Import Method for Digitized Files?

[IslaWW]

I am looking to find a way to import 2D digitized points into Vectric software. This is a simple list of 2D X and Y coordinates in a text file with the ".DIG" file extension generated by Centroid controllers. I was told by one of the guys at Centroid that "back in the day" Tony Mac had added the ability to import 3D .dig files into Aspire, but it seems that is no longer the case.

Are there any programs that can convert a 2D point list to vectors?

My current files do not have a Z value as they are scanned as an edge probe on a CNC wood lathe. Here is a video of the scanning process:

Resulting file is attached with file extension changed from DIG to TXT:

Game Call Test2.txt

(2.61 KiB) Downloaded 111 times

[JimmyD]

Gary,

I believe Paul Rowntree's CSV gadget will do what you want. Here is an excerpt from the manual-

CSV to 2D Vectors
Importing 2D CSV files is easy, and the created vectors are placed on the material with no changes or scaling. The CSV to 2D Vectors gadget will prompt for a filename, and you navigate to the CSV file you want to work with. Normally, CSV files will have the extension ‘csv’ or ‘CSV’, but you can choose any file you want. The gadget will then load it up if it has two or more comma-separated values per line using the first two as x and y, respectively, and give some information about the vectors it found.

I think if you open your dig file or txt file in excel and delete the parts you don't want - header information, x column and y column, you will be left with just two columns of data. Save this as an excel csv file and then use it with the above gadget.

Jim

[IslaWW]

Thanks Jim. I'll give it a shot.

[IslaWW]

Thanks Jim. I'll give it a shot.

[Ken Rychlik]

I am using a modified version of Paul's Gadget to import cabinets from an excel file. You can give it Layers and using points you can create lines, circles, squares, ect.... That was the info I offered to send you, but you said you don't cut wood.

[IslaWW]

" That was the info I offered to send you, but you said you don't cut wood. "

And I still don't

[Ken Rychlik]

" That was the info I offered to send you, but you said you don't cut wood. "

And I still don't

To funny.

Anyway the type of gadget for importing the csv file is the same. The cabinet outline is a point to point csv with straight lines between each point. If you need any help making it fly, it may be something I can do for you.

[IslaWW]

I am using a modified version of Paul's original that works just fine, thanks.

[IslaWW]

A slightly modified version of Paul's gadget worked just fine. Here is part 2, or actually a start to finish of the process. I still have some final adjustments to the tool lengths, feed rates and some of the macro actions to make, but for the most part the project is viable. AND FUN!!! Looks like a production cycle with proper length blanks would yield one call in under 3 minutes, ~20 per hour.

[mtylerfl]

Lovin’ It, Gary! Another “dynasty” born!

[IslaWW]

To answer a number of emails regarding this machine and machining time per call, I have included that in this video along with showing some of the features:

[IslaWW]

Some lessons in Acrylic:

[Rcnewcomb]

What do you mean by "Only cut downhill"?

[dealguy11]

Like most wood lathe work, it means as you move horizontally if there is a feature that goes into the material, the tool should move into the indentation as it cuts, and should not cut as it's exiting. For the other side of the feature, you should change the horizontal tool direction to cut into that side as well.

So I couldn't see the finish, but I assume the uphill cuts did not finish nicely?

[IslaWW]

Steve...
Yes, where the "downhill" cuts are smooth as silk, those that were cut "uphill" exhibited chatter. Chatter that can be seen in the part, and heard at the machine. I was told, but didn't listen. Lessons learned.