Hi Dam,

To send Polyboard DXF files for nesting you should use the Optinest post processor option:

This options will export both faces of each part in one DXF file 

You should add a layer code that indicates the face of machining :

The DXF files will now contain a layer that indicates the face of machining.

For double sided machining, export from Polyboard to Optinest and optimise.

Load the nesting DXF map file into Vcarve and set up double sided machining.

Like this you have the labels from Optinest and the double sided machining using Vcarve.

The only problem with this method is when using a tool template. Optinest will flip parts so that the most machined face is upper most. However this can be face 1 or face 2. So if using a template you must manually tweak the tool paths on the double sided parts.

Hope this is helpful.

Best regards,

Ness

Hi Dam,

Optinest doesn’t automatically handle double sided machining, but it’s possible to organise one’s work with Optinest to make this possible.

How you do double sided machining with Optinest depends on how you want to manage it and the CAM software you are using. 

There are 2 ways of managing double sided machining:

1- flip the whole sheet over before cutting parts

2- machine the second side after the parts are cut

For us to advise you correctly can you  give us more information on your CAM software and CNC machine?

Best regards,

Ness

Hi Dam,

Double sided machiing can be handled 2 ways.

Once the parts machined on one side icut use the individual Polyboard part file to run the cnc to machine the second side.

Or, if using Vcarve separate code the DXF layers to have the machining face named. Machine one face of a complete sheet without cutting, flip the sheet and machine and cut the sheet from the second face.

To avoid Optinest thinking the grooves are outlines, set the dxf filter to only look for the correct outline layer.

To do this, go to Pieces>DXF import, load one DXf file and in the Outline and Inner Outline section type the name of the outline layer.

Tick the Tooling import box and then click Apply. The layers lists will be populated with the appropriate layers and the groove layers will be considered machining . This of course assumes that the the grooves have been set to a different layer than the outlines.

Hope this is helpful,

Best regards,

Ness

Hi Dam,

Optinest will export the complete cutting map as a dxf file that can be loaded into Vcarve to be tool pathed. Vcarve  will then write the Gcode. If you use a tool path template, this is fully automatic and works very well.

Best regards,

Ness

Hi Dam,

Vcarve doesn’t produce labels.

You can use our nesting software Optinest that will print the labels and also manage stock and off cuts.

Best regards,

Ness