Tool paths from solids

[Jeff the haas_guy]

We only purchased the latest version on MCX with 6 so we could open current versions of solid works. I also understand you can tool path from solids. I tried to open a file and it would only open the solid part file, and not able to tool path from that unless there is more I need to know.

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks

[GoetzInd]

At the top of the chaining selection menu are you clicking solids?

 

Mike

[Jeff the haas_guy]

No. I will try that.

[Jeff the haas_guy]

Can you tool path in 2 D like a FCC file? If so, how?

[LA CAMmer]

If you don't like solids chaining or only want to use it infrequently you could try what I do.

 

First I create a coordinate system on my Solidworks model oriented the way I want it to come in to Mastercam. Then I export an .x_t format parasolid out of Solidworks using the coordinate system I just created. To do this click File\Save As\Save As Type (select .x_t), then click Options at the bottom, under Output Coordinate System select the coordinate system you just created, then OK.

 

Then in Mastercam I merge in the parasolid twice - once using trimmed surfaces and edge curves and the other using solids. To do this in Mastercam click File\Merge\select the solidworks file to merge into Mastercam\click Options\select the format you want\OK.

 

This way I have both wireframe (and surfaces) and solids in my file.

[Jeff the haas_guy]

Trying to do this, I got to save as x-t. When I click the option button a small message comes up asking what version of solid works the pic is. And not real sure about the coordinate system thing. If it helps I only want to make it a 2d pic to do 2d toolpathing.

[Jeff the haas_guy]

We used to have MCX. The designers would create in solid works and then create dwg so we could toolpathing from it. They stopped converting so we got MCX6 to be able to open SW but I need to do some converting before I toolpathing from it.

[Jayson Kramer]

Jeff can you share a file I can throw a few paths on it for your review?