MastercamX Transition Guide
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Transition Guide
671 Old Post Road Tolland, Connecticut 06084 USA www.mastercam.com Printed in the USA on recycled paper. Mastercam X Transition Guide 1-883310-44-X
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Mastercam X Transition Guide July, 2005 rev. 1.01
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Mastercam® Transition Guide Date: July 15, 2005 (revision 1.01) Copyright © 2005 CNC Software, Inc. — All rights reserved. First Printing: July 15, 2005 Software: Mastercam X ISBN: 1-883310-44-X
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
PLEASE READ THIS STATEMENT AND THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT COMPLETELY BEFORE USING THIS SOFTWARE. BY CONTINUING TO USE THIS SOFTWARE, YOU (EITHER AN INDIVIDUAL OR A SINGLE ENTITY) INDICATE YOUR INTENTION TO BE BOUND BY AND ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, YOU MAY NOT ACCESS OR OTHERWISE USE THIS SOFTWARE AND WILL IN FACT BE PROHIBITED FROM DOING SO. THIS COMPUTER SOFTWARE MAY BE USED ONLY PURSUANT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH BELOW, AND SOLELY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ACCOMPANYING SECURITY MECHANISM (UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE "EXCEPTIONS TO SECURITY MECHANISM REQUIREMENTS" SECTION OF SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS) WHICH MUST BE PRESENT ON YOUR COMPUTER (OR NETWORK AS APPLICABLE) AT ALL TIMES DURING SUCH USE. Read This If You Have Received This Software From A Third Party: If you received this Software from someone other than an authorized CNC Software, Inc. reseller, you do NOT have a legal software license. (For example, if you acquired this Software simply by buying a machine or Software from the former owner or from an auction, you do not have a valid license.) You should contact CNC Software, Inc. (860-875-5006) in order to obtain a new and valid license. Use of this Software without a valid software license is unlawful, a violation of the Copyright Act and may expose you to criminal liability under 17 United States Code Sec. 506, including fines and damages.
Software License
If you have paid a license fee, CNC Software, Inc. ("CNC") a Connecticut corporation with its principal place of business at 671 Old Post Road, Tolland, Connecticut, 06084 hereby grants to you a non-exclusive, non-transferable license (the "License") to use this software program (the "Software") and its accompanying documentation (and, if applicable, to permit your authorized employees to use them), solely in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Software License Agreement . You may use the Software solely for your internal business purposes and solely in conjunction with the accompanying hardware or software device, method, scheme or other security measure provided by CNC which allows a user to access the Software and prevents unauthorized access to the Software (the "Security Mechanism"). The Software, any updates to the Software (including any that you download through the Internet), and the Documentation shall hereinafter collectively be referred to as the "Software" and are all governed by this License.
Restrictions
You may not use the Software without a Security Mechanism provided by CNC or CNC’s suppliers. When CNC or CNC’s suppliers provide you with a single-user Security Mechanism, the Software may only be used (in executable code form only) on a single computer to which the Security Mechanism is physically attached. In the event CNC or CNC’s suppliers provide you with a multiple-user Security Mechanism for use over an internal network (a "Network Security Mechanism"), the Software may be used: (a) in executable code form only; (b) only on end-user computers that are connected to the internal network to which the Network Security Mechanism is attached; and (c) only by the number of
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users and accessed by the number of end-user computers for which licenses were purchased and as further allowed by the Network Security Mechanism. You may physically transfer the Software from one computer equipped with a singleuser Security Mechanism to another only if the Security Mechanism is included in the transfer and is installed with the new computer. You shall not: (a) copy (except as provided below), adapt, modify the Software; (b) publish, display, disclose or create a derivative work from the Software or any part thereof; (c) de-compile or translate, disassemble, create or attempt to create, by reverse engineering or otherwise, the source code form of the Software from the executable code of the Software; (d) remove any proprietary notices, labels or marks from the Software; (e) sell, rent, lease, distribute or otherwise transfer or provide all or any part of the Software to any person or entity without the prior written consent of CNC; (f ) use the Software to provide outsourcing, service bureau, time sharing or other services to any third party; or (g) sublicense, assign, delegate or otherwise transfer your rights in the Software, under the Software License Agreement or any of the related rights or obligations for any reason without the prior written consent of CNC. You shall not circumvent, bypass, modify, reverse engineer, disassemble, disable, alter, enhance or replicate the function of the Security Mechanism in any manner whatsoever. Any attempt to do so shall result in automatic termination of this License without prejudice to all other legal rights and remedies of CNC.
