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Feature Request: Sequential Numbering

Jon Raymond
Thu, 30 Aug 2018 03:25:50 GMT

I often have to make boards with sequential numbered serial numbers. It's a long shot but is it possible to add this as an option to FlatCam? Currently I use a and old VB6 program that generates serialized gcode that I can modify to work with a heavy amount of copy paste. http://www.hamel-brothers.com/ken/misc/products_software_digit_engraving_readme.html

Marius Stanciu
Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:38:22 GMT

You can generate a Gerber file out of your EDA of choice with the serial number. You'll have to put the data on a mechanical layer so you'll get a Gerber file only with the serial number and no other data. After that you'll load this gerber file into FlatCAM with specal option -follow 1 and use what is written here: http://caram.cl/software/flatcam/tracing-the-silkscreen-with-flatcam/

Jon Raymond
Wed, 05 Sep 2018 13:34:05 GMT

If I'm understanding correctly each serial number/gcode would have to be generated manually?

Marius Stanciu
Wed, 05 Sep 2018 17:00:13 GMT

Yes, you generate the serial number with the Gerber files. Reading the link you provided I understand now what you want but I don't know how easy (or hard) will be to create a FlatCAM tool like that. Actually, creating a geometry out of a font file needs to be researched first.

Jon Raymond
Wed, 05 Sep 2018 19:48:12 GMT

I think I may have found a starting point for what I want to be able to do. https://github.com/LinuxCNC/simple-gcode-generators/tree/master/engrave I just need to figure out how to add the sequential numbering output and input fields similar to the previous link.

Marius Stanciu
Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:05:38 GMT

In any case, adding text in Geometry Editor is missing. I will see what can be done to add text capability but it will be isolated text therefore positive image (text will be made out of copper) as opposite when loading a Gerber file with follow parameter when the text is negative (meaning lack of copper where the text is). Also internal holes like in a 'e' lower case letter might not be cleared depending on the font size and tool size.

lasalmaldeniya
Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:14:57 GMT

hi i'm having some scaling issues when importing gerber files from Altium

Marius Stanciu
Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:15:46 GMT

@lasalmaldeniya you should make your own topic with the question. After that post what version of Altium (Designer, CircuitStudio, CircuitMaker) you are using, what version of FlatCAM you are using, what operating system (eg Windows 7 x64, Ubuntu 64bit etc). It will help if you add a link with the Gerber file that has issues. Although I think that more likely you have problem with Excellon files (NC-drills) not with the Gerber itself, but who knows? BTW, I also use Altium and had no issue whatsoever with FLatCAM, be it FlatCAM 8.5 official or the Nightly installer that I post from time to time.