As they called it the last day of summer, it seems like a good time to sit down with a cold one, and take in the nice clean Western NY air a late Friday night in September.
On the Solidworks side things came and ended in Barcelona with the presentation of Soldiworks 2009, and my pat on the back that they where able to make 2009 SP0.0 available on the web site for download.
I know that there have been a lot of debate on the release cycle of Solidworks, 12, 18, 24 months, and some people will say that there maintaining fee is do yearly, though Solidworks will defend that is not equal to a yearly release. I think that most of us users agree that we most of all want something that works, no matter if it is every 12 or 18 months........24 month, well I have my reasons to think that is too long. Despite I do not sign the check around here, I am the one the boss is holding responsible when it comes to CAD/CAM, something that resellers seems to have a hard time understanding when I talk to them on the phone. For some reason they think that there 20 min demonstration was what made the owner sign the check........get back to earth will-ya.
By the way am I the only one who think it is a little strange that I am sitting in September 2008 and using Solidworks 2009?
Mastercam X3 is loaded and running, I decided to apply to become a Beta tester, 1st of I realizing that if I want to become serious about blogging among other I need to know the software better, and after reporting 3 bugs in 3 days, (Where one is Solidworks related, and kinda pathetic) it kinda made sense for me to apply.
Well over all it was a good week and it is only getting better, my mom is coming on a 10 days visit from Denmark, The World smiles back
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
"Whats New in Mastercam" 2D High Speed (Part 3)
So you have Mastercam, and your company are paying maintance, have you installed X3 yet? have you taken a look at the 2D HST Toolpath?, ok this is the skinny pal.
The way these toolpath are set up is new from Mastercam, not really revolutionizing, but it seems like a good direction, and all Mastercams toolpath are eventually going to be set up this way. Its kinda the same as FBM where you go through different pages to set everything up, everything is nice and clean. One thing that I really like is that you get some help understanding what you actually are modifying as you are working with the different parameters.
That is pretty sweet, makes you just want to start cutting something, right?.
Now as I said in the FBM blog, this is kinda the 1st step in the journey with Solidworks (By the way that whole Solidworks into Mastercam with tree and everything.....BUG, ya I might have to add that story in its own blog this week).
There are 5 different 2D HST avalible, I am going to be brief.
The picture pretty much describe what this toolpath does, something that normally was created with a contour toolpath that was offseted, or a pocket toolpath with some added geometry. I played with it a little bit and it seems like Mastercam have done a pretty good job here, not to many rapid moves.
Peel mill, it was part of X2, I have missed this toolpath for awhile, and I do not welcome it with a smile, but more with a "About Time". Mastercam is kinda trying to give it an explanation that it is designed for Hard milling, but I feel like it has been the slotting toolpath that should had been there in V7.
Blend mill, I like this one, this toolpath is going to save some air cutting or extra geometry creations. It will control the step over pretty precise in the couple of experiments I did.
Area mill, Without spending hours on this toolpath, it seems to be a advanced pocket toolpath that will let you control how the cutter approches sharp corners. Its missing the old "Roughing/Finishing parameter" page the old pocket toolpath has (That toolpath is still avalible in Mastercam) where you could decide if the cutter was going zigzag or parallel step over, it only has the High speed one.
Rest mill, Mastercam describes it as the toolpath that cuts what other toolpaths left behind. I do not know, it sound a little like a personal problem, what is it like the "Left over" surface toolpath......Hm......I am going to leave it with that.
I am going to leave the "Whats new" in X3 from the milling side unless you have a comment or it comes up in something we will play with here on the blog.
The way these toolpath are set up is new from Mastercam, not really revolutionizing, but it seems like a good direction, and all Mastercams toolpath are eventually going to be set up this way. Its kinda the same as FBM where you go through different pages to set everything up, everything is nice and clean. One thing that I really like is that you get some help understanding what you actually are modifying as you are working with the different parameters.
