| Tech
Tip Of The Month
FASTCAM QE UPDATE
from Trevor Sivies, Product Manager
The ability to quote a 'nested' CAM, DXF or DWG file is almost
complete, and should be available mid Feb. 2007 will also bring
with it several User-requested changes to QE. Here are just
some of them you can expect soon:-
Importation of a group of single CAM/DXF files, then assign
materials, thick, qty etc ready for processing.
Minimum Quote Price adjustment.
Duplication of one line item to another within a quote.
Ability for Estimators to add Customers.
Ability to read/import DWG files.
Discounting Line Items by percentage.
FASTCAM QE FEEDBACK
We have talked a lot this year about QE in terms of an integrated
business system in larger service centers however note that
QE suits 95% of what processors do without the need for integration
and customization. FastCAM® QE(TM) is available as a multi
user database system ranging from 3 to unlimited users. It is
simple to use, affordable and very effective.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 'VISTA' - MICROSOFT'S NEW WINDOWS
OPERATING SYSTEM
We are in the process of testing FastCAM® products on Microsoft
Windows Vista. At present we do not support Vista and warn against
migrating software to the new Vista 32 bit until it has passed
testing.
FastCAM® v5.9.1248:
Customers on FastCAM® Service Maintenance Agreements can
download the latest FastCAM® 5.9.1248 version which has
these changes:
- Support for Wide screens (the Nesting looks a treat as the
nest plate is usually much longer in x the in the vertical
Y direction).
- FastNEST logic has been improved for Large nests - they
are now completed up to 10 x faster.
- FastPLOT will produce 1:1 plotting again (this was disabled
in a previous version).
- We have added TRIBON compatibility (please contact us about
this one).
- We can now deal with very small detail ideal for font cutting
on lasers.
FastCAM® 5.9.1248 - Widescreen
FastCAM® now supports widescreen formats. This can be especially
useful for NESTING which will better fit the longer aspect ratio.
The setting is made in the Setup file but for some screens
you may need to contact us with the exact dimensions of your
monitor so the display is correct for your aspect ratio. Some
laptops and newer 'Cinema type screens are optimized for the
display of video & movies so we may need to tweak the settings
so there is no stretching of the image. (19 inch monitor)
You will need a recent version of software to implement this
feature.
If you are on service we can edit your SETUP.DAT file for you.
Send an Email to FastCAM service and include the dimensions
of your monitor. We will change the file and email it back.
The default physical screen size is 17 inch. This is 17"
320 x 245. Exact scaling can be changed in the SETUP.DAT file
in the \Program files\fastcam directory as (E.g.) :SCREEN,375,300
FASTCAM® MULTIPLE SCREENS
Another better visual method is using multiple monitors (as
supported under Windows XP). Many of our customers are using
this feature to great effect running the FastCAM® System
on one screen and correspondence such as Outlook on the other.
Once again contact FastCAM Service for detail on how to setup
multiple monitors.
FAQ
Q) When running FastCAM software it errors with - "Run-time
error '340'", "Control Array element (x) doesn't exist"
A) This is an issue with using the newer version of software,
being installed as an upgrade over an older version. The solution
is to Delete any "fastcam" txt file in the FastCAM
folder that contains a bracket in the filename, eg "fastcam_Chinese(PRW).txt"
FastCAM®
v5.9.1070:
In response to demand from users, FastCAM® will no longer
exit when NC code needs to be verified in FastPLOT. (FastCAM®
was designed to shut down to enable maximum memory allocation
for customers using older PC's however this should no longer
be an issue).
Improved manual pathing ability. Manual pathing has been improved
in complex situations where there are many choices. E.g. If
a single choice is straight ahead at an intersection and the
layer is the same, it is chosen automatically as this is the
most likely for flame or plasma cutting.
Uses XP Theme. This eliminates the scroll bar on the screen
which some users find a nuisance when only part of a drawing
is displayed on the screen. (This could be changed manually
in the Setup.Dat file but it is now automatic).
Inverse Window Erase. Users can now choose to erase entities
inside or outside a window.
FastNEST®:
Load Changed Entries allows you to store changed entries if
an entry of a part has been changed in a saved nest. This means
when you are loading a nest which has entries of a part that
have previously been changed manually, you don't have to manually
change it again. The new software will give users an option
to load the manually changed entry when that nest is loaded.
