box Enter in the desired repeat value 4 Click the mouse pointer inside of the Y Park Position Text Box Enter in the desired value Click Rout to enter in the values from the text box After entering in the desired values press the Start key on the Router console The repeat is cut and then the router tool moves to the park position Repeats The amount of times a design is repeated from left to right and top to bottom from the original shape The distance or gap between the repeated shapes is also specified X Repeats in the Job Output Dialog Box are the number of copies of a design that are routed side by side along the width of the material They are not available if a design contains panels The number of X Repeats that may be routed is dependent on the width of the material X Repeats is useful in routing multiple copies along the length of the same piece of material p To rout multiple copies of a design side by side 1 After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Job Output Dialog Box appears 2 Click and drag the mouse pointer across the X Repeats Text Box The value is highlighted Type in the desired number of Repeats 4 Click Rout to enter in the value and return to the working area 86 Chapter 8 Output Menu Y Repeats in the Job Output Dialog Box are the number of copies of a design that are routed one above another along the height of the material The system is set to plot one Y
130. nt the tool to cut into the material before the peak of the shape is created With a smaller Return Height the tool will cut deeper into the material before it starts to create the peak With a larger Return Height the tool will not cut as deeply into the material creating the shape s peak closer to or at the top of the material See the examples below Prismatic Cleanout Tool Path Tool Path E 2 Return Return z ft on Height Material Thickness 1 Material Thickness 1 Return Height 3 Return Height 7 Prismatic Tool Path Cleanout Tool Path Because the Return Height is limited by the material thickness its value must be less than the thickness of the material and can never be less than zero If either case occurs ART Path will not generate the tool path Note Once the peak reaches the top of the material the maximum Return Height is reached If you enter a Return Height value greater than the maximum allowable depth ART Path will calculate the maximum Return Height value If you access the Prismatic dialog box and the Return Height value is less than zero an error message displays before the dialog box opens If this occurs click OK to open the dialog box You must then enter a maximum allowable depth that is less than the material thickness and or change the angle of the V tool At this point change the return height value so that it is greater than zero Floor Depth Prismat
131. o ensure a good fit A typical use of Cleanout and Auto Inlay is to clean out a foreground shape and cut a mating male shape for inlay To apply inlay to a Cleanout shape click on the Auto Inlay check box in the Cleanout dialog box tr Note A Cleanout Inlay shape and its mating shape must be cut with the same diameter tool Use Diagonals The Use Diagonals feature allows certain shapes to be cut more efficiently by eliminating some tool up moves by the router Tool up moves Tool up moves Shape with cleanout tool path without diagonals Diagonals 7 Diagonals C Shape with cleanout tool path with diagonals 20 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox Drill The Drill Tool allows the user to generate tool drilling positions designated on the design in Composer When the design is opened in the ART Path program the drill symbol designates the tool drilling position Clicking on the Drill Tool opens the Default Drill Info Dialog Box Refer to the section Toolpath Dialog Boxes for more information The shape must be selected before the Drill Tool is available for use The user must open a drill symbol from the Composer Library before designating a drill tool path in the ART Path program If the drill symbol is larger than the tool chosen for the Drill tool path no tool path is generated If the drill symbol is smaller than or equal to the tool then the Dri
132. ob and operator messaging while the job is being cut on the router Jobs created in Composer are brought into the ART Path program where the design may be viewed closely and nested for better positioning to conserve material Chapter 1 Setting up ART Path Unpacking Installation If you are adding the ART Path option to your existing OMEGA release please continue with the instructions below starting with the Package contents paragraph in order to install ART Path on your system If you are upgrading to or have just purchased OMEGA you should already have followed the instructions in the Getting Started guide for installing OMEGA as well as any other fonts libraries and options acquired including ART Path Refer to documentation for your particular router if necessary for instructions on physically connecting the router to the OMEGA system System requirements Before ART Path can be installed and used your system should be set up with the following releases OMEGA 2 0 2 1 with Microsoft Windows version 98 2000 ME or XP OMEGA 2 5 and higher with Microsoft Windows version 2000 or XP bet To verify your OMEGA release l Right click the GSP Tray icon that appears on the right end of the Windows status bar to open the Gerber Tray menu 2 Click About GSP Tray The number in the Rbase field is your OMEGA version About GSP Tray Online Omega Registration GSP Tray Version 2 5 0 5 1999 200
133. of a shape by separate percentages It is an option button in the Percent Size dialog box The system defaults to Uniform and shows the overall size of the selected shape is 100 0 Selecting Non uniform creates a Length text box and a Height text box for typing in changes to the shape Length Changes the length of the shape by a percentage Height Changes the height of the shape by a percentage Size From Size From Lower Left Corner The shape changes size with the lower left point remaining in the same position Size From Center The shape changes size from the center handle gt To change the overall size of a shape by a specific percentage 1 Select the shape to be resized 2 In the Percent Size dialog box double click the mouse pointer in the Size text box to highlight it 3 Type ina percent value Typing in a value greater than 100 increases the shape s size Typing in a value less than 100 decreases the shape s size 4 Click the Left Corner option button to size the shape from the left corner or click on the Center option button to size the shape from the center 5 Click the Size command button to save the new value and return to the working area 40 Chapter 5 Shape Menu tp To change the length and height of a shape by separate percentages 1 Select the shape to be resized 2 In the Percent Size dialog box click the mouse pointer on the Non uniform option button to select it Separate text boxes for the Lengt
134. og BOX sen rr trinh onta ata Ei aru Par KR cati 118 Generating 3D V bottom tool path ose ohenan enean deat i Pereira 120 Using the Default Carve Info Dialog Box Flat DOttOm s ssssssrosessasssacaracenssessonononsacronossasreavensan 121 Default Flat bottom Tool Information Dialog BOX niciriririrho n oda tri pa herr Eram 124 Generating a Flat bottom 3D tool path erret r e etse ttv tetti ees 125 Setting V Iool parameters eite en ode n n arene E 6 125 Choosing basic carving paramietetssaisanei ab eennimdeao ndn eene doma ctn eda 125 Using a roughing COOL M 126 Defining Depth Limitations asain macnn naan DEAN RE AUD E 128 Selecting Flat Bottom ettet tha ee einen ene pese tete tp ort Rees eee inea pue PERESA 129 Prisma eebe geet eebe e etin Unten en Aca eege velis d otii qiti 133 Reviewing the Default Prismatic Info dialog box sss 133 Eliminating Rough Edges ee eret errat ec Eis eren reri n RESSERRER 136 Generating a 3 D Tool Path cnet onte ih tein eo teen ee eege 137 Smart Editing a Tool Path eee tette e drei terere teet e negare pete AE 137 Masking the Sign Dlank eise rette mener teer n ee PRI ERE ER Ea ERR ERE RE ER e Eee REIR ein 138 Routing the Design eresie iedee bani idaiiae eu denen dede dre didi eer aH ede 139 Initializing the Router D200 or SR ege ee eeh tn thereto ere 139 To initialize a Sabre router to the table 140 To initialize a babre router to the material s rf c uei etin ha
135. og box for that tool path appears Click the down arrow at the right of the Template description box and highlight the desired template The template and all saved information appears in the dialog box for that tool path Change the desired parameters and click Custom The Template Edit box appears Change the description name of the template and click Save 5 A message box appears asking if you wish to overwrite the existing template Click Yes gt To delete a tool path template 1 From the menu bar click ToolPaths and select the tool path desired The dialog box for that tool path appears Click the down arrow at the right of the Template description box and highlight the desired template Click on Custom In the Template Edit dialog box click Delete 63 Applying a finish cut The Finish Cut is a final pass that smoothes the edge of the shape Male and female tool paths are available with the Finish Cut feature The Finish Cut removes the web and the finish amount Web is a fraction of the material thickness depth that is left in place to anchor the shape to the material and prevent the shape from moving while it is being cut ART Path subtracts the web Amount from the total depth The Finish Cut then removes the web The web is optional Shape Basic cut Shape P ana path en i Finish Material Web amount discard Finish Amount is the amount of material removed from the edge of the shape ART Path au
