witch format?

[sml2011]

Hi to all

 

I open a part with different format :

 

1- Parasalid

2- IGES

3- Step

4- VDA

 

in parasalid format i had 1200 surface

In Step i had 2350 surface

in VDA format i had 5352 surface in the mastercam

 

Witch format is more power? the format that create more surface?

 

Witch format do you suggest to use for big and small parts?

 

 

Thank you

[Greg Williams]

It all depends where the file comes from. I generally try to keep the native format if possible. So Parasolid from Parasolid systems (Sworks UG etc). If the system is not parasolid based then I use STEP (Catia etc) and IGES/VDA is the last choice for me

[RaiderX]

i second that

[gcode]

parasolid X_B and X_T

 

step

 

iges .... only when there is no other option

[Cuda84]

The IGUSE format is the last resort.

[bogusmill]

IGS is curves and surfaces & if it's more than one part or an assembly it still comes in on one level. STP is curves, surfaces & solids and each part imports on a separate level. We have had better luck with STP importing from Catia than the Catia to MC converter.

[CJep]

1.parasolid (sldprt,ipt,prt,x_t,...)

2.step

 

3.I-guess

 

iges,.. has it's uses, I've used it to filter "noise" from part files

[CJep]

We have had better luck with STP importing from Catia than the Catia to MC converter.

 

I use the Moldplus Catia convertor.

[P_Scott]

Hi to all

 

I open a part with different format :

 

1- Parasalid

2- IGES

3- Step

4- VDA

 

in parasalid format i had 1200 surface

In Step i had 2350 surface

in VDA format i had 5352 surface in the mastercam

 

Witch format is more power? the format that create more surface?

 

Witch format do you suggest to use for big and small parts?

 

 

Thank you

 

sml2011,

 

It really depends on the design software that was used. If it is SolidWorks I would ask them to provide you with the .sldprt file or Parasolid (.x_t). If it was designed with Pro-Engineer, ask for a STEP (.stp or .step) file. I always prefer solid formats. That includes most formats except .IGS ("I guess it's right"), which doesn't use solids. Others offered good advice in this thread, only use .IGS as a last resort. Be sure to click on the Options button at the bottom of the File-Open dialog. This way you can select the type of entities you would like to open into Mcam. I typically only bring in the solid and not "edge curves". Generating edge curves after importing the file gives the user more control over which entities are used. Allowing for edge curves to be imported with the solid makes more lines, arcs and splines than are needed. A smaller number of entities is generally considered better than more. More entities need larger amounts of storage space and more time to calculate toolpaths. If solids are not an option, still try for the closest to "native" file format available. Find out what program was used to design it. Than you'll have a good idea of which format you should use.

 

As far as "Witch is more powerful?", I'd say Glenda the Good Witch. But then again she is mostly talk. Unless you're playing a "Wizard of OZ" slot machine. Then the Wicked Witch of the West could be good too.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.