I was surprised to find there wasn’t a peaceful way to design a part in Fusion 360 and plasma cut it in Mach4 without a Sheetcam license. I don’t have plasma but I got a couple files I’m told were output for Avid’s Mach4 and decided to see if I could recreate a Fusion 360 post processor, including the five cut rules available in Sheetcam. Maybe someone with the proper tools (and bravery) would like to give this a try. Initially the post is encoded - once it reaches a safe release level I’ll probably decode and share so others may use elements in their projects.
I do not warrant functions contained in the program will meet your requirements or that the operation of the program will be uninterrupted or error-free. The program is provided “AS IS”, without warranty of any kind, express or implied.
1. Import Post Processor
2. Tool Setup
- Setup a tool with some cutting properties.
- You can setup a number of material profiles by adding new entries to ‘Cutting data’.
- Cut power: Being used as Mach4/ESS target tip volts.
- Pierce time: Being used as Mach4/ESS pierce delay.
3. Create a new Setup
- Operation type: Cutting
4. Create a Toolpath
- 2D Profile is the only choice
5. Toolpath Post Properties
- Small circles: Disables THC for holes with a diameter less than 1.1 in.
- Small shapes: Disables THC for shapes/curves with a diameter less than 1.1 in.
- Tight corners: Disables THC for a set distance before and after tight corners (< 60deg).
- Lead In: Disables THC for lead in moves.
- Lead Out: Disables THC for lead out moves.
6. Post Process
- Customize as-needed.
- Mostly just included to have parity with Sheetcam.
7. REVIEW GCODE
- If you’re running a plasma machine, you’ve already got more experience than me. Now is a good time to have a look at the gcode file and decide if it’s likely to succeed.
- Good luck!
Mach4 Plasma.zip (24.2 KB)