136. ol Path Menu Toolpath Dialog Boxes Understanding the Tool path There are five Tool path dialog boxes Engrave controls how the tool engraves the design into the material Male controls how the tool routs a Male tool path into the material to create a solid shape Female controls how the tool routs a Female tool path into the material to create a stenciled design Cleanout controls how the tool routs a shape into the material to create a cleanout effect without cutting through the material Drill allows the user to control how and where the tool drills into the material The Lead In Lead Out or Climb Milling features can be set when routing a Basic Cut Finish Cut or Auto Inlay design Use the templates feature to access information from previous jobs instead of recreating the parameters each time Note A tool path should be generated before inserting horizontal cutlines into a design If the horizontal cutlines are inserted before a tool path is generated the cutlines are deleted from the design and need to be reinserted Setting Tool path parameters Each tool path requires that you set the following parameters Tool Total Depth Depth Per Pass Feed Rate Plunge Rate RPM s Surface Reference Acceleration Tool refers to the cutter used to rout the job The tool lists in the Setup and ToolPaths menus contain the available cutters and the cutters used in the job The pen used in pl
137. olpath is added to the job in the appropriate color The Cancel command button aborts all new function settings and returns the user to the working area The Preference command button saves the current Engraving settings These settings will be applied to all designs each time the Engrave Info Dialog Box is accessed in the ART Path program The Preference settings remain in effect until the Preference command button is clicked on again and parameter changes are made The Custom command button displays the Template Edit dialog box where you can edit the existing or create a new template name The revised name is then added to the Templates text edit box and the list of available templates in the Templates drop down list box The Template Edit Dialog Box allows you to edit the existing template or create a new template name The revised name is then added to the Templates text edit box and the list of available templates in the Templates drop down list box Note If you do not wish to use a template at all open the Templates drop down list box and select the empty or blank first line This removes the template from the toolpath Surface Reference must be designated in ART Path for each tool path Depending on the application generated tool paths may use either a table or material surface reference The surface reference point along with the material thickness is used when initializing the Z axis with each tool The Sabre s surface referen
138. om Tool section of the dialog box The Current Flat Bottom Tool Information dialog box opens Default Flat Bottom Tool Information Flat Bottom 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool X Ze Contour n in min fe in min C Linear Di KR D Iw Finish Cut 20000 RPM Depth Feed in min k inmin 0 020 umi io Acceleration Auto T 3 Select the flat bottom parameters and Click Continue Du Selecting Contour Contour describes a way in which the flat bottom tool removes excess material If you select Contour the tool removes material in a circular motion that follows the perimeter of the shape The diagram below shows the letter T with a contoured tool path creating a flat bottom Once completing the flat bottom tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the beveled edges 132 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools PH Shape Contoured Tool Path Several passes to remove excess material IS SE Selecting Linear Linear describes a way in which the flat bottom tool removes excess material If you select Linear the tool removes material in a straight line according to the angle you choose The diagram below shows the letter T with a 0 linear tool path creating a flat bottom Once completing the flat bot
139. ool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool Plunge in min EE 0 050 r Feed in min Finish Amount 0 015 rod un 1 Acceleration Auto e Auto nlay Cancel Preference Custom Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears 8 Click the desired routing tool 10 11 Enter the desired Finish Cut parameters for Web Amount Finish Amount Feed Rate and Plunge Rate Click the 20000 R P M button The Enter Spindle Speed dialog box appears Type the desired speed between 6 000 and 24 000 RPM and click OK to close the dialog box Click Generate in the tool path information dialog box The Basic Cut tool path and the Finish Cut tool paths appear on screen in contrasting colors Male Auto Inlay Parameters Auto Inlay parameters provide information on how the two shapes male and female are routed The two auto inlay shapes must be routed with the same tool Auto Inlay is an optional parameter Auto Inlay parameter values for shoulder width shoulder height and gap are entered when a Shoulder is cut from the material A Shoulder prevents light from showing through gaps between the inlaid shapes A Shoulder is also useful to hold letters in place Click on the Auto Inlay check box An X appears in the check box and the Auto Inlay parameters appear in the dialog box The Shoulder Width should be less than 2 or equal to the tool size A typical shoulder wi
140. ool Information Dialog Box is used to add remove or change routing tool information Available Tools is a list of the routing tools available for routing a design This list includes the standard straight and v cutter tools available from Gerber Available Tools shows the size tool changer position and description of each tool The tool changer position column uses the format 00 10 where 01 indicates a tool assigned to the first position of the tool changer 02 a tool assigned to the second position and so on 00 indicates that the tool has not been assigned a position in the tool changer Add command button opens the Tool Edit dialog box so that you can add a router tool to the Available Tools list box Delete command button removes a router tool from the Available Tools list box Change command button opens the Tool Edit dialog box so that you can change the size type angle description or tool changer position of an existing tool in the Available Tools list box 46 Chapter 6 Setup Menu Tool Edit Dialog Box Tool Edit r Tool Type r 2 Tool Diameter 1 250 in C Straight V Cutter Tool Angle 140 000 degrees Tool Changer Position o Tool Description f 250 V Cutter wd 140 Angle e Gerber Router Bits The Tool Edit Dialog Box appears on screen when a tool is added or changed in the Tool Information dialog box It sets the size and description of a router tool added or changed i
141. oose a layer to edit from the SmartEdit Layer list and ART Path returns to the tool path s Current Info dialog box You cannot SmartEdit a layer if tool paths have not been generated for the layer If you attempt to SmartEdit a layer without a generated tool path the tool path Info dialog box does not display emp To SmartEdit a layer 1 Click Shape gt SmartEdit Layer and choose a layer from the drop down list The current tool path Info dialog box opens Make any changes to the parameters 3 Click Generate 45 Chapter 6 Setup Menu Setup Commands allow you to choose the router set the material size and change the starting and ending positions of the job In Tool Edit you can add delete or change tools Setup Commands also let you set the nesting display and the tolerance range of Join Tolerance Tool Edit Choosing Tool Edit from the Setup menu accesses the Tool Information Dialog Box Tool Information Dialog Box Tool Information Available Tools Gerber Router Bits 00 1 16 Tool 200 1 8 carbide tool 700 3 16 TOOL 0 2507 00 1 4 carbide tool 0 250 60 0700 0 250 V Cutter w 60 Angle 1 250 90 0 00 1 250 V Cutter w S0 Angle Continue 1 250 100 0 00 1 250 V Cutter w 100 Angle 1 250 110 0 00 1 250 V Cutter w 110 Angle Cancel 1 250 120 0 00 1 250 V Cutter w 120 Angle 1 250 140 0 00 1 250 V Cutter w 140 Angle 1 250 130 0 00 1 250 V Cutter w 130 Angle Add Delete Change The T
142. osing Move Cutline in the Panels menu lets you move a horizontal cutline to a different position in a design ke To move a horizontal cutline 1 Click Panels gt Move Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand 2 Click and drag the cutline to the desired position 3 Release the mouse button 92 Chapter 9 Panel Menu p To remove a horizontal cutline 1 Click Panels gt Move Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand 2 Click and drag the cutline off the screen or until it meets another cutline 3 Release the mouse button ke To remove more than one horizontal cutline 1 Click Panels gt Move Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand 2 Click and drag the cutline into the next one to be removed The two horizontal cutlines merge to create one cutline Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until all the desired cutlines are merged into one 4 Click and drag the cutline off the working area The cutline disappears 5 Release the mouse button Panel Setup Choosing Setup in the Panels menu assists the user in defining parameters for cutting or routing a design that has been divided into panels Use the Setup command for a design that has been divided into numbered panels Setup is useful for fine tuning panel height or when cutting or routing only certain panels is desired The design need not be larger than the router to use this command Panel Setup Summary r Panel Type Panel Height all Panel Length 48 000 um E pica of Panels 2