Copying Restrictions
You may make one (1) copy of the Software for backup or archival purposes, provided that you reproduce all proprietary notices of CNC on any such copy.
Non Transferable
You may not transfer or assign the Software or this Software License Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder. Any attempt to do so will automatically terminate this License without the need for notice. This termination is without prejudice to all other legal rights and remedies of CNC.
Intellectual Property Rights
The Software is and includes intellectual property of CNC. All associated intellectual property rights, including, without limitation, worldwide patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret rights, are reserved. CNC retains all right, title and interest in and copyrights to the Software, regardless of the form or media in or on which the original or other copies may subsequently exist. This Software License Agreement shall not constitute a sale of the Software and no title or proprietary rights to the Software are transferred to you hereby. You acknowledge that the Software is a unique, confidential and valuable asset of CNC, and CNC shall have the right to seek all equitable and legal redress, which may be available to it for the breach or threatened breach of this Software License Agreement including, without limitation, injunctive relief. Unauthorized copying of the Software or failure to comply with the above restrictions shall result in automatic termination of this License and this Software License Agreement without prejudice to all other legal rights and remedies of CNC.
Confidentiality
You acknowledge that the Software contains proprietary trade secrets of CNC and you hereby agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Software using at least as great a degree of care as you use to maintain the confidentiality of your own most confidential information. You agree to reasonably communicate the terms and conditions of this Software License Agreement to those persons employed by you who come into contact with the Software, and to use reasonable best efforts to ensure their compliance with such terms and conditions, including, without limitation, not knowingly permitting such persons to use any portion of the Software for the purpose of deriving the source code of the Software or defeating the Security Mechanism.
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Enforcement Obligations
In the event you become aware that any person or entity in your employ or under your control in a manner not authorized by this Software License Agreement is using the Software, you shall immediately use reasonable best efforts to have such unauthorized use of the Software immediately cease. You shall promptly notify CNC in writing of any unauthorized use of the Software of which you become aware.
Limited Warranties
CNC WARRANTS THAT THE MEDIA ON WHICH THE SOFTWARE IS DISTRIBUTED WILL BE FREE OF DEFECTS IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY EXCLUDES DEFECTS ARISING OUT OF ACCIDENT, NEGLECT, MISUSE, FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER AND CAUSES OTHER THAN ORDINARY AND AUTHORIZED USE. EXCEPT FOR THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY, THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS, WITH ALL FAULTS." YOUR SOLE REMEDY AND CNC’S SOLE OBLIGATION HEREUNDER SHALL BE, AT CNC’S SOLE OPTION, REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE MEDIA OR REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SOFTWARE. ANY USE BY YOU OF THE SOFTWARE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE ONLY WARRANTY PROVIDED BY CNC REGARDING THE SOFTWARE. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CNC DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CNC IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE ANY UPDATES TO THE SOFTWARE. SHOULD THE SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE FOLLOWING ITS PURCHASE, YOU (AND NOT CNC, ITS DISTRIBUTOR, OR RETAILER) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Note on Documentation: While CNC makes every effort to ensure that its Documentation for the Software is accurate and up-to-date, it cannot guarantee the Documentation at all times represents the latest operation and functionality of the Software. The content of the "Getting Started Guide," "User Manual" and other documentation for the Software is provided for informational purposes only. The content of the Documentation may be changed without notice to you. CNC expressly disclaims any warranty or representation that the Documentation is an accurate and/or current reflection of the Software’s operation and performance.
Limitation of Liability IN NO EVENT WILL CNC, OR ITS EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, DISTRIBUTORS OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF EVEN IF CNC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. CNC’S ENTIRE LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE LICENSE FEE PAID BY YOU FOR THE SOFTWARE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Indemnification
You shall indemnify and hold harmless CNC, its officers, directors, employees, suppliers and agents from and against all losses, settlements, claims, actions,
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suits, proceedings, judgments, awards, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively "Losses") which arise out of or as a result of any breach of this Software License Agreement by you or your employees, agents, resellers, dealers or sub-dealers and shall reimburse CNC for any and all legal, accounting and other fees, costs and expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigating, mitigating or defending any such Losses.
