Catia conversion?

[jdocmm]

Does anyone know of a free Catia converter to mastercam 9 or x2 I don't have the access code to do it in X2 and can't seem to find something to do it with. Even if it converts to .igs or something that would be great. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks,


Justin

[Matt Berube]

I don't know if it's possible or not... but Rhino has a trial version that has a limited # of saves...

It *may* be possible to import the file in Rhino then save out as something else that MC can read...

I must confess that I tried this route once in the past and couldn't figure out how to make Rhino work so I apologize if this turns out to be a wild-goose-chase...

http://www.rhino3d.com/

[cadcam]

There are no free converters that I have ever heard of. one resion is Catia charges for the Catia file info to translate.

If you need A file converted send to me. but if you feel you are going to need allot you need to look at the Add-on.

[Donkey Hotey]

Have your customer convert them to .igs format in Catia. Base model Catia V5 can do that much. If they have the ST2 license (Step converter) have them save the file as .stp (not .stl).

Both IGS and STP will import cleanly into Mastercam. I've built dozens of parts using this method. Don't be surprised if your customer has no idea that those 'Save As' options exist. I work with guys who think I'm a freakin' genius because I know how to check out that STEP license and save the files.

[cadcam]

I'm a freakin' genius

I agree you seem to be one Smart Cookie to me.

[Donkey Hotey]

Ya' know, I'm seriously amazed at how many experienced CAD users have no idea that IGES exists (much less STP). At my day job, a Manufacturing Engineer brought paper prints to the machine shop, where they spent a week rebuilding the 3D model in Mastercam. Yes, the part originated in Catia V5.

To their credit, they did go as far as trying to import the CATpart file, where they discovered that they hadn't loaded the translator (it had been purchased but not loaded or unlocked or something). The manager who purchased it, didn't know that such a thing was necessary and didn't know where it was. Nobody took the initiative to call Newbury Park to straighten it out.

And so the poor guy was rebuilding a complex piece of 3D pocketed structure, from nothing but a poorly dimensioned 2D paper drawing. Nobody thought to try an IGES file. Nobody thought to try a STP. When I asked the Manufacturing Engineer and Design Engineer why they hadn't supplied the file, they didn't even know what either format was or what they were used for. This happened within the 4 walls of a single company.

I would not be the least bit surprised if a normal customer/job shop environment would deal with customers that have no idea about it either. A little carefully worded discussion with the customer can probably make the programmer's job a lot easier.

[cadcam]

Greg, I see this all the time. I get calls all the time because I have knowledge of different file formates and what is supported.
I see these shops just like you stated looking at these prints thinking how are they going to Draw this. Most of the time I can look at the pint and tell what it was made in and if there is a file to be had.

Are you working up in your ara or re you travling down my way?

By the way if you guys get stuck and you can get the answer right away from the office . please feel free to contact me.Let me know if you still have my number.

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by cadcam Are you working up in your ara or re you travling down my way?

Thanks for the offer, Jay. Yes, I'm working up here in Palmdale. Unfortunately, the guys don't use Mastercam too often. They do most of their coding by hand at the control (tooling, fixtures and jigs). That's why the Catia thing stumped everybody: it just doesn't happen often enough. If we ever get some money for on-site training, you're going to get the call.