outline - Indicates outline/through cut (Example: outline z#p#). Can be constructed with lines and arcs (Note: light weight polylines should work although polylines are not supported at this time. If saving DXF file from AutoCAD, select version 13, to save polylines as light weight type).
border - Is equivalent to an outline layer name.
panel - Can be set equivalent to an outline layer name via an ini file setting. Call Thermwood for information.
pocket - Indicates pocket cut (Example: pocket z#p# d#p#). If a tool diameter (d#p#) is not specified then the diameter set in Pocket Settings will be obeyed. All lines and arcs on this layer identify the outer boundary of a pocket.
pocket clamp - Indicates pocket clamp area for a pocket at the same depth. All lines and arcs on this layer identify the boundary of the clamp(s). Each desired clamp must be a closed chain. Nested clamps (clamps inside clamps) work in opposite behavior. The first clamp will prevent a tool from machining inside the clamp. A second clamp inside that clamp will cause the machining to occur inside the clamp. A third clamp inside the second clamp will cause machining on the outside of the third clamp and inside of the second clamp. If a user desires to have the clamp offset in or out based on tool diameter the key words compin or compout can be used in the layer name respectively. This is useful for clamping a hole and the user wants the machining to be performed past the edge of the clamp. For example: pocketclamp z0p375 (where the Z value matches the pocket depth of the pocket layer you wish to clamp)
dado - Indicates dado cut (Example: dado z#p#). This layer is constructed of (4) connecting, straight lines.
back - Indicates back operation for dado, chain, pocket, or drill (Example of back drill operation: backdrill z#p#). Z or depth values are defined from primary side, top of material.
drill - Indicates drill operation (drill z#p#). Geometry on drill layers must be constructed as complete circles. If the holes can be drilled with the drill bank Control Nesting will recognize.
bore - Is equal to drill layer.
hbore - Operation is ignored.
centerline - Cut indicating where the centerline of tooling will travel (Example: centerline z#p# d#p#). Layer must be constructed from lines and arcs.
chain - This layer has been added to give the user the ability to manually nest parts in the dxf file and control which direction the tool compensates based on the geometry. Also provides another tool to create toolpaths on interior geometry. Chain compin will compensate to the inside of the geometry and chain compout will compensate to the outside based on the tool diameter specified. (Example: chain compout z#p# d#p#).
start - Enables operator/programmer to specify a start point for chain type geometry that has been created within a DXF file (ie: entities saved on level/layer named: chaincompin/out or outline). To specify starting point for a particular design there are 2 options:
1: Take the one entity you wish to start on and save it to a level/layer of it’s own. That level/layer name will then need to be same as type geometry that remaining entities reside on, but must also contain the character set "start" at the end (ie: outline z#p# start ).
2. Create a point at the location you wish to start (it must exist on an entity being used). Point should exist in it's own level/layer. That level/layer name will then need to be same as type geometry that remaining entities reside on, but must also contain the character set "start" at the end (ie: centerline z#p# start ).
zchange - When the word 'zchange' exists in a centerline layer Control Nesting will obey the Z values for that line. This allows the ability to cut in a ramping motion. Only lines are supported. (Example: centerline zchange d#p#).
tool name - A tool can be specified for an operation by using a name. The value should be in enclosed with brackets [] or periods. A tool with a matching name in Tooling will be used for the operation.
Example 1: centerline z#p# [toolname]
Example 2: centerline z#p# .toolname.
plunge - A centerline layer has the option to support plunging at the start rather than performing a ramp-in. The layer name must contain the word 'plunge'. It is not case specific.
macro - If a macro call is desired for an operation on the part, this option is available. The layer must contain a point, line, or circle. The layer name must contain a tool diameter for tool selection via the d#p# designation or a tool designation by [toolname]. The macro call desired must be in the layer name as well. The number should be preceded by the letter 'm'. Up to three number variable values (preceded with letter a, b, and/or c) can be specified in the layer name as well. Coordinates and variables are set in the CNC program based on what entities are included in the layer. (Example: macro d#p# a#p# b#p# c#p# m#)
Here is a list of the four possible entity uses and the resulting code in the CNC program.
- point
tool call based on d#p# or [toolname] (tool operation type rout/dado)
G00X#Y# (index to location of the point)
[SPNTX = #] (x coordinate specified by the point)
[SPNTY = #] (y coordinate specified by the point)
[A_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'a', if not designated the value will be zero)
[B_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'b', if not designated the value will be zero)
[C_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'c', if not designated the value will be zero)
M# (call to macro designated in the layer name)
- line
tool call based on d#p# or [toolname] (tool operation type rout/dado)
G00X#Y# (index to location of one of the points on the line)
[SPNTX = #] (x coordinate specified by the line end point)
[SPNTY = #] (y coordinate specified by the line end point)
[EPNTX = #] (x coordinate specified by the line end point)
[EPNTY = #] (y coordinate specified by the line end point)
[A_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'a', if not designated the value will be zero)
[B_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'b', if not designated the value will be zero)
[C_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'c', if not designated the value will be zero)
M# (call to macro designated in the layer name)
- line and point (where the point is on the line start point)
tool call based on d#p# or [toolname] (tool operation type rout/dado)
G00X#Y# (index to location of the point)
[SPNTX = #] (x coordinate specified by the point)
[SPNTY = #] (y coordinate specified by the point)
[EPNTX = #] (x coordinate specified by the line end point)
[EPNTY = #] (y coordinate specified by the line end point)
[A_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'a', if not designated the value will be zero)
[B_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'b', if not designated the value will be zero)
[C_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'c', if not designated the value will be zero)
M# (call to macro designated in the layer name)
- circle
tool call based on circle diameter or [toolname] (tool operation type drill)
G00X#Y# (index to location of the circle center point)
[SPNTX = #] (x coordinate specified by the circle center point)
[SPNTY = #] (y coordinate specified by the circle center point)
[DIAMETER = #] (diameter of the circle)
[A_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'a', if not designated the value will be zero)
[B_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'b', if not designated the value will be zero)
[C_VAR = #] (number specified in layer after the letter 'c', if not designated the value will be zero)
M# (call to macro designated in the layer name)