I'm not sure what to call this question. what I have is an imported file that when you look at it seems cohesive, but when you zoom in the line/path is made up of individual segments with their ends are overlapping. I'm intending to generate gcode for a laser cutter. I'm using cut 2d laser to generate the code and when I create tool paths each little segment is is a cut path. I've tried selecting adjacent segments and using the 'join selected nodes' button in 'edit path by nodes' but either I'm missing something, doing it wrong or... what I want to do is join each segment so that the tool path is continuous, (hope this makes sense)

the original file is a dxf but I have manipulated it so that I can fit it on to the material I have and saved as svg file. it has also been saved as an eps file that the cut 2d laser can read
any insights or suggestions are welcome

you have four problem shapes - the two torsos, and the two double-outline cross-sections. All others can be fixed by selecting them (add one by one using shift select or draw a marquee with selection tool ) then switch to node tool (don't click anywhere) Ctrl-A, shift-J. They should cut properly now.
The other paths... the torsos are multiple objects that have to be combined into one path. One of them will have a double outline sub path that you have to node-edit into a single line. then the ctrl a shift j should work.
The double outline parts - well. by now you probably know how to fix them.

appreciate the direction druban, thanks
that worked a charm!