That is pretty sweet, makes you just want to start cutting something, right?.Now as I said in the FBM blog, this is kinda the 1st step in the journey with Solidworks (By the way that whole Solidworks into Mastercam with tree and everything.....BUG, ya I might have to add that story in its own blog this week).
There are 5 different 2D HST avalible, I am going to be brief.
The picture pretty much describe what this toolpath does, something that normally was created with a contour toolpath that was offseted, or a pocket toolpath with some added geometry. I played with it a little bit and it seems like Mastercam have done a pretty good job here, not to many rapid moves.
Peel mill, it was part of X2, I have missed this toolpath for awhile, and I do not welcome it with a smile, but more with a "About Time". Mastercam is kinda trying to give it an explanation that it is designed for Hard milling, but I feel like it has been the slotting toolpath that should had been there in V7.
Blend mill, I like this one, this toolpath is going to save some air cutting or extra geometry creations. It will control the step over pretty precise in the couple of experiments I did.
Area mill, Without spending hours on this toolpath, it seems to be a advanced pocket toolpath that will let you control how the cutter approches sharp corners. Its missing the old "Roughing/Finishing parameter" page the old pocket toolpath has (That toolpath is still avalible in Mastercam) where you could decide if the cutter was going zigzag or parallel step over, it only has the High speed one.
Rest mill, Mastercam describes it as the toolpath that cuts what other toolpaths left behind. I do not know, it sound a little like a personal problem, what is it like the "Left over" surface toolpath......Hm......I am going to leave it with that.I am going to leave the "Whats new" in X3 from the milling side unless you have a comment or it comes up in something we will play with here on the blog.
Monday, September 1, 2008
FBM Milling and Drilling (Part 2)
FBM or Feature Based Machining Milling and Drilling is introduced in MastercamX3,"I looked my boss straight in the eyes and said: FBM is the feature that is going to make you fire me, and hire my 7 year old." Alright who are we kidding, but that is the direction CAD and CAD/CAM software are going these days. FBM is going to be introduced into Solidworks ( I saw it with my own eyes at Eastec in the spring of 2008).
So Looking a little deeper into FBM Milling this week, I realized that some of the info that have been circulating ain't really the skinny, imagine that in the CAD world, ridiculous, but thats there thing, right?
So FBM is the new "high-tech" thing from Mastercam, you plug your Solid model in the software, and you hear a "beep" and looking into your machining center........there is your finished product. Almost, FBM analyzes the solid model, look at what tools and parameter that the user has defined, and from there pick the appropriate toolpath. WAIT, in MastercamX3 FBM can only use those new 2D Highspeed toolpath (Part3) what makes it pretty useless in the mold industry what has always been Mastercams strong hold. My reliable intelligent source (who told me this is privileged information....shhhh) said that when Mastercam inside Solidworks comes out in the begining of 2009(Privileged info), the 2D highspeed toolpath will be replaced with new 3D highspeed toolpath(Privileged info). I know we all feel better now don't we?
Go =>Toolpaths=>FBM Mill.... And I must say that the menus throughout FBM has a very nice clean look to them.
FBM Drilling is the sister to the mill side, the menus has the same clean look.
After having playing with it for a little while, I do realize that it could have a place in MastercamX3, at this point it seems to be pretty much in development, I would maybe trust it to be a quick way to dispose some material in a big Mold cavity, while the programmer gets surfaces and semi-finish toolpaths ready.
FBM in Solidworks.......well off course we 1st. need to see those 3D highspeed toolpaths, but also I am a little leery if this is going to be the only options in Solidworks, sometime you just need an endmill to follow a simple "sketch" line, using a old fashion contour toolpath.
Not the last time the words "Feature Based Machining" is going to be typed on this blog.
End Part 2
So Looking a little deeper into FBM Milling this week, I realized that some of the info that have been circulating ain't really the skinny, imagine that in the CAD world, ridiculous, but thats there thing, right?So FBM is the new "high-tech" thing from Mastercam, you plug your Solid model in the software, and you hear a "beep" and looking into your machining center........there is your finished product. Almost, FBM analyzes the solid model, look at what tools and parameter that the user has defined, and from there pick the appropriate toolpath. WAIT, in MastercamX3 FBM can only use those new 2D Highspeed toolpath (Part3) what makes it pretty useless in the mold industry what has always been Mastercams strong hold. My reliable intelligent source (who told me this is privileged information....shhhh) said that when Mastercam inside Solidworks comes out in the begining of 2009(Privileged info), the 2D highspeed toolpath will be replaced with new 3D highspeed toolpath(Privileged info). I know we all feel better now don't we?
Go =>Toolpaths=>FBM Mill.... And I must say that the menus throughout FBM has a very nice clean look to them.
FBM Drilling is the sister to the mill side, the menus has the same clean look.
After having playing with it for a little while, I do realize that it could have a place in MastercamX3, at this point it seems to be pretty much in development, I would maybe trust it to be a quick way to dispose some material in a big Mold cavity, while the programmer gets surfaces and semi-finish toolpaths ready.FBM in Solidworks.......well off course we 1st. need to see those 3D highspeed toolpaths, but also I am a little leery if this is going to be the only options in Solidworks, sometime you just need an endmill to follow a simple "sketch" line, using a old fashion contour toolpath.
Not the last time the words "Feature Based Machining" is going to be typed on this blog.
End Part 2
"Whats New" in MastercamX3 (Part 1)
I am going to cover this over 4 sections (Part1 - 4) I will cover what I consider "The good" stuff for Mastercam Mill Level3 and Wire.
Part2=FBM Milling and Drilling (This is what Mastercam want to put directly into Solidworks interface)
Part3=2D High Speed (This is what Mastercam want to put directly into Solidworks interface)
Part4=WEDM
So just like the "Whats New" documentation coming with MastercamX3 we are going to start with Solidworks.
You can now finally import the Solidworks tree and actually use it, there is only one catch....... you need to have Solidworks installed on your system and be current on version. Go => File Open => Select File Type => .SLDPRT => Before clicking the "Green Check Mark" click Options => check "Import Solidworks History"
This is something that there should have been from the beginning of the X area, but good to see CNC Software finally got around to it.
If you do not have Solidworks 2008 (Mastercam are making patch for 2009) you are out of luck in regards to the tree. I will show in upcoming blog how to import a Solidworks file in a couple of different ways in regards to have the right rotation of your part.
"Xform move to Origin"
This is one of these feature that sounds like it comes right out of a beta-tester request "Big appluse" it will save me some mouse clicks. The feature is pretty self explanatory when you know it is there. And off course like most MastercamX features it is in 2 places.
"The Flip button"
Keep an eye out for this feature around Mastercam it is very handy, it works on 3 clicks "Up(One side)-Down(Other side)-Both directions" in X3 it has now also been added to "Create" =>"Line Perpendicular"
"Choose start point for engraving"
I don't know if this is a special request from Router or Art people, but if not.........its a joke in my opinion. Come on, you give me this? it does not even make up for the 1/32 of the 35min download I had to make to get MastercamX3. Personally I still haven't found any reason to use the 'Engraving toolpath" I am still using the old contour => window approach with "stick" letters , well here it is, if you disagree with me please feel free to comment :D, and if need be, we can go over what the "old contour=>window with stick letters" is, just leave me a comment :D
Other new things:
There are a new "Silent mode" you can set in the configuration. Basically if you have more than one session open and the one in the background is regenerate toolpath but gets and error, it will not make your computer coming to a screaming hold, but wait for you to maximize that session.
You can now in the configuration turn 3D Connection product on or off, I have no idea why you want to turn it off, but someone must have been loud enough about it, seems a little silly to put something like that in a somewhat "short" "whats new" pdf.
By the way 3D Connection is something I would like to blog about at a later point.
Conclusion of (Part 1)
Well I personally do not pay the maintain fee, but I am the person who am somewhat hold responsible from our company, and I am not sure how I feel about this. A little disappointed? I think so, you go a whole year and this is what you get, well maybe it is what you get, but it doesn't seem right.
