Step translation issues into Powermill

I have a step translation problem I could use some immediate help with. We are Using Catia to solid model mold bases. We send these files in step format out to our machining department. The CNC operator reads the step file into Powrmill and creates cuterpaths. The problem is that we recently updated all of our Catia to PLM release version 5-6. The step files have a considerable number of holes in the surface when they get into powermill. If I take that same step file and read it into an old version of Catia and output it as a step file, it reads in to Powermill with no holes. My guess is this is a Catia setting. Any one have a suggestion?

Hi Don,

walks like a bug. Quacks like a bug.  Im not an expert in STEP but I will suggest a few things

• Look at tools + options + general + compatability + step in both versions,  see if the settings are the same
• If you migrated catsettings from the old version, that is not recomended... try making them fresh.
• If you have a buisness partner, get them involved. This sounds like it could be a defect in the step output.

Please advise us if you find out anything

Dave

Dave Frank  *    Aerospace Dynamics International, Valencia, Ca

5-Axis CNC Programmer

COE Product Co-Chairman, Digital Numerical Control

Another thought.... could it be on the powermill side.

If you are using a 2015 Catia STEP, and a 2014 or earlier powermill...... changes in STEP might require you upgrade powermill to be aligned with Catia.

First  - Thanks for the feedback

So I  - 1 - did a side by side options review - did some minor tweeking - no luck

2 - did run a new fresh set of Catsettings - no luck

and 3 - I will get my business partner involved

I am being told that there is a Powermill release available so I am stopping all testing until that is installed

Finally - From the Catia version I am struggling with I took the step file I saved out and read it back in to the same version then re-output the Step file - Low and behold the missing file is ok

So to recap - open Catia assembly - output cavity block solid as Cavity_step_1. Read Cavity_step_1 file into same Catia session - re-save as Cavity_step_2. deliver to CNC department. open both step files - Cavity_step_1 - is full of holes - Cavity_step_2 is perfect.

let me install the new powermil and Ill be back

Powermill Exchange update applied - Problem May be solved - more testing being done.

Hi Don,

Thanks for the update. Keep is informed. By the way, do your people do any NC programming with Catia?

Dave

Dave Frank  *    Aerospace Dynamics International, Valencia, Ca

5-Axis CNC Programmer

COE Product Co-Chairman, Digital Numerical Control

Step translation update - Problem Solved - Seems that the issues originated at the Powermill workstation. A technique that had been in use at the Powermill workstation, had the operator dragging the Catia output step file from a folder and dropping it on the open Powermill window. This approach is now being replaced by using the Powermill Exchange tool to open the step file so that it can be saved into a Powermill document. Problems with holes have disappeared.

Dave to answer your question, we have one seat of Cata for cnc which we use to program cutterpaths for carbons in our edm department. Limited scope and all 3 axis machining only. Thanks very much for your input - BTW - and have a great day.

How quickly we have fallen - I have another operator sending a file to the shop - and it translated into Powermill using the exchange function - with holes. Now I am back to saving the file out of Catia as a Step file - Reading the step file back into Catia and Stepping it out again (out of Catia) and this will eliminate the holes. So what is happening - Catia to step - Catia step into Catia - Catia to Step - no holes - who can explain the process What is Catia doing in these three steps?

Question - how does options/Performance/3D accuracy affect Catia data exchange? and could this be an area of concern for my files with holes?

Sorry I do not know. To find out, make a STEP with each setting and see if the files are different.. ( Size, file compare)

Sounds like Powermill problem

Dave Frank  *    Aerospace Dynamics International, Valencia, Ca

5-Axis CNC Programmer

COE Product Co-Chairman, Digital Numerical Control

Y'all I got some help on this from a fellow Catia user that just happens to know Powermill. Apparently there is a setting in the powermill exchange and import file that allows powermill to attempt healing of solids in the Trimming section. Selecting this setting has solved all the holes on the current work sent to our CNC department. Hopefully it will on all future work. Fingers Crossed

Thanks Derek B.