How To Use Change At Point With Solid Chaining

[Mastercam User]

How do I get this option if I have used Solid Chaining? I can do it with wire frame chaining but it is grayed out for Solid Chaining. I do not want to give up this option.

[crazythunder]

Then you will have to make curves from that edge of the solid. Or when you come out of the selecting method you do not have solid till you turn them on so try picking your point 1st then using the solids to drive the part. If not make the operation then go back to the geometry and then pick the point and see if that works. I would try a lot of things before I gave up on it that it doesn't work. Also if there is a check box for use start or entry point in the operation make sure it is checked or the operation will not use the start point and may Grey it out.

[Mastercam User]

As I understand it, if I make Curves from the edges of a solid and I chain those Curves than I am using wire frame chaining not solid chaining. Since this is wire frame chaining I get the Change At Point option. I would like to know how to get the Change At Point option without using Curves and just using solid chaining. From what I can tell it is not possible but maybe I missed something. If it is not possible I am going back to using wire frame chaining and forgetting all about solid chaining because it is too limited and I do not want to give up the Change At Point option.

[crazythunder]

Well it would help if you told me what toolpath you are using and seeing this problem so I could possible see a work around so I can see what I see when I try this toolpath.

[Mastercam User]

Nothing special. Just a 2D Contour.

[crazythunder]

Just like I said when you go to your chaining option you just use the hoolw box to use the standard chaining option. There you can use the point, then you go to the solid box and you grab the solid chain not a big deal. Is that how you are doing it? No the point is not visable from the solid selection method, but neither is any of the other wireframe methods either like window, single, polygon, and etc.. so just click back and forth and done.

I hope that answers your question and help you out.

Also to add to this you can use solid edges and you can also use wireframe in the same toolpath. If they are at different depths you set your top of stock and depth to increment and your toolpath will be at each depth. If you are wanting to remove stock then set the top of stock to .5 then use the depth of cut and you will get .5 of material removal from each one. If the top of stock is say 3 inches and all of the cuts are at different depths you can set top of stock to absolute of 3" and then the operation will only do the depth of cuts that are need to each correct depth. Most people never think to use Mastercam this way and will have 10 different operations for each depth when one would do it all if planned and thought out that way.

Again just trying to spread the wealth.

[Mastercam User]

Not sure how your method allows me to use Change At Point *after* I create the Chain? As in - Right mouse click on the Chain in the Chain Manager after it has been created and select Change At Point. Are you suggesting I create both a solid chain and a wire frame chain? The only advantage I see in solid chaining is that you do not have to extract the Curves from the solid. I do not see any other advantage. Am I missing something? The Solid Chain shows up in the solid page of the Operation Manager but I do know why this is of any value.

[cadcam]

MC user this AVI of your part should help. I am getting miles from your part thanks.www.mastercam-cadcam.com/changepoint.zip

[Mastercam User]

Watched your video. I am not able to do this. Even tried it on a new file with just a simple block. I am using version X2 no MR1 or MR2. Is it possible that X2 cannot do this? Maybe I have a setting turned off that should be turned on?

[cadcam]

Ok didnt remeber this but I tried it in X2 then X2 Mr1, the X2 you are correct does not let you do it.
But my X2 MR1 SP1 did, and of course my X2MR2 does to as I showed. So why don't you upgrade?

[cadcam]

PS did you see the code I posted in your other post.

[crazythunder]

No but how to do create your point? I always create my points at the correct Z-plane and also make sure they are at the correct point for the tool if I use this feature. Then you have both chaining options there and still do even if you both have and wireframes or at least you do in X2MR2. Sorry nothing but V9.1MR105 installed on this computer and X2MR2