Vericut with Mastercam

[Mastercam User]

I have tried and tried and I can't find a way to use Mastercam solid Verify to cut different parts on tombstones simultaneously that works well. Is CG Tech Vericut hard to learn and does Vericut come with good tutorials? I have tried everything I can think of to make Mastercam solid Verify work for me but I have had no luck at all. I tried saving and using one STL file but the computer slowed to a crawl. Today I downloaded the Mastercam sample files from the CNC Software website. They have a tombstone sample file but no instructions on what they are doing and solid Verify does not work on it. Is there any help written to explain what they are doing in these sample files? Are there any good tutorials on using Mastercam Verify for cutting different parts for tombstone work? I read the Mastercam help file and the Reference Guide and found nothing. Is any cam system good at verifying multiple different parts? I have to wonder if other systems like Edgecam or Featurecam are better at this because this part of Mastercam just seems to really suck.

[Steve Arteman]

I design my tombstone with the parts & stock loaded save as stl seems to work ok for the most part you can't use true solid, but it does take a little work. You can buy the multi-axis and multi axis verify comes with this. This verify will do much more for you but you will still have some work to use it. I believe you have to have the 5 axis upgrade to be able to use this and if you don't have the 5 axis(multi-axis) option, I know it it was part of the level 3 and know it is an option and is very pricey. I'm sure CADCAM or somebody here can tell what you need I do not work for mastercam or any dealer anymore but I buy software updates for a couple companies I contract for.
Steve
www.cad2cam.net

[brandou10l]

what version are u using, is it the full package or like a 2d type?
and how much ram memory does ur computer have?
sounds like ur computer needs to be updated if is bogs down when simulating
i dont think another program is going to help
i have a few files that use tombstone 4sided machining
and the solid verify works tits
have u tried to use the backplot?? i think thats the best way to simulate for a slower computer

[Mastercam User]

Steve, if you turn off True Solid it is faster but what good is that because you can't rotate or zoom the model and you can't save the STL file! How do I know if we have multi-axis Verify? We supposedly have the "full boat" package of Mastercam. Level 3 mill. The computer has 2 gigs of ram. We had a trial of CG Tech Vericut. Vericut worked great on our computer. Backplot works fine but there are times we need to see a solid being cut. When I try and solid Verify the STL file with True Solid it bombs out or stops cutting the STL file

???

I've tried changing the settings to less quality and more speed but it doesn't help. Any suggestions so I can at least save the finished True Solids STL file?

[cadcam]

A level three does not include a5xis varify and as tasted is an add-on. did your company buy multiaxis. you can check what you have looking at the HaspX.exe file and it will show what you have.
example of my key what it has.

[Mike Stevenson]

Mastercam's verification is very weak when compared to Vericut. Mastercam's verification does not check the actual CNC code that runs the machine like Vericut does. Modeling the fixtures (4 sided tombstone, etc.) and the machine tool itself is standard with Vericut. Unfortunately Vericut software is not cheap. Every 5 Axis shop I've ever worked in uses Vericut to check out the program first before running the actual part.

[brandou10l]

i got this file attached to work
i had to make everything i was using in the verify mode a continious solid.
i just copied my solids 2 a diffrent layer, then did a boolean add.
then goto the stock tab and select solid, then select your solid.
i did have to keep the solid i made for the verify visible, or it would dissapeer
when i clicked on the verify button

im assuming this is still gonna work adding parts and more toolpaths

[Mastercam User]

Originally Posted by brandou10l i got this file attached to work i had to make everything i was using in the verify mode a continious solid. i just copied my solids 2 a diffrent layer, then did a boolean add. then goto the stock tab and select solid, then select your solid. i did have to keep the solid i made for the verify visible, or it would dissapeer when i clicked on the verify button im assuming this is still gonna work adding parts and more toolpaths

I looked at your file. Until I get some ideas on how to make STL files work in True Solid mode, I'm going to try your idea and Boolean everything into a one solid and see if this workaround will do for now. I appreciate you posting this file and your efforts. Thank you!

[Mastercam User]

Originally Posted by Mike Stevenson Mastercam's verification is very weak when compared to Vericut. Mastercam's verification does not check the actual CNC code that runs the machine like Vericut does. Modeling the fixtures (4 sided tombstone, etc.) and the machine tool itself is standard with Vericut. Unfortunately Vericut software is not cheap. Every 5 Axis shop I've ever worked in uses Vericut to check out the program first before running the actual part.

Found this on the CG Tech Vericut site which echos what you posted, Mike:

"We use Mastercam to program 3½ and 4-axis aerospace/defense and light commercial parts. Mastercam’s verification is just a visual reference. We verify everything we do in VERICUT, whether it’s a complex part or a square block. Because the internal verifier does not match its accuracy or capabilities, VERICUT complements Mastercam nicely."

[cadcam]

(Mastercam’s verification is just a visual reference. ) Pretty much true. it does help to catch some things but once again is prior to G-code. Now we are talking about a different hand on the True Verification side.I have Predators CNC Verify when needed.
Vericut is good software, as I have been trainned and used to have it that to.

On the STL side use what brandou101 did and one you have the solid you can make that into a single STL to use in Verify.

[Mastercam User]

cadcam, did Predator Software ever develop a C-Hook for Mastercam X2 so you can transfer coordinate systems, tools, etc., directly into Virtual CNC? If so I will download it and try it. If they don't have a C-Hook is there an easy workaround?

[cadcam]

They have not done a C-hook yet for X at all. I need to bug Jim again about this.

For now I output the NCI and read this thru and get some info.