I know I left some things out, I do not have the "Mastercam Solid Option" so I am not going to beat to much on that subject. I know from www.emastercam.com that the Lathe people really felt left out, and supposedly has been feeling that for awhile. From the pdf file it looks like "art" got some new stuff, but reading through "whats New" I would expect CNC Software to do better.
Hang on for Part 2 on "Whats New"in MastercamX3
Part2=FBM Milling and Drilling (This is what Mastercam want to put directly into Solidworks interface)
Part3=2D High Speed (This is what Mastercam want to put directly into Solidworks interface)
Part4=WEDM
So just like the "Whats New" documentation coming with MastercamX3 we are going to start with Solidworks.
You can now finally import the Solidworks tree and actually use it, there is only one catch....... you need to have Solidworks installed on your system and be current on version. Go => File Open => Select File Type => .SLDPRT => Before clicking the "Green Check Mark" click Options => check "Import Solidworks History"
This is something that there should have been from the beginning of the X area, but good to see CNC Software finally got around to it.If you do not have Solidworks 2008 (Mastercam are making patch for 2009) you are out of luck in regards to the tree. I will show in upcoming blog how to import a Solidworks file in a couple of different ways in regards to have the right rotation of your part.
"Xform move to Origin"
This is one of these feature that sounds like it comes right out of a beta-tester request "Big appluse" it will save me some mouse clicks. The feature is pretty self explanatory when you know it is there. And off course like most MastercamX features it is in 2 places.
"The Flip button"
Keep an eye out for this feature around Mastercam it is very handy, it works on 3 clicks "Up(One side)-Down(Other side)-Both directions" in X3 it has now also been added to "Create" =>"Line Perpendicular"
"Choose start point for engraving"I don't know if this is a special request from Router or Art people, but if not.........its a joke in my opinion. Come on, you give me this? it does not even make up for the 1/32 of the 35min download I had to make to get MastercamX3. Personally I still haven't found any reason to use the 'Engraving toolpath" I am still using the old contour => window approach with "stick" letters , well here it is, if you disagree with me please feel free to comment :D, and if need be, we can go over what the "old contour=>window with stick letters" is, just leave me a comment :D
Other new things:There are a new "Silent mode" you can set in the configuration. Basically if you have more than one session open and the one in the background is regenerate toolpath but gets and error, it will not make your computer coming to a screaming hold, but wait for you to maximize that session.
You can now in the configuration turn 3D Connection product on or off, I have no idea why you want to turn it off, but someone must have been loud enough about it, seems a little silly to put something like that in a somewhat "short" "whats new" pdf.
By the way 3D Connection is something I would like to blog about at a later point.
Conclusion of (Part 1)
Well I personally do not pay the maintain fee, but I am the person who am somewhat hold responsible from our company, and I am not sure how I feel about this. A little disappointed? I think so, you go a whole year and this is what you get, well maybe it is what you get, but it doesn't seem right.
I know I left some things out, I do not have the "Mastercam Solid Option" so I am not going to beat to much on that subject. I know from www.emastercam.com that the Lathe people really felt left out, and supposedly has been feeling that for awhile. From the pdf file it looks like "art" got some new stuff, but reading through "whats New" I would expect CNC Software to do better.
Hang on for Part 2 on "Whats New"in MastercamX3
What is Solidworks and who is Mastercam?
I am going to do this as simple as I possible can.........I promise.
The mouse you are holding in your hand was designed in what is called a CAD software, the monitor you are looking at............ those new sun glasses you where checking out at the mall............you car........... the bridge you drove over the other day............ the container you drink your Coca-Cola out of.........................Get it? most everything is designed and engineered in CAD Software. Bored? hang on a second, just a little patience, ok? you need that sometimes. keep reading.
So you draw, construct, design, engineer in Solidworks, off course there is much more to it, like you can analyze constructions and stuff, so a bridge still are standing after a hurricane or that your ipod do not end up weighing 50kg when it is put all together.
