nesting parts

[thereclinerman5]

i am trying to use autocad to nest parts for cutting on a cnc machine. is there any way to make a 2d part have a projected boundry of say .5 inches larger than the part so another part cannot nest closer than that. after the nesting is done, the boundry would be removed. the parts are different sizes and shapes so the projected boundry would have to enclose the part. i can upload a part if needed. thanks

[dirkvandonkelaar]

you need to make a polyline from the outline of the parts an than offset it .5 inch.

maybe you can upload me the file so i can give you better advise.

[thereclinerman5]

600_2_BACK_UPRIGHT.dxf

 

here is a file to look at. thanks

[dirkvandonkelaar]

600_2_BACK_UPRIGHT.dwg

 

i hope i understood you right.

in the file, the white line is offsetted .5 inch from the green line.

 

the white line is in the viewport layer and printing is set off.

i don't know if a cnc sees those lines, but when it doesn't, you can let them stand in the drawing.

[thereclinerman5]

that looks exactly like what i need. question is, how did you do it. thanks for the help jim

[dirkvandonkelaar]

this is what I did:

 

Command: OFFSET

Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <Through>: .5

Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Specify point on side to offset or [Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>:
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>: *Cancel*

so,

type "offset"

type the offset distance, eg .5

specify a point on the side to offset.

[ReMark]

If you are going to be doing this type of work on a more frequent basis in the future then it would be advisable to get an add-on program (nesting software).