stock model vs stl on bigger programs?

[Gary]

What does everyone prefer for larger files, Say 30 plus 3-d operation with several rest machining operations. Just would like to here what

the pro's thoughts are on more complex operations.

thanks

[?Mark]

Stock model all the way now (created from either ops or stls). The latest X7 has made a great improvement in file sizes.

I used to have STL's reaching 100mb on regular basis, with some into 200mb

[CamMan1]

I personally use the STL's now that they improved the triangle count so that the files are not so large. I was using the Stock Model but for me it is much faster to use the STL's. A lot of the work I do is all surfacing and it takes too long for Stock Model to gen. Most of the parts we do are 100" long x 40" wide or larger. For me it is faster to use the STL's especially if I have to go back and make a change on a large toolpath, then I have to wait for a long time for Stock Model to regen. If you need to have real good clarity and accuracy though stick with the Stock Model.

[RayD]

Last few Large programs I did, I used a stock model that referenced an STL. This gave me the handy model in the Op manager, but i didn't have to deal with the regeneration time if I changed a minor setting in one of the operations that the Stock Model would have referanced.

 

I love stock model, but the regeneration time is slow on large/detailed paths. Much better in X7 than X6 but still has some shortcomings.

[crazy^millman]

I have changed my whole work process with X7.

 

My process for programming parts with regards to Verify for parts that require milling from 3 axis to 5 axis.

#1 Make my operation group.

#2 I make my solid stock.(If a casting or other operations I use a STL)

#3 I make my stock model from Solid Stock, If it is a casting or other operations I use a STL file.

#4 I make my operations for machining the part for that operation.

#5 I repeat the above steps as many times are needed to make the program.

Exception to this might be tooling or fixtures, but if they are being made on the same machine they go right into the mix of operations.

 

I am so happy I can leave verify up and verify operations as I make them and see what there impact is on the part I am making programs for.

 

I agree the regen times on Stock Model takes to much time. Quicker just to verfiy and save as STL at this point. Hopefully it gets improved.

[RayD]

Since X6, my very first operation is a Stock Model (referencing Stock setup/solid/stl if casting).

 

I do this even on simple programs, just to be able to toggle stock on/off without having to go into Machine Group Properties

[crazy^millman]

Ray, I like I can have 2 to 10 operations and pick that stock model to that operation for verification and not have to stop Mastercam to Verify and not have to go pick a model or file.

[Tyler Robertson]

I do what Ray does. Rest machining off the stock model is fantastic. I create a number of different stock models and just let them crunch away in the background so I can go back and check what I was doing at any given time just by toggling them on and off

[Cannon]

I have also start using stock model in most of my rest roughing operation. When it works it is a nice feature but I still have problems with it that I havent figured out. Problems usually start when I create a stock model from previous stock model and some operations, I might get stock model operation with red X over it or model that does not include all the operations I´ve put in to create it. Sometimes Ram saver works to fix this or I have to delete the stock model and create it again.

 

I also use stock model to create casting stock over the part quickly. What I would like to see is option to add stock only selected surfaces not the whole part.