surfacing without solids?

[chuy]

I was trying to do a pocket cycle on with solids there is a bunch of islands in the pocket with varying heights...but there is no solids option...but the dealer said that we don't need solids to do this...HUH? i wanted to use the island feature but the surface pocket doesn't have the feature. I'm using 9.1

anyone ever do anything like this.

[Steve Arteman]

I don't think in 9.1 you can do this with solids without having solids on your seat of Mastercam, in X you can. Maybe this is what your dealer is talking about. Another option for you is to bring in the surface model create curves on the surface where the island are and blank all surfaces using 2-D pocket island depths.
Steve
www.cad2cam.net

[chuy]

I'll try it...on the same part...the surface has c-bores and thru holes...is there a way to make the toolpath over look these features and do a complete surface toolpath without manipulating the drawing?

[Steve Arteman]

Chuy
Do surface rough pocket and use critical depths, this will take the tool to that depth(island) leaving what ever stock you have set in the "stock to leave on drive surfaces", on the island with holes use create, surface, fill holes or create, surface, flat boundry on the holes. You will need the wireframe at the cbore or hole to fill them with either feature. I 'm working on video's that will show how to create surfaces I hope to be done soon.
Steve
www.cad2cam.blogspot.com

[Mike Mattera]

You have solids? or you dont have solids?

If it comes in as surfaces, and you have Level 3, you can surface the pocket.

If the pocket is planer (flat bottom), and you have wireframe geometry, you can use the regular Pocket cycle and pick all of the islands. Check the options for "use island depth" and "Face Islands" and it will cut each island at its correct height (provided they are 3D wireframe).

Mike Mattera