processequipguy
Mechanical
I am currently working with fairly complex components that employ a lot of surfaces and amorphous features such as lofts. I am looking to get castings made and am having interoperability problems involving the foundry (they use SolidEdge) and evidently their pattern maker for their CAD/CAM software (Cimatron). As neither can directly import Inventor, it seems the best format for both is STEP. I've taken a look myself and it seems I keep losing surfaces when I export the file as a STEP. IGES is worse. There are no warnings at all in Inventor on these components. I know there is translation/healing software out there, but that runs about $3K. I guess the questions are as follows:
1. Any advice on how to get a good STEP file from the ipt file without dropping three grand or compromising the design?
2. Does Inventor have a reputation for having translation problems? How do they compare to SolidWorks or the other programs in this regard? Is it just my lack of modelling skills (they aren't that bad...seriously)?
3. Any leads on good cheap healing software?
Gentlemen...I thank you in advance for your help.
1. Any advice on how to get a good STEP file from the ipt file without dropping three grand or compromising the design?
2. Does Inventor have a reputation for having translation problems? How do they compare to SolidWorks or the other programs in this regard? Is it just my lack of modelling skills (they aren't that bad...seriously)?
3. Any leads on good cheap healing software?
Gentlemen...I thank you in advance for your help.