Verify and Backplot withDove tail cutter

[foxsquirrel]

A 60 degree dovetail cutter is used for the tool, profile looks good in the tool setup, it looks like it should while doing a back plot. When the verify is used the profile looks like a straight side endmill and the resulting cut is that of a endmill not a dove tail cutter. Did I mess up a setting somewhere?

Its also back to not recognizing the stock unless you open the stock set-up just prior to verify, typically I just restart MCAM and that goes away, for some reason it is persistant with this file.

[Limpan]

Hi, have you checked the verify settings in the configuration menu?
(See picture)

Limpan

[foxsquirrel]

Thank you very much, it was set on auto and changing it cured that issue. It still does not pick up the stock size unless the stock set up window is opened prior to running verify, hopefully you might have helpfull tip for that one.

[Limpan]

Is your stock defined as "box" or do you use STL file saved from previous operations?

[foxsquirrel]

Its defined as a box.

[Limpan]

I have also experienced what you're describing but only when I want to use STL file as stock. I often have to fire up the verification first and then re-select the STL file that I want to use. I'm not sure I can help you with this one but maybe you can try to play with the setting "Initial stock size source" marked in attached image.
I wish you good luck and please tell me if it worked...

[foxsquirrel]

Okay, thank you I will try that.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by foxsquirrel It still does not pick up the stock size unless the stock set up window is opened prior to running verify, hopefully you might have helpfull tip for that one.

Set your actual stock on the "Stock Setup" page in the operation Manager
----Don't forget to "Display Stock"
----this shows the stock on the screen while programming
----NOTE, these are not selectable entities, just an indicator to the programmer

[Rally]

Hi,
I have a similar problem with the Verify, I can’t seem to get it to display the actual solid on the screen.
Attached is what I would like to show but am unable to do so all I can get is a Solid Box.
Thanks!

[Superman]

In verify, instead of "Box" or "File", select "Solid" and then pick the solid you want to use as the stock in your session ( you would have to do this each time you open the MCX file )

Best to "Save Some" ,(---your stock solid---) to a seperate file all by itself, and then set this file as the stock in the Operations Manager

[Rally]

Thank you!
However, by doing so it will only select one extruded solid (bottom Plate or else the round part on top) I wonder if there is a problem with my ATI Video Card and Mastercam?

[Superman]

Verify can only use 1 piece, so combine your primative shapes to form 1 solid entity
-use the "booleen -add" to join them together

if you want to include clamps, vice, subtable etc, then they must also be joined together to make 1 solid ----color will be crap and hard to distinguish between them, but it is possible

You will get a better shape come into verify if you turn on the "Transparet", it will be less grainy. If a warning pops up about not being watertight, select the bottom option ( as drawn ), you'll see why if you pick the other

Faster verifies occur if a larger tool tolerance is used , it will be "cuspy" (flats etc), use a smaller value when near the end and ready to post your ops.

STL tolerance is for saving the stock model ( if using it for example in restmilling etc, to cut down air cutting paths ),
big number = more coarse model = smaller STL file = better toolpath calculations
small number = more accurate model = big STL file = RAM errors and tool offsetting errors if used in later toolpathing ops.

Using Holders
You can change the rotating "Holder" shape by editting the HOLDER.MCX file in the
\\mill\tools\ directory for a mill
or the
\\lathe\tools\ directory for a lathe

IMO, rename your most common holder you use to HOLDER COMMON.MCX (just to have an easy backup of your main holder), place any other holders you have and use in this folder, and by deleting the HOLDER.MCX and then by making a copy of the holder you want to check with in a tight spot and re-naming it to HOLDER.MCX , it will disply in backplot and verify

( make all your holders files read-only except for HOLDER.MCK to avoid accidently deleting or re-naming them )