Simple Stuff (I hope)

[machtek]

I am machining several ops with one file and have created a solid for the end result of each op. My question is, is there a way in mcx to hide a solid (like turn off it's level) and have the verify show and use it when running. In other words I don't want to see the solids when I am programming toolpaths but I don't want to go back in and turn of every level in sequence to verify the part. I know, I'm dreaming but this will really help save time if anyone knows the solution.

 

Thanks

 

[Guest]

The way I do it is to keep the blank stock solid on it's own level, I usually use #200, then when I am ready to verufy I turn on level 200 and verify.

 

Is that what you're talking about?

[Rick Henrickson The Boeing Co.]

why dont you just keep the stl after each op then you can just use file.

or like John said store them on seperate levels

[DavidB]

Use your solid which represents your stock which is on a sepperate level.

Then once Verify has done it's stuff save whats on the screen as a STL file.

 

Now use a STL file as stock for the next toolpaths, or just use the solid to verify all toolpaths.

 

HTH

[machtek]

Hi John, this is what I normally do. One level called stock with nothing else on it. The problem is many parts have many ops and I usually have a MCX file for each op which makes this simple. I have recently started including all ops in one MCX file. I could go into each stock level and turn it on b4 each toolpath group however I thought there might be an easy way to hide the solid until verify needs it. Rick and David, I have tried the STL route but don't think it is as streamlined as using solids. Maybe I will try again, there may be something I have missed.

 

Thanks for all your help

[Guest]

I generally do all of my ops in one file. Most everything starts out as a solid block so with the use of the WCS, I verify all of my operations on the one solid and at the end have a completed verified machined part.

[Mark H]

There were several requests to "fix" this...

 

http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...=1;t=020776;p=1

 

http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...ic;f=1;t=016714

 

BTW, I emailed MC's QC and got the following response...

 

quote:

---

I have to agree with you, this is annoying. I logged it as defect # CNC 00020957

---

[machtek]

John,I haven't used the WCS function yet I remember it in the X videos. What is a quick way to enact it. Also Mark thanks for the information it looks like I'm not the only one this bothers. Imo verify is one of the main reasons I use CAM, other than hopelessly complex programing. This was a feature I especially liked in my former life as a Gibbs Cam programer. Hopefully this will be fixed in the near future.

[Guest]

There are a couple of WCS files on the FTP,

 

Hardmill did one for V9, it is still relevent to how to set ip ut and use it. There is also a .pdf, I think on the FTP as well.

 

A search will should glean plenty of information on setting up and using the WCS.

[machtek]

Thanks John

[Mark H]

I got an email today saying that it was fixed in X2... Thanks for listening MC.

[machtek]

Ok I tried the STL based stock representation however I am only allowed to choose one file for stock and there is an op performed outside of MCX (the part gets sawed in two) that I will need to represent. Also does anyone know how to convert an STL into a solid format like X_T or SAT or IGS?

 

Thanks for the responses

[Don LePore from CNC Software]

This problem (cnc20957) has been fixed in vX2.

[Guest]

mactek, for you to accomplish what you are looking to do, I think you'll need to model it down the machine state and then add your saw cut, in MR2 though, you will still need a very small web to be able to bollen add them, as you can only select one solid at this point.

 

I just went through the whole stl to solid route, no, there really is not a viable method to do this.

[Jody]

I Just tried the way that you said John using a stock model on a different level. but using it with WCS the stock is cut only for the top view. so if you had a cut from the side or bottom it shows it cutting from the top.

 

 

Thnk you

Jody

[Rick Henrickson The Boeing Co.]

I use one material blank to start then program all opps with c and t planes part renders each step of the machining process.

if you want to make sure your not hitting tombstone or fixturing boolean add tomstone to material solid and verify

[Guest]

Yup,

 

I can see the cuts all the way around the part.

 

I have even used this to do 2 axis milling ops and then a 4 axis op and verified it all on 1 part.

[Rick Henrickson The Boeing Co.]

+1 john, I just move fixturing and / or tombstones to the part for each op.

[Jody]

OIC that works just like you say it does. The only problem is that MC does not know the difference between what I want it to do and what I tell it to do. duh I clicked on all operation in the file that I was working on but I was cutting to different pieces of steel.

 

Thanks for the use of the crowbar to pull my head out of my butt.

 

 

 

 

Jody