See complete (Vise and Clamps) setup in verify

[jeffrey001]

I would like to be able to see the setup (vise or clamps) on the verify.

What I mean, I could draw the vice in Solidworks or directly in MasterCam and use it when I verify the Toolpath.

This is pretty easy to do but for different part, this would mean a new vice for each setup.

I can input a distance between mobil and fixed jaw on the vice (in the Solidworks assembly).

Would also like to use the vice as a check surface to be sure the tool will not hit the vice or clamps.

I could draw it in Solidworks and save it as an STL file and load it in the MasterCam verify page.

I would also like to be able to see the clamps and use them as check surface or solid to see if the tool will hit them.

Just would like to get some advice on how you do it.

Thanks for your time, Jeff

[Shotout]

You'd want to create files containing only the solid entities you'd need. Say 2.4X6in dovetail jaws that are on layer 8000. Then another file that is a vise with the moveable jaw moved off the vise on layer 9000. In the file you are working from create an accurate solid of your stock on layer say 7000. Use the File-->Merge function to bring in the file 2-4X6injaws.mcx and then the file vise.mcx. These files will merge retaining their original attributes. Once you have them all positioned correctly you can move them to the same layer, then use the Boolean Add function in the Solids menu to make one entity out of them. The faces needed for check surfaces, clamps, dowel or spring pins can be selected as either faces or the entire solid when you create a toolpath.
Once in Verify you select the Option button as you would to use an stl file. Instead of selecting the stock setup option From File select From Solid and the section arrow which will bring you back to the geometry pane and allow you to select your new solid. One word of caution. You may want to use the save some function and save that solid into a stl file by the same name as your part and operation and then remove it from your part file as it will inflate your file size a good bit. If you do that just create a surface on the faces you need as check surfaces using the Surface menu function From Solid. If you go that route then just select From File as you would with any stl file and it will bring it in.

With all that said/typed, you can create check surfaces where needed and containment geometry around where you know a clamp will be and get toolpaths that won't cause collisions. You won't see all of that on verify but if you leave those layers on you will see it during a toolpath backplot.