Questions On Solid Verify For Multiple Parts That Reside In One File

[Mastercam User]

Lets say I have many different parts to machine on one fixture. Since it is the Machine Group Definition that has the Stock Setup do I have to create a new Machine Group Definition for every part I wish to solid Verify? How do you solid verify all the parts at once? Maybe you cannot do this and must switch and do each solid verify individually? How to you control which part is going to be solid verified when you have many different parts?

[Matt Berube]

This area does have room for improvement.

One trick I have used in the past is to model a solid block for stock for each part, then create a tiny solid bridge between all of the stock solids. Use the solid boolean add command to stick it all together and then define the new all-inclusive solid as your stock for verify.

[Mastercam User]

Originally Posted by Matt Berube This area does have room for improvement. One trick I have used in the past is to model a solid block for stock for each part, then create a tiny solid bridge between all of the stock solids. Use the solid boolean add command to stick it all together and then define the new all-inclusive solid as your stock for verify.

I was aware of this workaround but doing what you are suggesting is not the direction I wish to go in which still leaves me with many of the same questions.

I still need to know if I am right in thinking that you have to have a separate Machine Group Definition for each part? How do you solid verify all the parts at once? Maybe you cannot do this and must switch and do each solid verify individually? How to you control which part is going to be solid verified when you have many different parts?

Do other programs like Topsolid have this limitation as well?

[Matt Berube]

I still need to know if I am right in thinking that you have to have a separate Machine Group Definition for each part? How do you solid verify all the parts at once? Maybe you cannot do this and must switch and do each solid verify individually? How to you control which part is going to be solid verified when you have many different parts? Do other programs like Topsolid have this limitation as well?

Yes, you would have to either have separate machine defs for each part or keep switching the stock for each part if you wanted to use only a single machine def.

I have told you the only way I know of to verify all parts at once.

Yes, switch and do each separately will work but is a nuisance.

You would have to keep re-defining stock to represent the part you wish to verify.

Or... I suppose if the parts are all the same size you could set them all up at the same location (at system origin) and then you could use the same stock to verify but obviously would have to verify each part separately.

Funny you should ask about Topsolid. TS and MC are the only 2 softwares I have any experience with.

If it was half as good as Mastercam (for cam uses) I would be in heaven. The sad truth is that TS Cam leaves A LOT to be desired. The 3-d toolpaths are not too bad but the simple 2-D stuff is horrible. TS is very powerful design software and we have actually made some decent .nc files with it but anybody who is proficient with MC will be disappointed with TS CAM.

Examples :

MC gives you a mill.set setup sheet that works great and has all the information you need. If you don't like that there are other free options for different types of setup sheets. I am really pretty dumb when it comes to posts and things of that nature but I was able to easily customize the Mill.set setup sheet for exactly the output I need.

TS provides a bunch of setup sheets with the install (eye candy) but not a single one that is complete enough to hand to an operator and have any confidence that he'll understand what to do. Supposedly you can customize the setup sheets but there are no instructions and the resellers don't offer much help so good luck with that.

Another example would be MC's use of WCS for machining allows me to machine anything from any angle and even several different parts from all sorts of coordinate systems if I like...

TS is WAY WAY behind in this regard. You pretty much put one part in one file and cut what you can in one view. I guess the software may be technically capable of machining different parts on different WCS's but upon asking the reseller about it I found out that it is "not recommended" and leads to problems.

I have heard from others that "LOVE" toolpathing with TS but I assume they've never properly experienced a real CAM system and just don't know any better. TS does do a lot of truly amazing things but unfortunately most of is has nothing to do with CAM. I sure hope things improve soon.

I could go on and on about how much better MC is than TS for CAM but you're probably already bored.

[Mastercam User]

Originally Posted by Matt Berube Yes, you would have to either have separate machine defs for each part or keep switching the stock for each part if you wanted to use only a single machine def. I have told you the only way I know of to verify all parts at once. Yes, switch and do each separately will work but is a nuisance. You would have to keep re-defining stock to represent the part you wish to verify. Or... I suppose if the parts are all the same size you could set them all up at the same location (at system origin) and then you could use the same stock to verify but obviously would have to verify each part separately.

Thanks for letting me know, Matt. The parts are all different and not the same size. The only semi accurate way I can see to solid Verify them is to define a Machine Group Definition for each part and simulate each part individually. I am very surprised that other Mastercam users do not find this to be a problem. Perhaps they use another product to do their solid verification? I would like to find a better way to do this so that I can simulate all my parts at once on our fixtures or tombstones. I wonder if other cam is better at this or if they all have this problem.

[Matt Berube]

Hey, I was just reading about this on another forum a little...

You are definitely not the only one wishing for this...

Another user posted something that got me thinking...

What if you modeled up a solid for each part's stock, then "save-as" an .stl file... Then use the .stl as verify stock by selecting "from file" in the verify dialog.

I *think* that may work for you...

[Mastercam User]

Interesting, Matt. I think this would get me around having to create a new Machine Group Definition for each part. I still would have to do the simulation one part at a time but it would certainly save time over having to have a new Machine Groups for each part. Is this how you see it working?

[Matt Berube]

Nope, I see it as a way to simulate all of your parts at once since the single .stl file will contain the stock for all of the parts...

[Mastercam User]

I have been playing around with this trying to get it to work. I save the fixture and parts as one STL file. I then use that STL file for my solid Verify. Only problem is my tools are off in space cutting air. Not sure but maybe I need to set an origin when I save the STL file that solid verify can use? I wondered if someone could post a sample file showing how to do this or tell me what settings I need to use to get my tools to cut parts rather than air.

[Mastercam User]

Request for Jay-cadcam. I would really help me and I am sure others if you could do a video showing how to use solid Verify for multiple parts using STL files. Ideally it would show how to do a solid Verify using a rotating type of fixture that holds different parts. In checking around it seems many people are not sure how to use STL files to use for solid verify of different parts and I do not think the Mastercam help is very good in this area.

[cadcam]

Do you have some thing all ready drawn up? I know I have one I used for the Haas factory trainning, I will try and find it so I don't have to start from scratch if possiable.
It will most likely be the end of the week as this one is packed starting NOW!.

[Mastercam User]

cadcam anything with different kinds of parts on a fixture saved as one STL file and solid verified should do just fine. Different sized blocks with holes, does not matter can be very simple. As l mentioned the trouble I am having is my tools are cutting air not the parts. Not sure where to set the origin for the saved STL file? Maybe this is the problem? Also, would like to know how to control the light for solid verify. Often my part to be solid verified is in the shadows.