converting stl files to step files

[R Bennett]

Does anyone know if there is a way to convert stl files to step files. What I have is a lot of old programs that were programmed by other people using ver9 and X and I would like to run them in verify save them as a stl file then convert them to a step file and bring them back into mastercam X2. These are mold cavities that did work but the previous programmers didn't draw the part they just created enough geometry to creat there toolpaths. This worked but I would like to creat my own toolpathsbut save the work of recreating the part geometry.

[Colin Gilchrist]

There is no way to do this in Mastercam. There is some software that can do it (Rapidform, Geomagics, and a few others), but you are talking $20k software. You are going to have to redraw the geometry or get models from your customers...

[neil qwerty]

I agree with Colin, no easy (or cheap) way to do it. If you're using X3, you can bring your stl file in as a mesh as opposed to triangles, then at least you'd be able to see what the mold components look like.

 

 

HTH,

 

Neil.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Yeah, I guess you could also toolpath directly on the STL model if all you wanted to do was run something like Core Roughing or Surface Rough Pocket. You could even run a Waterline or Parallel toolpath, but you have to run it over the entire STL shape unless you use a containment boundary. This is still not ideal though. There will be no fine control over your toolpaths like you get from using surfaces...

[YoDoug®]

I could be wrong but doesn't Verisurf reverse have the ability to create surfaces from an imported stl file. I think there used to be a free 30 day demo also. The only problem I see with this is the resolution of the Verify stl is not that good.

[iowajim62]

quote:

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What I have is a lot of old programs that were programmed by other people using ver9 and X

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If you still have V9 installed you could run the chook stl2surf to get a model.

[R Bennett]

Thanks for all the input. I didn't think there was a way to do this , but you can always hope. Thanks again.