Catia 5 to Mastercam X problems

[bcoop]

We use the following process for converting files. It is cumbersome and incomplete. I would be interested in how others do this better?

 

1. We uses Catia version 5 to create solids files (CatPart files) that contain dimensional and surfacing data for every block that we cut. The surfaces in the Catia file will have different colors that designate the surface conditions on the blocks. The colors need to be available in MastercamX because they provide information to the machinist.

 

2. We uses Mastercam version 10 (X) to generate 2D toolpath only for the CNC machines that actually cut the steel.

 

3. MastercamX cannot read the Catia files directly - they need to be translated first. After translation we need the colors and the wireframe available in MastercamX that originated in Catia 5.

 

4. We currently output the Catia file in iges format. With the iges format color and surface information are present, no wire frame. Round items have to have point put on the circle center for the machine to pick up the correct center. When putting out a step file colors are not present, but the circle are true circles.

 

5. Would like to have a file that contains both surface information, wire frame and colors.

 

6. We are trying to convert the Catia files in a way that MastercamX can read them without having to manually clean them up.

[Guest]

Welcome to the Forum

 

 

This is the SAME mess I am dealing with . The CATIA files are an utter mess and require a great deal of manipulation just to make them usable.

 

I feel for you

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

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"...MastercamX cannot read the Catia files directly - they need to be translated first.

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BCoop,

I don't understand what you mean by this. Have you tried one of the available Add-ons that bring CATParts and CATProducts directly into Mastercam?

 

Regarding the IGES lack of wireframe, simply creating edge curves on the trimmed surfaces should suffice.

 

There are also tools available for converting small circles into points and for selecting circles directly for drilling

[P_Scott]

bcoop,

 

There is another Catia converter available from Moldplus. This one tends to work better than the one developed by Mastercam. Moldplus is actually associated with a reseller of Mastercam in Europe. Here's the link to their page: Moldplus Catia page HTH

[bogusmill]

I have played with this alot, we get lots of models or assemblies in Catia. I have used both igs and step and even played with settings in both on the Catia tools/options menu. No one setting works best for everything but in step the 214 iso and 203 ed2 options work better than the rest and checking the show/no show box will bring in helixes etc. For igs we like B-spline and surface settings best. I will usually get wireframe from curves/all edges in MCX. I also convert both step and igs while the Catia file is open to save time if needed later. I use the step first and if it's bad then igs. Step will bring in assemblies and igs is one part at a time.

 

Hope this helps!

[New Job]

I recomend the Moldplus converter, works great for me.

[bcoop]

We tried one of the Mastercam translators a year ago but it did not work well at all. We just tried another one (Am I allowed to say what we experienced with different products?) and it did not bring the colors through. The MoldPlus product is being tried now. It looks promising but apparently the wireframe does not come through. They tell me that they could make this happen. They said no one ever asked before. This made me wonder if we are missing something.

I need to look into the thoughts of Pete who just responded here. We cut 4000 blocks a year so this is important to us. I appreciate the input.

[bogusmill]

We tried Mcams converter and another (from europe) but I don't remember the name right now. Neither did as well as the method we're using now.

 

But I will say that what I used for that test was a complicated experimental friction stir welding pen with a tapered thread on a small cone which then had three tapered flats on the cone and all that was on a .200 dia. tip so small size and complexity may have been what did them in.

[Colin Gilchrist]

The Moldplus Catia V5 converter works flawlessly. If you can't see the wireframe, perhaps you have it blanked (no show in Catia I think). It is well worth the money.

 

FYI, If your shop deals with Catia V5 models, all of the dimensioning and tolerancing data is contained in the solids history tree. To be able to get this data you need a Catia V5 model viewer. I recommend the one from Enovia. Yes, it is expensive, but you need it. Just pass the cost on to your customers.

 

HTH,

 

Colin Gilchrist

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

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...3. MastercamX cannot read the Catia files directly

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I have CATIA V5 R16 and it DOES work quite well. As a CATIA user, I can tell you right now that that quality of the model will determine the quality of the import. My first few CATIA models were crap and guess what, I had problems reading them into X, solid body issues, surface untrims, etc... I'm not exactly saying your people don't know how to model but I will say GIGO.

 

But if you're hell bent on using something free, write out a STEP file instead of an IGUESS file and you'll have better luck.

 

JM2C

[Greg Williams]

This is the age old story

 

Crap in equals crap out

 

As James said it is all to do with how the model is constucted and what tolerance is used

 

You need also to understand that some files are just about at the point of falling over in there native system due to complexity issue so when you go to translate them what chance do you have!

[Larry Spieler]

I must agree with James and Greg as I also am a user of Catia V5 R16. I have no problem with files which are modeled correctly. I also use Step along with iges wireframe merging both files on different levels and colors. This gives me the flexibility to use whatever I wish without having to extract the edge curves.

 

Great forum!!!

[bcoop]

We are in the process of developing a custom Catia script that will produce one output file that has everything we need. If anyone is interested in this send me an email and I will keep you updated on how it is going. Again, thank you for all of the suggestions and ideas - this has been very helpful for us.

 

Brian Cooper

[Colin Gilchrist]

Brian,

 

Just look into the Catia translator for Mastercam. It will solve your conversion problems...

 

Colin Gilchrist

[Guest]

I don't know about his problem but I know with my issue a translator helps but only a little bit.

 

Getting files in either iges or step format that have output from CATIA, as well as a couple of native CATIA, the our reseller has converted for us, these files they were better but still dicey at best, the rest, are an utter mess. I "assume" it is happening on the way out of CATIA because what ever format we get the issues are all the same. Much of it needs to be recreated to be able to machine the parts. I have spent a good many hours doing thins at this point.

 

The trimmed surfaces are many times not trimmed at all, surfaces are incomplete or twisted because the geometry is no longer trimmed so the system, does the best it can to recreate.

 

 

Just been a PITA job no matter what we have tried.

[MLS]

We have had customers supply us Catia files that we IGES out and come into Mastercam without one flaw. Popular opinion says IGES is the weakest of the tranlsators.

 

We have had customers supply us with Catia files that we convert to IGES, STEP, and used the Catread in Mastercam that required hours of fixing to get a good solid. None would do a good job...the models just sucked, but no discernable difference in CATIA. (all dumb models)

 

Reading what James said...+1

It seems to be the case that it is dependant upon how it is modelled in the Native software.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Being a CATIA n00b means I make all the mistakes so I am real good at putting out a crappy CAD file that looks like hell when I bring it into Mastercam. But as I'm much better now and ca get a good file out. One thing that I've noticed with the CATIA files is if I use a surfave to trim a solid... that's gonna B big time trouble.

[bcoop]

I have noticed that as machining software matures that it is getting more and more difficult for 'average' engineering staff to perform at a level that works well. I believe that it is to that point with Catia where a person can try hard, put years of effort in, and still not do that well. This was less true in the past. The solids approach to design is concentrating skills that used to be spread across a number of people into one person. If the person has all the skills it can work better. If they don't I believe productivity actually declines. Some of the posts on this topic refer to this problem. There isn't a good answer for it. We are not all unusually gifted people.