MasterCam Solids

[CRW]

I'm wondering how many of you are using MC Solids.

 

NOT MasterCam for Solidworks.

 

We're a small company, so it's more cost effective at this point to add on Solids rather than purchase a seat of SolidWorks.

 

My only issue is that there doesn't seem to be any training through my reseller, or any others in the surrounding areas.

 

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[Newbeeee™]

If solid models are available for programming from, the cost of solids more than pays for itself. Also, to create a solid in mastercam is really easy, which then speeds your programming as well.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

I consider it a necessity.

[Guest]

We're a small company, so it's more cost effective at this point to add on Solids rather than purchase a seat of SolidWorks.

 

 

Without knowing what you're going to be using Solids for, I am wary of this statement.

 

If you're going to be using Mastercam solid to do layouts and prints, I can promise you, you'll save more time and thus $$$ using a CAD system.

 

If you need a CAD system, use a CAD system. Yes it costs you up front but saves you $$$

[crazy^millman]

I can make any solid I need to using Mastercam. Thing is like John said what are you going to be doing? Without knowing that hard to really know what is going to be best solution for you.

 

HTH

[LaszloK]

We are also a small company. We use MC solids here for all of our tooling design. Most of the solids are used to generate CNC programs but we also provide detail drawings for some components. MC can get the job done.

[Guest]

We are also a small company. We use MC solids here for all of our tooling design. Most of the solids are used to generate CNC programs but we also provide detail drawings for some components. MC can get the job done.

 

 

I won't dispute that it will get the job done, only that on more complex stuff you'll be leaving money on the table.

[Newbeeee™]

One other thing i'll add (as we're a VERY small company), is learning time for multiple systems.

I've been on autocad since R10 and pretty much know it like the back of my hand, but bought Inventor for the solids. We chose this for 'seamless integration' with autocad, as both were from autodesk...

Anyway, I really haven't had time to play with Inventor as I'm still learning mastercam.

So I'll cad something in autocad and dxf it into mastercam and go from there, as it's the quickest way for me.

I'll get to grips with Inventor one day, but I am still the newbeeee

[Jayson Kramer]

CRW, for the price and what you can do with it . I would have your company buy the Solids add on. but if your company is going to design there own product I would go with a dedicated CAD Like Inventor or SW.

Also there is a basics of solids book right here on this forum you can get.

[CRW]

Thanks for the input.

 

I didn't mean to be so cryptic or vague. I will be using to mostly design brackets and assemblies.

 

I'd be doing these on and around engine assemblies, so I'm not sure if importing that kind of geometry to too much to ask out of MC Solids.

 

I'll be the one doing all the drawing, so having enough time to learn a different software package is also a consideration.

[crazy^millman]

I'm not sure if importing that kind of geometry to too much to ask out of MC Solids.

 

That is does very well and Solidworks, Inventor and SpaceClaim are direct interfaces, then you have the Step, Iges, Parasolid and many other standard options. Want to step up and get Pro-E, CATIA, or UG they can be bought for Mastercam as well. They would be free like others, but those 3 companies want to make sure the competition does not get a free ride so they make people pay for their translators.

 

HTH

[gcode]

If you're doing a lot of assemblies, I'd definitely look at SolidWorks.

SolidWorks is far superior to MC for that kind of work

[taperlength]

Solidworks is a _parametric_ modeler, which is different from Mastercam solids. In Mastercam, the geometry drives the dimensions, whereas in Solidworks, the dimensions and relations drive the geometry.

[BenK]

I am just finishing up school for drafting and design. I know how to use Inventor, Solidworks, Creo and Mastercam. Mastercam could get the job done but if you are going to work with assemblies or complex solid models on a regular basis a dedicated solid modeler would save you in the long run. When it comes to picking a parametric software if you are looking for something you can hit the ground running I would go with Solidworks. If you can use solids in Mastercam you can use Solidworks.

[reidmachine]

Getting the solids option will be money well spent, er, invested.

I have built entire assemblies with it, made all of my tooling with it, including 4th axis tooling, vises, plates, etc.

Being able to view the part inside of the raw stock, on the "machine" has been a valuable resource, and now, with fill holes and other new features that I have yet to use , it has just gotten better.

[gcode]

Whether you use Mastercam Solids or some other CAD package as you main modeling tool

the Solids module is well worth the price. Its nearly mandatory IMO

[CRW]

Thanks to all of you for your constructive posts.

 

I've gone ahead and purchased the MC Solids add on. I will at some time in the not to distant future most likely purchase a seat of SolidWorks too.

 

I just tried drawing excercise

[CRW]

I just tried drawing exercise #2 in the tutorial, but the end result somehow comes out as a wireframe and not a solid... But that's a whole different post.

 

Thanks for all of your inputs.

 

Cliff

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

Could be you just need to turn on shading.

[Jayson Kramer]

CRW, were are you located? have you thought about some online trainning?

[CRW]

I'm trying to coordinate with my reseller to attend a class. Not many resellers seem to have a class for solids. I travel a bit, so that's a challenge as well.

 

Online training would be "plan B" for me. I always do better with direct instruction... or at least I have in the past.

[CRW]

Could be you just need to turn on shading.

 

Thank You, Thank You!!!

 

That was it!! I needed to "toggle" shading.

[Jayson Kramer]

CRW, if you wan't online one training, even if you travel allot just contact my company we offer this if you find you need more.

good luck you will love using solids all the time once you have it down.