mastercam stock surface help

[dizzart]

Hey guys! first post here... cool forum... Anyway i am very new to solidworks and mastercam. I' am using mastercam x3 and I am trying to import 2 solidworks files. The first is the stock that i want to mill and the second is the shape i wana mill out of the stock part. My question is how do i import the stock model and turn that into the stock surface so I can put the other model on top of it to create the tool paths. Its a complex stock surface i want to import so the basic build a rectangle around the part to mill wont work. I've tried searching the web for this answer and I am coming up short. I may be using the wrong terms for my search because I am so new with mastercam and solidworks. Thanks guys for looking and answering my post.

[cad01]

welcome to the forum.
If starting fresh: file / open (change file type trying to import), then to import a second solid: change levels, file / merge (change file type trying to import). Load your machine group, select stock setup, under shape dialog select solid then select the solid you imported as your stock. tah..dah

There are many great tutorials I HIGHLY recommend some books from inhouse solutions http://www.inhousesolutions.com/training/books.php WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!

[Superman]

Everything that cad01 said, but additional info

Save your stock in a different MCX file, this file can be used as the stock in the operation manager, or as the stock in verify if using an STL

If using surface operations, and you pick drive surfaces, there is a "File" button.....use that to select an STL file for mastercam to adjust toolpaths to only cut stock and minimise the air cutting
( this button is in a lot of operations...but some ops do not use this feature )

The trick is to verify up to the op that needs an STL file
----NOTE, set the STL resolution in verify options before running the verify session ( you can't change the setting at the Save stock as STL stage )

Using "Save Some" and as STL, set options to save a coarse shape ( small number === big file === big regen time.....there can be memory allocation errors due to a too fine a setting

ie
0.002"-0.001" is medium/fine (90% of your work )
0.020"+ is getting coarser
....what you are doing is creating less triangulation for mastercam to calculate tool offsets to. --- theefore, quicker proceessing

[dizzart]

thanks for all the info guys. When i open the file i get a parasolid error. Did i save the file incorrectly?

[Superman]

My guess is that there is no 3D shape/s in the file you are importing, I'm not sure if it's your export settings in Solidworks or what. I haven't used Solidworks at all

Can you explain your steps after you have created a successful solid/s in Solidworks and how you get it into Mcam

[Limpan]

Hi, Mastercam X3 cannot open Solidworks 2010 files. If you are using Solidworks 2010 you have to export your model from Solidworks in a neutral cad format e.g. step or parasolid. To open SW 2010 files you must upgrade to Mastercam X4.

[cad01]

oops forgot about that. Im on X4MU3