Solids: Redefining the number of surfaces.

[MotorCityMinion]

Here's my problem. I received a solid that was created in Solidworks using the Flex command. Two rectangular pieces with a lofted cut created with splines as the end curves and a roller coaster path, are then twisted 180. and merged to form a single round at 360. deg. Very clever and slick indeed, but what this does is limit the ability the create curves from the solid, as if it can't find any intersections or tangencies. This conditions also shows when viewing the file in Solidworks. I've seen this with other types of solids as well, not just Solidworks files.

 

Question then becomes. How do we break up the solid so I can tool path and dimension the location of the individual surfaces?

 

Can't post a pic at the moment, perhaps in a few days, but I'm sure the solid pros in here know what I'm talking about. Thanks for any help, MCM.

[E3CADCAM]

Can you post a pic. I'm thinking you might do a 'create>curve>flowline' along a continuous surface of the solid.

[MotorCityMinion]

"Can't post a pic at the moment, perhaps in a few days, but I'm sure the solid pros in here know what I'm talking about. Thanks for any help, MCM."

 

Yes and no. The file is at work and I need to do a screen capture then up it to PhotoBucket. I'll investigate the create curve flowline asap. Thanks.

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

How about importing the SW file into Mastercam as surfaces instead of solids? That might give you more to work with. And don't forget to turn of 'Create edge curves'.

[MotorCityMinion]

I tried the create surface from solid once it was in. No luck there. I'll change my import options and try that. I'll post a pic later.

 

Thanks.

[MotorCityMinion]

Here are some pics for what there worth.

 

 

 

As seen, I can only pull 2 surfaces from that loft cut. There may be a command in SW that may brake this up after its created, don't know but I'd like to do this in MC if possible.

[Colin Gilchrist]

You can use "Trim surface to plane" to cut up the surfaces, but you'll have to create Cplanes to do that.

 

Otherwise you can create lines and project them down onto the surfaces and "trim to curve".

 

Just pick the "split" option and it will keep both halves of the surface when you slice it up.

 

How are you going to drive it?

 

I would probably do a Surface Rough Pocket toolpath, then use Blend or Project to finish it up...

[MotorCityMinion]

I have not tried Surface finish project yet, on any part. Will mess with it when I get a chance. Once again, thanks for the help peeps. Have a good holiday, MCM.