Need Help!- MasterCam Machining Solid Drawing

[stevec]

I really need some quick advice here. I have been struggling with this problem for days with no easy solution.

I created a part in Solid works (see photo) and all is well.

I bring the part into MasterCam and apply my tool paths (see photo)

In the verify some of the pocket cuts are NOT extending to the edge as drawn (see photo)

I have tried to extend the pockets past the cutout in SW but does not work.
I have tried various pocket cutting solutions without a fix.

I understand why the cut stops short of clearing the material because of the tool diameter but this problem is driving me crazy.



PLEASE HELP!!!
Steve

[kesparate]

try chaining the features like the red lines in the pic. you can use 2 contour operations to cut all the features and simply use lead in/out and rough/finish setting to get all the stock. if that makes no sense please let me know.

[cadcam]

did you setup your stock correcty in stock setup.
Share the file I am sure I can answer in a min or so.

[stevec]

Hello kesparate,

Thanks for your reply! I have been checking my email hoping for help since I wrote for some.

Do you mean I should overlap the lines for the 2 opposing directions of the pockets in the drawing then chain them a seperates?

Right now when I select for the pocket, I use 3d and set it up to chain face then click on the pocket face.

Thanks
Steve

[stevec]

I think I did. How can I share the file?

[stevec]

Ok I had to Zip it first. See if you can get to it.

THANKS!!!

[kesparate]

yup stock set up was not done so the pic had me fooled a bit. take a look at this i added one tool path bt left your's alone. i would use this method to do the other side and even the middle as you have the space to spare
otherwise just create a little over run geometry to extend your pocket out to the point where teh tool cleans up teh stock. no time for spell check womans calling....

[stevec]

WOW! Brilliant.

1 line and a new pocket path. I get it now. THANK YOU!

after you draw the connecting line, how exactly do you go about chaining it. I am having a problem selecting exacly what I need.

THANKS AGAIN!

[kesparate]

in the chaining dialog select cplane and partial chain. then you pick first and last line taking care to get the chain going the right direction and help it follow the path at the branch. with a few more lines you can extend the ends of the two side grooves and use the same pocketing tool path you used originally.

[stevec]

Hello kesparate ,

Since you are so good at teaching me stuff I thought I would push my luck and ask you another unrelated question.

Here it is...
Can I nest together parts that contain solids. When I try using the nesting toolpath function, I get an error about solids not being supported????

THANKS!
Steve

[cadcam]

Steve I am sorry to say mastercam does not support nesting of solids.ATP (Automatic Tool Paths) is just starting to support 3d geo. there is nesting of tool paths and nesting of Geo along with standard nesting and true shap nesting all diffrent ways for Mastercam to handle nesting of parts.

[stevec]

Hello Cadcam and thanks for the quick reply!

Bummer!

I did read about the ATP add-on in the help section but dont have it.

Can I easly convert my cutting path to 2D and retain all my cut depths, Its all cut in 2d anyways, and just uses the 3d data for some of the tool path depths.

If so, please be detail how to convert, I am just learning

Thanks
Steve