Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Master Cam Experts.... Help!!

Phil,

> 1. The machine will leave out radiuses that he can see on the
> computer screen.

Fairly wide question... I don't know MasterCAM's quirks (or your
customers!) but here are some general CAD->CAM answers...

Radii he sees in SolidWorks only? or can he see them after import into
MasterCAM?

If he can't see them in MasterCAM, my guess is the .dwg translation is most
likely re-conditioning the solid data exported.

What format is his transfer from SolidWorks to MasterCAM? .X_T, .sat, are
generally better than IGES. He may need to 'tweak' SolidWork's IGES export
settings to generate entities MasterCAM likes. My solid modeler program
recommends trimmed surface IGES entities for MasterCAM, vs. IGES solid
entities. Try exporting to an older IGES standard.

There may be a surface normal flipped on a surface or two in the model he is
working from. (Generally not a issue with solid models, but import/export
differences may cause it)

If he can see the radii in MasterCAM...

Brad's suggestion of IJ vs. R arc definitions sounds likely.

The exported accuracy from SolidWorks may leave 'loose' surface
intersections. Perhaps causing a 2D feature detection to cut corners? This
may potentially goof toolpath optimization routines.

He may have a cutter specified too large to fit the detail. Occasionally a
tool definition diameter is accidentally set (by operator entry typo)
different than the tool's name identifier that shows in a dialog. This can
cause a CAM program to look like is isn't working correctly.

A common area to watch out for on sweeping outside radii are interpolation
values for the 'arc's set too low. If this is the case, they'll be seeing
facetted surfaces instead of smooth radii.
A setting of 0.001" arc tolerance allows 0.125" wide facets at R2" (0.90 deg
incidence), 0.25" wide facets at R7.8" on outside arc cuts (0.45 deg
incidence). ID cuts get similar, but filleted by your cutter radius.
0.0001" would get much better results. At 0.0001" arc tolerance 0.125"
facets occur at R19" (0.1 deg incidence), 0.25" facets at R78" (0.05 deg
incidence)

Arcade enclosures sound like they'd have those radii to be careful of...

Hope this helps

- Keith