Defining stock

[Mgrenier]

Hello all,

 

I have to program a part that was previously cut on a lathe with a taper surface on top. I would like to know if there is a way of telling MCAM mill to use a MC9, STL of whatever format file as my stock?

 

The lathe part was not programmed in MCAM but I do have the DWG of the file after lathe machining.

 

Thanks for your help,

[Code_Breaker]

If you have a solid license, then create a solid from the DWG and the File-Coverters--STL--Write file. I usually use .0002 tolerance.

 

HTH

 

Code_Breaker

[richardtraver]

you can use surfaces if you don't have a solid licence then you have to xform the stl to put it in the the correct position for milling. xform for stl files is under file>converters>stl>xform stl

[Mgrenier]

Thanks guys,

 

I can do that, but I do not see how I can use that STL file as my stock definition for the toolpaths that I have to start cutting from.

 

You see, a have a tapered surface for the top of my stock (2" taper) and I need to plunge mill some open pockets. I want to avoid cutting air by starting my cutter .100" from the top surface, not .100" from te top point of my surface.

 

Hope the question is clear enough...

[steve f]

Create your plunge milling toolpaths and trim them using a boundary that's offset from your stock cross section by .100".

 

HTH

 

steve

[Mgrenier]

Thanks Steve,

 

I thought of that but I was wondering if there is another way of doing what I want.

[billystein]

WCS seems like just what you are looking for. The verify from one file becomes the stock for the next file. I think it is the best thing since solids. Our other programmers agree.

[Mgrenier]

Billystein,

 

I know how to create an stl file in the verify module. But my question is how do I tell mastercam to start feeding (in plunge milling) .100" above a tapered surface. Hope this makes more sense.

 

Have a nice day,