Printer settings can now be saved.
FastSHAPES® v 3.5.11:
The User Interface has been improved.
This upgrade is available to Customers on a Service Maintenance
Agreement that specifically includes FastSHAPES®.
FASTTRACK® v3.1.49
FastTRACK® v3.1.49 for Windows starts at US$1,995.00 (Single
User Version). Upgrade Pricing depends on what version you are
upgrading from. Please Call. SQL backend with improved database
functionality for data storage, Reliability & Speed; Multi-user
capabilities; reporting and compatibility with other software
programs including connection to FastNEST® for Remnant Nesting.
(Note: FastCAM users need to be running the latest FastCAM v5.9.1070
to be able to intergrate FastTRACK into FastNEST).
Redesigned user interface for overall improved ease-of-use.
New Auditing functionality. Tracks who creates, edits, deletes
plates. (Stores all data changes and pictorial history of the
plates).
Editing of plates now done with full FastCAM® Editor.
Can I change a CNC file
back to a CAM file?
Yes you can change a .CNC file back to a .CAM file. It
is very easy to do. It's just about knowing where to look.
1. Open FastPLOT
2. Click NC Utilities
3. Click Convert to CAM (or Convert to DXF)
4. Save the file to any location.
SUBJECT:
Air quality issues
Gas quality is an extremely important issue and one that affects
performance, operating cost, and safety. A number of recent
problems related to oily air suggest that certain issues involving
gas quality need to be addressed. Please note the following
and ensure that all persons involved in the installation or
operation of plasma cutting systems are aware of these issues
and that appropriate measures are recommended or implemented.
Following is an excerpt from a current InnerLogic User Manual:
Oxygen and nitrogen should be supplied with a purity of at
least 99.5%. A potential fire hazard exists when cutting with
oxygen. Flashback arrestors must be supplied to prevent a possible
fire from propagating back to the gas supplies. Compressed air
must be clean, dry, and oil-free and may be supplied from compressed
cylinders or from an air compressor. Be aware that shop air
systems are prone to oil and moisture contamination. If shop
air is used, it must be cleaned to ISO 8573.1: Class 1.4.1.
Specify dry air when using compressed cylinders. Breathing quality
air contains moisture and must not be used.
While these recommendations are important for operation of
InnerLogic systems, it should be noted that gas quality affects
virtually any plasma cutting system in the same way, regardless
of manufacturer. The following points are worth special notation:
-Poor gas or air quality can have a detrimental affect on
cut quality
-Poor gas or air quality can increase operating costs (decreased
consumable life)
-Poor gas or air quality can destroy a torch
Basically, compressed air used in a plasma cutting operation
must be clean, dry, and oil free. While we claim no expertise
in the area of air compression or filtration, there are many
companies who specialize in this field. Proper preparation for
an installation and regular maintenance of the air supply will
pay dividends, ensuring optimum performance and safety.
Mike Corbett – InnerLogic Tech Support
Manager
Machine:
Previously Retrofitted ESAB with a Burny 5 CNC Control.
This machine ran for 5 years in a high volume manufacturing
operation until it was purchased, dismantled and sold to one
our customers. We were contracted to install & tune and
noted the following problem.
Symptom: While trying
to square the machine, the rail axis would not always return
to the starting point of the part.
Solution: This problem
kept us busy for a while! The encoders were swapped between
the X and Y axis and the part checked again. The machine would
sometimes return to zero and other times would be a full .375
of an inch off. The problem seemed to bounce from the X to the
Y axis. (It is worth noting at this time that this machine ran
“flawlessly” for 5 years before we relocated it!)
The back panel of the Burny 5 was removed and the encoder inputs
verified on the back wall board. All of the signals seemed to
be making it into the control and all of the power supply voltages
were clean and within limits. It was then noted the position
of the DIP switches. They were set for single ended input. That
would have been fine if we indeed had single ended encoders!
The switches were reset for differential and the problem vanished.
Ed Earnest
Sonoma Automation Inc.
(707)-775-4558 Voice
(707)-236-0121 Cell
(707)-775-4592 Fax
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