MillMeister converts dxf files to tool paths for surface milling. Special features are included to improve milling of microfluidic chips or other high-precision parts. The Z-adjust feature is based on the AutoLisp script described in Scaling of pneumatic digital logic circuits
Currently supported drawing elements are:
MillMeister processes the dxf file layer by layer and assigns each layer an operation number, tool number, depth (z) and feed rates (x,y,z). For every layer in the drawing, it will produce gcode for that tool, cutting all the features in that layer to the specified depth (z) at the specified feed rates (x,y,z).
Cutting parameters, including tool type and depth of cut, can be automatically populated by naming drawing layers with the format:
< Ignored > < Tool Diameter > < Tool Type > ... < "Z" > < Depth of Cut >
For example, a layer named "Pattern 0.75mm Endmill Z 1.0mm" will automatically generate process parameters that assume the layer contains endmill operations to a depth of 1.0mm. Naming layers with this format is not mandatory, and all processing parameters may be overriden manually.
If the depth of cut is greater than 100 microns, endmill paths are machined in separate passes with each pass milling away 100 microns of material
Join contiguous lines into polylines to reduce the number of stepdown operations and machining time
Endmill operations are ramped into the work over the distance of the first line segment in the path
The software can adjust the depth of cut to compensate for small errors in the alignment between the spindle and the machining table. A vertical alignment plane can be defined by inputing a text file with (a, b, c) where the correction term z = ax + by + c