Surface Flowline Multiple Surfaces

[FITIN IRISH]

Can anyone suggest how I can join surfaces together for flowline machining. I have uploaded the file 6548_6MC9 in both V9 and X. I am having problems bringing in the surface as one complete surface from Solidworks. Someone also suggested project surface as a strategy,but I do not know how to do this.

 

Thanks

[kinglouie V]

one thing I've done in the past (as long as their adjacent surfaces) is create edge curves, then delete the surface(s) (all on another level of course) then create a new surface either by using coon chaining or if MCX is your platform try the net-surface, it works pretty well once you get the hang of it. If you get alot of up and down moves instead of a smooth tool path play with your tolerance settings (ie: cut control). If you run in to this give a holla.

[chip]

Gerard,

Flowline is really pickey... I think this is what you want. ( ftp://mastercam:[email protected]/Ma...6548_6_Flow.MCX )

 

I just made one... (Cause I have a full time job also). I made one "ruled" surface. For "Flowline" all your surfaces have to have the same normals and chained consistantly. Try making all your surfaces the same direction and the same endpoints and the toolpath should work. Contour and scallop and project would also work in this situation! Hope that helps!

[chip]

Some of your "wireframe" toolpaths would work nice. "Ruled", though it's difficult to check for gouging. So I wouldn't recommend those until your confortable with how your toolpaths should look in "BackPlot".

[FITIN IRISH]

Thanks Guys. Much appreciated.

[Mike Mattera - TFM]

To create a flowline effect you can use Surface - Finish - Project Blend (Finish Blend for X). It creates a flowline "style" without the constraints of the "Flowline" toolpath.

 

Mike Mattera

[chip]

Right on... Thanks Mike!

 

Seriously, I appreciate all your info. X just seems to take some getting used to.

[chip]

King Louie had a good idea.... I have been trying to get some "net surfaces" to work...

 

For this file I created a swept surface using the existing geometry. My swept surface is quite close to his orgional surfaces. I could'nt get X to create a "Net surface".

 

My swept surface toolpathed a "flowline" well. Since I'm new to "net surfaces". Can someone else mabe get a "net surface" on the existing wireframe? I like the idea of "net surfaces". I'm just eire of how generalized the surfaces are created. (i.e.) Like if there's close tol. on a mold or a part. Will "net surface" be able to work?

[chip]

That's weird... I just downloaded the file off the FTP. There was some surfaces that were all messed up I re-uploaded it( ftp://mastercam:[email protected]/Ma..._6_FLOW_NET.MCX ) . Just wondering is anyone else is having much luck with "net surfaces".

[Jim at Gentex]

Another thing to remember with flowline toolpaths is that they often won't work if your tolerances are set too tight.

 

I agree w/ Mike. Project Blend all but replaces flowline in version X. I don't even waste my time tinkering w/ flowline anymore.

[Flycut]

I'm trying to use this project blend toolpath but I'm getting a "operation has no chained geometry"

warning.

But I can't seem to find a place to add chains.

My tool containement option is even greyed out.

I sure would like to use this toolpath if I could.

I like flowline alot but it only works 50% of the time for me.

[Rick Henrickson 65]

for surface finish blend you need to lines kind of like making a ruled surface and the have to be chained from the same end

[Colin Gilchrist]

flycut,

 

When you pick the toolpath, (Toolpath - Surface Finish - Finish Blend), You will select your drive surfaces. When you press end selection, the toolpath/surface selection dialog box appears. It will show you the number of drive surfaces you have selected. There is a section at the bottom that says "blend" with a selection arrow. Pick the arrow and Mastercam will bring up the chaining dialog box and you need to pick two and only two chains. Mastercam will blend in between them.

 

Normally when I'm doing this, I will project those chains to somewhere above my surfaces and make sure there are no gaps or overlaps in my chains.

 

HTH,

[kinglouie V]

quote:

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I could'nt get X to create a "Net surface".

---

nets are a little picky. trim all edge curves and chain in ONE direction only. If the situation allows, try creating a flat boundary surface as a quick solution.

[Steve Arteman]

Flycut,

I have a blend video on my blog, check it out it is a great toolpath.

www.cad2cam.blogspot.com

Steve

www.cad2cam.net