Multiple parts with different numbers, help!

[WSS]

Hey guys, I have a job in this week that will total about 2400 parts cut out of 3/16". They will be 8" x 18" with some plug weld holes and the kicker is that every three pieces will have a different serial number. What they will do is identify structural beam types and sizes and have a asset/serial number.

My question is what is a quick way to generate this type of file? I figure a 0 thru 9 number file to copy and paste to the working file and save again but, is there a quicker way? I generally use AutoCad but also have the lesser (and quicker for me) QuickCad (an early AC light). I do have CuttingShop too that works with fonts very nice but once everything is built, or I should say a template and a number library/files is built and ready, I wonder what would be the best way to tackle this? How do I use or paste an item excactly in the right spot each time? Am I on the right track?

ANY input is appreciated. Thanks!

Tom

[vmax549]

OK how are you going to mark the plates??? Scribe, engraver, laser, plasma ??????

You could use a sub routine to call a serial number routine that will increment each time it is run.

(;-) TP

[WSS]

TP, Plasma only. I am not using our new PlazPak w/mach3 yet. I will do this with our DynaTorch and we-cim. I do have a a post processor for DT in my older version of scam (non-TNG). It seems I have seen a action/macro for this somewhere just cannot recall it.

Thanks,
WSS

[vmax549]

SOrry I can't help you with the DynoTorch programming unless it uses a Gcode standard language that does subs.

(;-) TP

[WSS]

Thanks, It is like a dialect of swahili. Actually I have done over 100 of them so far. It is taking about 30secs per drawing. I am in AC and have two drawings open, the first has 0 thru 9 "ready to cut", the second is the progression of the files (001,002,etc.). I control C the "number" needed and switch back to the sequential file and control V with a guide to snap too. then "save as" and just back space to change the one number and enter. I feel like a data entry clerk LOL

WSS

[SignTorch Vector Art]

There is a keyboard macro program called macro express that can perform quite complex keyboard/mouse/system macros, which can be used inside any program. I can't imagine a scenario where that won't work, it's just a matter of figuring out how to do what needs to be done in the framework of the program's macro language. It's really a very powerful tool. I use it a lot.

autocad (and corel draw) has very powerful automation capability, I haven't used autocad in a long time, I used to be an autolisp programmer, it would be possible to automate that process, but within the week might be rushing it.

[WSS]

Gary, Macro express sounds like something we could use over here. As you said, a week to get used to the controls is to soon. We ran over 80k lines of code today. As a Autolisp'er you know what that means LOL (I had to google it). Apple has a program named "Automater" that will do tasks something like the Macro Express. Too bad my cad and cam is not Mac!!! I was going to wait until this project was over to checkout ME but I may have to jump right in. The sales rep told me today that this is only 25% of the parts to cut. ME is about 60 bucks, which is cheap enough to try. macros.com has plenty of self help tutorials and videos to speed it up.

Thanks!
WSS