Saved as Parasolid, coming in "Jagged" in CAM software

[cbrf23]

Hi,

I'm having some trouble with parts coming into our cam software (GibbsCAM) "jagged" and I'm trying to figure out if the issue is in solidworks or in GibbsCAM. The parts (original sldparts and exported parasolids) appear fine if I open them in solidworks and throw no errors using the geometry checker.

Heres the situatioin:

There are 4 sldpart files. Each file is essentially a part family which has multiple parts (configurations driven by a design table - configuration changes are to length and position of holes). The 4 sldpart files (part families) are all very similar and are all built the same way in solidworks, on the same computer, by the same person (me).

3 of the 4 sldpart files I've had no problem with. I save off the different parts from each configuration as parasolids and the programmers have had no problem opening and using them in GibbsCAM.

The 4th file (the smallest part) has been causing quite the issue. When it's brought into GibbsCAM the surfaces are all "jagged" (turn down image quality in solidworks to get an idea of what I'm talking about) and this does not appear to be a cosmetic issue, it appears to be reading the geometry this way because when they machine the parts they come out all jagged the same as they appear in the cam software.

This seems to happen regardless of file format. We've tried parsolid and parasolid binary (X_T, X_B) in multiple versions, both kinds of step files (AP 203, AP 204), iges, and even importing the sldpart directly. I've tried deleting the design table to make the configurations "permanent" and then exporting as each file type, all to no avail.

I cannot seem to find any settings in solidworks for export resolution (which is what my boss wanted me to check) other than with the stl filetype. And again, if I open the exported files in solidworks they appear as they should and the geometry checks out.

I have to believe this is an issue with GibbsCAM, but I'm hoping for some more insight as I don't know for sure.

Thank you.

 

[AnnaWood]

What are your settings under Document Properties > Image Quality?

You may need to set them to a higher image quality.

Cheers,

Anna Wood
SW2011 SP5, Windows 7 x64

http://www.renderbay.com

http://www.solidmuse.com

http://www.phxswug.com

 

[cbrf23]

Hi Anna,

My image quality was set about as high as it can go without entering the "red zone".

I just did a test, moved the slider all the way to highest quality (in the red zone) and saved the part as a parasolid. Opened the same way in GibbsCAM. I think this has to be an issue with GibbsCAM...

Also, maybe I dont understand, but I thought image quality was only related to the image on screen, not representative of the actual model geometry. How would this setting effect model geometry?

 

[Updraft]

cbrf23,

You should be looking hard at the CAM side of this coin. Your own test of re-importing into SWX reveals the geometry is accurate and smooth. And yes, the display resolution setting is strictly a display issue, it has nothing to do with the resolution of the file export.

We use FeatureCam. It is a very nice CAM package, but, like a lot of CAM packages, it does not have a wide variety of import/export file types available. Our FeatureCam can import Parasolids and other solid formats just fine, but it can only export STL files which are worthless except for rapid prototyping.

You should also look at the list of file types Gibbs can import. If it can import Parasolid then it should do so smoothly. Perhaps there is a version issue, such as Gibbs being able to use up to a Parasolid V12 and your output is a V18. You could try saving the Parasolid down to an older version and you won't lose any features.

If you are still on maintenance with your GibbsCam then you should contact your VAR and even send him your file. Have you posed this question on the forums out there for Gibbs or NC programming?

- - -Updraft