[ UPDATE ]
I have, with a little difficulty, managed to configure QCAD/CAM to output suitable GCODE to drive my little Laser Engraver using Universal GCODE Platform [UGS].
The ‘brief tutorial’ at https://qcad.org/doc/qcadcam/QCADCAM_Tutorial_en.pdf **LINK** is rather specific to one Postprocessor, and so it was very helpful to find this video on YouTube https://youtu.be/zy18Z2xYxHU**LINK**
The Configuration [postprocessor] “PWM Laser (Offset,mm)” works nicely … and generated a file which runs correctly on my little engraver.
The process, in brief summary, is to:
1. Convert all the individual shapes in the drawing into polylines.
2. Create one or more Tools
3. Create a Toolpath [which calls-up a Tool and has other variables] for each polyline.
4. Export the code
5. Run the code in UGS
6. Admire the result
There is a lot still to learn, but it all looks very promising.
.
My test piece is a 50×40 mm rectangle with two rounded-end slots, and the generated Code is clean and simple:
The Toolpaths ‘Oval_Fast’and ‘Oval_Slow’ differ slightly, and are there to allow me to experiment with various parameters :
…………………
; Grbl G-code file generated by QCAD/CAM (RibbonSoft)
; File: 2021_11_test_3paths.nc on: Sun Nov 21 16:22:43 2021
; Post processor: PwmLaserOffsetMM Rev D.
;
; >>> Preset parameters <<<
; Home position at : X0,Y0,Z50
; Startpoint at : X0,Y0,Z50
; Vertical Safety distance : ; ;
; Clearance distance : Z2
; Z Safety distance :
; Z Up movement clearance : Z2
; Z Up Pass clearance :
; Z Start height :
; Z End Depth :
; Default Cutting Depth : Z-1 mm
;
; >>> PreSetting Laser <<<
N10 F1000 S0 M05
;
N20 G0 X0 Y0
; >>> Toolpath: Rectangle <<<
N30 T1 F100 S300 M03
N40 G1 Y40
N50 G1 X50
N60 G1 Y0
N70 G1 X0
N80 S0 M05
;
;
N90 G0 X4.901 Y10.0252
; >>> Toolpath: Oval_Fast <<<
N100 T2 S500 M03
N110 G1 X5.0001 Y30.0248
N120 G2 X14.9999 I4.9999 J-0.0248
N130 G1 X15.099 Y10.0252
N140 G2 X4.901 I-5.099 J-0.0252
N150 S0 M05
;
;
N160 G0 X35 Y10
; >>> Toolpath: Oval_Slow <<<
N170 T2 F80 S500 M03
N180 G1 Y30
N190 G2 X45 I5 J0
N200 G1 Y10
N210 G2 X35 I-5 J0
N220 S0 M05
;
;
;
; Homing Tool
N230 S0 M05
N240 G0 X0 Y0
N250 M30
; READY
…………………
MichaelG.
.
Click picture for larger image
Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/11/2021 20:01:49