TRAK Machine Tools
Southwestern Industries, Inc.
The ProtoTRAK DXF Converter Operating Manual
1
1.0 Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the ProtoTRAK DXF Converter software. In order to avoid
repetition, this manual assumes you have basic proficiency with programming a ProtoTRAK CNC.
With the ProtoTRAK DXF converter, you may quickly and easily create ProtoTRAK part programs
using the data stored in a DXF or DWG file. The ProtoTRAK DXF Converter is the best value on
the market, giving you advanced features, such as layering, chaining and automatic gap closing
that are normally found only on products costing much more.
With the ProtoTRAK DXF Converter, you are in complete control of the creation of your 2D or 2
½ D part program. You pick the order of events and the direction you want to machine in an
easy, interactive process. The coordinates are loaded into to the part program in the way you
direct, leaving you the minimal task of adding the non-dimensional information in the prompted
ProtoTRAK format.
1.1 DXF Versions
There is a version of DXF for use in creating 2 or 2 1/2 axis part programs for Milling and a
different version for creating part programs for turning.
The part numbers are:
CONV-DXF
DXF converter for mills
CONV-DXFL
DXF converter for lathes
The lathe and milling versions are sold separately. If you want both of them, you may purchase
one at the additional seat pricing as long as you order them both at the same time. See your
Southwestern Industries Sales Representative.
1.2 DXF Defined
DXF stands for Drawing Exchange File. It is an invention of AutoCAD that has become the most
common format in the industry, used by most CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) programs as an
alternative file extension.
As well as converting DXF files, this software also converts drawings with the DWG (Drawing) file
extension. DWG is the file extension currently used as the default for AutoCAD.
1.3 Mouse Required
You may run the DXF Converter on either the ProtoTRAK CNC or the ProtoTRAK Offline system
(depending on for which system you bought it). If you run the converter on the ProtoTRAK CNC,
you must have a mouse (or other pointing device) plugged into the mouse port or USB port,
depending on the model of control. For ProtoTRAK controls that have USB drives available, a
USB mouse should be recognized immediately after plugging in. For the models that have the
PS2 mouse port, if you didn’t ha
ve the mouse plugged in at the time the ProtoTRAK was turned
on, you must turn off the ProtoTRAK, plug in the mouse and then turn the system back on.
When running the DXF Converter on the ProtoTRAK CNC, a keyboard may be used but it is not
necessary. You can use the front panel keys on the control pendant to input any data necessary
throughout all the operations of the DXF Converter.
1.4 Compatibility
Although the DXF format has become an industry standard, compatibility issues remain. The
following may help clarify some issues with regard to the DXF Converter.
