Mastercam won't recognize curve-bottomed pocket

[RayHolt]

Hi all,

I'm new to these forums, and to Mastercam. Attending SUNY Oswego, and we are trying to learn X6.

I created a simple 3D model, with a square, circle, and a pocket that has a curved bottom. I created the 3D solid in SpaceClaim.

When trying to do Toolpath -> Surface Rough -> Parallel/Contour, I have a problem because when it asks for a drive surface, and try to choose that pocket, it selects all lines in the drawing. Shows 20 drive surfaces. When I do verify this, it ignores the pocket with the curved bottom.

And I've tred FBM, and it simply ignores the pocket completely.

Stumped right now, and wondering if you all have any idea. I'll attach a screencap so you can see the "curved bottom" pocket I'm talking about. Can Mastercam just not handle this?

Thanks,
-Ray

[txcncman]

You have to enable the solids selection icons and turn on only for surfaces. Edges and full solids will be turned off.

[RayHolt]

txcncman, thanks so much for the reply!

Another newbie question, but where do if find the options you told me about in order to turn them on/off? I see "QM Surfaces" and "QM Solids" along the right side tool bar. But click either of them doesn't change my ability to select that drive surface individually.

Or were you saying make those changes, and then FBM?

[txcncman]

Check the Help file. Look in the tool bar:

[RayHolt]

txcncman,

Thanks a lot. I got it so I can select the face that I'm trying to machine.

Now the weird thing, is after I go through selecting my tool, setting my offsets etc., and click "go", I can see it create a toolpath, for just a second, and then it disappears. When I verify, nothing happens.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong with that?

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to help.

-Ray

[gabedrummin]

Stock set-up or part 0....you need to set the orgin correctly .

[txcncman]

txcncman,

Thanks a lot. I got it so I can select the face that I'm trying to machine.

Now the weird thing, is after I go through selecting my tool, setting my offsets etc., and click "go", I can see it create a toolpath, for just a second, and then it disappears. When I verify, nothing happens.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong with that?

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to help.

-Ray

What happens when you toggle toolpath on and off? What happens when you backplot?

[RayHolt]

What happens when you toggle toolpath on and off? What happens when you backplot?

Nothing happens when I do either of those things. When I toggle the toolpath, the toolpaths for the square and circle pocket show/hide, but nothing changes for the pocket with the curved bottom.

When I backplot, nothing happens. Same if I try to verify both the whole operation and just that one pocket, it just doesn't show anything happening for that pocket.

-Ray

[txcncman]

Apparently MasterCam was attempting to calculate a tool path but was unsuccessful. Did you select Check Surfaces as well as the Drive Surface? What are your settings for things such as step down and step over?

[RayHolt]

I selected the drive surface, but not check surfaces. Should the check surfaces be the side walls of the pocket, or the top of the stock?

Stepover is half the size of the bit or less, step down was left at 0.1", then I tried 0.015", and still the same problem.

Red toolpath shows up for a second then it is gone.

[txcncman]

Please upload your solid model in STP format.

[cadcam]

We need to see the shape you are doing. you can share your X6 file with me for review.