first time trying to machine a stl file

[ghostlx]

would some one please descibe the process to machine a stl file in master cam ?
i import the file , i can window a contour tool path. and then when i select the point the hr glass keeps thinking , and nothing else has happened so far. am i just being too impatient?
thanks
ghostlx

[Superman]

Originally Posted by ghostlx i import the file , i can window a contour tool path. and then when i select the point the hr glass keeps thinking , and nothing else has happened so far. am i just being too impatient?

Yes, and you'll probably wait a lot longer too

STL is a series of triangles that mesh together to give the appearance of a solid body. Each side of the triangle is a line

Mastercam has taken those lines, and because it was windowed, tries to find an offset direction, chaining joins, and other possiblities . It can be a real mess to figure out.

Think about a cube, each face has 2 triangles, and 5 lines make up the face. ( each line can have a choice of which direction it is going)

Mastercam users make that chioce by "chaining" entities...when "window" an area is used, there is no decision made for this direction, and Mastercam is trying to think of all the choices it has to make.

[ghostlx]

Originally Posted by Superman Yes, and you'll probably wait a lot longer too STL is a series of triangles that mesh together to give the appearance of a solid body. Each side of the triangle is a line Mastercam has taken those lines, and because it was windowed, tries to find an offset direction, chaining joins, and other possiblities . It can be a real mess to figure out. Think about a cube, each face has 2 triangles, and 5 lines make up the face. ( each line can have a choice of which direction it is going) Mastercam users make that chioce by "chaining" entities...when "window" an area is used, there is no decision made for this direction, and Mastercam is trying to think of all the choices it has to make.

so what is the best way to chin a stl file to help mc out
thanks for the info
ghostlx

[metlshpr]

chain it singulary not windowed. that way you control direction and side of comp.

[ghostlx]

Originally Posted by metlshpr chain it singulary not windowed. that way you control direction and side of comp.

sounds easy but their are a lot of lines where would you start ?
would you post a sample or could i send you the stl to look at ?
when i try to chain the stl i keep reaching branch points thats why i used the window to get a tool path chain. am i missing something
thank you for responding
ghostlx

[metlshpr]

alot of times you will need to "clean up" all the "extra" lines that you dont want ,or that hinder a clean chain selection. pm me with the file in stl or x4 format and i think i can show you what i mean.