143. otting is not included in the tool list The tool path offset is dependent on the size of tool selected Total Depth means the entire amount of material removed from the tool path in one or more passes Depth Per Pass is the amount of material removed per pass Some materials must be cut in multiple passes Factors that determine Depth Per Pass include material thickness or hardness 59 tool size and feed rate ART Path automatically divides the Depth Per Pass value into the Total Depth and determines the number of passes When cutting a shape in one pass the Depth Per Pass equals the Total Depth Depth Per Pass cannot exceed Total Depth Feed Rate is the speed at which the router cuts along the tool path in the X and Y axes The Feed Rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Plunge Rate is the speed at which the router cuts down into the material z axis before cutting along the tool path The Plunge Rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Acceleration is the rate at which the Sabre gains speed from stop to the full Feed Rate set for the tool path There are three acceleration settings Auto automatically adjusts the acceleration to the geometry of the design Low slows acceleration to increase precision for very detailed work Normal maintains the same level of acceleration throughout the job The Generate command button enters the parameters from the dialog box The to
144. path that is used to generate the Surface Offset floor If there is no Surface Offset the Surface Reference for Auto Carve 3D is automatically set to Material Surface Offset Depth defines the surface of a cleanout area of the design that is machined using a Cleanout tool path This value must be less than the thickness of the material or the tool could cut into the table Surface Offset Depth is an optional parameter Set Surface Offset Depth to zero if your Auto Carve design is at the top of the material surface 122 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Floor Depth defines the distance between the Surface Offset and the bottom of a Flat Bottom tool path If there is no surface Offset Depth it is set to zero the Floor Depth is the distance from the top of the material surface to the bottom of the Flat Bottom tool path Max Depth Per Pass defines how deep the tool cuts into the material in each pass This value cannot exceed the Floor Depth the Max Allowable Depth or the height of the tool being used If you enter a value that exceeds the Floor Depth or the Max Allowable Depth the system automatically enters the lesser of these two values in this field Feed Rate is the speed at which the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Plunge Speed is the speed at which the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inch
145. peats Repeats creates multiple copies of a shape alongside and above the original in the working area Clicking on Repeats opens the Repeats Dialog Box The spacing between repeated shapes may be changed two ways using Gap and Distance A shape must be selected to be repeated The amount of times a shape can be repeated in a horizontal direction x axis is limited to the width of the material The amount of vertical repeats y axis is not limited If the repeated shapes exceed the material length the pull down method can be used to add material as needed Bap Distance Gap X Gap 0 100 C Distance Y Gap 0 100 Repeats Repeat Number of X repeats 1 Number of Y repeats fi Cancel Preferences Repeats dialog box Repeats creates multiple copies of a shape alongside and above the original in the working area A shape must be selected before it may be repeated Gap Gap is the space between repeated shapes Negative Gaps are ok X Gap X Gap is the distance between repeated shapes in the x axis It defaults to 0 100 inches Y Gap Y Gap is the distance between repeated shapes in the y axis It defaults to 0 100 inches Distance Distance sets the space between the centers of the repeated shapes Distance must be greater than or equal to 0 38 Chapter 5 Shape Menu X Distance X Distance is the center to center distance of repeated shapes in the x axis Y Distance
146. pplying climb tuilling eiie rere tn cant veep EE SEE EEEE EEEE E EERE EREEREER 64 Selecting Lead In Lead Qut nemen it es 65 Setting the spindle Speed 3 5 c eerte patet conten niente oderit e voee een oe nee get 65 Using the Engrave command eerie scien tee eb reed erbe en REEE REEE ESRR SEASKA EE 65 Additional information found in the Default Engrave Info Dialog Box 67 Using the Male tool path eterne ennt aententia tentare 67 Applying a male basic Cut nte iin the Min e e RR abe Rosie moet nbus 67 Applying male finish Cut nine en Epinal ieee ances 68 Applying AM inlay M Rian SEak 69 Cutting stencils with the Female tool ieri eme he odere de nie eret 70 Applying a Female basiCCut eoe eerte tenerte netter tenes po tese vive tea deer euet opos 70 Adding a Female fish Cut sueco ipto pen iaai bep Dod Ba UR rM E 72 Adding an inlayi ea edendo ien apad era n op Hid Tee bd fn n ees 73 Using Cleanout 73 Selecting Direcliori aniio nene a ene ba aw San ean ana eae 73 Applying Use Diagonjals ete cases aceseceenndeonesosachsteontaracectacbuasponanctedestedentFean acdasaveceetens 74 Selecting Cleanout shapes ien e ee dene ien ed irte dai nter 75 Using Drill m 77 Retrieving Drill symbols encre rere e tree een rn n Ee Ere n Er HERES Eat SENERE 77 Generating a Drill tool pathi eo ich en Rn en ien essen ub n Ure ci entes nh tec 78 Chapter 8 EEGENEN 81 Job Output Dialog Betreier PRU OS MR an d OUR
147. pter 12 Getting Help in ART Path eren nnns LOL Finding a repo M 101 Finding additional topics m the Topic pane riim emp eee eee ein en 102 Finding previously viewed topics ae iet eee ei eet ttes iiic les tipa iota te bebe 102 Finding EE 103 PHATE TOPICS 103 Copying TOPICS s scacecasesnsedasssacesnssenssesnscascanescesesnueacovass encsnasensesasiassestnsonseaabsunseenstaacenssecadessasenstsaites 104 Personalizing Help topics eeepc Pa den DRE dE 104 Displaying the ARI Path Version eee teret eter trei oreet Irene oe epitopes 104 Book Three Introduction to AUtO CatWe iii ciccacsruc d reet et eE aAA 105 Chapter 13 Installing Auto CarVe ain incon accadadnanonocnanaenonoenc LOT System ERR EE 107 Installing ARC Station Firmware eiginmenn ea a cer ie feine tede tae eodeni tle ratu tede erento 108 Installing th FACS 13 Control Board nri tremit reni rhe ettari repetentes 109 Installing the Auto Carve Option ss ice ro pne peii tie ipi ee ae eels eee aon 111 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools eren 113 Carving Tool ShBarpnessaosaseodosaoebnenidemigemidpmedarmdn oi deri cd ied da 114 Selecting a 3 D Tool Path Auto Gatve ener tio deberse e there nte era dta 115 Using the Default Carve Into dialog box V DOBQNL ui ccunencsid Gedeghrionteia n n ondes 115 Default Roughing Tool Information Dial
148. r each tool path The major benefit of this dialog box is to display the order in which the tools are used so that you have the next tool ready to install for a manual tool change The order that tools are used is optimized by ART Path software to provide the most efficient and safe order You should not 56 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu change the order unless you are a very advanced user with a great depth of knowledge about routing materials and tools AN WARNING Be extremely careful when changing the tool order Improper tool order can result in tools breaking which may cause personal injury or damage to the material or router In addition improper tool order may also create a situation where a piece of material is cut free from the surrounding material before all tool paths are complete This loose piece could possibly be thrown from the router table and cause personal injury or equipment damage tp To change the order tools are used in a job 1 Click Output The Job Output dialog box opens Click the Rearrange Output Tool Order check box 3 Click the Rout button The Organize Tool Order dialog box opens If no ATC is being used 4 Highlight the tool you wish to move and use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to place the tool in the desired order 5 Repeat Step 4 for each tool that you want to move 6 When you complete changing the tool order click on Output to send the job to the router Engrave Engrave is a command in
149. r the application Auto Inlay automatically cuts the Cleanout shape with rounded corners 2 Select a tool 3 Setthe spindle speed 4 Enter the Cleanout depth in the Total Depth field 77 5 Enter the Depth Per Pass amount ART Path automatically determines the number of Passes Click and drag the Feed Rate slider to set the speed Click and drag the Plunge Rate slider to set the plunge rate Choose Horizontal or Vertical to select the Cleanout direction O On Oo Click Generate The Cleanout tool path appears on the design in a contrasting color Original shape Cleanout finish path Cleanout tool path Cleanout tool path consists of two paths The first is the cleanout path the second path follows the shape contour and smoothes the edge Using Drill The Drill tool path is used for routing drill symbols which were placed on the design in Composer The Drill tool path is used to create drills in the material to help with sign fabrication or installation Before generating a Drill tool path Retrieve the drill symbols from the Drill Library Place the symbols on the design where the drills are required If you require a drill size that is not in the library you can create a custom drill symbol in Composer Once the drill symbols are in place and the design is saved open the design in ART Path and generate the Drill tool paths Retrieving Drill symbols The drill symbols are provide
