camInstructor Video Blog

Solid Import and Alignment - Xometry Mill Test Part

7/28/21 6:00 AM / by camInstructor Mike

First up for the Xometry Test Part is importing the supplied solid model and then aligning it to the Top WCS .


Link to download the CNC Mill Test Part Package... 

Step one for almost any part programming is importing the supplied solid model into Mastercam. No matter the type of solid model you are trying to open, you open them all the same way. You can click File>Open within Mastercam, or as I show in the video, you can simply drag and drop the file which will perform a File Open of the model.

Once imported, as is the case with most customer supplied solid models, the part is not aligned as we would like it. The next step is again a personal preference on method, I choose to move the model to align with the existing Top WCS. Some prefer to make a new plane at the imported models location. Either is fine and there are advantages and drawbacks for both. 

To align the model, Dynamic Transform is used. Dynamic Transform basically combines Translate and Rotate into one single function. So, you are able to move the part along the X, Y, or Z axis, as well as rotate it about any of those axes as well. With this flexibility, you should be able to create any movement you could possible need. 

My method for using Dynamic Transform is to place the gnomon onto the part in the location and orientation of the WCS you would like to use for machining. Then, using buttons in the Dynamic menu, you can quickly align the part to the current Top WCS. Again, this method is a personal preference and you could go about this differently.

Now that the part is imported and aligned, it is ready for machine selection and stock setup...which will be covered in the next video. Stay tuned!

 


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Topics: Mastercam, 2022, Xometry

camInstructor Mike

Written by camInstructor Mike

camInstructor Mike is Mike Wearne, an avid machinist, cnc programmer and overall connoisseur of all things machining. Mike is one of camInstructor's resident cad/cam/cnc experts and works part time at his local college teaching aspiring machinists how to program CNC Machines of all types.

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