What is it about mastercam and igs files

[Gordon Dawson]

V9, I have to clean up the files or usually have redraw everything after I import them just to run my toolpaths; what am I doing wrong?!

 

I create curves on all edges and surfaces, then delete any duplicates.

 

there has to be a better way.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

IGES, is really short for IGUESS. It is LOWEST on my list of preferred methods for file import. You shoudl try getting Parasolids or SAT or STEP (if you bought the translator).

 

The other option is update to X2 and you'll probably get better results.

 

HTH

[Gordon Dawson]

My customer only uses iges files in his solidworks.

 

Does solidworks save in those other formats?

[pip]

I have to agree with James, Iges is the lowest of the lows when it comes to file transfers. I find Step or Parasolids to be the most reliable.

I think Solidsworks can export parasolids.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Yes, ask your customer for Parasolid Files.

[Moldmaker74]

Also he will need to save it as version 13.1 (I think) or older to read in V9.

 

File save as

File type: Parasolid .x_t

Options: Version 13.1

[Bryan Johnson]

if an iges file reads in with only surfaces (no curves). Before creating curves on all edges, try "unblanking" all curves.

Sometime the edge curves are already in the file, and will be better quality that what you get by recreating them.

[Chris Parish]

In solidworks when you export as "IGES", you have to go to the options.. The two are as follows:

 

1) export as surfaces

2) export as 3d curves

 

unfortunately, you don't get both all at once

[Thee Rickster ™]

My solidworks does both surfaces and 3-d curves

when saving it as an iges file.

 

Solid works will also create the 3-d curves on a

separate layer when making a parasolid.

[Gordon Dawson]

I had them send me Parasolid files and they do work a little better, however, I am getting a rough texture on verify; Is there a filter that affects this?

[Thee Rickster ™]

Check your toolpath tolerance, I use and min

of .0005 but usually .0003.

 

.001" or .002" will look choppy

[Gordon Dawson]

Are you talking about the filter setting in the contour parameters in the tool operations mgr?

I set that at .0001" and the min arc radius the same.

[Thee Rickster ™]

3-d total tolerance in the tool path parameter.

 

2-d I do the same with the filter tol.

 

 

Sorry I am using X2. Not familiar with V9.

I would think it has the same tolerances in

the tools parameters though.

 

Other software that I am familiar with also looks

rough when verifying the 2-d paths

but the results on the CNC are great

 

 

rick

[Ocean Lacky™]

doesn't solidworks export as "Mastercam" surfaces?

 

[Müřlıń®]

To change quality of edge curves...tighten up on chordial deviation and break angles.

 

Most of the problems with IGES are tolerance issues before export.

 

If done corretly, I have very little problems with IGES surfs.

 

But I have been working with Proe converted IGES.

 

My customers that use Solidworks and send me an IGES, almost always have gaps and faucated surfs.

 

They have not set the tolerances on their systems up correctly.

 

Remember, NURBS has always been ONLY an approximation.

 

The looser your system tolerances are, the less accurate your exported files will be.

 

 

quote:

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There can be many other reasons,for your problems, such as the original file being imported into solidworks from another system etc.

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BINGO!!!!