Educational Pricing
Termination
General
U.S. Government Restricted Rights
If this Software was obtained through or in accordance with a CNC "Educational Pricing" plan, option, grant, schedule or program, it may not be used by anyone, including you, to conduct any computer aided design, computer aided drafting, computer aided machining, or training activities that, directly or indirectly, generate or otherwise result in monetary revenues for the benefit of any individual or any entity, other than the school that originally received this Software. This Software License Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this Software License Agreement at any time by returning to CNC all copies of the Software under your control and by returning the Security Mechanism to CNC. CNC may terminate this Software License Agreement if CNC determines, in its sole discretion, that you have violated the terms of this Software License Agreement. Upon termination of this Software License Agreement, you agree to immediately return to CNC all copies of the Software, return the Security Mechanism to CNC, and certify to CNC in writing that all known copies, including backup copies, have been returned. All provisions relating to confidentiality, proprietary rights, indemnification and nondisclosure shall survive the termination of this Software License Agreement. You may not transfer this Software to the purchaser of any equipment on which the Software may be resident. You may not transfer this Software via liquidation, bankruptcy, auction, close of business, or any other method that does not involve an authorized Mastercam reseller. This License is for you alone. In the event you breach the provisions of this Section, CNC shall be entitled to liquidated damages in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000), plus its reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. This Software License Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed by the laws of the state of Connecticut, without regard to conflicts of law provisions. The sole jurisdiction and venue for any litigation arising from or related to this Software License Agreement or the subject matter hereof shall be in an appropriate state or federal court located in Hartford, Connecticut. You hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the District of Connecticut and to the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut. This Software License Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between you and CNC with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any waiver or modification of this Software License Agreement shall be valid only if it is in writing and signed by both parties hereto. If any part of this Agreement is found invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to reasonably effect the intention of the parties. The Software provided hereunder is a "commercial item," as that term is defined in 48 C.F.R. 2.101, consisting of "commercial computer software" and "commercial computer software documentation," as such terms are used in 48 C.F.R. 12.212. Consistent with 48 C.F.R. 12.212 and 48 C.F.R. 227.7202-1 through 227.7202-4, the Software made available to the United States of America, its agencies and/or instrumentalities, is provided with only those rights set forth in this Agreement. Use, duplication or disclosure of the Software by the government is subject to the restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1) and
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(2) of the Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-19, as amended, or any successor regulations thereto.
Export Restrictions
You represent and warrant that you will not, without obtaining prior written authorization from CNC and, if required, of the Bureau of Export Administration of the United States Department of Commerce or other relevant agency of the United States Government, export or re-export, directly or indirectly, the Software from the United States to (i) any country destination to which export is restricted by the Export Administration Regulations of the United States Department of Commerce; (ii) any country subject to sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury; or (iii) such other countries to which export is restricted by any other United States government agency. You further agree that you are solely responsible for compliance with any import laws and regulations of the country of destination of a permitted export or re-export, and any other import requirement related to a permitted export or re-export.
Exceptions to Security Mechanism Requirements
CNC software programs Mastercam Design LT and Mastercam Demo do not require the use of Security Mechanisms, and the provisions in this Software License Agreement relating to Security Mechanisms do not apply to your use of such programs, provided, however, that such provisions shall apply to your use of all other Software provided hereunder.
Survival
All provisions of this Software License Agreement relating to confidentiality, non-disclosure, CNC’s proprietary rights, disclaimers, and limits of liability, or indemnification by Customer shall survive termination of this License for any reason.
Reservation of Rights
All rights not expressly granted are reserved by CNC.
Trademarks
Mastercam™ is a registered trademark of CNC. Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Mastercam Verify is created in conjunction with MachineWorks Ltd.
Printed in the United States of America. Printed on recycled paper.
