Newbie ? Method Rough Solid

[GBeaman]

Hi, again. I am using EdgeCAM at home and MasterCAM at work, My brain is fried from trying to learn to use 2 different softwares at once. In Edge I can select the solid define the stock and then select Roughing Cycle and it produces a rough part with offsets on the material. Is there something similar to this in MasterCam? I know this is a dumb question too, but can you surface directly off of the imported model without having "Create Surface From Solid"? It appears to me that one of the really powerful tools of mastercam is the Surface Rough Pocket, and I was thinking that this might be manipulated to do what I wanted to do. I am sure all of you have a common routine for this, so I figured I would just post a dumb question, instead of trial and error. Thanks so much.

-Greg

[kunfuzed]

The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. Or when you ask for a post.

 

The second question I can answer as yes. You need to activate solid selection to pick individual surfaces. (I also think you need the solids moduale, correct me if I'm wrong)

[BernieT]

Why don't you install Mastercam on your home 'puter & bring the sim home?

[D Ford]

Try www.streamingteacher.com it really helped me

[Matt Berube at Ferron Mold]

You DO NOT NEED the solid option to machine directly on a solid. When you get to drive surface selection, you should be able to just click the solid without actually activating the solid selection if you have one of the newer versions of MC.

 

It sounds like you are saying that edgecam is considering the size of the stock to define where the toolpaths need to go. Mastercam does not work this way but you are on the right track. Use the surf rough pocket and make sure you create a containment boundary of your rough stock shape so MC knows where to cut.

 

The only reason to define stock in MC is for verification purposes. (at least in the mill packages)...

[GBeaman]

Thnks for the advice fellas. I will try the surface rough pocket on this upcoming part. I did a search for EdgeCAM on this forum, and wow there is a lot of posts regarding it in comparison to MC. EdgeCAM has a try before you buy, offer. I went and visited the reseller in Houston, and they gave me an "overview" of the software and a post, then the opened a "dongle" for 90 days.... WOW!!! I have been using it instead of writing a program in MC and then only taking home the posted code. I spent countless hours pulling out my hair and recoding things that wouldn't work. Edge at home has been a huge improvement over that situation. In a few weeks my trial will be over. It will be decision time, between buying MC or Edge. Both are about $3k for entry 2.5d. I guess I need to read all the posts here on the subject, as $3K is a lot of money in my world. My old bostomatic is a terrible pain to get the post straightened out and working for. It sure is nice to have EdgeCAM, post, send, and hit the green button! I know everyone, including me, and especially salesmen are biased, but I want to make a good long term decision. I sure like my Edge Reseller, he has been more then good to me, and what about Matt Mattera, he seems to have crossed party lines. Any input on the situation is much appreciated.

-Greg

[Thad]

From the little I've seen of EdgeCAM, I'd pay $5000 for MC before I'd pay $3000 for EdgeCAM.

 

Thad

[Dan@home]

MC! You'll have this great forum for help.

[cobra95kev]

+1000 danbo,

We have Surfcam here too and they don't even have a forum. That is why I always use MC unless I need to use tru-mill.

 

This place is great.

 

Kevin C.

[BernieT]

Talk to your Mcam dealer about a post or post changes. He should be able to get you going.

 

Also this forum can help with post issues.

 

Almost all of us post and push the button!!!

[jeff]

quote:

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Almost all of us post and push the button!!!

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The only way to fly!

[GBeaman]

quote:

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The only way to fly!

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This is true!!! But you really appreciate it when you have done more hand coding then you care to admit. I have read on Edgecam archives here and most of what everyone says is the drawback is service. The Irony of this is that I can't get my reseller to fix my post for our machines at work. The edge guys have been superb. And those C++ type post files, send my head spinning. I really don't know what I am doing when I look at them. Maybe this forum is great, but if there were at least one good reason not to purchase MCam, I would say "questionable service". I think our local guys are just spread too thin to have any time to help me out.

