vericut-stl files

[DavidB]

Im using vericut and the blank and fixtures are best brought in as a stl file.At the moment i dont have solids option and are exporting stl files with cadkey.What i did today just out of couriosidy was open 1 of the stl files in MC and it came in as only(4119) lines.I know a stl file is triangular data,but why is it a shadded solid in vericut and lines in MC.Is it because i dont have the solids option?

[Andreas Stute - InterCAM]

Hi,

this has nothing to do with Solids.

It is not possible to work with an STL file inside of Mastercam. But you can machine it directly under Toolpath, Surface.

 

STL are just triangle - lines. More than shading or machine them is not possible.

 

regards

Andreas

[cadcam]

Dacid check to see if you have the option in your varicut to export as a Iges file. then bring that in to MC.

Or if you have a iges in the firts place bring this in to varicut as your stock and fixture.

[DavidB]

I found that a stl file comes in cleaner than an iges file into vericut.I have not had a problem in vericut using a stl file as yet.

 

thx for the replys

[kathy]

Vericut needs a stl file for importing geometry, if you are inporting 'custom' models. You can always build up 'block' geometry in Vericut.

 

If you have a surface model in Mastercam, you can convert that data into a stl file with Mastercam; you don't have to have solids.

 

David - How are you creating the stl files in cadkey? How are you getting the data from Mastercam to cadkey?

Also, are you using the Auto-Diff option in Vericut?

 

Kathy

[DavidB]

Kathy the modals are all solid modals from my customer i open it in cadkey and export stl files for vericut.When i open the solid modal(parasolid) in mastercam it conferts to surfaces as i don't have solid option.

[kathy]

DavidB -

 

The parts that you are importing are fixtures and clamps? You need them in Mastercam so you can program moves around them (avoidance)? Than just use the surface / wireframe for the fixture definition. If you have to move something, that you can make an stl file for Vericut from the surfaces.

 

Are you using Auto-Diff?

 

Kathy