This form is used to configure the settings for the Steel Cutting Optimisation tool.
Name
Enter the unique MTS name.
Description
Enter a description for this setting.
Steel cutting Optimisation - General
Destination Layer:
Select the required layer for the generated geometry. This could be either an existing layer in the current drawing or one from the list of layer settings.
Output palette
Select this option and choose a palette from the drop-down list for the generated geometry. If this option is not selected then geometry will be created with the same palette as the original geometry.
Beam width compensation for centre-bevelled entities
Select this option to automatically compensate for the laser beam width on centre-bevelled entities.
For example, drawing a 100mm square and outputting with a 2pt beam width will create a 99.29mm square due to the width of the laser beam. You may have designed the geometry taking this into account or side-bevel settings may have been used. If side-bevel has not been used or the geometry is drawn to the desired size without considering the beam width then this option will automatically offset the geometry into the waste area to allow for beam width, thus creating a 100mm square.
The offset distance will be half the rule width.
Convert side-bevelled entities
Select this option to automatically compensate for the laser beam width on side-bevelled entities.
Beam width
Normally the entity's side-bevel distance will be used as the offset distance. If this is zero then the entered beam width will be used instead.
Sharp corners
Some shapes can be cut out quickly with the laser beam changing direction at intersections. Other shapes need to be cut with sharp corners. The images below show the options of sharp corners where the path is expected to move outside the required geometry to form a ‘loop’ giving a sharp point to the triangle. The second image shows a conventional path where the tool head simply changes direction which would give a slightly rounded point. It is not possible to have a sharp corner on an internal corner as the loop would cut into the finished steel piece.
Loop diameter:
Specify the required loop diameter.
Minimum angle:
Specify the minimum angle to which a 'sharp corner' can be applied.
Automatic lead-in
Select this option to add lead-in paths into the waste areas at the start of each path. This is optional as the tool may be used to pre-save optimised output in the drawing canvas without specific lead-in geometry being added. Specify the palette to be used for the lead-in geometry.
Automatic lead-out
Select this option to add lead-out paths into the waste areas at the end of each path. This is optional as in most cases the laser beam will finish in the pocket previously cut therefore not requiring a lead-out. If this option is disabled, no lead out geometry will be created.
Line length:
Enter the required length of the lead-in and lead-out lines.
Arc radius:
If the lead-in or lead-out geometry contains an arc (as it will do when added at the centre of an entity) this will be its radius.
Allow tool move over uncut geometry
The moves between cut sections should avoid any areas that have previously been cut. Select this option to allow moves over uncut sections.
Palette
From the drop-down list select the palette that is to be used for tool move entities.
Margin
Enter the safe distance between tool move entities and cut geometry.
Palettes
On the Palettes tab of the Master Tool Settings select the palettes that are to be considered in the optimisation.
Steel cutting Optimisation - Palettes