Please Help!! Simple 3-D part not so simple for me

[eaglegage]

Hello,
I have a 3-d part to machine and am already late on it. All it consists of is a pocket with tapered walls. I can contour it but don't know how to finish the pocket. When I try to pocket it gives me a "Boundary does not lie in the construction plane." I saw another thread on this error but couldn't make it relate to my part. I'm uploading the picture of the part. I would very much appreciate any help on this.

Thank you,

Doug

[Tim S]

What level of Mastercam do you have?

[eaglegage]

Mastercam 9.0

Thanks

[Tim S]

OK - But do you have Mill Level 1, Mill Level 2 or Mill Level 3. That determines what type of 3D paths you are able to use.

[eaglegage]

Sorry it took me so long. It's mill level 3

[lakeside]

can you use a tapper end mill on walls?

[Tim S]

I have Mill Level 2, so I don't have as many options as you have. I created surfaces from your drawing, then I used a multisurface finish parallel toolpath to machine the pocket using a ball end mill. Not knowing the material that you are machining or the allowed radius in the corners it gets a little tough to tell you exactly how to do it. I can email you what I have done to show you.

[eaglegage]

Yes, Please. I'm assuming by the little time it took you that this should have been an easy thing for me to do!! I think I need a lot more practice on this 3-d.

Thank you very much.

eaglegage@bellsouth.net

[eaglegage]

Thank you , Tim. I really appreciate your help on this.

[Tim S]

No problem - If it turns out looking pretty good, you should post a picture.

[Mike Mattera]

Some of the best 3D toolpaths atr under Toolpath - Next Menu - Wireframe. Those are what we used to make molds in V2 & V3 Mastercam (1989-1990). They are quite powerful and almost no one ever uses them.

I did a whole set of training videos on them to show Level 1 & Level 2 users what can be done with a basic package.

Mike Mattera

[wkitto]

I have this same problem --- drew a cube in solidworks with a cubic pocket in the middle of the top face. when I try a pocket toolpath I get 'the boundary does not lie in the constuction plane' error --- I am stymied!