Reference geometry coordinate system 2

[CMorehead]

Can someone please give me some practical examples of where you would need to use a reference geometry coordinate system. I don't really understand what they are used for.

 

[SBaugh]

Reference Geometry tells me - in-contexting... and in-contexting is used a lot with Automation of assemblies or Top-Down design (See help). - used more often then you might think.

Coordinate systems are great for when you have an imported model and the origin is out in space. You can make a new Coordinate system and export the model out and use that Coordinate as your origin. The imported model now has the origin in that location now. That is just one of the many uses of Coordinate systems

Regards,



Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"
faq731-376

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

When a part is created using in-context/Top Down methods, the origin of the part may not be positioned at a logical feature of the part, and the orientation of the part may not be aligned with its main reference planes. In this case reference geometry can be created (or existing geometry used) to create a new co-ordinate system. This would then be used to view the part in more logical orientations and makes it easier to create and dimension drawing views.

 

[CMorehead]

Thanks to both of you for the examples of where I would need to make use of a reference geometry coordinate system.

Would I be right or wrong in thinking that I have to use the Body-Move/Copy Feature rather than creating a reference geometry coordinate system if the machine shop people want the model to have the coordinate system positioned on the back of the vise so they don't have to move it in their cnc system?

 

[SBaugh]

Coordinate systems can also be used for Measuring, finding center of gravity... lots of things can be determine useing a Coordinate system.

You could use the Move/Copy Body if you need to move a body in a part. Without exporting it... it's at the users discretion.


Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"
faq731-376

 

[CMorehead]

So by exporting and importing I'm making the reference geometry coordinate system that I added the new coordinate system rather than the just a reference geometry coordinate system?

 

[rfus]

IGES export will contain all of the coordinate systems. Very handy to import this into your CAM system, because this means that you can create your G54, G55, G56 ...etc all in Soildworks and import this directly into your CAM package. You can export the model in STEP and IGES formats in any one of these coordinate systems.

RFUS

 

[CMorehead]

The cnc shop has Mastercam. Mastercam can directly open a Solidworks file. When the Solidworks file is opened in Mastercam will they be able to choose the reference coordinate systems I have set up in Solidworks for their G54, G55, G56 or will they still have to set them up in Mastercam?

 

[rfus]

I do not use Mastercam, but I think that it operates on a Parasolid Kernal, which is the same as SW. Mastercam can (from their site) Open SolidWorks® and Solid Edge® files directly, and even import history trees using the free Mastercam Direct links.

I believe that this should contain the history (feature) tree should contain coordinate systems you set up.

I am not this lucky, which is why I use step export/import for the solids and iges for ref coordinate systems, sketches, and surfaces.

RFUS

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I sent the following to Mastercam at 3:38pm

I am sometimes asked by Mastercam users to re-orient a SolidWorks model about its co-ordinate system. Is it difficult to re-oreint a SolidWorks solid model in Mastercam?

Received this reply at 4:31pm
[/quote Mastercam to CBL]

Re-orienting a solid model in Mastercam is a painless function of just xform rotate. This is assuming the Mastercam user has the Solids option in their software. Without Solids they can’t manipulate the part by moving, rotating, or modifying it. I would assume that is the scenario in the cases where you are asked to re-orient the model in SolidWorks. Basically the Mastercam user must have Solids in order to move the model. If they do not have Solids they should read the model in as surfaces. They then have free reign to manipulate the model as needed.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

A follow up;

Thank you for the very swift response.

Is the Solids option an expensive add-on or is it included in the Mastercam Direct for SolidWorks "translator" product?

Reply;

The solids option is typically about a $1000 add-on but that can vary depending on products already purchased and any promotions being run. We typically use 3 or 4 different promotions a year to highlight a particular piece of the software. It is not included in the Direct translators. Some companies view this as expensive and others don’t blink an eye. I view it as a cost-effective option for customers who routinely read in solid models. We’ll have to see what your Mastercam counterpart thinks. The best option would be for them to contact their local Mastercam Reseller to get a quote on the price for them.

 

[CMorehead]

The cnc shop does not have the Mastercam solid option. They are inquiring about pricing for it. It appears that Mastercam and SolidWorks use different coordinate systems because the front plane in SolidWorks is the XY plane and in Mastercam the top plane is XY. From the little I know about Mastercam I think they have to reorient the SolidWorks part using something Mastercam calls the WCS Manager.