Another 3D Newbie.

[CAN MACHINE]

I'm fairly new at Mastercam in general, but can do 2D jobs just fine. We just got a new Hass VF-1 in the shop and our first 3D surfacing job came up. Due to the time crunch, we had someone else program it and I editing the G-code to work on our machine.

I've been struggling to figure out how to surface the top of the part. Can anybody give me some pointers? I need to surface the top of the part, but I don't want the cutter to drop down into screw holes. When I try to create a tool path it says no drive surfaces.

I'm using Mastercam X

See attached part,

Thanks,

[crazythunder]

You will want to fill in the holes. Then go to toolpath surface rough. Use parallel with a ball endmill. Then use surface finish parallel. Then all should be good from there.

[CAN MACHINE]

Thanks for the tip crazythunder. Is there a easy way to fill the holes? How do chain or select the geometry for surfacing?

[SORCHEROR]

in mastercam under create surfaces,trim/extend there is a fill holes feature,its simple to use

[CAN MACHINE]

SORCHEROR, Thanks I did not see that feature, good tip!

Can anybody tell me how to select the geometry to be able to surface this part.

[Steve Arteman]

Create surface from solids. this will create surfaces.
Steve
www.cad2cam.net

[CAN MACHINE]

Steve! Thanks, that was the step I was missing. Now I'm getting somewhere.

[cadcam]

pick the solid and cut that. no need to change to surface to cut. this not gibbs we don't need a Body bag for are solids. LOL!

I am finding some of the answers good be wrong by the diffrence of what version you are running.