MC Solidworks

[Jeff the haas_guy]

We just updated MC at work to Level 3 and MC Solidworks. When MC is started, it lists Level 3. Is there a way to check if we got the Solidoworks add-on for MC, aside from using it?

[?Mark]

If you mean solid add on to mc then click on help, about, hasp.

It'll list it there.

hth

[Guest]

quote:

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MC Solidworks

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Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

 

[?Mark]

Or "Solidworks MC".

It'd be a kick a$$ setup imho...

[mayday]

quote:

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It'd be a kick a$$ setup imho...

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how bout we fix what we got first eh?

[Jeff the haas_guy]

Im just learning Solidworks now. I hear its a breeze to draw it once you get the hang of it.

[Exodus]

Yeah, TBH, I hate MC for design now,I fell restricted. It's nice being able to edit on the fly! Hopefully MC can cater to things like this in the future. The perfect Cad/Cam would be if S/W and MC combined. Let S/W do the draw/design portion. And have MC do the Cam portion. I would love it and am sure all companies would switch.

[Jeff the haas_guy]

Can you do complete 3d designing in MC with the solid add-on?

[Guest]

You "CAN" do 3D design in MC. It does not handle assemblies though. Updates on the fly are tough and many other things are not as friendly.

 

I now do all of my part, tooling and fixture design in Solidworks.

[Exodus]

Same here john. haas, Idk if I'm allowed to say this on here, but the 3d design in MC is pretty primitive. The main features are extrude, sweep, and revolve. That's the most I've really uesd.

[Jeff the haas_guy]

Thanks guys. I work 8 hours tomorrow and will play around with it as much as I can.Saturday is a good day to work on it. The mangement wont be there to throw hot jobs my way and interupt my day.

[Bruce Caulley]

quote:

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MC Solidworks

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I almost lost a load when I read that!

[Jeff the haas_guy]

BC

 

Glad I coud make your day.

 

Now, we DO gave the solid add-on. But, I know nothing(where have I heard that line) about this new add-on. We dont have the solid book, but will hopefully get it. They expect us to pull it out of our a$$, as they do everything else.

 

Can someone tell me how to make a simple square with a hole in it, and then what to use to toolpath the hole. With this start, I can work usually work around and find other menus needed to do the job.

 

Thanks

 

Jeff

[Guest]

Draw you square and the hole just like in 2D

 

 

Then go Solid Extrude, pick the 2 chains, make sure create solid is ticked and set a length, if your chains are in the correct direction you'll get the block with the hole.

 

The alterante method is same as above except do only the square, the do an extrude cut to cut the hole in the square.

 

I'm assuming you are asking about MCAM, not SW2006 BTW.

[Jeff the haas_guy]

OK. Actually I made the square with a pocket in it. I would like to toolpath the pocket. What menu do I use to toolpath solids?

 

Thanks

 

Jeff

[Zero]

you use the same toolpaths as you would with surfaces, you just need to hit the activate solids selection icon on the general selection toolbar (looks like a little blue cube with a green check mark in front of it)

 

you should browse thru the MC help file for the basics in creating/editing soilds and solid toolpathing. it explains things well enough to get you started

[Jeff the haas_guy]

quote

 

you use the same toolpaths as you would with surfaces, you just need to hit the activate solids selection icon on the general selection toolbar (looks like a little blue cube with a green check mark in front of it

 

Well, I cant seem to find this icon. I did order the solids book, so Im hoping it will aid in solid works learning.

 

little help for finding this icon?

[Jeff the haas_guy]

Where is this General Selection Ribbon Bar?

[?Mark]

if you trying to chain a solid pick pocket and a Chaining dialog box comes up. Now select solid option (instead of regular wireframe) and you're ready to go.

 

hth