Fillet issues

[PBfan]

I use Inventor to create my parts. I saved the file as .iges. Opened the file in Master X. I noticed the wireframe looked funny so I turned on solids mode. And sure enough, anywhere I used a fillet the model was messed up.

Is it because of how I create my part? Or that I use Inventor? How can I fix this? If anyone wants the file, I can upload it. So you can see.

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In order to not clutter the forum. I'm going to ask another question here.

In order to mill this face. I use the pocket toolpath. And select the face you see highlighted. The problem is. It doesn't mill the entire face. It only mills the larger areas. The to small "rails" that I've pointed to do not get milled at all.

How can I get it to mill those areas?

*See attachment below*

[Matt Berube]

Hi,

I don't know anything about Inventor but sometimes the .igs format is less than ideal. Is there any other choice of how you save the geometry from inventor ?

Formats that normally work well are .sat and .xt(parasolid)

[PBfan]

I saved as .sat and loaded it in mastercam. Problem solved. Thanks a lot!

Time to learn how to run toolpaths.

[PBfan]

I have a new question. I edited my first post. You can find it there. Here I've attached a photo of the issue I'm having.

[PBfan]

Decided to give a another pic. Might clear up my question some.

[Matt Berube]

Hi,

When you are selecting a face for a 2-d pocket operation, it is the same as having a 2-d contour and telling Mastercam to stay within the boundaries. It is not intelligent enough to figure where it can exceed your face boundary and where it can't. That's what the surface toolpaths are for. In your example it's not milling the areas your tool won't fit into.

Normally an easy solution for this could be using a negative "stock to leave". Unfortunately this would scrap your part. (at the left side where the rounded feature is above the face)

I figure you have 2 choices...

1. If you have Mill 3 you could use a "surface high speed horizontal area" toolpath. This would make short work of your face.

2. If you need to use 2-d I would create a new boundary that will allow the tool to pass inside of it and overlapping most edges but not violate the higher rounded area.

[Mike Mattera]

Why didn't you just read in the Inventor file in the first place?

Why convert it to IGES?

Mike Mattera

[PBfan]

Mike - I didn't catch the fact I was able to use inventor files directly. But I did yesterday night. (Only have had mastercam for 1 day)

Matt - I have Mill 3.

The thing is, I cannot use any of the surface toolpaths. Because they require a solid or drive surfaces. And apparently my part has neither. I've looked in the manual to see what would define a drive surface. But no luck. Probably why I've had to only use the pocket toolpath.

Edit: I went to create>surface>create surface from solid.

Selected that face. And closed it. Then went back to try the rough surface toolpath. And so far it seems to be working. I guess thats what I'm suposed to do?

[PBfan]

Yeah. That worked great. I can finally make some useful toolpaths.

I do have one question though. Actually....2.

Take a look at the picture I've attached. On the left where there's the raised peice..the path goes all the way up to its edge..and would destroy that area. How do I fix that?

The other question is. If you look over at the area where there is a large pocket. YOu'll see that the path doesn't run from left to right entirely. In a smal section. It only has a path on the part. I need it to go from one end to the other withour stops. What do I do?


Thanks a lot for everyones help.

[Matt Berube]

I believe your part IS a solid. You are correct that surfaces or a solid are needed for surface toolpaths.

When you "created surf from solid", I think you created just one surface on that single face but it depends how you selected it.

Would you press SCREEN, SCREEN STATISTICS and tell me what you have ?

If I am understanding the situation correctly you need to enable "solid selection" mode (see attached picture)

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/816...lectionhy3.png

So I believe you will find by using screen statistics that your file contains 1 solid body, 1 surface, and perhaps some other things.

By using the "solid selection" mode, you can select the ENTIRE solid body as "drive surfaces" and this will eliminate any possibility of gouging that you're seeing now.

As far as the second question, I am not sure of what you're asking... After you review what I've typed above perhaps you'll see different results ? If not I guess you should post your file up here or e-mail it to me to really see what's happening.

[PBfan]

The pocket I'm talking about is the large hole on the right side of the part that goes all the way though(respectively).

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Went to screen<Screen Statistics

Shows I do have 1 solid. It doesn't meantion surfaces at all. Just lines, splines, and arcs. Not having a surface might be a problem?

I did check your link. And switched into solid slection mode. Is using that suposed to stop the issue with cutting into the lpeice on the left? It did help by me not having to "create<surfaces<create surfaces from solid" which defiantely saves some time.

The big thing is. it doesn't recognize other faces. If I selct a face. It will keep the center of the tool along its edges. So going to "inner" might fix that. The thign I need to figure out is facing that large pocket. Yes, a pocketing toolpath can do that. But I want that ground down before it does the pocket toolpath.

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I don't mind posting of the file here. It will be an IPT file type. But it doesn't support that. Nor /rar(which is what I use to compress files). Message me your e-mail adress or post it here. And I'll send you the part.

Thanks a lot for all your help!

[Matt Berube]

PBfan,

I sent you my e-mail addy.

What version of Mastercam are you running ? (X, MR1, MR2, X2 ?)

Not having a surface is not a problem. We can cut surfaces or solids or both no problem.

Selecting the WHOLE solid as "drive" will stop the "cutting into the piece on the left". It sounds like you've been selecting only one drive surface / solid face.

I have WinRAR so If you'd like you can use that when you send the file.