Define a Custom Face Mill Profile Using Solid Models in Mastercam
This post will explain how to use a solid model downloaded from the tooling vendor to define a custom face mill profile in Mastercam. When downloading the solid model to define the face mill some of the tooling vendors will offer a detailed and simplified version of the solid models. To define the face mill in Mastercam the simplified model is preferred. However, if we use the model with the default settings to define the face mill, in many cases when the toolpath is run through the Verify utility, you will notice there is material left behind and the face mill does not cleanup the stock. To correct this we need to edit some dimensions for the custom face mill in the Tool Manager. Many of the tooling vendors will have drawing information on their website with the critical dimensions to properly define the face mill. If that information is available it’s a good practice to create a screenshot the page. In this case, we will be working in Mastercam with a dimensioned DXF file of the face mill. For the tool path to correctly calculate the compensation of the face mill we need to edit the cutting diameter. This is especially important [...]
HARBEC Utilizes XYZPrinting for Robotic Applications
HARBEC is a manufacturing contractor which, for over 40 years, has aimed to provide effective solutions to customer problems and requests. HARBEC provides tight tolerance prototypes, tooling, machined components and injection molded parts, while keeping sustainability in mind and having a social conscience. HARBEC has been known to not only suffice requirements with their projects, but to exceed expectations, using cutting-edge technology to proficiently accomplish their objectives. CHALLENGE HARBEC utilizes robots to perform some of the tasks which are part of the daily manufacturing processes at the facility. A robot requires fitted tools to complete the duty for which it is called upon. These tools are called end of arm tools, which in many cases are multiple pneumatically actioned claws or grippers, attached to a bracket of the required shape. HARBEC owns many different 3D printing technologies which would be useful in creating the brackets for each job. Initially, a SLA printer was used to create the bracket. This bracket had decent mechanical properties, and worked well for the job at hand. Interest was shown to reduce the weight of the gripper brackets that are to be utilized by the robots. Using SOLIDWORKS topology optimization technologies, a new design was created which reduced [...]
Nexa3D xCLEAN Cleaning Solvent for All Resin-based 3D Printers
Nexa3D delivers highly effective eco-friendly cleaning solvent xCLEAN for all resin-based 3D Printers Nexa3D, the maker of ultra-fast stereolithography production 3D printers, recently announced the immediate commercial availability of xCLEAN, an effective and environmentally friendly washing solvent that is designed to work consistently with most photopolymer 3D printers and resin systems available on the market. xCLEAN has three times the saturation limit of IPA, meaning less waste and fewer changeovers for additive manufacturers. xCLEAN is safer to handle than other cleaning solvents and does not require any special storage or adherence to shipping regulations typically associated with post-processing photopolymeric parts. Compatible with most cleaning systems on the market, xCLEAN is made from smaller molecules than TPM or DPM, eliminating the greasy residue that is typically associated with these alternatives. xCLEAN can be easily recycled and recovered with a vacuum-assist solvent distillation unit, and it is compatible with most automated washing units on the market today including closed-loop systems. xCLEAN is not cleared for use when cleaning parts printed from biocompatible resins, and customers are advised to closely follow wash recommendations to preserve the material’s biocompatibility. Unique Features Sustainable: Lasts 3X longer than isopropyl alcohol with less waste and fewer changeovers Effective: Eliminates the [...]
Mastercam Solid Sweep Top Six Features
Recent releases of Mastercam have implemented some big improvements to the Sweep function within the Solid Modeling function. Prior to these releases, Sweep operations required a fillet between entities on the Along curve when there was a change in direction of more than 5 degrees. Sweep is ideal for cylindrical-shaped parts. Fixtures, propeller blades, door handles, wheel spokes, exhaust pipes, and engine ports are some examples. To ensure you are taking advantage of the newfound flexibility, efficiency, and control when creating models with curves and rounded profiles please make note of these top six improvements: 1- The profile geometry easily runs along sharp corners. As the swept body travels around the sharp angle, Sweep automatically miters the sharp corners and handles the profile’s fillet, allowing the creation of radii on the swept model. You can control the shape simply by adding a solid fillet to the corner. 2- Additionally, solid sweeps can now be created from 3D Along curves. 3D curves with sharp corners and fillets are fully supported in Mastercam. 3- Solid Sweep also includes new options to control the alignment between a profile and the Along chains. a) The Normal option maintains the original angle relationship between the profile and the [...]
How To Choose Your First 3D Scanner – Part 2
Metrology Minute – How do I choose the first scanner for my company? – Part 2 After considering part size and perhaps cost, you’ve narrowed down the field somewhat. The next thing to consider is the application itself. Setting novelty uses aside, the five most common uses for scanning are: Metrology Reverse Engineering 3D Printing Asset creation for a Web Page Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality or video game assets Metrology Reverse Engineering 3D Printing Web Content Virtual Reality or video game assets Since most Cimquest customers are more heavily involved with the first three, that’s where we’ll focus our discussions. Accuracy is particularly important, especially when it comes to metrology. To ensure appropriate accuracy for metrology, reverse engineering, or 3D Printing you will want to ensure the scanner manufacturer publishes its accuracy. In fact, for metrology, the accuracy of the scanner should really surpass your most stringent accuracy requirements by 10x. For example, for part accuracy manufactured requirements of +/-.010” your scanner’s accuracy should be able to achieve +/-.001”. Next, consider the scanner’s resolution. Resolution is often confused with accuracy but it is actually very different. It is the scanner’s ability to capture fine detail. One can consider resolution as the density [...]
Desktop Metal Fiber 3D Printing
Let’s take a look at the new Desktop Metal Fiber 3D printing system. The Fiber system brings continuous fiber 3D printing to the desktop of engineers and designers. Composites are commonly used in performance automotive, aerospace, and many other industries (consumer goods, and machine design). Composites are great for parts that require the strength and stiffness of metal but at a fraction of the weight. Traditional Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) processes are only suitable for large scale parts and require million-dollar systems. And while manual methods do exist, these can be labor-intensive with expensive tooling. Desktop Metal was able to scale down AFP and make it accessible via 3D Printing. They did this through a new process called micro automated fiber placement. During the μAFP process, one Fiber™ printhead deposits a continuous fiber tape along critical load paths to build dense reinforced sections while a second printhead extrudes chopped fiber filament to build a high-resolution exterior shell. The materials used to make the resulting parts are two times stronger than steel at one-fifth the weight (up to 2,500 MPa tensile strength and <1.5 g/cc). Through this unique process, users can print parts with properties comparable to metal, with some properties even exceeding those [...]