TRAK Machine Tools
Southwestern Industries, Inc.
The ProtoTRAK DXF Converter Operating Manual
33
5.0 Tips
We are using the data contained in a CAD file to make programming easier. However, we must
keep in mind that the original purpose of the CAD file is to make a print, not a program.
This section describes some of the things that can be done in making the CAD file that will make
the conversion go better.
5.1 Tips for Milling DXF
Limit to One Z Plane
Geometry on one layer cannot be connected to geometry on a different layer. When drawings
contain geometry in multiple Z-axis layers, a 2D view can make it look like the geometries are
connected when they are not because they are in different layers. You may not be aware of it
until you try to connect two lines or arcs and receive an error message.
To Resolve Problems Hiding Layers
There are intermittent instances where files saved as .DWG will have layering problems when
brought into the DXF converter. If your file experiences layering problems, simply have your
CAD programmer open it with AutoCAD and save it as .DXF or an earlier version of AutoCAD (i.e.
AutoCAD 2000 to Version 14).
Reducing File Loading Wait Time
The amount of time you have to wait for the CAD drawing to load is a function of the number of
entities found in your drawing. To lessen wait time, try eliminating un-needed geometry from
your drawing. This will be most beneficial when using the Chaining feature.
Layer to Isolate Geometry
Organize drawing layers so that information that is not needed for the conversion process can be
hidden. You want to be able to isolate the geometry to be programmed from the other things like
page borders that appear in a drawing file.
Avoid Complicated Graphics in Your Title Block
Graphics like company logos may involve a large number of geometric entities. If this is not on a
layer that is hidden, the converter will process this as geometry that you wish to machine. This
may result in a longer waiting time while your drawing is being processed. (In our beta test, we
encountered one graphic that caused the DXF Converter ten minutes of processing time on one
of our slower computers!).
Avoid Non-Supported Drawing Objects
Only lines, arcs and circles can be converted into ProtoTRAK events. Using more complicated
geometries like splines, or polylines, will cause the converter to break these entities down into
lines and arcs that it can recognize. This may result in a longer waiting time while your drawing is
being processed.
Avoid Large Gaps
Try to eliminate large gaps in your drawings. It is possible to slightly shift geometry when gaps
are closed through the PT4 Converter process.
Add End Points for Connective Geometry
The PT4 DXF Converter selects geometry from end point to end point. If you have intersecting
geometry but do not add an end point at the right place, the geometry cannot be connected. In
the example below in figure 5.8, the interior of the circle and the interior tabs are to be
machined. If the circle is drawn as a circle and then the tabs added, the DXF Converter will not
have end points to use to connect the geometry of the circle with the lines on the tabs. To
program this interior, break the circle into arc segments.
