Mastercam Mill X4 Help.....Newbie

[jmr0311]

I'm very new to Mastercam, about 3 days of experience . I have this project that I need to get done but I'm having a hard time with what I'm pretty sure is going to be an easy process ones I learn it.I need to machine several pieces of UHMW with some pockets and some thru holes. I created the drawings in Solid Works and plan on bringing those to Mastercam to work with them. I open the solid works files on Mastercam and it shows the drawing of the part.

I'm able to set up the parameters, tool type and other things but my main problem has being the "Geometry Chains". I don't have a clue how to use it if I have a very odd shape pocket. I keep getting the message that says, that the "chains are open" and when I don't get the message and a chain is created when I simmulate the toolpath it does not do what I want. Any help will be very appreciative.

[Sandybar]

Try going to Create -> Curves -> Curves on all edges.

 

Pick the surface you need to chain, you may need to use solid chain, this will create geometry for your pocket. Then machine and use the curve you just created to chain for your pocket routine.

[Surface]

Sandy, he probably has all of the edge curves he needs. I think it's more likely the chain pauses at a branch and being a newbie, he doesn't know what to do.

[koko76]

Chain creation takes a bit of getting used to, and knowing what chains are needed for what opperation.

As the other post says you can create curve geometry from the existing solid, and then pick those lines. You only need to click once on one part of the chain unless you change the settings in the chaining dialog.

The other option, depending on what Mastercam options you have is to use solid chaining. You can pick the top edge, or even the bottom face of the pocket to define it. With the chaining dialog open see the two boxes on the top. Default would be the box on the left, meaning you are chaining from 2D geometry, clicking the one on the right that looks like a cube will allow you to select faces from the solid (assuming you have the right MC options).

Go through the help files for pocketing toolpaths, and for chaining, they will provide a lot of insight. If you can swing it, a class or two at your reseller will give you what you need very quickly.

[Mike S @ S4A]

training, training, training, training.

 

has your reseller been any help?

 

is that Irving Mass you're in? if so that's in our territory. we'll be glad to help you out.

[jmr0311]

Can I post images in this forum? I want to show what mastercam is doing whem I do the chain on the pocket that I need to machine.That way you guys can understand me better. Thank you for all the insightful information.

[jmr0311]

No I'm in Irving, Texas.

[Sandybar]

YOu can post your file to CadCams FTp site. Click on FTP upload Insturctions and then tell us where you put it.

[jmr0311]

Do I need to have any special software on my PC to be able to upload to this FTP server. Its not working for me the draging of the file. Everytime I do it, the system wants to save the file again in my PC.

[Surface]

Can you Email it to me? [email protected]

[TK-32™]

every time I convert any file to mastercam I Delete, Duplicates entities.

Edit > Delete > Duplicates (or you could use the button on top)

[Cannon]

quote:

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every time I convert any file to mastercam I Delete, Duplicates entities.

Edit > Delete > Duplicates (or you could use the button on top)

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In configuration, you can select Mastercam to do this automatically every time you open a file.

[The Chipmaker]

"No I'm in Irving, Texas."

Road Trip!