stl's or iges or dxf's for 3axis milling?

[dave6]

Which file format is the best most complete and user freindly for 3 axis and 2.5 D machining with VM5 ? I am using Alibre for 3D modeling and exporting in either format. Which is best and easiest to work with as far as selecting regions, curves, surfaces etc.? Also depending what file is best, how should the file export details be set in Alibre to best suit VM 5?

[tobyaxis]

When recieving files from Alibre I request STEP files. This is by far the best file extention translator in my opinion. IGES being the worst. Recieved a few Iges and had to reposition all 3 axies from about 300 inches or so. DXF is usually used for 2D wireframe not Solid Models. As for STL extentions I've never used them.

Honestly you should try them all to see which one you like best. Most of this stuff is all trial and error.

[dave6]

What CAM program do you use, I dont think VM5 can open STEP files.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by dave6 What CAM program do you use, I dont think VM5 can open STEP files.

BobCAD-CAM, and I believe you will have to purchase a STEP File Translator from Mecsoft.

[Clever Monkey]

Iges files work fine in VM5. It is essentially the same thing as step, an arrangement of mathmaticaly interpolated sufaces that are smooth at any resolution. These are called NURBS surfaces (Non-rational Uniform B-Splines) What you need to know is this. Stl's and DXFs are polygon surfaces. This means the surface is made up of tiny squares or triangles. The resolution is fixed, and can only be increased by complex algorithms found in expensive poly modeling packages like MAYA or 3D Max. Even then, the polygon layout must be clean and ordered. You also need to know that VM5 reduces Iges, STEP and other math models down to polygons when you import them based on tolerences you set in machining options. This can confuse the he!! out of beginners, because VM has low default tolerance settings, resulting in jagged cuts on an object that should be smooth. For anything with small features, like curves with a radius under 1", reset your import tolerances to at least 0.001". try 0.0005", if you have a decent computer. Most cad software lets you set all these tolerences in the export dialoge for STL's or DXF's, so it almost doesn't matter where you do it, before VM5 or in VM5, but dense STL's are huge hard drive lumps. I will say I have found better controle of how a surface is reduced to poly in Rhino 3 than in VM5 or any other package. One last reason to bring Iges files into VM. Curves and regions seem to be extracted best when VM does the poly reduction its self.
Hope this all helps

[dave6]

Thanks for the reply I will look into these settings further.

[biomed_eng]

Since Alibre is ACIS based. Is the native ACIS extension .sat, .stp or other?

[chavan.girinar]

Hey Friends
The VM 6.0 gives me an error whenever i try to open a cad design of about 97MB
It says " Out of Dynamic Memory "
What shouls i DO?????
Please anyone help me out

[DareBee]

Have you tried support@mecsoft.com

[chavan.girinar]

Hello sir
I hv send my prob to them but not yet recieved any reply from them
could u suggest any other software for 4axis roatry toolpath generation

[DareBee]

They dont work on weekends.
Usually they make their responses by noon Pacific Time USA - which is likely around midnight your time?
I notice you posted on the forum, did you also send the email?
You are not guaranteed a response on the forum (although you usually get one) but they always answer emails.

[chavan.girinar]

Hello,

Thanks for helping me and i got an reply form mecsoft n they hv told some setings to try for getting the results.

I am sorry for troubling you and taking your time for me. hope u dnt mind it

Neways thanks again.