Snowcad X

[bullion mine]

I am trying to figure out the capabilities of snowcad x to use with a cnc machine.
1. Does it give a separate detail for designing and cutting out tip and tail spacers. Can this program be used to export a tip and tail detail to convert to a separate cut path. Can the core be recessed at the tip and tail for the spacers?
2. What is rail spacer? Rail Depth? Convex? Serration nodes and depth?
3. Is the above to recess the core for edges.
4. Can it be used to create a detail to cut out bases.
5. Can you pick the height of the tip and tails?
6. Under the Options tab is Preferences, What is this for?

Thanks

[OAC]

Have you thrown these questions to mr Graf @grafsnowboards?

What I know about exporting it to a .dxf file is that it produces/places "gazillions" of points around the arcs. Which can confuse some cnc machines or make them work very slow. I'm fortunate to have a company doing the cnc work. (The only thing I have outsourced.. ) He is a wizard with AutoCad and rewrites all the arcs for me and when in the machine it only takes a minute or so. I only use snocad-X for templates.

The other questions, I have never thought about.

Good Luck

[havocdru]

Yeah snoCAD files (DXF) can be used. Most CNC machines operate with a CAD/CAM system(SURFCAM, MASTERCAM, etc..) A DXF (geometry) file is downloaded to one of these programs and cut pathes are formed. snoCAD is what it says it is, a CAD program(computer aided drafting). It then has to be sent to a CAM program(computer aided machining) for use on a CNC machine. Unless a CNC shop is programing at the control(almost unheard of) they will be using a CAD/CAM program and can open a DXF file, and most will perfer a DXF or a IGES file. They simply transfer geometry cleaner. As for the other questions about tip/tail etc.. Email the guys at graf. They are really good in the help dept.
Good Luck!