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Contents
Contents • vii
Contents Section 1: Before You Begin .......................................................................... 1 Section 2: Converting Settings and Libraries ....................................... 11 2.1 / File types and locations ........................................... 11 2.1.1 / Libraries that can be migrated ................................. 11 2.1.2 / Configuration files ..................................................... 12
2.2 / Migration Procedures ............................................... 13 2.2.1 / Toolpath and operation defaults .............................. 14 2.2.1.1 / Converting Version 9 defaults (.DF9) files ........... 14 2.2.1.2 / Converting defaults files from earlier than V9 .... 16 2.2.2 / Tool libraries ............................................................... 17 2.2.2.1 / Coolant options in Mastercam X ......................... 17 2.2.2.2 / Custom tool types and tool definitions with custom tool profiles .................................................... 18 2.2.2.3 / Converting Version 9 tool libraries (.TL9) ............ 18 2.2.2.4 / Converting tool libraries from earlier than V9 ..... 20 2.2.2.5 / Importing tool information from text files ........... 21 2.2.3 / Material libraries ........................................................ 22 2.2.3.1 / Converting Version 9 material libraries (.MT9) .... 22 2.2.3.2 / Converting material libraries from earlier than V9 ....................................................................... 23 2.2.4 / Operation libraries ..................................................... 24 2.2.4.1 / Converting Version 9 operation libraries (.OP9) . 24 2.2.4.2 / Manually converting operation libraries from earlier than V9 ............................................................. 26 2.2.5 / Updating configuration files to use the new libraries .................................................................... 27
2.3 / C-Hooks ........................................................................... 28
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viii • MASTERCAM X / Transition Guide
Section 3: Posts and Machine Definitions ............................................ 29 3.1 / Updating posts ............................................................. 29 3.1.1 / Automatically creating machine and control definitions from posts.............................................. 32 3.1.1.1 / Machine definitions created by UpdatePost ...... 32 3.1.2 / Finding and fixing conversion errors........................ 33 3.1.2.1 / Uncertain variable type errors .............................. 35 3.1.3 / Converting a V9 post: Example ................................ 35 3.1.3.1 / New header line ..................................................... 36 3.1.3.2 / Pre-defined variables and post blocks end with $ ............................................................................. 36 3.1.3.3 / e$ (EOB) required at end of output lines ............. 36 3.1.3.4 / New parameters for fstrsel tables ....................... 37 3.1.3.5 / Characters "+", "-", and "." no longer allowed in variable or post block names .......................................... 37 3.1.3.6 / Numbered questions no longer used .................. 38 3.1.3.7 / New headers and organization for post text ....... 38 3.1.4 / Configuring machine and control definitions .......... 40 3.1.4.1 / Using Mastercam’s default machine and control definitions with your converted post ............. 40 3.1.4.2 / Editing a machine definition to use tool and material libraries ............................................................ 42 3.1.4.3 / Editing a machine definition to use Mastercam X coolant options ............................................. 43 3.1.4.4 / Editing a control definition to use operation defaults and libraries .......................................... 45 3.1.4.5 / Selecting your default machines .......................... 46 3.1.4.6 / Migrating aggregate tooling components for router ............................................................................... 49 3.1.5 / Converting setup sheets ........................................... 53 3.1.6 / Inch and metric machine definitions ....................... 54
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Contents • ix
Section 4: Updating parts and machining jobs.................................... 56 4.1 / Converting parts .......................................................... 56 4.1.1 / What happens when you convert a file? ................. 56 4.1.2 / Converting files in batch mode ................................ 57 4.1.3 / Machine compatibility ............................................... 58 4.1.3.1 / Severe incompatibility ........................................... 59 4.1.3.2 / Minor incompatibilities ......................................... 60 4.1.3.3 / Axis combinations ................................................. 61 4.1.3.4 / Vertical turret lathes (VTLs) .................................. 63 4.1.3.5 / Home positions in Mill/Router parts .................... 65
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x • MASTERCAM X / Transition Guide
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Before You Begin • 1
Section 1: Before You Begin This guide is designed to help current Mastercam users recreate their current work environment—and their current jobs and parts—as quickly as possible. Some of the topics this covers include:
Migrating your current libraries, tools, and defaults to your new Mastercam X installation. Converting and updating your post processors. Creating your first machine definitions so that they work with your current libraries and parts. Updating your .config files. Converting your parts. Since every Mastercam user has different needs and migration requirements, we’ve prepared a series of checklists that walk you through the migration process. These are designed so that you only need to complete (and read about) tasks that are relevant to you. Complete the tasks on the checklists in the order in which they are presented and simply skip over those tasks which do not apply to you. The checklists are organized into two pairs of worksheets. For any Mastercam workstation, you should only need to complete one worksheet from each pair. From each set, choose the worksheet that matches your situation.
Choose a Libraries and Settings worksheet based on which version of Mastercam you are upgrading from. The migration procedures are different if you are not running Version 9. Choose a Posts and Machine Definition Worksheet based on where you will be getting your initial machine definitions and posts, either from your reseller, or generated from your current posts with the UpdatePost utility. Complete one set of worksheets for each Mastercam X workstation. If you need more copies, the worksheets are available in printable form in a PDF file, Migration_Worksheets.pdf, which is installed in the \Documentation folder where you installed Mastercam X. Revisions to this version—This revision includes section 3.1.6, “Inch and metric machine definitions.” This is the only change.