[Hardmill]

quote:

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I would say "questionable service". I think our local guys are just spread too thin to have any time to help me out.

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If you dont have the software how could you question the service??.

That makes no sense at all. Like they said you got a bigger/more

knowleable user forum here than you'd find any where.

 

I dare you to try and find one. Go ahead try. I dare ya

 

 

PEACE

[iowajim62]

quote:

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If you dont have the software how could you question the service??.

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quote:

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MasterCAM at work

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ahemmmm, read the post

:SMACK:

[Hardmill]

quote:

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ahemmmm, read the post [Razz]

:SMACK:

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So if he has it at work why does he need to worry about

which software to purchase ??

 

:EYE GOUGE:

 

So re-read ya hill-billy :

quote:

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Maybe this forum is great, but if there were at least one good reason not to purchase MCam,

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PEACE

[GBeaman]

We just got X2 here at my job a few weeks ago. I have been stumbling through it and these difficult parts. I needed a 4 axis post for the machine to make these parts and Mcam reseller gave me one, but it opened a whole new can of worms. I sent it to him for some mods, and it took near 2 weeks to get it back, and it still wouldn't run a part. I called someone different and he still has my post, still not able to make good parts with the 4th axis post. The hurco I run is only a year old, you might think that it wouldn't be too difficult to get a working post for it. If it is this much trouble for our new hurco, it doesn't bode well for my 22year old Bostomatic. I want a real licensed software. I can't conscientiously carry home my SIM key and use it at home. Thanks for all of your help it is reassuring to find a resource such as this. I think it may be a deciding factor in the decision.

-Greg

[Guest John Paris @ Services 4 Automati]

quote:

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Thanks for all of your help it is reassuring to find a resource such as this. I think it may be a deciding factor in the decision.

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Just think ALL of this and we throw Hardmill in for free.

 

[Hardmill]

quote:

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Just think ALL of this and we throw Hardmill in for free.

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John as an employee for S4A shouldnt you be encouraging potential customers.

 

 

PEACE

[jeff]

What problems are you having with your post?

There are many people here that will help you with it.

[Guest John Paris @ Services 4 Automati]

quote:

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John as an employee for S4A shouldnt you be encouraging potential customers.

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I thought I was

 

 

Why are you the deal breaker?

 

Who knew?

 

[Hardmill]

Talkin 'bout buying it.

 

quote:

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Maybe this forum is great, but if there were at least one good reason not to purchase MCam, I would say "questionable service".

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"POOF", now they got.

 

quote:

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We just got X2 here at my job a few weeks ago.

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quote:

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ahemmmm, read the post [Razz]

:SMACK:

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Kicked by the redneck

 

 

PEACE

[GBeaman]

Post problems:

-Incrimental drill cycles (Hurco's crumby G-code)

and their correct format.

-Also Clearance plane between drilled holes.

-G2 and G3 are reversed. (Only scrapped one 30 hour part to find this out)

-Rigid Tap with peck non existant

a few other minor things but these 4 and I could at least make a part with out hand editing the code.

[GBeaman]

quote:

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"POOF", now they got. [Head Scratch]

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I am confused Hardmill...

 

 

We purchased X2 a few weeks ago, upgrading from version 8.1. I wasn't allowed to use 8.1 very much so X2 is a big leap for me, not to mention more difficult parts then I have ever attempted before.

 

No magic fairies or "elves" delivered the software. It came in the mail.

[Hardmill]

This threw me off:

quote:

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but if there were at least one good reason not to purchase MCam

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Thats why I thought you didnt have it.

 

 

quote:

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No magic fairies or "elves" delivered the software

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Its OK guys Keebler was not involved.

 

 

PEACE

[iowajim62]

G,

quote:

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We purchased X2 a few weeks ago, upgrading from version 8.1.

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can you try and update your old 8.1 post to run in X2? worth a try anywayz