Exporting DXF files for use in plasma cutting

[GG_14369233]

I have creo 9.0.5. I'm trying to export a .dxf file so that i can import it into my plasma table software (torchmate V9). The problem is when I go to import it into torchmate, nothing shows up. A long time ago Creo support helped me change some export settings and we got it to work but I've forgotten since then. Any ideas?

[Van_AG]

Perhaps the dxf_export_format config option to set the version of the exported DXF?

[GG_14369233]

Here's a pic of my config settings right now, these aren't working. Maybe there's another I need to toggle?

[KenFarley]

I don't have any settings for any of the "intf2d..." parameters, so I'm working with defaults on them. The thing that kills me when I send files to people whose machines need them is often the version of DXF I'm giving them.

Some things to note that have troubled me in the past:

(1) I assume you're trying to output a 2D profile. This should be done from a full scale, 1:1 drawing from Creo. I usually make a drawing, no format and an appropriate sheet size to fit the part, scale 1.0.

(2) When I go to output the file, in the dialog box that pops up, I check the "Customize Export" box.

(3) After turning on Customize Export, I hit OK and another dialog box comes up with a bunch of options. There's a drop-down to select the version of DXF you want to create. Your machine probably needs a very old version, probaby older than the default that comes up.

(4) By default, a log file will be created for the conversion. You could look in there and see if any errors occurred, or if the thing actually did anything. It should spew a lot of stuff about what it did if things worked okay.

Some of the output formats in Creo allow us to set up defaults for stuff, like the STEP output. I don't know if DXF has any of this sort of functionality provided, but it is something you could look into.

[GG_14369233]

I have the scale at 1:1 and the export set as an old version. The message log just says "dxf has been created" with no errors.

[kdirth]

You might need to change splines to polylines.

[GG_14369233]

I did 😕

[Michael]

What a lot of people do is to create a drawing of the part in the flat state and remove any format. Display only as no hidden lines, no tangency, etc, and set the scale to 1:1. Then export and save as .DXF. This you can send to the laser plasma cutter.

[GG_14369233]

No hidden lines is on and scale is 1:1. What do you mean remove format? I've tried making a sketch, then a drawing from that sketch and exporting that, didn't work. I've tried creating a solid from the sketch and exporting that, didn't work either. 

[tbraxton · Accepted solution]

Assuming these requirements below are accurate (I am not asserting that they are). Are you compliant with these requirements when exporting from Creo? If you are exporting ASCII format files you can open them in a text editor to inspect what is being exported.

• Torchmate CAD/CAM works best with AutoCAD R12 ASCII DXF format.
• 2D Geometry Only: Torchmate ignores 3D entities; flatten drawings before export.
• Polylines vs. Splines: Convert splines, arcs, and curves to polylines for better compatibility.
• Units: Match units (inches or mm) between your CAD software and Torchmate settings.
• Layer Cleanup: Remove unnecessary layers, dimensions, and text before export.
• Closed Paths: Ensure shapes are closed for proper toolpath generation.

[GG_14369233]

Units match, no dimensions or text, set to an older version (I've tried all the available versions), no hidden lines, I don't think there are any unseen layers, scale is 1:1, and the paths are closed. Theres got to be a setting somewhere I'm missing.

[GG_14369233]

Wait wait, I deleted all the layers and its finally appearing in torch mate! The hole isn't cut out but the path is there.

[tbraxton]

FYI

In the screenshot (export settings.png) you just posted your scale is set to what appears to be maybe 1/3, not 1:1.