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IndustryArena Forum > CAM Software > Mastercam > Analysing an iges file
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Question Analysing an iges file

    I wonder if anyone can help me, on mastercam X i am trying to measure the perpendicular distance between two surfaces. Or to put it another way the distance between two parallel planes. From the analyse menu i go into the distance option from here i would like to select two surfaces is this possible? I have only managed to do this if i convert the surfaces to solids first, however this takes my computer a while to process.

    Thanks for any help received

    Julian

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
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    3578
    Surfaces conatain many Nod points so it's hard to find a point along the surface.
    If you are just looking for a refrence point you do a Sketch type analize by holding down the Control and pick or project a point onto the surface point you want and analize from point to point.

    If you pick a point along a surface holding the Shift key done you can type in a Delta value from there to.
    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Software and hardware sales, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor .

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by cadcam View Post
    Surfaces conatain many Nod points so it's hard to find a point along the surface.
    If you are just looking for a refrence point you do a Sketch type analize by holding down the Control and pick or project a point onto the surface point you want and analize from point to point.

    If you pick a point along a surface holding the Shift key done you can type in a Delta value from there to.
    Thanks for this cadcam, however excuse my ignorance but im not sure i understand what you mean. As far as i can make out I need to create a point on the two surfaces then measure from these. How do i select the surface to
    attach a point to it?

    Julian

  4. #4
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    Apr 2003
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    you can create a point above it and then project to the surface or create surface slices that creates curves by a distance arcoss the surface and you can pick that or create points along the curve.

    Do you have a file to you want to try or want an example?
    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Software and hardware sales, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor .

  5. #5
    Julian,
    Another way would be to create, curve, one edge. select the surface drag the arrow to the edge you would like to create a line, arc or spline this creates edge geometry(wireframe) and you can easily pick between two edges.
    www.cad2cam.net
    Programmer/ Certified Cam Instructor

  6. #6
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    Sep 2006
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    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Arteman View Post
    Julian,
    Another way would be to create, curve, one edge. select the surface drag the arrow to the edge you would like to create a line, arc or spline this creates edge geometry(wireframe) and you can easily pick between two edges.
    Thanks for this i will give it a go.

  7. #7
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    Sep 2006
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    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by cadcam View Post
    you can create a point above it and then project to the surface or create surface slices that creates curves by a distance arcoss the surface and you can pick that or create points along the curve.

    Do you have a file to you want to try or want an example?
    Thanks for your help i appreciate it. I will have a go when i get a minute free

    julian

  8. #8
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    Apr 2003
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    You also can share your file and give me an I dea what dim you are trying to get then I can show you.
    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Software and hardware sales, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor .

  9. #9
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    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by cadcam View Post
    You also can share your file and give me an I dea what dim you are trying to get then I can show you.
    See attached. Any surface to surface measurement will be fine. Thanks again
    Attached Files Attached Files

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    461
    Simple measurements could be made on the flat areas by using analyze distance, select "endpoint" selection mode then click the first surface. select endpoind selection mode again and click the second surface then look at the appropriate delta distance (eg. X, Y, or Z). Using this method I can easily measure the deepest dimension inside the part at 60mm.

    For more difficult surfaces that are curved or on some plane other than the system axes you will want to use a method more inline with what Cadcam was suggesting with projecting points...

  11. #11
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    other wise I would just create Curves off the surfaces and use those for a simple file like this.
    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Software and hardware sales, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor .

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    1

    Easy Way

    cadcam has the easy and simple method by projecting a point to both surfaces. That is the fastest way I have found to get the distance in MC. I have used Command/Camax for about 8 years and it makes tasks like that simple.

  13. #13
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    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Berube View Post
    Simple measurements could be made on the flat areas by using analyze distance, select "endpoint" selection mode then click the first surface. select endpoind selection mode again and click the second surface then look at the appropriate delta distance (eg. X, Y, or Z). Using this method I can easily measure the deepest dimension inside the part at 60mm.

    For more difficult surfaces that are curved or on some plane other than the system axes you will want to use a method more inline with what Cadcam was suggesting with projecting points...
    Hi Matt thanks for this it worked a treat.

  14. #14
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    Mar 2005
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    461
    :banana:

  15. #15
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    Feb 2005
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    91
    Little Xplanation & a lot of dollars = MasCam .

    Bear

    ( a MasCam. understudy )

  16. #16
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    Apr 2003
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    3578
    There is also Creat Curve Slice to. I had forgotton till I was showing a customer another way to get a lathe profile form a solid.
    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Software and hardware sales, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor .

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