hello everyone,
I need please your help, I would like to know which types will be the ones that I must export my 3D model for a 3D CNC machine ?
i read at some forums where it says DWG, but I use DWG for a 2D laser printing and not 3D
hello everyone,
I need please your help, I would like to know which types will be the ones that I must export my 3D model for a 3D CNC machine ?
i read at some forums where it says DWG, but I use DWG for a 2D laser printing and not 3D
Firas, I would agree that you would typically only use *.dwg and *.dxf files for what we would consider flat pattern (2D) work on our Water-Jet and Laser machines.
To add to what Timothy mentioned, we typically use *.step (think the latest we use is *.step 242 format, we don't use any of the MBD based step files yet) files for anything that requires 3D milling or a 3D model for programming a CMM.
thank you Timothy, yes i have Surfcam, but I made contact with a shop i asked about the file extension he said send me the solidworks original file, so which means he would do the G code, I am asking for full price now so after if the price would make big difference if i send him the g code i would do it myself
Export in-house, or outside?
CAM software can use most type of 3D solids. But, ask them what they want to use.
We use MasterCAM. I have used both CAMWorks and MasterCAM within SolidWorks and the code is saved within the models.
When there are updates, the code is auto updated.
With exported models, the code is not updated as easily.
The same goes for 2D. Both DXF and 3D models can be used for flat bed routing, laser, and cutting, etc.
All the above can be used for 3D printing.
I'd be inclined to use a STEP or an IGES file, that way your curves remain curves. STL files break the geometry into tiny triangles of flat surfaces(tessellate). These can often be seen when printed or CNC'd. If they haven't told you which they accept, send them a selection.
Sending your native file is not recommended for IP reasons as well as the fact an exported file is harder to alter.
..You can always save your "xyz.sldprt" as a Parasolid (*.x_t) (the native kernel for solidworks, clean, no translation)
..and/or, if they want your "xyz.sldprt" and you don't want to give them all the parametic feature history,.. = "dumb solid"... then, save your xyz.sldprt as a Parasolid "xyz.x_t", then, open your Parasolid "xyz.x_t" and save as "XYZ_dumb_solid.sldprt"
It's not likely you can send the G-Code for their machines very easily. Every machine is slightly different, I wouldn't trust your code to run on my machines properly.
If they are asking for the solid model then send them the solidworks solid model (or a STEP File of it if your worried about them copying it), most machine shops will have CAM software that has the proper posts for their machines, let them do it.
I would first do what Chris Saller said and "Ask them" what format they want it in. They might only need a 2d drawing for something simple and then you don't even need to send the model.
It will depend on what type of CNC they are using and what software they use (and what version).
As has already been said, you also need to be concerned with the IP. Do you trust the shop? - and even if you do, still don't give them more than they need.
I would also lean heavily to sending only in generic parasolid format - not a SWX (or Inventor) file. SWX files can be simply opened and copied with all your critical information.
I like Paul Salvador's method. That is a much safer way - they get what they need to make the part with none of the details they don't need.
We use this method even in our own shop - but that is because our CAM software (Gibbs) is an older version than our SWX software and they are not fully compatible for direct import, but the parasolid .x_t file is version independent and works for both SWX and Inventor (we use both).
If they want the native Solidworks file you will also need to know which version of Solidworks that they can use. If you're working in 2017 & the cam software they have is not recently updated then the Solidworks file may not work. We just received the update to Mastercam 2017 that accepts native Solidworks 2017 files without a need to translate them.
It shouldn't, and this only pertains to native files. If you save it as a Parasolid there is no issue whatsoever.
Typically if we send something out to external vendors it is always a Parasolid and never a native file.
As far as parts we receive to machine directly we ask for Parasolids, not native files. The main reason is our machine practices are if provided a neutral format it is in our contracts that we will machine directly to the file as provided. (No engineering time required, which is billed separately)
You have to consider how / if the part can be machined.
If your part would leave gaps, or overlapping features that can not be machined the CNC will produce errors or produce a part that does not match your design.
You need to understand the basic functions of the CNC (or any type of machining) if you are going to design a part to be produced that way.
Your model should be properly constrained so that you don't create situations that are not machinable.
What can be machined also depends some on materials, sizes, CNC capabilities, tools (bits, saws,...) that the shop has available.
3D printers usually use STL files.
If you are actually doing 3D machining on a mill or router then you need a CAM software package like Master Cam, Gibbs Cam, or Bobcad to generate the 3D tool paths for you and output the G-code for the machine to use.