Lofted Part Guidelines for WEDM 4 axis Cut

[tmalinski]

I have a tooling model with a lofted shape that we want to WEDM using MasterCam, (we have the solids module). How can I be sure the shape I created using SolidWorks Loft with guidelines to control the contour, will be handled the same when brought into MasterCam? Our Wire guy says Mastercam can not be programed from the models contoured surface geometry directly, but rather it wants the upper and lower path geometry for 4 axis and then it will apply its own guide lines or connectors. Or are we missing something? This is potentially a huge issue. Our Engineered tooling must not be altered by a machining process that does not use the exact model geometry to calculate the 4 axis cut.
Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Tom

Tom Malinski

http://www.okayind.com/

Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Premium 2008 SP 3.1 & PDMWorks

 

[ctopher]

I have not used MasterCAM in several years. Can't the machinist modify the data to have it follow any geometry needed?

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[tmalinski]

There lies the issue, Our company is Engineered Driven and our machinists are not supposed to modify our files or models in any way. So if he can't WEDM the 4 axis shape using the contoured surface of the Loft, then he is forced to use the top and bottom geometry of the loft and then he needs to apply MasterCams connectors which may be different then my solidworks Guidelines within the Loft.
Does that make sense?

Tom Malinski

http://www.okayind.com/

Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Premium 2008 SP 3.1 & PDMWorks

 

[dgowans]

Could you generate a 3D sketch that contained all the relevant wireframe geometry in SWX and export that to MasterCam, such that the connectors/guidelines are not left to interpretation once in Mastercam?

 

[rfus]

new X3 is supposed to be able to work right inside of SW. not sure if they released it yet. I use delcam, but after recently seeing this, as well as the increased support for cutting stl files, i'm wishing i could get my hands on it.

http://mastercamx.blogspot.com/2008/06/coming-soon-create-mastercam-toolpaths.html

really, this is a mastercam question and not a solidworks question.

rfus

 

[ctopher]

Machinists don't need to modify the model, just the tool paths. They can cut wherever/however/etc they need to.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion