IMPORTING SOLIDWORKS MODEL TO MASTERCAM

[Rudeboy]

Hi this may sound very stupid to some of you but we just purchased solidworks at my shop ive been building our part library and ive noticed when i open a solidworks model in mastercam ALL ENTITIES ARE JOINED TOGETHER for example i go to select a contour slot to mill and all entities highlight so i cannot select anything to add toolpaths PLEASE HELP!

[cadcam]

Have you ever programmed solid in Mastercam before?as you need to use the solid chaining options.

[DMF_TomB]

Hi this may sound very stupid to some of you but we just purchased solidworks at my shop ive been building our part library and ive noticed when i open a solidworks model in mastercam ALL ENTITIES ARE JOINED TOGETHER for example i go to select a contour slot to mill and all entities highlight so i cannot select anything to add toolpaths PLEASE HELP!

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in Mastercam turn solids visible and shading on. create "curve" on the solid edges. a curve is a line, arc, or spline. use a line thickness that is thick and a different color so it is easy to see where they are

i put the curves on a different layer "level" then you can make the level with the solid not visible and just see wireframe. the wireframe can easily be used for drilling holes, contour and pocket operations. make sure the curves are not more than one in same spot. a solid part with a small chamfer or rounded edges is easy to create curves on edges close and parallel with each other.
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when done correctly when creating a toolpath chain it will follow the complete chain in one click. if your having problems chaining look for duplicate curves on edges that maybe very close to one another and appear on top of one another.
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As a Mastercam user of 7 years i think back when i had trouble figuring it out. once you learn creating curves on edges it is simple.

[emonje]

You can turn on "Edge Curve" in "Options" when you import.

[VASUDEVA RAO]

Hi this may sound very stupid to some of you but we just purchased solidworks at my shop ive been building our part library and ive noticed when i open a solidworks model in mastercam ALL ENTITIES ARE JOINED TOGETHER for example i go to select a contour slot to mill and all entities highlight so i cannot select anything to add toolpaths PLEASE HELP!

convert file into IGES or step203 or step204, your problem will be solved

[VASUDEVA RAO]

convert file into IGES or step203 or step204, your problem will be solved

[cadcam]

convert file into IGES or step203 or step204, your problem will be solved

Why conver it when you can bring the file right in if this a newer mastercam and a newer SW. I would for sure not conver this into an Iges as you will have more issues. If you have to convert because you have a new SW and an old version of MC then go with a Step or Parasolid export and set the option of create curves when coming in to after the solid is in you can creat curves all edges if you need the 3d wire to work with. this will be a clean way to go.