150. re eo race coke ke 59 119 128 e EE 95 Applying Gerber Mask eeeeee 139 ARC station installing firmware eee 108 doi CRM C EE 109 verifying firmware level of 108 e 99 ART Path getting started od ee eintreten 4 Auto Carve flat bottom tool E Res 121 generating tool paths eene 137 installing iecore rete ind 107 111 PME ODM CIN Ss ie rct eR prd 105 Smart Editing a tool path 137 tool paths oni ei RE ERE 115 bir 115 UDO SIM AY oce eege 19 Auto Inlay dialog box 10 13 69 73 B Basic Carving E EE 125 maximum allowable depth 125 maximum depth per Dass 125 plunge rate eoe eere iones 125 C Carving Warped Material 2 tein 148 With dull tool 3 2 22 1p eri tree eret 114 EE e ME EE 114 WOO 524s Eege 147 Cascaden ehre Ee 99 Channel C deeg dE EE 15 16 67 Cleanout te EE 63 dial g breet peter eegene eege 16 76 GIF ECHO E 18 73 FOLESTOUNG ME 17 selecting shapes oerte trente 75 151 TOOL EE ST 73 Use Diagohnals vie cere rrt peas 74 eiert Mt 64 COS 27 Close all wridOoWws een trenes 99 Color assipnmetits a eee eerta epe 96 ColorPicker dialog box mere 96 Composer pastine frOID 3 cre eerte eet ree 34 Contour using a flat bottom tool sees
151. rface at the position the tool will start routing from in the design A red circle appears at the position where the tool will end routing or click Output The Start End Position is also shown in the Job Output Dialog Box 50 Chapter 6 Setup Menu Router Selection Choose Router Selection in the Setup menu to open the Router Selection Dialog Box that allows the user to select the router used when a design is routed This command can only be used if more than one router is connected to the OMEGA system and added to the list in GSP Setup The related dialog box allows the user to choose a router on which the design is to be routed The Router Selection automatically changes when a job is opened that is set up for a different router in GSP Setup Router Selection Dialog Box When more than one router is installed on a OMEGA system the Router Selection Dialog Box appears on screen when the ART Path program is opened The dialog box allows you to choose the router on which the design is to be routed You can also choose a router at any time by clicking on Router Selection in the Setup Menu Note The Router Selection command is available only when more than one router is connected to the system and added to the Plotter Router list in GSP Setup OK command button enters in the selections from the Router Selection Dialog Box and returns to the ART Path program P To select a router at program startup 1 Double click the ART Path icon or click Start
152. rial If there is no Offset enter a value of zero in Surface Offset Depth and the Prismatic tool path is calculated from the top surface of the material Surface Offset Depth Prismatic Surface Offset Depth defines the surface of a cleanout area of the design that is machined using a Cleanout tool path This value must be less than the thickness of the material or the tool could cut into the table Surface Offset Depth is an optional parameter Set Surface Offset Depth to zero if there is no cleanout in your design you enter a Surface Offset Depth that would cut into the Prismatic design the system returns the largest legal Return Height If the Surface Offset Depth causes the tool to cut into the table the system displays an error message and you must change the depth value Note A change in the Surface offset depth effects the Return Height of the Prismatic design If Using Smaller Tools With Larger Shapes You can generate a Prismatic tool path on a large shape even if you use a small V tool such as a 90 tool The V tool will perform the movements necessary to complete the tool path Tool Paths in progress Eliminating Rough Edges When routing a design using a Prismatic tool path the V tool may cause rough edges that you would have to clean up by hand ee To eliminate rough edges 1 Create a job in Composer and select the entire design 2 Select Shape gt Fillet Corner 3 Set the Corner Type to round and select Inside Corners
153. rial rectangle Material Size The Material Size command in the Setup menu allows the user to enter in the size of the material to be cut for the job The material appears on the screen as a rectangle and aids in the moving and nesting of shapes in the design Selecting Material Size opens the Material Size Dialog Box Material Size Height Y Length X 24 000 Preference Cancel The X Material Size text box allows the user to enter in a material length value The Y Material Size text box allows the user to enter in a material height value The Preference command button saves the current X and Y material size settings These settings are applied to all designs each time the Material Size Dialog Box is accessed in the ART Path program The Preference settings remain in effect until the Preference command button is clicked on again and parameter changes are made The OK command button enters in the selections from the Material Size Dialog Box and returns to the ART Path program The Cancel command button aborts the Material Size Dialog Box and returns to the ART Path program enter in the size of the material to be cut Click Setup Material Size The Material Size Dialog Box appears on screen To 1 2 Enter the material length in the X text box 3 Enter the material height in the Y text box 4 Click OK to enter in the X and Y values and exit the Material Size Dialog Box A rectangle appears on screen represent
154. rint it right from the Help window t To print a help topic 1 Click File gt Print to open the Print dialog box 2 Choose the print options then click OK v Tip A quick way to open the Print dialog box is to click Print in the Help button bar 104 Chapter 12 Getting Help in ART Path Copying topics You can copy a topic to the clipboard for use elsewhere ke To copy a topic Click Edit gt Copy to copy a topic to the clipboard Personalizing Help topics You may want to add personal notes to Help topics for instance your own tip for using a command or a job where a tool provided a special effect Use the Annotate dialog box to add a note to a topic en To personalize a topic 1 Click Edit gt Annotate to open the Annotate dialog box 2 Type your comments in the text box You can also copy and paste annotations in the dialog box 3 Click OK There is a green paper clip next to the beginning of the first paragraph 4 To view the annotation click on the green paper clip to open the Annotation dialog box v Tip To remove an annotation from a topic open the Annotation dialog box and click Delete Displaying the ART Path version Click Help About ART Path to display the About ART Path dialog box which contains the software version number Click the links to visit the Gerber web site About ARTPath kA Gerber Scientific Products ARTPath 2 5 0 8 Copyright 1990 2005 Gerber Scientific International Inc
155. router table by clamping it taping it down or using a vacuum table 3 Move the router tool over the center of the material If you are using natural material such as wood place the tool over its thickest part 4 Place the clear tool gage on top of the sign blank and press the Z INIT key to unlock the Z axis 5 Lower the router tool and slide the tool gage back and forth until the tool lightly scratches the tool gage Do not drive the tip of the tool into the tool gage It will affect the stroke width and the depth of the cut 6 Raise and lock the Z axis once by pressing the Z INIT key Remove the tool gage The tool is initialized 140 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools a gt To rout the design Once you have created your design prepared and masked the sign blank and initialized the tool you are ready to carve the design 1 Generate a tool path 2 Choose Output from the menu Make selections in the Job Output dialog box and choose Rout 3 Be sure that the sign blank is secure and the tool is initialized Start the router Your design is routed i Note Remember to initialize each tool before you begin routing To initialize a Sabre router to the table Before each tool is used you must initialize each tool that is used to the table to get a table surface reference When using an ATC you must initialize each tool before it is installed in the ATC The Sabre retains the ATC initialization data until the tool i
