3D tool pathing

[machinecrasher]

Hello, I drew up on object in solid works and am trying to tool path it. I am new to mc and can tool path 2D, but have never done 3D. Thank you for any help yall can provide. Forgot to mention, I am using the x5 educational version.

[Rstewart]

Well, that's asking a lot on a forum for such a generic question but I'll give it a go.

First: Have you imported the file into MC from SW? .stp, .iges, or SWformat?

The first thing I usually do after I have my solid in place is to Create Curves from the solid and place them on another Level. A lot of times this will let you use the wireframe to chain 2D paths unless your part has Zero 2D work to be done......

You will then want to create your stock boundary depending on what kind of stock shape your model requires.

Most of the time you will need to work with containment boundaries to make the most efficient toolpath. Sometimes I use the X-form Project icon to "project" my curves I created earlier to a flat 2D plane and use the wireframe for my containment boundaries.

That's enough to get you on the right path before actually adding toolpaths to your model. Just read through the help files on all the Surface and Surface High Speed toolpaths to see how they work.

[machinecrasher]

Thank you for the help. Is there a way to post a picture of the object on here? I cant remember what file i imported it as. I believe it was the standard parts file. Once again, thank you for the help.

[Rstewart]

You can take a Screen Shot of your part, and attach the file here with your next post.

[machinecrasher]

Here is the part that I am trying to tool path.

[cyclestart]

I haven't used mc in years and should probably butt out (fools rush in etc)
but.....

The part looks like it could be done with a 2.5D strategy if some small filleting of sharp internal corners is acceptable. A fourth axis would be handy to avoid manually repositioning the piece several extra times.

The gurus may have a slicker approach.

[Delw]

Simple part with out a cadcam system even can me made on manual machines.


do lathe work
then put in vice and cut the first flat with the holes and stuff.
then tunr 180 degrees and do the same then turn 90 degrees and do the same then turn 180 degrees and do the same and your finished

On a 4th axis or manual rotary head, make one program, locate on back OD cut one index 90 degrees cut other index 90 degrees cut othere index 90 degrees cut other and done.

from what i can see the part has NOTHING to do with 3d whatso ever

[machinecrasher]

Ya, thought about using a manual machine to do it.

[cadcam]

but if you have a CNC and cadcam why would you do it on the manual machines as it is faster on the cnc and easier?

[Delw]

I wouldnt I would just run it on the a axis,/rotary table, write one side and index it. for the angles I would index 45 egrees than 90s after that,
I wouldnt even consider doing 3d work on it as its a waste of time.

By looking at what the guy said who posted it he was trying to figure out how to do it 3d, That tells me he has little to no experiance in machining and is relying on mastercam to figure it out.

[cadcam]

Originally Posted by Delw I wouldnt I would just run it on the a axis,/rotary table, write one side and index it. for the angles I would index 45 egrees than 90s after that, I wouldnt even consider doing 3d work on it as its a waste of time. By looking at what the guy said who posted it he was trying to figure out how to do it 3d, That tells me he has little to no experiance in machining and is relying on mastercam to figure it out.

O agree with this and understand what you are stating.

[machinecrasher]

I dont have any knowledge of machining. The Solidworks and Mastercam classes I am taking are my first machining classes. I have come up with a welding background so wanted to add machining to it also. I have no actual intro to cnc so the only coding I know, is what Mastercam post for me. I took my measurements from solidworks and redrew the part in mastercam in 2d and them tool pathed it out. Thanks for the help. I figured it was 3d since it was a solid on Mastercam, but after posting the first thread, I have learned from the book I am using for Mastercam, that 3d is something different. Thanks for the help and sorry for my noob terminology.