Solids here, now what??

[jspangler]

Hi

Just got Solids for Version 8.1.1, and finished the tutuorial, but it didn;'t cover anything related to my 2D drawings? Is there a different method of pulling a toolpath off the drawing? Any suggestions on books other than tutorials??

 

Thanks again

 

John

[cadcam]

I not sure what you are thinking about d drawings.

Do you want to make 2D drawings from your solid model or ae you saying you want to make 2d solids.

 

Solids a purly 3d based.

Except for Solid sheets.

[David S]

The worst part of MasterCam is their Owner's Manuals and their tutorials. Have no idea that if they don't have good writers or they just simlply don't want you to learn by your self. You can learn more here, in this forum, from so many talents than your owner's books. Since MasterCam dose not encourage and profit is so low, that there isn't many good MasterCam books around. Do you really want to learn it quick? Pay money, go to a class. I am sure MasterCam will be glad to tell you where to go. How much to pay. I have been MasterCam user since V.4. I am V.9 user now. MasterCam has not changed on this part. I might ofend some people in this forum, but it is true.

 

[ 06-19-2002, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: David S ]

[chris m]

Amen to that!

[Kenneth Potter]

Ohhhhhhh Boy

 

We have been down that road before on Mastercam books.....

[ProductDevelopmentGuy]

JSpangler,

What about the Mill Tutorial book? That's we're you'll make toolpaths!

PDG

[iowajim62]

Hi

You asked about pulling toolpaths from your drawings,not sure what you mean. Solids is used to extrude solid objects from your geometry.

Whether it's 2-D or 3-D doesn't matter, what you are wanting from solids I'm not sure of. Sounds like your expecting Mastercam to give you toolpath from the solid object you created, but you still have to drive the tools yourself just like before. You might want to elaborate a bit about what you want to do with Solids.

HTH

Jim

[cadcam]

Jhon, Scott can help you with some of this or you may contact me again.

[jspangler]

Hi

Sorry, I guess the question was a little vague. By "2D" i mean no surfacing type cuts, 2 1/2 axis stuff.

Basically I need to know;

Do I change my method of drawing the 2D parts in mastercam to unlock some hidden functionality or benefit of Solids, or do i draw them the same way, pull the toolpaths the same way, and use solids only for visualization?

I can already see how it's going to be a LOT easier to create objects ( even 2D) that have more than 1 side machined. But for my everyday stuff, it's more like a neat toy. At least until I find a better tutorial...

 

Thanks

 

John

Hotshot

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

John,

 

You can always come to class for very little cost (price of materials/books - usually $100) at the NTMA where I teach. Classes run for 16 weeks. You can take classes in CNC Operation, Mastercam, Advanced Mastercam, Advanced CNC, etc...

 

NTMA Training Centers Locations

 

Check it out.

[jspangler]

Hi

Thanks James. I thinks that's what i will try to do. Scott has been coming down here on his way home lately, slapping me into shape on solids, etc. I actually made my first two parts using Solids yesterday, and it is SOoooo much easier to visualize the part that there is no going back for me.

 

thanks to everyone on this forum for all the help

 

John

[cadcam]

Hey James they need to update that map.

I don't see my new office in North hollwood.

 

I need to contact max tommorrow thanks for makeing think.

[P_Scott]

jspangler,

 

Solids is much more than visualization. If you pick a face at the bottom of a pocket in a solid part Mcam will know what the depth of that face is from the Absolute origin. It will automatically use all the edges of that face for pocket boundaries, including island edges. In V9, there is a Solid Drill operation which will allow you to drill all the holes of a solid part from one operation, without having to manually select all the holes. You can even use the Solid Drill to perform multiple operations (spot, drill, tap, ream) on all the holes detected on the solid part. There are many advantages to using solids for toolpaths, even for 2-1/2D parts.