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October 4, 2012
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Hi Shane,
If you use a CNC to cut you stairs it’ll be easy to adjust the step widths to the total stair run and make a better and safer stair with no extra time or effort.
To get the DXf files for your machine goto Files>TXT/DXF Export Optons:
In the dialogue box tick Export one File per Piece:
Go back to File>Export Stair>DXF 2D:
And select a folder to save all the DXF parts.
The parts will come with the origin at the bottom left hand corner.
If you can give me some more information on how you use DXF on your machine I’ll try to show you how to set them up for machining.
What CAM interface are you using to set tool paths on your CNC?
If you can send me all the machine and software details I’ll see what we can do.
Hope this is helpful
All the best,
Ness
Thanks ness,
My father has always calculated this way but its good to know that I may try this new way as i see it will keep both run’s at the same width. We buy the tread material at 280mm so we dont need to alter it but im willing to change for the better.
i will eventually use the the null cable but for now ill try the discs but just dont know where to start. Im using stairdesigner almost every day and im really starting to enjoy it, so im pretty much ready to use my machine.
Im at the point of exporting dxf. how do i save this info( whole job or individual component) onto a disc and tell my machine what to do? I figure ill need to place the timber onto the bed in relation to a reference point that stairdesigner and machine both agree upon?
I might need some professional help with this.
I can send you all machine details if it helps.
Thank you again,
shane
October 4, 2012
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Hi Shane,
For me this is a strange way to calculate a stair.
Have you got any examples? can send to me some drawings ?
The best way to get StairDesigner to set up a step at 250mm is to set the flight length as a multiplication of 250.
If the stair has to turn then put a landing step and adjust it’s position to a multiple of 250.
Why do you have to have steps that are always 250+30?
If I understand better your stairs I’ll shoot you a video to show the best way to set them up, but you might find that changing the way you design will give better results.
If you can get DXF into your machine it’ll certainly be easier than programming from your console.
In the case of a stair that turns, I figure out how many treads i can fit into the first run and then the remaining space is the distance i have left for the landing or winders. I just want to design a stair with stair designer that automatically gives me treads at 250mm plus 30mm nosing and can calculate the left over space for winders or landing.
Im currently programming from the console and have never put data into it before. but i have got an external floppy drive for my pc.
i have sub programs (steps, winders, landings) that i paste from my console to create my total stair but just want an easier way and i think your program can help us.
I want to run stringers and posts from my cnc.
I also have many geometrical jobs that i want to make from my cnc but just need to learn how to do this.
thank you
October 4, 2012
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Hi Shane,
Not sure what you mean by changing the dog leg direction.
If you mean make the stair turn left then just tick the “left turn box” in the stair well parameters:
If you want to change the newels side you have to erase the unwanted newel and add a newel on the side you want.
To erase the newel double click it and untick the newel dialogue box:
Then just add a newel on the side you want it.
For newel I suggest you have a look at :
https://wooddesigner.org/membe…..wel-posts/
and the quick start video here:
https://wooddesigner.org/membe…..ick-start/
StairDesigner always calculates the step widths from the flight length or total stair run. If you want a stair with a specific step width you have to give the appropriate total stair run. For a straight stair this is easy, just take the number of steps you want and multiply by 250 to get the total stair run or flight length.
For a stair with winders things can get more complicated .
How do you usually design your stairs ?
If you can give me a description of the process you usually use I’ll tell you how best to use StairDesigner to fit the way you work.
If your CNC only accepts floppy disks you’ll have to get an old computer that will write the DXF files to a floppy.
Some old machines also have serial com ports that you can connect to with a serial nul modem cable, this can sometimes be easier that playing around with floppies but will require some setting up.
Have you got any more detailed information on your machine?
How do you get data into it actually ?
Do you have a CAM software interface or are you programming the machine code directly from the machine console ?
All the best,
Ness
Thank you for the info, im finding the program pretty interesting.
q. How do I change the dog leg to the left direction?
Also,
I only make my treads at 250mm plus a 30mm nosing. But when design a stair, it always makes up its own tread size, even after i set it up in the control values.
Im also wanting to use my cnc (morbidelli) to trench all the stair parts. My machine accepts a floppy disc so i can somehow save the data onto a disc and install into machine but i have no idea how to to this. Can I get some help with this please.
cheers
October 4, 2012
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As promised heres a little video showing how to limit the number of winders so that you always get some straight steps:
All the best,
Ness
October 4, 2012
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Hi Shane,
The number of winders is determined by the winding coefficients.
I’ve made a short video to show you how this works.
I’ll upload it this evening (my time) and send you a link when it’s ready.
All the best,
Ness
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