156. s The tool path appears in a contrasting color 21 Nesting 4 Nesting allows the user to select move mirror and rotate shapes for closer placement to conserve material When the Nesting Tool is clicked on in the toolbox the mouse pointer changes to a crosshair with a circle gt To move shapes using the nesting tool 1 Click left on the Nesting Tool The Nesting Tool becomes available for use and the mouse pointer changes into a 2 Set the cross hair on a shape or draw a rubber band box around multiple shapes and click left on the mouse pointer to select the shapes 3 Click right to grab the shape and move it to the desired location by moving the mouse 4 The keyboard can also be used to rotate mirror and position the shapes All of the Nesting methods may be used at the same time Use the keys indicated to achieve the moves desired X mirrors the shape in a horizontal direction Y mirrors the shape in a vertical direction 1 3 5 or9 rotates the shape in a counterclockwise direction in 1 30 15 and 90 degree increments 2 4 6 0r0 rotates the shape in a clockwise direction in 1 30 15 and 90 degree increments The up and down arrow keys help position the shapes more closely together 5 Click right to anchor the shapes in position 6 Click the Nesting Tool to exit Nesting 22 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox Horizontal Cutline CH Horizontal Cutline inserts a horizontal cutline at a
157. s a new file or clean workspace in ART Path To open a new file in ART Path choose New from the File menu A new working area displays Open Open loads a design saved as a plot job or router file into the working area Open can also open many other types of files listed in the Files of type drop down list box Open is a command in the File menu Open accesses the Open dialog box The system defaults to the Open dialog box each time the ART Path program is opened gt To open a file 1 Click File gt Open The Open dialog box appears 2 In the Look In list box click the down arrow to list the available drives Click the desired drive letter and folder 3 In the Files of Type list box click the down arrow to list the file types Click the desired file type 4 To choose the file click the name of the file in the File name list box If needed click on the scroll arrows to show file names that are not currently visible in the list The file name is highlighted 5 Click OK The design will appear in the working area Close Clicking Close in the File menu closes the open file but does not close the ART Path program 28 Chapter 3 File Menu Save Choosing Save in the File menu keeps all changes made to a design The design is saved as a router RTP file using the previously assigned name and directory A file is updated each time you save If the design already has a file name then the previous version of the design is repla
158. s removed or replaced Tools that are manually installed in the Sabre must be initialized to the table before each use Note Always use the initialization gage when initializing the Z axis The gage is machined to a precise thickness which is automatically compensated for by the Sabre firmware Using any other piece of plastic will not provide accurate Z initialization results tap To initialize the Z axis to the table surface l Install a tool in the spindle 2 Use the X Y axis keys to move the spindle motor to a convenient position over the milled table mats for initialization 3 Place the initialization gage on the table mats under the tool N CAUTION Lower the tool carefully You can damage the tool by driving it into the gage 4 Carefully press the Z axis down arrow to lower the tool until it just scratches the surface of the gage You should be able to feel a light scratch while sliding the gage under the tool 5 Press the TBL Z INIT function key to display the TABLE INIT menu 6 Press A to select Manual Table Init The Z INIT TABLE menu displays 7 Verify that the tool is still touching the gage and press A to complete the Z axis initialization The system returns to the TABLE INIT menu 8 Press SHIFT EXIT or EXIT repeatedly to return to the Status menu 141 To initialize a Sabre router to the material surface You must establish a material surface reference with a Material Z Init when you plan to cut into but not t
159. sable Path Optimization ART Path automatically reorders generated tool paths to optimize efficiency during processing When Path Optimization is disabled the tool paths cut in the start end direction in which they were created Channel Cut generates tool paths for channels whose width is larger than the diameter of the available cutters Turn on Channel Cut and enter the channel width and minimum percentage overlap ART Path automatically calculates the number of passes required and the actual percentage of overlap that occurs Using the Male tool path The Male tool path is used to cut solid shapes The Male tool path is divided into three parts Basic Cut e Finish Cut Inlay The Basic Cut is required for the tool path A Finish Cut can be added to the Basic Cut Inlay can also be applied along with the Finish Cut or with the Basic Cut alone Lead In Lead Out and Climb Milling are the features available with the Male tool path Applying a male basic cut The Basic Cut provides the rough cut of the shape A shape may be cut using the Basic Cut alone The router always cuts the Basic Cut before the Finish Be sure to complete the Basic Cut dialog box with parameter information before specifying either the Finish Cut or Inlay options gt To access the Male tool path 1 Use the Pointer tool to select the shape s to be cut 2 Click ToolPaths gt Male The Default Male Info dialog box opens Default Male Info Templates Cli
160. se the ESCAPE ESC key to stop and the UP DOWN ARROW keys to control the drawing speed 4 If you choose User Defined press and hold any key to start the animation 96 Chapter 10 View Menu Show Dry Haul Moves Turn on Show Dry Haul Moves in the View menu to display the path of the router as it moves between tool paths During dry haul moves the router travels above the material without cutting into it Viewing dry haul moves is useful in determining if the router will run into a material hold down clamp during processing Show Path Start Point Turn on Show Path Start Point to display the location that the cutter will begin routing the tool path The start points are designated by a small square as shown in the following illustration Color Assignments You may view current colors or choose the color in which each tool path appears with the Color Assignments command in the View menu The ColorPicker dialog box allows you to view the current color assignments edit the colors or return to default color assignments The Edit Color button opens the Color dialog box where you can choose a standard color or create custom colors for each tool path or job feature v Tip To return color assignments to their factory defaults click View Color Assignment to open the ColorPicker dialog box Click Defaults to return all color assignments to the factory settings e To change color assignments
161. specified position into a design ART Path automatically inserts horizontal cutlines into a design that exceeds the height limits of the router table A cutline can also be placed in the design by the user to divide the design for routing A cutline may also be moved or removed to best suit the design needs using the Move Cutline Tool Moving a horizontal cutline cannot result in creating a panel larger than the router will allow Any cutline the system requires for routing panels cannot be removed It is recommended to generate a tool path before inserting horizontal cutlines into a design If the horizontal cutlines are inserted before a tool path is generated the cutlines are deleted from the design and need to be reinserted ke To create a horizontal cutline 1 Click Panels gt Horizontal Cutline The mouse pointer changes to a hand with a solid red horizontal line across it that moves as the hand moves 2 Move the horizontal cutline to the desired position Click the left mouse button to secure it 4 Repeat steps 1 through 3 to insert another cutline The cutlines are numbered in sequence Move Cutline Move Cutline allows the user to move a horizontal cutline to a different position in a design A Horizontal Cutline may be moved or removed to best suit the design needs using the Move Cutline feature Cutlines can also be dragged out of the rulers or created and moved using the tools in the toolbox ke To move a horizontal cutline 1
162. sture when shipped Storage Store wood panels on end to reduce warping and also to equalize moisture absorption Carving into a Warped Panel Carving into a warped panel may not produce accurate results Use one of the following methods to hold the panel flat during carving clamp the panel on several areas usea vacuum table to pull the panel flat usea vacuum table and clamps to hold the panel flat use double sided tape and clamps to keep the panel flat If there is still a high spot on the panel you can Initialize the tool on the highest spot then recut any tool paths that did not go deep enough Be sure to re initialize the tool near the shapes to be recut Cutthe job in stages initializing the tool in an area near each stage to be cut If possible mill the panel with a large diameter cutter to make the surface even Then carve as usual 149 Appendix C Speeds and Feeds for Standard Router Motor This is a guide for cutting materials using the High Frequency Spindle Use your own experience to refine the values given below The ART Path program also provides tool path templates for various material types to help you get started Notes The acceleration rate used is normal The pass type used is basic except for the last 1 4 aluminum entry which is basic with finish The type of aluminum used is 6061 T6 When cutting metal always use the Mist Coolant Option To order new tools use the following par
