MasterCam Direct for Solidworks

[Robert Sanderson]

I am attempting to use MasterCam Direct for Solidworks to output MasterCam files for our programmers but I have a peculiar issue. I do not have MasterCam on my machine so when I output sfb files in Solidworks, I do not get a selection box to choose what I want to output - I only get a file save button. Is there any way to change the default setup so that I can select the appropriate options.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Guest]

Welcome to the Forum Robert

 

 

IMO, don't use Mastercam direct

 

I import all of my solidworks files as .sldprt files.

 

I have found there are features that are not handled by Mastercam and you may get incomplete parts.

[Robert Sanderson]

That seems to our programmers opinion as well. I was just hoping for a simple way of communicating features such as tapped holes and the like via a 3-d model.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thank you for the nice welcome.

 

Cheers

 

Robert

[Moldmaker74]

When creating a model for the purpose of exporting it to Mastercam, I make sure that the threads are shallower than the hole. That way the imported model will show 2 diameters in for threaded holes. One being the tap drill diameter and the upper hole will be the major diameter.

[Robert Sanderson]

That works ok for holes that aren't thru, but on a thru tapped hole - it doesn't work.

 

I know that I'm looking for the holy grail of CAD/CAM interoperability, but I, like many others, would like to be able to translate a minimal amount of design intent (threaded holes, tolerances) via a 3-d model. I'm sure there is a better way, but we haven't found it yet.

 

Cheers

 

Robert

[Charlie Pierson]

I drill the solid to tap drill size , put a solid threaded bolt in the hole then subtract the bolt from the main solid. It makes the file kinda large, but there is no ambiguity.

 

gotta be an easier way.

cp

[Moldmaker74]

Robert,

I retried it and your right. I think this may have to do with Solidworks. I just updated to 2007, but I know that this worked properly on previous editions. In SW the part doesnt show a hidden silhouette representing the thread diameter like it used to.

[Robert Sanderson]

Yeah - I'm using 2007 as well.

[cadcam]

You guys are hoping for feature recanition and mastercam will not do this from the Solidworks files.

[Allan]

Robert

There is a product called Prodrill that will take the hole wizzard info and apply the correct drilling op. You would run a macro in Solidworks and the programmer will import an .x_t or .sldprt set the WCS run prodrill pick your file the macro created...cycle start.

 

Allan

[Moldmaker74]

Robert,

I got it to work corectly. In the Hole Wizard you select remove thread and then make your hole condition thru and select blind for your thread condition. I goofed it at first, I think the toggles are a little different than 2005. It wont give you a call out, but it wont look like a simple hole in the solid either.