1. Using plasma and computers to create sheet metal components
PlasmaCam
Using plasma and computers to create sheet metal components

2. PlasmaCAM: Entry level
- What is a plasma cutter?
- How to open the software
- Getting familiar with the menu bar
- Drawing your first object

3. What can our plasma cutter do?

4. Getting started: Open the software called: PlasmaCAM
Click “view” and then click “settings”
- UN-check all “Snaps”
- Check “show grid” and type “1” for grid point spacing
-Click “OK”

5. Getting familiar with the Software screen...

6. The software grid represents the real cut table...

7. Use the “DRAW” commands and the guide to add shapes to the screen...

8. The “edit” menu allows you to change things already on the screen.

9. The “view” menu is fantastic
The “view” menu is fantastic! Notice the shortcuts are all the “function keys”

10. ENGINEERING PROJECTS PlasmaCam Assignment 4
Your assignment is to design, draw and cut out a design on the PlasmaCam.
Open the PlasmaCAM software
Set up the proper settings
Create a rectangle that is 10”x10”
Within the rectangle, use the basic draw and edit commands to create a happy or angry Jack’o’Lantern.
Save your .pcm file to a flash drive. Use the computer in the shop to run the PlasmaCam Machine   
Assigned: Wednesday, October 4
Dues: Thursday, October 12

11. Task #1: Frequently asked questions
- “Some of my grid dots went away. WHAT!?!?”
This is because the image on the screen has not been updated. Force the program to refresh the screen with “F12”
- “How do I undo?”
- “page up” and “page down” undo and redo
- What are ghost lines?
- Sometimes lines that have been deleted still show until the screen is redrawn by the program. Force the program to redraw the screen (this eliminates all ghost lines) by pressing F12.

12. PlasmaCAM: Intermediate level
- Understanding the difference between “drawings” and “cut paths”
- Converting “Drawings” to “cut paths”
- Defining the “Cut order”

13. PlasmaCAM can’t cut circles…
Anyone have any questions?

14. PlasmaCAM can’t cut circles…
PlasmaCAM cuts straight lines from one NODE POINT to the next NODE POINT
Circles and curved lines are a collection of small straight line segments
Anyone have any questions?

15. How do we link line segments? WHY?
It is important to tell PlasmaCAM what you want to cut. For example, if want to cut out an octagon rather than 8 separate lines, you need to link your segments... otherwise it will cut out 8 independent line segments, giving you 8 different pierce points.
How to link: Highlight one segment in a shape to be linked, then press Link Segments (Edit menu, Link Segments (K) )

16. Why all the different line colors?

17. Pierce points!!!
Pierce points are where the plasma cutter makes the starting hole of a cut
Pierce points are UGLY!!!!
- Keep pierce points on the SCRAP side of the metal, not the MONEY side.

18. What is a cut path? Why do we need it?

19. Converting a shape to a cut path
Cut paths are a MACHINE operation… so in the MACHINE menu you’ll find the “convert to cut path” command
PlasmaCAM automatically adds tabs when you convert closed complete loops (purple shapes) to cut paths
(This is really helpful!!!!!!!!)
PlasmaCAM will not add a tab when line segments are converted to cut paths. Note, the pierce point will be at one end of your line segment...

20. What is a fall out error?

21. In what order should shapes be cut?

22. How do I select the order of cuts?
“Machine” then “Reorder paths” then “pick order” allows you to click shapes to establish the order that cuts are made
CUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT!!!!

23. Task 2: Converting shapes to cut paths
- The goal is to create cut paths so that, if cut, you will be able to hold your pumpkin. Eyes, nose, mouths, etc. should be holes in your pumpkin.
- Correct any fall out errors of your angry or happy jack o’lantern.
- Convert each shape/line to a cut path.
- Correctly order your cut paths
- Select all shapes, go to “machine”, select “cut preview.” Watch the cut preview. If correct, get Varvil for credit.