Point Cloud and STL

[Ranger]

Has anyone done succesfull machining from point cloud or STL files or have a proven tool to transform point cloud data into surfaces?

[Chris]

I've got a job that I'm working on right now where I was supplied a fireglass cast of part for a stamp die. The plan for it is to probe the part in a grid of about .025 square. The part is about 10" square. Take the point data and convert it to ascii data if it didin't come that way. Convert to a point cloud in M/C. Next step is to create splines from the point data using the pick window so you get a series of points with a common x,y or z value. Once you've got all the splines, create surface lofted, pick the splines and your on business. If you need more help contact me at [email protected]

[johns]

Mastercam has an STL converter, but the results can be ugly. The other option is to import the STL into Cadkey (or whatever may be available), then export as Acis or parasolids. I have found that Parasolids is better than Acis and allows the converter to build wireframe as well as surfaces.

[Allan Brown]

STL Machining

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Download Stlmch72 from the [Almost] Definitive C-Hooks List page on this site: http://www.emastercam.com/tools/chooks/list.html

Stlmch72.dll -> Mill72Chooks

Stlmch72.txt -> Mill72Chooks

Stlmch72.mc7 -> Mill72Mc7

Stlmch72.stl -> Mill72Stl

You need to have at least one base surface in Mastercam to run the C-Hook. The base surface sets the toolpath extents. The rest of the toolpath is driven from the STL file itself.

1. Load the Stlmch72.mc7 sample file

2. Run the Stlmch72.dll Chook using [Alt+C]

3. Select toolpath style (Rgh/Fin Parallel, Rgh/Pocket, Fin/Ctour only)

4. Select base surface

5. Select parameters and click OK

6. Select Stlmch72.stl from list

To see what geometry drove the toolpath, you can import the STL file (as lines only), keeping the current part. This is found under Toolpaths-Converters-STL.

To develop a base surface, a stock definition, and a shifted toolplane origin (using [Alt+O] under Tplane), you can import the STL file first, using the lines as reference geometry. You will still have to use the C-Hook and select the actual STL file during processing.

[This message has been edited by Dave Thomson (edited 05-31-2000).]

[Allan Brown]

Point Cloud

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A few packages exist as C-Hooks for Mastercam. Have your Mastercam dealer give you a hand evaluating these by supplying them with your point cloud.

Revsurf - http://www.camaix.com/

Verisurf - http://www.verisurf.com/ (Verisurf helps with point collect when used in conjunction with a probe.)

HALODECK - http://www.reverse-it.com/

[4D Engineering's Surface Master seems to be off the market.]

 

Stand-alone:

Geomagic Wrap / Shape - http://www.geomagic.com/

Paraform - http://www.paraform.com/

 

On the high end:

Imageware Surfacer - http://www.sdrc.com/nav/software-services/imageware/

Others exist and others are under development. More to follow in the next few months.

[This message has been edited by Dave Thomson (edited 06-11-2000).]

[Allan Brown]

[Repost from old Mastercam Canada forum]

Date: 03 May 1999

Time: 20:54:31

Remote User: simtech

 

Message

After doing extensive work with point cloud data obtained from mechanical probing and from laser scanning, there doesn't seem to be an easy solution. I've worked with Catia's Cloud to Geometry module which is nothing less than Imageware's Surfacer product and a tough job to get the edges of surfaces right.

There is a company in Quebec City that produces a software for treating point cloud data that is worth to be looked at: InnovMetric Logiciels inc. at www.innovmetric.com

They use bezier curves to create triangular patches from cloud data, generating very fast visualisation capabilities.

The big question is Tolerance: you can fit a surface through millions of point data, but what deviation is acceptable and what is not! Almost a To Be or Not To Be kinda question!

Simtech