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2 • MASTERCAM X / Transition Guide
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A
Libraries and Settings Worksheet — Upgrading from Version 9.x
Page 1 of 1 Workstation ID: ______________
For sections with separate M-L-R columns, repeat each procedure for each installed product (Mill/Lathe/ Router). Sections marked All only need to be completed once even if you upgrade more than one Mastercam product. I. Installation 1. Are you installing to a new PC?
2. Install Mastercam.
M
L
R
Identify current libraries (page 11) and posts (including .TXT files) that you want to move to the new workstation.
Copy them to a working folder on new PC.
See the Mastercam X Installation Guide.
(All)
II. Migrate libraries Convert only those libraries you want to use with Mastercam X and skip the others. Use File, Import directory function.
M
L
R
See Section 2.2.1.1 on page 14.
2a. Convert libraries.
See Section 2.2.2.3 on page 18.
2b. Convert custom tool geometry.
See Section 2.2.2.2 on page 18.
3. Convert materials libraries (.MT9).
See Section 2.2.3.1 on page 22.
4. Convert operations libraries (.OP9).
See Section 2.2.4.1 on page 24.
1. Convert operation defaults (.DF9). 2. Convert tool libraries (.TL9).
5. Edit configuration files to use converted libraries. 5a. Edit inch configuration files.
See Section 2.2.5 on page 27.
(All)
5b. Edit metric configuration files
See Section 2.2.5 on page 27.
(All)
III. Select the proper Posts and Machine Definition worksheet • My reseller will supply my posts and machine/control definitions.
Complete Worksheet C.
• I will automatically create machine and Complete Worksheet D. control definitions when I update my posts. • I will use/modify the generic posts and definitions supplied with Mastercam.
See online help for Machine Definition Manager and Control Definition Manager to learn more.
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B
Libraries and Settings Worksheet — Upgrading from Version 8 & earlier
Page 1 of 1 Workstation ID: ______________
For sections with separate M-L-R columns, repeat each procedure for each installed product (Mill/Lathe/ Router). Sections marked All only need to be completed once even if you upgrade more than one Mastercam product. I. Installation 1. Are you installing to a new PC?
2. Install Mastercam.
M
L
R
Identify current libraries (page 11) and posts (including .TXT files) that you want to move to the new workstation.
Copy them to a working folder on new PC.
See the Mastercam X Installation Guide.
(All)
II. Migrate libraries Manually convert those libraries you want to use with Mastercam X and skip the others.
M
L
R
See Section 2.2.1.2 on page 16.
2a. Convert library.
See Section 2.2.2.4 on page 20.
2b. Convert custom tool geometry.
See Section 2.2.2.2 on page 18.
1. Convert operation defaults. 2. Convert tool libraries.
3. Convert materials library.
See Section 2.2.3.2 on page 23.
4. Convert operations library.
See Section 2.2.4.2 on page 26.
5. Edit configuration files to use converted libraries. 5a. Edit inch configuration files.
See Section 2.2.5 on page 27.
(All)
5b. Edit metric configuration files.
See Section 2.2.5 on page 27.
(All)
III. Select the proper Posts and Machine Definition worksheet • My reseller will supply my posts and machine/control definitions.
Complete Worksheet C.
• I will automatically create machine and Complete Worksheet D. control definitions when I update my posts. • I will use/modify the generic posts and definitions supplied with Mastercam.
See online help for Machine Definition Manager and Control Definition Manager to learn more.
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C
Posts and Machine Definition Worksheet Page 1 of 1 — Supplied by Reseller Workstation ID: ______________
Complete the steps on this worksheet if your reseller is supplying your initial set of machine and control definitions and posts. I. Copy files to your workstation 1. Copy to \CNC_MACHINES folder in your Mastercam installation folder.
(All products)
Copy machine and control definitions for all products into same folder. M
2. Copy posts to \POSTS folder.
Each product has its own \POSTS folder.
II. Edit machine and control definitions to use migrated libraries
L
R
(All products)
These steps are optional. Complete them if you want your machine and control definitions to use the libraries you migrated from your current Mastercam workstation. 1. If desired, edit machine definition to use migrated libraries as defaults.
Repeat for each machine definition.
1a. Set default tool library for machine.
See Section 3.1.4.2 on page 42.
1b. Set default material library for machine.
See Section 3.1.4.2 on page 42.
2. If desired, edit control definition to use migrated libraries as defaults.
Repeat for each control definition.
2a. Set default toolpath defaults file (.defaults).
See Section 3.1.4.4 on page 45.
2b. Set default operations library (.operations).
See Section 3.1.4.4 on page 45.
III. Edit configuration files These steps are optional. Complete them if you want Mastercam to automatically load selected machines by default. Repeat this section for inch and metric .config files. 1. Select default machine to load when starting Mastercam.
See Section 3.1.4.5 on page 46.
2. Select a default machine for each product.
Section 3.1.4.5 on page 46.
IV. Convert setup sheet files 1. If desired, convert setup sheets (.set files).
You’re now ready to convert your current parts and machining jobs!
M See Section 3.1.5 on page 53.
See Section 4.1 on page 56.
L
R
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D
Posts and Machine Definition Worksheet Page 1 of 2 — Generated with UpdatePost Workstation ID: ______________
Complete the steps on this worksheet if you will be using the UpdatePost utility to convert your existing posts and automatically generate machine and control definitions. I. Preparation
(All products)
1. Locate and organize the posts you want to Organize them in folders by product type convert. and version. For each post, include the PST/PSB and TXT files in the same folder.
2. Start UpdatePost.
II. Enter UpdatePost settings
See Section 3.1 on page 29.
See Section 3.1 on page 29.
M
L
R
1. Select product type and version number for posts to convert.
2. Select target folder.
3. Select posts to convert.
You can select several posts, from different folders. However, they must be for the same product and version.
4. In File Creation section, select options to create machine and control definitions.
These will automatically be written to \CNC_MACHINES folder, not the target folder for your posts.
5. Select options to create and display log files.
Creating and reviewing a log file is HIGHLY recommended.
6. Convert posts.
Click OK to convert posts and exit, or click Apply to continue converting other posts.
7. Open the log file and save to a unique name.
Mastercam will overwrite the original log file the next time it writes the log.
III. Review log and correct post errors
See Section 3.1.2 on page 33.
1. Review log file and resolve error conditions.
Repeat for every converted post. You must review the log for errors and resolve them before using the post!
IV. Convert setup sheet files 1. If desired, convert setup sheets (.set files).
(Continue on next page)
M See Section 3.1.5 on page 53.
L
R
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D
Posts and Machine Definition Worksheet — Generated with UpdatePost
V. Edit machine and control definitions Complete each task that is appropriate for your machine or machines. All users should review Section 3.1.1.1 on page 32. (Lathe users only) 1. Create necessary axis combinations. 2. Are you creating a VTL?
Page 2 of 2
M
L
See Section 4.1.3.3 on page 61. Typically applies to machine definitions for high-end multi-spindle/multi-turret lathes.
See Section 4.1.3.4 on page 63.
R
(Router users only) 3. Convert aggregate heads, multi & piggyback heads, and block drills. See Section 3.1.4.6 on page 49.
3b. Add components to machine definitions See Section 3.1.4.6 on page 49. with Machine Definition Manager.
3a. Convert .HD9 files to component libraries.
(All products)
(All products)
4. If desired, configure custom coolant options.
See Section 3.1.4.3 on page 43.
5. If desired, edit machine definition to use migrated libraries as defaults.
Repeat for each machine definition.
5a. Set default tool library for machine.
See Section 3.1.4.2 on page 42.
5b. Set default material library for machine.
See Section 3.1.4.2 on page 42.
6. If desired, edit control definition to use migrated libraries as defaults.
Repeat for each control definition.
6a. Set default toolpath defaults file (.defaults).
See Section 3.1.4.4 on page 45.
6b. Set default operations library (.operations).
See Section 3.1.4.4 on page 45.
V. Edit configuration files 1. If desired, edit configuration file to point to Repeat for inch and metric .config files. your new machine & control definitions. 1a. Select default machine to load when starting Mastercam.
See Section 3.1.4.5 on page 46.
1b. Select a default machine for each product.
See Section 3.1.4.5 on page 46.
You’re now ready to convert your current parts and machining jobs!
See Section 4.1 on page 56.
