Stock Definition

[Bill H]

I have a SolidWorks model with two configurations: "as cast" and "as machined".  I brought the "as machined" model into Mastercam 2017 and programmed all of my toolpaths.  How can I use the "as cast" model for my stock?  I tried saving it as an stl file, but I can't find a way to align this to the "as machined" model in Mastercam.

[gcode]

Bring the as cast model into your file

You can use it to define a stock model

You can save it as an stl file  (be sure to choose the WCS option on the Options page of Save As (stl)

Or you can select the solid directly to define stock for Verify 

[Bill H]

Please explain how to bring in the "as cast" model.  I'm using Mastercam 2017.  Thanks!

 

[gcode]

Merge the as cast model into your MC file

[Bill H]

Aha!  I forgot all about merging!  Thanks very much.

[PMcDanielcnc]

Choose a blank level, and use the "merge file" function to bring in the solid of "as cast" into the "as machined" file. I immediately save my combined files as "workfile",

to avoid writing to a file currently in use. If not oriented correctly, finding 2 or 3 features on either model, setting WCS to a common plane, via face selection, and creating, say, points that can be used to further "tune" the WCS origin of the stock solid to match the machined version WCS. Use "save some" and resave the merged solid under an .STL filename with the WCS selected. Load the original "as machined" file, and in Toolpath manager, select "from file" in machine group stock definition, point to the file, and I think you will be off and running.

 

There is without doubt a much better way to do this. Hoping the above will bring forth some more elegant solutions, from those with a higher skill level.

[Jayson Kramer]

Another thought for Merging a file. One is File Merge. The other is whIle your part is open you can holddown the Control Key and drag the file to the screen and it will merge the file

 

I useally make a new active level first.