Hello To All MC Porfessionals

[CountBraden]

I am a licensed user of Surfcam Velocity and a fan of Mastercam. I would first like to give kudos to Derek Goodman (Eapprentice) and Mike Mattera (TFM) great website and great training videos.

Question: Now that Surfcam can directly open a Mastercam file has anyone tried using the TruMill TEA (Tool Engagement engagement Angle) feature in Surfcam to first rough their part then finish up in Mastercam.

I have experimented with the c-hook from Cimco Intergration but can come no where near the DOC and feeds that are allowed with TruMill. I also am aware of the subscription plan offered by Volumill but their product is for 2D. My interest is in the 3D arena. Any help or positive feedback would be appreciated.

[cadcam]

What do you mean that Surfcam can open a MCX file being a mastercam file.
the Volumill are the guys by the way that made the Trumill for surfcam.
As mastercam has some great tools for this stuff like there 2D HST stuff.

[CountBraden]

Yes...Surfcam can open a native Mastercam file. And yes the Volumill owners did help with the initial developement of TruMill and have applied for certain patent right regarding the 2D end of it. Since their departure Surfcam has developed TruMill to work on 3D toolpaths. I am curious as to why Mastercam would give proprietary rights to Surfcam in regards to their native file. But be that as it may I think the coupling of the 2 two products is astounding. Surfcam for roughing 500 to 1000 ipm and Mastercam for finishing. See Attached pictorial.

[cadcam]

I am not sure why Mastercam did this either but I will be with some them from the home office this week and will be asking about this myself.
As for using Surfcam to rough and mastercam to finish I don't know why you would do that.
I all ready rough part at the feeds you talk with Mastercam paths and finish With MC's paths.I know the Trumill is a good paths but not that good when having to buy to seats of different software to get the job done. I can add those paths to MC either from Volumill or from Cimcos HSM package .but MC's paths that have been added take care of the job.

Welcome to Sunday. I am of to training for Cub Leader tranning to be a range Master.
Will be looking back this afternoon.

[Derek Goodwin]

Thanks for the kudos eapprentice.net I can't imagine that surfcam can open a Mastercam file, my guess would be that it opens the Geometry, but not toolpaths. Have you tested it yet?

[CountBraden]

Hello Cadcam I would be interested in their reasoning as well but from the perspective of more documentation as to the benefits. In regards to Cimco their toolpath generation is adaptive "small DOC hauling butt"; TruMill is dependant on TEA (Tool Engagement Angle) control that allows for 1 x DIA DOC hauling butt which allows for a greater reduction in roughing time.

Volumill toolpath generation is based on the aforementioned concept since they were a part of the original developement team but once again it is only for 2D. In regards to the necessity to buy both packages: Imagine the ROI in accomplishing a 20 to 40 percent reduction in cycle time.

Or better yet what if progressive Surfcam and Mastercam seat owners created the synergy to accomplish this feat. Just a thought. By the way; Great info in regards to your website.

[CountBraden]

Hello Mr. Goodman and I say that with the respect intended. Great business model "EApprentice". Wished Surfcam had something on that vein. You are correct in your assessment about how Surfcam opens the Mastercam file. It comes in without the toolpaths. Similar to saving backwards from Mcam X to V9 ...No toolpaths.

What you have to do is post your toolpath from Mcam then import to Surfcam. Surfcam has the ability to import both a Gcode or APT file. You can then run a simulation to verify the path. Yes I have tested the process but only in 2D. My Surfcam seat is not licensed for 3D Trumill toolpaths.

I did however contract a simple 3D sample part to a company that has a licensed 3D seat and cut 15-5 at a conservative 150 ipm (air assist). The finishing time and path was not impressive. I think this is where Mcam coupled with Cimco Intergration adaptive
toolpath c-hook would be the icing on the cake in regards to finishing the part.

Question: Do you have any plans for 5 axis video training on your site? I am interested in how MX3 can now convert a 3 axis program to a 5 axis program on the fly. Sounds like great feature if it works.

[Derek Goodwin]

Question: Do you have any plans for 5 axis video training on your site? I am interested in how MX3 can now convert a 3 axis program to a 5 axis program on the fly. Sounds like great feature if it works.

Yes we do, but it's third on the development list at the moment, so it will be around late summer of 2009.

We are at Westec this week covering, among other things Mastercam, here is the first article

[cadcam]

Originally Posted by degmc Yes we do, but it's third on the development list at the moment, so it will be around late summer of 2009. We are at Westec this week covering, among other things Mastercam, here is the first article

Degmc, I was hopeing to get a chance to talk with you tomorrow at the show about these videos. I was looking at helping you on this if you wanted.

I will be at the booth tomorrow the Mastercam booth I mean.
On Thursday I take students around. give me a call on my cell when you can.

[CountBraden]

Great to hear that you will be coming out with 5 axis videos.. Could you give us more info or video of Mastercam X4 new dynamic toolpathing. Sounds similar if not better than the Surfcam Trumill concept..

[chuy]

Hasn't Surfcam been able to open those for a few years now? It's been at least since 07'. I'm not exactly sure since when though.

[CountBraden]

I believe since Velocity II..the year sounds about right