163. t is available only when a shape is selected in the working area The clipboard holds one Cut at a time When another Cut is made any previously cut shape already on the clipboard is deleted and replaced by the newly Cut shape To cut a shape for storage on the clipboard l Select the shape in the design The shape is redrawn in a different color 2 Click Edit Cut The selected shape is removed from the working area and sent to the clipboard 3 Use the Paste or Paste Back command to add the cut shape into another design or place the design in its original position in the working area Copy and Paste Choosing Copy from the Edit menu places a copy of a selected shape in the working area on the clipboard The original selected shape remains in the working area A copied shape can be placed back into a working area from the clipboard using the Paste command as many times as desired Copy is available only when a shape is selected in the working area The clipboard holds one Copy at a time When another Copy is made any previously copied shape already on the clipboard is deleted and replaced by the newly copied shape 34 Chapter 4 Edit Menu tep To 1 2 gt To 1 2 3 4 5 ea To 1 2 3 4 5 6 copy a shape from a design Select the shape in the design The shape is redrawn in a different color Click Edit gt Copy The original selected shape remains in the working area as a copy of it is sent to the clipboard
164. t may consist of multiple passes depending on material thickness or hardness The router always cuts the Basic Cut before the Finish or Inlay cuts Be sure to complete the Basic Cut dialog box with parameter information before specifying either the Finish Cut or Inlay options Ven To access the Female tool path 1 Using the Pointer tool select the shape s to be cut 2 Click ToolPaths Female The Default Female Info dialog box opens gt To 1 2 3 4 71 Default Female Info Templates Climb Milling Iw Lead In Out 20000 R P M BASIC CUT Tool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool X r ento gt Surface Reference r Feed in min D Table C Material ep fio S 10 Total Depth o3 00 Acceleration Auto Depth Per Pass fo 100 gl Finish Cut Auto nlay Cancel Preference Custom P To use Templates 1 2 In the Default Female Info dialog box choose a template if desired If you do not wish to change any information click Generate to generate a tool path for this job The Female Basic Cut tool path appears on the design in a contrasting color use the Female Basic Cut tool path Turn on Lead In Lead Out Set the spindle speed In the Basic Cut field select a tool Click the Total Depth box Enter the material thickness plus 005 to 010 1 to 3 mm to cut completely through the material Enter the Depth Per Pass amount ART Path automatically determines the number of passes Cli
165. t numbers 1 8 1 4 is P50525B 1 8 1 2 is P50522B 1 4 1 2 is P50527B 1 4 3 4 is P50524B See the Gerber web site www gspinc com for additional tools BRUN IUE NS dia Igth IPM IPM er eee Deme oe m La o9 oom iz Suncom ww me sw o9 p mess we Lal ze om o 1 4 aluminum 1 4 1 2 125 per pass 40 20 19 000 050 x 015 finish 60 40 pass 150 Appendix C Speeds and Feeds for Standard Router Motor This is a guide for cutting materials using the Standard Router Motor Use your own experience to refine the values given below The ART Path program also provides tool path templates for various material types to help you get started Notes The acceleration rate used is normal The pass type used is basic except for the last 1 4 aluminum entry which is basic with finish The type of aluminum used is 6061 T6 When cutting metal always use the Mist Coolant Option To order new tools use the following part numbers 1 8 1 4 is P50525B 1 8 1 2 is P50522B 1 4 1 2 is P50527B 1 4 3 4 is P50524B See the Gerber web site www gspinc com for additional tools pte atin Sommers te AE AN dia Igth IPM IPM memen veiw m veo Deme veiw e a ses Deme Dal e La o9 le EECHER 1 4 aluminum 1 4 1 2 125 per pass 30 15 21 000 050 x 015 finish 50 30 pass Index 3 3 D Tool paths oerte tere ttr errore tet eret ee ba 115 A Absolute Size dialog box esses 40 AcceleraltlOh e ie
166. t off the workpiece during plunge to eliminate the dimple at the start point LINEAR A parameter that is chosen with a roughing tool or a flat bottom tool that defines the manner in which the tool removes excess material Linear directs the router to remove material in a straight line at a specified angle LIP A small ledge that follows the edge of the shape See shoulder MALE SHAPE The character is cut out and retained while the background is discarded A free standing solid character Opposite of female shape MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DEPTH e Sets the deepest depth the tool can plunge into the material MAXIMUM DEPTH PER PASS Defines how deep the tool plunges into the material per cutting pass 145 MASKING The process of covering the sign blank with a special adhesive backed vinyl called GerberMask I or GerberMask II Masking protects the sign blank surface during processing NESTING Placing shapes closely together to optimize material use NON THROUGH CUT TOOL PATH Rout into the material to a specified depth without cutting completely through the material OFFSET Moving the tool a specified distance away from the shape being cut to create a shape at its true size The ART Path program automatically calculates the offset based on the tool size The offset is typically the tool radius ORIENTATION The bottom left point 0 0 of the router table used as a reference point for defining job home for a job PANEL
167. t the background around the shape select both the background shape and the shape it surrounds When using this technique nest the shapes before generating the Cleanout tool paths Select these 7 two shapes 76 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu To create this cleanout tool path One way to create a background shape is with the Border Tool in Composer Kg To access the Cleanout tool path Tip If you need to nest the shapes do so before generating t he Cleanout tool paths 1 Using the Pointer tool select the shape s to be cleaned out 2 Click ToolPaths in the menu bar 3 Click Cleanout The Default Cleanout Info dialog box opens Default Cleanout Info Overlap 40 Safety Dist 30 m CLEANDUT Tenplstes TT r Direction Autonlay S d Horizontal Vertical C Contour 20000 R P M Use Diagonals Zone BASIC CUT Tool 01 0 063 1 16 Tool Surface Reference Feed in min e Table Material gt 10 Kg Total Depth 0 100 F Acceleration auo gt Depth Per Pass 0 100 re Rv Cancel Preference Custom r Plunge in min LS To use Templates 1 Choose a template 2 If you do not wish to change any information click Generate to generate a tool path for this job The Cleanout tool path will appear on the design in a contrasting color To use Cleanout 1 Turn on Auto Inlay if appropriate fo
168. te PVC Urethane Board Store and finish these materials according to the manufacturer s directions Wood High quality wood products can be flat enough for carving however wood is more susceptible to warping than manufactured materials When choosing wood for carving use only high quality wood products from knowledgeable sources Also consider these factors grain type sawing techniques moisture content humidity of your location storage shipping practices and flatness Grain Type and Sawing Techniques The best cut of wood to use is quarter sawn also called edge grain or vertical grained wood Quarter sawing results in a straighter grained pattern less grain raising less warping and less 148 Appendix B Material Flatness shrinking Avoid plain sawn wood also called flat grained It has a tendency to twist warp and shrink after cutting Moisture Content and Humidity The humidity in your area will cause a wood panel to take on moisture until it reaches the moisture content level in your area This is especially true of kiln dried woods Try to obtain air dried wood or wood that has a moisture content identical to your area Shipping Moisture content will affect how a company ships its wood panels Kiln dried wood with a very low moisture content will be lighter and cost less to ship However once the panels leave the mill they begin to absorb moisture Purchase panels that will absorb the least amount of moi
169. te at which the tool cuts along the tool path FEMALE SHAPE The character is cut out and discarded while the background is retained Also called stencil cut Reverse of male shape FINISH AMOUNT Is the amount of material removed from the side of the work piece to smooth the edges of the job FINISH CUT A final pass that removes the finish amount and the web smoothing the edge of the shape The Finish Cut is usually used with multiple passes FLAT BOTTOM TOOL A standard routing tool used to create a flat bottom in a 3D design FLOOR DEPTH e The distance between the surface Offset and the bottom of a Flat bottom tool path FLUTE The chip removal portion of the bit GAP The clearance between the male and female shape when inlay is used GROUP Combines shapes so that you can work with them as a single object HOG OUT A term that refers to removing excess material in a routed design INITIALIZE The process of determining the exact location of the surface of the table or the material in relationship to the tip of the cutting tool Initialization enables the router to produce accurate depths of cut INLAY The ability to insert a male character to fit into the front or back of a female stencil Also called push through JOB FILE A design saved from the GDSIII or GRAPHIX WORKS program JOB HOME Where the router tool begins cutting at the initial start of a job LEAD IN LEAD OUT A feature which positions the router bi
