Creating surfaces from .iges files


Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Creating surfaces from .iges files

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Creating surfaces from .iges files

    Hi guys and gals,

    I'm a mastercam newbie and a newbie to the whole CNC thing, but I try hard to learn. I am currently limited to creating 2d toolpaths from contours, but can make 3d objects as well.

    I REALLY want make a 1/4 scale keychain baretta from an iges files that are available from justin at his CNC gunsmithing homepage.

    My question is can mastercam take an iges file and model a surface without me having to define each surface area as loft, ruled, etc? Will mastercam also create the toolpaths for me?

    Also if any of you can recommend a good book with visual references that easy to understand that would be great!

    Thanks for any advice you can give me. I am sure this may be a valuable thread for beginners like me.

    Similar Threads:
    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


  2. #2
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    174
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Have you checked out tipsformanufacturing.com they offer training CD's and they are great. Im sure that you will learn a thing or two from them.



  3. #3
    Power User Matt Berube's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    461
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Homebrew,

    .igs files can have surfaces and/or wireframe geometry in them. The answer to your question depends entirely upon what type of entities were placed in the .igs by it's creator.

    In other words, if the file has nothing but wireframe in it, that's what you'll get when you open it. There is no way for Mastercam to automatically create surfaces from wireframe data. The other possibility is that whoever created the file may have modeled the surfaces already... Have you opened the file yet ? Can you post a link to it ?



  4. #4
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Thanks for responding to my question. The .igs is a wireframe. My problem is not that I do not know how to create a surface, but this a complicated model. Thanks for your help.

    Attached Files Attached Files
    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


  5. #5
    Power User Matt Berube's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    461
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Homebrew,

    That file is not a wireframe. It looks like a wireframe because you didn't "shade" it.

    Open it in Mastercam and press ALT-S to turn on shading...

    The file consists of 409 trimmed surfaces.

    So what do you intend to do with it ?
    Are you going to just cut the profile in 2-d ?
    Or are you going to cut it in 3-d ?



  6. #6
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Hi Matt,

    I was hoping to cut the profile in 3D, so the model would be cut in half. I have made some progress with your help so far. I guess I will have to rough surface the model using the various toolpaths. Hopefully I may accomplish this before next year. I appreciate any help or tips you can give me.

    Thanks, Homebrew

    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


  7. #7
    Power User Matt Berube's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    461
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by homebrewCNC
    so the model would be cut in half.
    I am not sure what you mean by that... You'll machine half then flip over ? Or actually cut 2 separate pieces and screw together ? Or only make half and forget the rest ?

    To get you started roughing, create a rectangle the size of your stock and make a surf rough pocket toolpath using the rectangle as your "boundary". This is my favorite roughing strategy.



  8. #8
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Sorry Matt for my lack of detail. I would just cut half like you would before you flip it to cut the other half, but I would not cut the second half

    I defined the stock using the bounding box and I performed the rough surface pocket and the tool cut out the pockets of the model, but not the shape. I still have a long way to go, but progress has been made.

    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


  9. #9
    Member cadcam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    3578
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I figure you are not trying to make a new gun correct. I would like to see the rest of the files for this like the slide do you have that?

    when you set the Define stock did you have it as lines to if so use that as your boundry for the rough pocket and it will do the hole shape.
    Let me know if you need a sample.

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Turning Product Specialist for a Software Company, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor of Mastercam .


  10. #10
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Cadcam,

    I do not have the files for the slide. The slide and internal components are puchased from a gun shop. I am not machining a scale replica gun as of now since I do not have a firearms licence, etc. Have you checked out cncgunsmithing.com? Justin does incredible work with his machines and cad programming.

    Yes, I defined the stock as the outer boundry for the model and the toolpath cut the pockets, but did not remove any other material other then the trigger pocket and the pocket in the handle.

    Any samples would be great! I can look through the different toolpaths to see what you did to remove the material. I like figuring things out for myself, but I just seem lost when it comes to 3-D modeling since I am accustom to working with 2-D models. Thanks for your help.

    Last edited by homebrewCNC; 09-01-2006 at 08:10 PM.
    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


  11. #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Thank you all for your help. I finally have the roughed out model! I am actually becoming fairly decent at surface modeling, but still have a long way to go. What would be the best finishing toolpath to use for this type of model?

    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


  12. #12
    Registered Beaker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Posts
    77
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Homebrew

    Can ya post some pics of your progress, I'm interested in your project.
    I'm thinking of making something similar to fire bb's ,something low powered.



  13. #13
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    52
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Beaker,

    I do not have the model machined yet. I am currently upgrading my Enco type mill from lead screw to ground ball screws. I will post pics of the model when it has been cut. It would be intresting to see this design used as a bb gun, it may be worthy of a new thread somewhere?

    If it doesn't work BUY BIGGER MOTORS!!


Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Creating surfaces from .iges files

Creating surfaces from .iges files