Need Help!- Seeking & Will Pay For Tool Path Gen Service

[straz]

21 May 2009
I am a ME with a prosthetics manufacturing company in SLC UT. We have a need to generate a mill tool path to variable contour X Y & Z (though with no rotation reqd about X or Y axes) a small intricate part designed in SolidWorks 2007. In other words, the tool path involves circular interpolation in X & Y axes, and linear interpolation in Z axis.
The output translation files I have experimented in using so far compatible with Mastercam 8.1 (which is the latest CAM sw we have) - IGES, Parasolid or STEP files - have unexpectedly lead to data with discontguous surfs, so all these appear to be unusable with our older Mastercam program.
Looking for expertise to directly assist, or hook us up with someone else who can generate code that will work on any of our 2/3 axis mills. Of course we will pay for this service.
Please get back to me ASAP.
Peter Strazdins
ph: 650 888 1630;
email: straz@UtahArm.com

[Superman]

Try bringing the STEP file into mastercam as a solid with wirefame ( curves),

Surfaces will always have tiny glitches appear in the conversion process,
having the solid is a good visual check, for any surfaces yhat you create
and
don't create curves from surfaces ( endpoint, chaining, double-ups problems left, right and center )

We have a need to generate a mill tool path to variable contour X Y & Z (though with no rotation reqd about X or Y axes) a small intricate part designed in SolidWorks 2007. In other words, the tool path involves circular interpolation in X & Y axes, and linear interpolation in Z axis.

I assume your machine can only use 2 addresses when doing arcs,
ie
G17 G2 X Y I J ( works OK )
G17 G2 X Y Z I J (errors )

can you
G18 G2 Y Z J K (????)

PS. no payment is necessary

If you post the model on the forum, many can and will offer advice for you to program the component ( some may program features on it as an exercise, if you push the right buttons )

[mcphill]

I'd be interested to give it a shot. I have SolidWorks, and can create the G-Code - what type of post processor do you need?

If you PM me the SW file, I will see what I can do.

[straz]

Thank you very much for your responses, superman & mcphill.
In seeking to answer you superman adequately, I discussed the G code content you put forward with one of our toolroom techs, and in doing this have a better understanding of what goes on out the back myself. Apparently, our machine would be able to work with each of the code lines OK. It can work with X, Y & Z address values combined with I & J values, and also can work equivalently in G18 & G19 realms.
Apparently we have a Servo type controller. If I understand correctly, that relates to describing the post processor param reqments??.
As to our actual init problem, since we had to keep pushing on during the course of the day yesterday, one of my colleagues put a bunch of extra time in at the SolidWorks data source end attempting to simplify the solid model geometry which then came into Mastercam with more simplified surf data OK.
However, your suggestion of how to differently go about bringing in the STEP file into Mastercam as solid with wireframe I will try as a learning exercise, which may overcome potential future disconnects.
By the way - I see you superman are from Down Unda - so I am too. A transplant to the snow here from Sydney circa 1999!
Cheerio.
Pete Straz