170. te objects from any application other than Composer it is possible to cut copy an object in ART Path and Paste it into Composer 35 en To paste a Composer object into ART Path 1 In Composer open the file that contains the object you want to paste into ART Path 2 Select the object and choose Cut or Copy from the Composer Edit menu to place the object onto the Composer clipboard In ART Path open the desired plot job or router file that will receive the pasted object 4 Click Edit Paste The object stored in the clipboard is placed in the working area The pasted object is selected and all previously selected shapes in the current design are deselected 5 The object can be moved to the desired location in the working area using the Nesting tool 6 To paste in multiple copies of the object repeat steps 4 and 5 Paste Back Paste Back inserts the contents from the clipboard into the ART Path working area If you copied the object in ART Path Paste Back inserts the object back in the same location in the same design Delete Choosing Delete from the Edit menu permanently removes a selected shape from the working area The Undo command restores any shape or design deleted by mistake if it was the last command accessed To delete a shape select the desired shape to be deleted and choose Delete from the Edit menu The shape is removed from the working area Select All Choosing Select All in the Edit menu selects all shapes in
171. th 0 100 EES auto sl zl 10 Depth Per Pass 10 100 L 4 Finish Cut Auto Inlay Cancel Preference Custom 3 In Basic Cut click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears 4 Click the desired routing tool Enter the desired parameters for Total Depth Depth Per Pass Feed Rate Plunge Rate RPM s Acceleration and Surface Reference into the dialog box 6 Click Generate the tool path appears on screen in a contrasting color e To set male and finish cut parameters tr Note It is important for Finish Cut to use the same tool used for Basic Cut 1 Select the shape to be routed with the Pointer Tool The selected shape changes in color to show it is selected 2 Click Male from the Tool Paths menu The Default Male Info Dialog Box opens 10 Chapter 2 Reviewing the ART Path Toolbox 3 4 Click the down arrow on the right side of the Tool entry box A drop down list box appears Click the desired routing tool Enter the desired Basic Cut parameters Turn on Finish Cut to display the Finish Cut parameters Default Male Info Templates Climb Milling Iv Lead In Out 20000 R P M BASIC CUT Se Tool 00 0 063 1 16 Tool X Surface Reference Plunge in min S z i p Feed degt Table Material E l 10 A XJ 10 Tola Depth Dum Acceleration Auto I EI Depth Per Pass 0 100 L I Finish Cut 20000 RPM r FINISH CUT T
172. the Auto Carve 3D file option opens the Default Carve Info dialog box Here you must decide whether to create a design using the V bottom tool or the Flat bottom tool Using the Default Carve Info dialog box V Bottom The Default Carve Info dialog box V Bottom contains the choices you make for generating a three dimensional tool path These choices include depth and speed settings tool definition finish cut and climb milling The V Bottom tab also ensures that your design will have a V bottom as long as the deepest cut does not exceed the maximum allowable depth When you select this tab you must use a V tool roughing tool deselected or a roughing tool roughing tool selected 116 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Default Carve Info V Bottom Climb Milling 20000 RPM V Tool Definition r Basic Carving Angle C Tabe Material 120 000 E 361 Surface Offset Depth 9 000 lt 1 250 Dia Max Allowable Depth 0 134 i 40 Max Depth Per Pass 0 040 r Feed in min Plunge in min L3 1 0 A pao foo 250 120000 1250 V Cute Acceleration auto KR IV Finish Cut 20000 RPM Depth 0 020 V Roughing Tool 02 0 125 1 8 carbide tool 20000 Si Tool Parameters r Feed in min Plunge in min 4 24 10 al mo Acceleration Auto v des Cancel Preference The 20000 R P M button allows you to set the RPM speed of the cutting tool Clicking on t
173. the Tool Angle entry box 6 If you have a tool changer and want to assign the tool to a position enter a number from 1 10 in the Tool Changer Position entry box Type in the description of the tool to be added in the Tool Description entry box 8 Click Continue to return to the Tool Information Dialog Box 47 gt To remove a routing tool 1 Click Setup gt Tool Edit The Tool Information Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click the routing tool to be removed from the Available Tools list The tool is highlighted 3 Click Delete The tool is removed from the list p To change an existing routing tool 1 Click Setup gt Tool Edit to open the Tool Information dialog box 2 Click the desired routing tool The tool is highlighted 3 Click Change The Tool Edit Dialog Box appears on screen 4 Make the necessary changes in the Tool Edit dialog box 5 Click Continue to return to the Tool Information dialog box Assigning Tool Positions in the Tool Changer The automatic tool changer is a separately purchased Sabre option You can load as many as ten tools in the changer s carousel After you send the job the tool changer loads the first tool in the job into the spindle and starts routing When another tool is needed the spindle stops the tool changer removes the old tool loads the new tool and starts routing again Tools are assigned to a carousel position in ART Path Installation use and maintenance of the automatic tool chang
174. the working area Y Gap between Repeats in the Job Output Dialog Box allows the user to set the distance between the shapes repeated in a vertical direction Y Gap is the distance between shapes repeated along the height of the material ke To use Y Gap Between Repeats 1 After the desired tool path is generated click Output The Output Dialog Box appears on screen 2 Click and drag the mouse pointer across the Y Gap Between Repeats Text Box The value is highlighted 3 Type in the desired Y Gap Between Repeats value 4 Click Rout to enter in the value and return to the working area The Z Lift text box allows you to enter the height that you want the tool to lift between shapes The reason for changing the lift height is that some sign blanks have a raised frame around the 87 outside Also you may use raised prismatic shapes or letters in your design If a subsequent tool path is lower than the frame or prismatic cut the tool could crash into the raised area and break the tool or ruin the design The lift height range is 0 to 12 inches 0 to 30 48 cm We recommend that you type a Z Lift height in the text box 0 25 inches 64 cm above the material that you are using NOTE Do not set the lift height higher than the maximum material thickness the router is tr capable of handling The maximum lift height for a Sabre should be 4 5 inches 11 4 cm For an ADVANTAGE Router 600 the maximum should be 3 5 inches 8 9 cm For a Dimensio
175. to the full Feed Rate set for the tool path There are three acceleration settings Auto automatically adjusts the acceleration to the geometry of the design Low slows acceleration to increase precision for very detailed work Normal maintains the same level of acceleration throughout the job Selecting Finish Cut Finish Cut creates an additional pass that skims material and produces a smooth finish When you choose Finish Cut more dialog box information appears allowing you to choose the Depth Feed and Plunge rates of that pass You can use this feature with the roughing tool flat bottom tool and the 3 D tool Defining Depth Limitations When using a V tool the wider the stroke width the deeper the tool must go If the tool has to go deeper than the maximum allowable depth to maintain the stroke width it could cut through the material as shown below Note Choosing a maximum allowance depth that is slightly less than the thickness of your material will ensure that the cutter will not cut through the material Stroke Width gt 4 the maximum allowable depth Tool cuts through the material 129 If this occurs the tool path will not be generated and an error message similar to the one below appears ARTPath Auto Carve E H Max Allowable Depth 0 134 in Toolpath depth would be 0 434 in Toolpaths NOT generated At this time you must decide whether to try to maintain the desired
176. tom tool passes ART Path calls for a tool change and uses the V tool to create the beveled edges 3 Si Shape gt Using Feed Rate Feed Rate is the speed that the router cuts along the X and Y axis Feed Rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Linear Tool Path Several passses to remove excess material Using Plunge Rate Plunge Rate is the speed that the router cuts down into the material before cutting along the tool path Plunge rate is measured in inches per minute millimeters per second Selecting Finish Cut Finish Cut creates an additional pass that skims material and produces a smooth finish When you choose Finish Cut more dialog box information appears allowing you to choose the Depth Feed and Plunge rates of that pass You can use this feature with the roughing tool flat bottom tool and the 3 D tool 133 Prismatic Selecting Prismatic opens the Default Prismatic Info dialog box Generating a prismatic tool path gives you a raised letter effect with a sharp center line and sloping sides resembling a pyramid The picture below displays the routed design Reviewing the Default Prismatic Info dialog box A Prismatic tool path shaves off material in layers around a shape creating a peak with sloping sides and a sharp center line When used in combination with another tool path such as a cleanout or male tool path Prismatic gives the finished product a raised effect
