Impact 2023 (Dynamic Constraints Edition) release is available for download, bringing with it a host of new features. Available here.

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Add Rotary Dieboard

  This tool allows you to create rotary dieboard shells and add standard parts relative to the cut type extents or relative to selected entities in the current layer.

If the dieboard geometry is to be created relative to entities other than the cut type extents, select these before activating the tool. Also note that symbols placed may have the option to collision check with visible entities; therefore ensure only entities that you wish to collision check the symbols with are visible.

When the tool is run the Dieboard creation form appears.

From the left hand list of dieboard machine/cylinder sizes select the one required. You can make a temporary override to the settings by double clicking the name or by right clicking and override the settings shown in the rotary dieboard setup wizard form.

In the bottom right text box a message will be displayed stating if the design extents falls within the allowances, outside the allowances or if no design allowances have been specified in the selected setting. If the design extents fall outside the allowances, a Warning is then displayed - 'Design falls outside allowances specified, do you want to continue?'

Laser - depending on the mounting system for the laser there may be an area on the extents of each shell that can't be lasered; selecting the correct settings will indicate on the drawing where these areas are.

Once you have selected the settings and options press OK to create the dieboard.

Dieboard Creation

The dieboard profile and split lines for each shell are added and, if enabled, the default woodsize and number of shells will be shown on the edit bar allowing you to change it before any standard parts are added.

Once the correct size is set press Continue. (Reset  will set the woodsize back to the default and Cancel  will cancel the tool.)

The tool will now pause, if enabled in the settings, setting the current mode to Dieboard position, where the default placement of the wood can be offset by inputting an X or Y offset value.

Once any required offset has been entered press Continue. (Reset  will set the offset back to the default and Cancel  will cancel the tool.)

Next, any standard parts (symbols) will be added.

Symbols can be automatically placed, for example mounting holes, or you will be prompted to place them. Any patterns that require you to place then manually will display a prompt on the status bar, similar to the one shown below.

Once all the symbols are placed then you can further edit the rotary dieboard from the modes below:

All cylinder symbols - this edit bar option is available within all of the modes. It will display all the cylinder mounting holes to aid the placement of the outer shells if required.

The following list box options can all have hot-keys assigned to them from Options > Environment > Keyboard.

Move split or wood - this mode allows you to reposition split lines or resize and reposition the overall size of the rotary dieboard relative to the design and cylinder.

All Split and Size - allows you to change the overall woodsize by dragging one side of the outer extents or by dragging a single split line. If you pick a split line one edge of the outer wood is locked and the wood and shells are resized from this side. The side locked is controlled by the option Fix lower left; only the shell from the locked edge is resized.

All Split and Wood - allows you to reposition the wood by picking one side of the outer extents or reposition the shells within the outer wood. This mode doesn't change the overall woodsize.

Single Split - allows you to drag a single split line without changing the overall woodsize but changing the shell sizes within the set limits.

Dimensions in cursor  - this will display the size of each shell.

Wood size - this mode displays the overall woodsize and the number of shells. Here the overall woodsize can be altered by inputting the fixed values; the number of shells is then recalculated.

Dieboard Position - allows you to move the dieboard by inputting an or offset from its current position.

Shells - displays the width and height of each shell. Here you can change the sizes by manually inputting the values on the edit bar. This method will then change the size of the other shells if needed keeping the outer extents the same. Alternatively you can pick any edge of a shell and reposition it; this will automatically add shells if the limits are reached.

Cylinder Position - allows you to move the cylinder and optionally the wood relative to the design by inputting the X or Y offset values on the edit bar or picking a point to drag from. If you reposition interactively lock both is enabled.

Dovetails - This option only appears in the list box if there are two or more shells. Add dovetail allows placement of symbols typically for rule guard protection along any joint line. Delete dovetail allows you to pick any symbol to delete and Move dovetail allows a symbol to be repositioned. Browse is used to change the default symbol to be placed when in Add dovetail mode.

Symbols - This option only appears in the list box if Do symbol patterns has been selected on the Dieboard Creation form. This will cause another list box to appear on the edit bar, containing some or all of these options: Delete Symbols, Select Symbols, Place drill holes, Place collars, Place mount holes.

If mode Delete Symbols is chosen pick the symbols to be deleted; these will then be deleted as they are picked.

If the mode Select Symbols is chosen pick the symbols to keep; then press Delete Others to delete the symbols not selected. Rewind  will add the last deleted symbols back.

Place drill holes and Place collars only appear if both a Drill symbol and a Collar symbol have been selected in the Rotary Drill Hole settings.

Place mount holes - This option only appears if one or more of the Cylinder Symbol Patterns has been defined as being used as a pattern for mount holes. Choosing the option will display all symbols placed on the cylinder allowing you to toggle the selection of symbols (mounting holes) to be added to the shells. Selection of the mounting holes should be the last operation as resizing or repositioning of the shells will reset the default selection.

Reset  will rerun the placement of all the standard parts.

On completion press Finish  on the edit bar.

If the Run split tool option has been switched on in the Master Tool Settings this tool will now be applied.

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