Mastercam is CAD/CAM, The CAD works just about as in Solidworks, except Solidworks is the BMW and the CAD side of Mastercam is like a Ford Tempo, it will get you there but not as fast and as slick. Now the CAM side of Mastercam is what is interesting, what that will let you do is, it will let you program a CNC Machine (CNC=Computer Numeric Control) this could be a lathe, WEDM or Mill. Here is a view of the interface from Mastercam.
So that do not look "that" different from Solidworks, and it really isn't, except from here we can create code that a CNC Machine will understand, and now can manufacture the parts that was designed in the CAD software. Here is a example of that code
O7503
(STOP END2 )
(DATE - 07-03-06 TIME - 10:11 )
(Machine: Haas Mini Mill)
(Programmer: Lars Christensen)
( 3/8 SPOT MILL TOOL - 1 )
N10 G20
N12 G0 G17 G40 G80 G90
N14 G0 G53 Z4.4
N16 G0 G53 X-16.0 Y0.0
N18 T1 M6
N20 G0 G53 Z4.4
N22 G0 G90 G110 X.0778 Y.2 S2500 M3
N24 G43 H1 Z2.125 M8
N26 G98 G82 Z.025 R.225 P1. F2.
N28 X.2278 Y-.2
N30 G80
N32 M5
N34 M9
N36 G00 G53 Z4.4
N38 M01 (OpStop)
( 17/64 DRILL HSS TOOL - 2 )
So what can you do with this code?
Guys check this out!
Click here
This is intended to show the very basic of what Solidworks and Mastercam is, just so if you come across this blog, and are wondering what is being discussed.
Any comments or corrections are welcome.
On the more serious note. "Whats new" in MastercamX3 is in the works, please check back soon.
The mouse you are holding in your hand was designed in what is called a CAD software, the monitor you are looking at............ those new sun glasses you where checking out at the mall............you car........... the bridge you drove over the other day............ the container you drink your Coca-Cola out of.........................Get it? most everything is designed and engineered in CAD Software. Bored? hang on a second, just a little patience, ok? you need that sometimes. keep reading.
So you draw, construct, design, engineer in Solidworks, off course there is much more to it, like you can analyze constructions and stuff, so a bridge still are standing after a hurricane or that your ipod do not end up weighing 50kg when it is put all together.
Mastercam is CAD/CAM, The CAD works just about as in Solidworks, except Solidworks is the BMW and the CAD side of Mastercam is like a Ford Tempo, it will get you there but not as fast and as slick. Now the CAM side of Mastercam is what is interesting, what that will let you do is, it will let you program a CNC Machine (CNC=Computer Numeric Control) this could be a lathe, WEDM or Mill. Here is a view of the interface from Mastercam.
So that do not look "that" different from Solidworks, and it really isn't, except from here we can create code that a CNC Machine will understand, and now can manufacture the parts that was designed in the CAD software. Here is a example of that codeO7503
(STOP END2 )
(DATE - 07-03-06 TIME - 10:11 )
(Machine: Haas Mini Mill)
(Programmer: Lars Christensen)
( 3/8 SPOT MILL TOOL - 1 )
N10 G20
N12 G0 G17 G40 G80 G90
N14 G0 G53 Z4.4
N16 G0 G53 X-16.0 Y0.0
N18 T1 M6
N20 G0 G53 Z4.4
N22 G0 G90 G110 X.0778 Y.2 S2500 M3
N24 G43 H1 Z2.125 M8
N26 G98 G82 Z.025 R.225 P1. F2.
N28 X.2278 Y-.2
N30 G80
N32 M5
N34 M9
N36 G00 G53 Z4.4
N38 M01 (OpStop)
( 17/64 DRILL HSS TOOL - 2 )
So what can you do with this code?
Guys check this out!
Click here
This is intended to show the very basic of what Solidworks and Mastercam is, just so if you come across this blog, and are wondering what is being discussed.
Any comments or corrections are welcome.
On the more serious note. "Whats new" in MastercamX3 is in the works, please check back soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
