Chains that do not not connect.

[TSeavert]

We have a problem with chains for contours. When modifing a chain...say offsetting entities, and then extending them so that they overlap and finally trimming them, they will not chain. It's like they are broken. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a precision issue? I do not understand how 2 trimmed entities cannot intersect. This is a big problem at our facility. Everyone here experiences the same problem at one time or another. Maybe we are not using the right tools.

BTW we are using mc v9.1

 

Thanks

[Jean-Simon]

Welcome to the forum, there's definitly something you're not doing right, can e-mail me the file or try to upload it on the ftp if you can I'll have a look.HTH!

 

Simon

[gcode]

You need to be sure that you entities are on the same construction plane. If they are not, try

XFORM/SQUASH/ALL ENTITIES and check construction plane

[TSeavert]

G Code

I think that may have been the problem. Most of our geometry is imported from 3d software and these entities may not be on the same z plane. I feel kinda stupid. And also I did not know what the squash command did.

Thanks, I have learned something new!!

 

There is plenty for me to learn as I'm fairly new to MasterCam.

 

Thanks again all for the replies!!!!!

[Eric S.]

Hello

 

what also might help you find the problem area is using the Analyze chain function. It will show were entities overlap.

 

Eric

 

[ 12-04-2003, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: Eric Salsman ]

[robk]

tseavert

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Keep in mind that after you squash a 3d file you will have a lot of duplicate entities. You most likely will still have a problem with chaining. Delete the duplicate entities and run the findovlp c-hook. Even than you might still have to play with your masking options to get the right results. Hope it turns out right for you.

 

Rob

[robk]

One more thing...

If you don't want to squash your geometry, under chain options check Plane Mask to ON. Many ways to skin a cat .

 

Rob

[Scott Bond]

tseavert--- Welcome to the forum

quote:

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I feel kinda stupid.

---

One of the smart things I do is fess-up about the the things I need help on.

quote:

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what also might help you find the problem area is using the Analyze chain function. It will show were entities overlap.

---

With this same style ,,,I chain - change colors--- It will change all of the contour that is correct, and only some of what isn't... Then it is easy to see the ugly ones that I have to fix.

I feel kinda stupid some days myself.

 

[ 12-04-2003, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: Scott Bond ]

[crazy^millman]

Welcome to the forum and I tell my guys all the time no such thing as a stupid question.

 

 

Crazy Millman

 

[ 12-04-2003, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

[Rekd™]

quote:

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...say offsetting entities, and then extending them so that they overlap and finally trimming them,

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Welcome.

 

FYI, when you are trimming entities, they do not need to overlap. You can save yourself a step by just trimming them together without having to extend their lengths to overlap first.

 

'Rekd

 

[ 12-04-2003, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: Rekd ]

[mayday]

quote:

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Many ways to skin a cat

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hows about one more after trimming as Rekd said. select toolpaths,chain,options, a box will come up. in that, check the box ignore depths. that will save you the step of squashing, and retain the geometry. just remember the chains have to trim from the cplane you are working in