The method

The software consists of existing programs that can be found online. This way you can easily find a solution when you get stuck in the process.

Step 1. CAD software

Everything that is made must first be designed.  This is done with technical drawings and for this purpose  CAD software  used.

What is CAD software?

'CAD' officially stands for 'Computer-Aided Design', or 'making drawings and designs with the computer'.  Nothing new under the sun, because the first CAD software dates back to 1982!  Back then everything was still done in 2D, but nowadays 3D is the most common.

What do you use a CAD program for?

Among designers and engineers, CAD is fully established. Almost all of them have a CAD program to convert their creativity into a realistic design.

Fusion360

Fusion360 from Autodesk is for example a very suitable CAD program that is free for personal use. Fusion360 also has an integrated CAM program (see step 2.) But there are many other CAD programs that are suitable.

Step 2. CAM software

What does CAM stand for?

CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing. So CAM is software. This software makes it possible to produce products via the computer. With CAM software you are actually busy automating your production process. CAM is also called computer-controlled manufacturing. Because the software processes the design of your product and starts the production process. And voilà, within no time you have the product in your hands!

CAD/CAM program

As discussed in step 1. Fusion360 has an integrated CAM program. However, there are CAD programs that do not have the CAM function. For that SheetCam a suitable solution. Sheetcam can be seen as a kind of universal CAM software. All CAD programs can export a drawing in DXF format. In SheetCam you can load the DXF, prepare it for production and export it as G-code (see step 3.) SheetCam can be used free downloadIf you want the extended package, the costs are a one-time fee of 140 dollars.

What does one do with the CAD program?

Once the technical drawing has been opened in the CAD program, the cutting speed, the kerf width of the plasma jet, the cutting height and a number of other settings can be set here so that the machine ultimately follows the correct line exactly and switches the plasma source on and off at the right time.

CAM software Fusion360 (simulation)

CAM software SheetCam

Step 3. G-code

We have now discussed in step 1. that one can make a technical drawing with CAD software. And then edit it with the CAM software so that this production is ready. The last step is to save the process as g-code.

What is a g-code?

A g-code can actually be seen as a kind of script for the machine. The commands that the machine must execute are listed one after the other with the corresponding coordinates of the various axes. This way the machine knows, for example, at what moment it must switch on the torch and how high its cutting height must be.

The image shows how the different g-codes follow each other. For example, code G31 (probe) is the command for tapping the workpiece  at a speed of 1000 mm/min (F1000) and then set the Z-axis coordinates to zero. And code M3 for example switching on the torch. M5 switches it off again.

Theoretically, you can also type this manually. But of course, it is easier when the software does the work for you.