177. tomatically offsets the tool by the value of the Finish Amount for all Basic Cut passes The Finish Cut then removes the Finish Amount from the edge of the shape Creating an inlay The Inlay feature automatically creates male female and cleanout shapes with rounded corners Inlay eliminates the need for hand finishing of corners on Inlay shapes The Inlay feature can be used to create inlays as follows Cuta male shape with a shoulder that is pushed through a female stencil from the back called a push through Male shape with shouder N Front cH AE Back Female shape Cuta female shape with a shoulder and inlay the male shape Male shape Front Back X Female shape with shoulder Cuta cleanout shape and inlay a male shape Male shape LX Front E Back Cleanout shape 64 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu Two inlay shapes that are cut to fit together must be cut with tools of the same diameter A shoulder and a gap can be selected when cutting a male or female inlay shape Shoulder refers to a ledge that follows the edge of the shape The shoulder blocks light from shining through a gap between the inlaid shapes and also helps hold letters in place in a finished sign A shoulder can be added to either the male or female shape Inlay requires shoulder width and height dimensions which are shown below A typical shoulder width and height is 125 3 2 mm or greater The shoulder width must be less than or equa
178. uo 42 LAYOR M 42 SmartEdit e 43 Chapter 6 Setup A E E 45 TOOL Edit 45 Tool Information Dialog Box tno noto roseo ea enr ema a n deg reo EERS 45 TOOL Edit Dialog BOX 5e te tienen tee rete teed eti ostentat reed reddet 46 Start End POSIBO E 48 Rotter Selection uccisi EE 50 UE E e M 50 ENEE 51 N T E 52 enee REEERE 52 Show Tool Changer Position nie e teret tt tenta dte a e redde ies 53 Chapter 7 Tool Path M el cocinas caia Ron i aea na anaana 55 Tools mtt neni a eer tcr ie nh a e de P d ges 55 Organize Tool Order dialog box eren etate SEENEN 55 Ic Oates 56 ll eege 56 hor M 56 iD 57 Drill wes 57 Toolpath E 58 Understanding the Tool path va eene te nei ciere C n RI e n Ced 58 Setting Tool path parameters uc inerat titer iren cheer aie tuse cse veu ee ka peer es ated 58 Applying Elteren 61 Using tool path templates cte netto teret trot ere petisse tere pte eee ne ee tope EEN 61 Applying a FISH Cut eese ierra er HH HER ERE REA EU EET E RIA RECHRE EE KERE EErEE NECARE Ee EP RERE 63 Creating DENIED 63 A
179. up a job with tool paths repeats etc 2 Save the file as an RTP file using File gt Save As 3 Click File gt Save Parameters to save the settings in a PRM file Place Choosing Place in the File menu merges the contents of a saved file with the currently displayed design The Place command is available only after a file has been opened Place accesses the File gt Open dialog box Place can be used repeatedly to merge additional files into the currently displayed design Previously selected shapes become deselected as the saved file appears on the screen gt To place a design into an opened file 1 Click File gt Open The Open Dialog Box appears 2 Choose the file you wish to have as the current design and click OK 31 3 Click File gt Place The Open dialog box appears 4 Choose the file you wish to merge with the current design then click OK The merged file appears selected in the center of the working area 5 Use the Place command repeatedly to merge additional files into the current design Library Clicking on Library in the File menu opens the Open dialog box so that you can choose a Gerber library file GCA to add to a job For example if you design a job in Composer and later decide that you need drill holes to mount the sign you can go to the library open a drill file and add holes to your design Use the Nesting tool to move the drill holes to the proper location This feature saves you from having to go ba
180. ut tool path Selecting Direction in Cleanout makes cutting cleanout shapes more efficient Use Horizontal when the design contains many horizontal elements 74 Chapter 7 Tool Path Menu Cleanout with horizontal direction Use Vertical when the design contains many vertical elements Cleanout with vertical direction Applying Use Diagonals The Use Diagonals feature allows certain shapes to be cut more efficiently by eliminating some upward tool moves by the router The Use Diagonals feature is usually used when creating a cleanout shape to accept an inlay shape Depending on the material cutter router speed and other variables the diagonals may be exposed and would therefore be unacceptable for the finished surface Tool up moves Tool up moves Cleanout tool path without diagonals Diagonals Cleanout tool path with diagonals 75 Selecting Cleanout shapes Use Cleanout to clean out shapes or backgrounds For instance you can clean out a shape make it recessed and then inlay a male shape To clean out a shape first select the shape E Select this shape Then create a cleanout tool path To create this cleanout tool path To clean out a foreground shape for inlay be sure to select the Auto Inlay check box before generating the tool path To clean ou
181. wing the ART Path Toolbox 4 Release the mouse button The shapes are selected and redrawn in solid blue lines If shapes are deselected they are redrawn in a contrasting color Zoom Zoom magnifies a piece of a design for a closer look When the Zoom Tool is clicked on the mouse pointer changes to a cross hair with a small magnifying glass shown in the lower right corner The design is centered and fills as much of the working area as possible after each zoom All tools and menu commands work on a zoomed design as on an unzoomed design Line lengths remain the same at every magnification t To magnify part of a design L Click the Zoom Tool The tool is highlighted The mouse pointer changes when moved into the working area Move the Zoom Tool to a top corner above the shape to be magnified Click and drag the Zoom Tool across the shape to be magnified A dotted box is drawn around the shape 4 Click the right mouse button The area within the box is magnified Repeat Steps 1 4 to magnify the shape again Unzoom The Unzoom Tool returns a design to its original appearance or to the previous appearance in a series of zooms Unzoom remembers the appearance of the previous five zooms performed on the same design Clicking the left mouse button on the Unzoom Tool backtracks the working area to the previous zoom appearance Clicking the right mouse button on the Unzoom tool returns the design to its original appearance before the
182. with straight edges similar to a pyramid If Prismatic is not used in conjunction with another tool path you will get sloped sides with no straight edges The diagram below demonstrates how the V tool shaves off material to create a raised effect mu 2 EM Cross Sectional View Top View The Default Prismatic Info dialog box contains the choices for generating a prismatic tool path These choices include V tool parameters angle and diameter basiccarving maximum allowable depth maximum depth per pass feed rate plunge rate finish cut climb milling This dialog box also contains a choice specific to the Prismatic tool path Return Height e To open the Default Prismatic Info dialog box 1 Open a file in ART Path and select the design 2 Choose Tool Paths from the ART Path menu bar 3 Choose Prismatic The shapes are analyzed and the Default Prismatic Info dialog box opens No Note You can also select the Na icon located in the toolbar 134 Chapter 14 Three Dimensional Carving Tools Default Prismatic Info Surface Offset Depth Ratan Height pie Max Depth Per Pass Floor Depth Widest Stroke 1 593 r Surface Reference Table Material Took Jop 1 250 120 000 1 250 V Cutter w 120 Angl 20000 R P M Climb Milling Finish Cut Feed in min d E in min 4 10 De Acceleration Auto sl Generate Cancel Preference The Default Prismatic Info dialog box
183. y careful when changing the tool order Improper tool AN order can result in tools breaking which may cause personal injury or damage to the material or router In addition improper tool order may also create a situation where a piece of material is cut free from the surrounding material before all tool paths are complete This loose piece could possibly be thrown from the router table and cause personal injury or equipment damage ke To change the order tools are used in a job 1 Click Output The Job Output dialog box opens 2 Click the Rearrange Output Tool Order check box 3 Click the Rout button The Organize Tool Order dialog box opens 4 Highlight the tool you wish to move and use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to place the tool in the desired order 5 Repeat Step 4 for each tool that you want to move 6 When you complete changing the tool order click Output to send the job to the router The Preferences command button saves the current Output settings These settings will be applied to all designs each time that the ART Path program is accessed The Preference settings remain in effect until the Preference command button is clicked on again The Cancel command button aborts all new function settings and returns the user to the working area The Rout command button sends the design to the router for routing Pressing the Esc key aborts the command The Plot command button sends the design to the Plot Spooler for plotting on th

ARTPath and Auto-Carve 3D - Gerber Scientific Products

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