DXF to G-code Conversion Tutorial

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Problem Statement

Let's cut wheel mounting plates for the open source tractor with the torch table:

Bearing mount plate for the open source tractor.

Start with an Overview Video

In the video, DXF2Gcode is used. Installation Instructions for Linux.

  • Note: forget about the installation instructions. Just download the python script, run it, import the DXF, export the g-code file (.ngc). The instructions complicate the issue for novices.

Generate G-Code from DXF File

  1. Download python DXF2gcode conversion script onto your desktop.
  2. Go in to Terminal
  3. Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the script.
    • For Factor e Farm implementation - cd gcode
  1. Run the script from within the directory where the script is located: python scriptname.py
    • For Factor e Farm implementation - python d2g.py
  1. Bingo. The GUI for DXF2gcode runs.
  2. Read the DXF from the File menu in the DXF 2 G-Code script.
  3. Export the DXF into .ngc (G-Code) format.
  4. The .ngc file is readable by EMC2

In other words: Generate your CAD in QCAd like in this example:

Sample toolpath in QCad.

Import the QCad image into DXF 2 G-Code:

Sample import into DXF 2 G-Code

Import the g-code file into EMC2:

Sample toolpath in EMC2

Basic Shakedown

Open Source CNC Torch Table Shakedown from Open Source Ecology on Vimeo.

Proper Scaling

  • To assure that the object that is being fabricated has the desired dimensions, start with an inch scale in QCad for the USA
    • Note: DXF 2 G-Code displays a bunch of import errors when importing Will's sample DXF generated from Solidworks; just click through all the errors, and the image appears at the end.
    • Note: Why does DXF 2 G-Code generate the toolpath twice?
    • Note: Change G21 to G20 for mm -> inch scale within DXF 2 G-Code
    • Eliminate the z feeds since we don't use the z axis for plate torching.

Complete Shakedown

As it stands, the toolchain for open source torch cutting is quite disintegrated. It turns out that the above code, while in principle correct, does not address the practical considerations of piercing metal. For example, when one wants to torch out a hole - one should not pierce the metal right on the cutting line, because piercing is a messy operation. Instead, one wants to move in

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