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Converting Settings and Libraries • 11
Section 2: Converting Settings and Libraries Use this section as a guide to migrating your current settings and libraries to your new Mastercam X installation. CNC Software understands that many of our current users have invested a substantial amount of time and energy in developing their tool and material libraries, toolpath and operation defaults, and operation libraries to meet their own preferences and customer requirements. To help make this process as smooth as possible, Mastercam X includes a migration utility to convert these files from Version 9. If you are upgrading from Version 8 or earlier, this section includes procedures for manually converting the libraries. It concludes with procedures for setting up your configuration files to point to the converted libraries instead of the default libraries that have been installed with Mastercam X. The procedures in this section have been designed to coordinate with the “Libraries and Settings” worksheets found at the front of this Guide. Follow the worksheets to ensure that you only complete the procedures necessary for your workstation and that they are completed in the proper order.
2.1 File types and locations 2.1.1 Libraries that can be migrated The table below lists some of the libraries and settings files that you can migrate to your Mastercam X folders to quickly reproduce many of the customizations and preferences that you have created over the years. If you are installing Mastercam X on a different computer than your current Mastercam workstation, you can copy your current libraries to a temporary folder on your Mastercam X workstation so they can be converted.
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The rest of this chapter contains procedures and notes to help you convert the files and configure Mastercam to use them instead of the system defaults installed with Mastercam X. Table 1: Mastercam libraries and settings
File Type Toolpath and operation defaults
Tool libraries
Material libraries
Operation libraries
Configuration files
Version 9
Mastercam X
extension
.DF9
.defaults
location
\mcam9\mill\ops
\mcamx\mill\ops
typical name Defaults.DF9, Defaultsm.DF9
Mill_inch.defaults, Mill_mm.defaults
extension
.TL9
.tools
location
\mcam9\mill\tools \mcamx\mill\tools
typical name Tools.TL9, Tools_mm.TL9
Mill_inch.tools, Mill_mm.tools
extension
.MT9
.materials
location
\mcam9\mill\tools \mcamx\materials
typical name Matls.MT9, Lmatls.MT9
Default.materials
extension
.OP9
.operations
location
\mcam9\mill\ops
\mcamx\mill\ops
typical name Operat.OP9
Mill_inch.operations. Mill_mm.operations
extension
.CFG
.config
location
\mcam9
\mcamx\config
typical name Mill.CFG, Millm.CFG
Mcamx.config, Mcamxm.config
2.1.2 Configuration files Earlier versions of Mastercam typically had separate configuration files for each Mastercam product. In Mastercam X, Mill, Lathe, Router, and Design all share a common configuration file. The default location for your Mastercam X configuration files is the \mcamx\config folder.
You still need separate configuration files for inch and metric operations. Just like in earlier versions, you can still create as many different configuration files as you want for special needs or custom applications.
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Converting Settings and Libraries • 13
There is no way to automatically convert or migrate configuration files from older versions of Mastercam, except by editing them individually. The System Configuration dialog box (Settings, Configuration) in Mastercam X includes many, but not all, of the configuration settings from earlier versions of Mastercam. The following table shows where to find all of your current configuration settings. Table 2: Configuration settings
Current configuration tab Mastercam X configuration topic Allocations
Not used in Mastercam X
Tolerances
Settings, Configuration > Tolerances topic
Communications
Moved to control definition. Select default communications package on Start/Exit topic.
Files
Settings, Configuration > Files topic
Plotter settings
Not used in Mastercam X; use standard Windows drivers instead
—Pen attributes Toolbar/Keys
Settings, Configuration > Printing topic Moved to separate, expanded functions: • Settings, Customize to create and edit toolbars, drop-down menus, rightmouse menu • Settings, Key Mapping for keyboard shortcuts • Settings, Toolbar States to show/ hide toolbars for each product
NC Settings
Settings, Configuration > Files topic; some settings moved to control definition
CAD Settings
Settings, Configuration > CAD Settings; individual topics for drafting settings and globals
Start/Exit
Settings, Configuration > Start/Exit topic
Screen
Settings, Configuration > Screen, Colors, Chaining, Shading topics
2.2 Migration Procedures Most likely you will not need to complete all the procedures in this section. Use the migration worksheets as a guide to point you to the sections that apply to your situation.
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2.2.1 Toolpath and operation defaults Read this section if you want to convert your existing toolpath and operation defaults for use with Mastercam X. If you want to use the .defaults files installed with Mastercam X, you can skip this section. Mastercam X gives you a great deal of flexibility in how you use and manage .defaults files:
When you create a new operation, the .defaults file that provides the initial values is specified in the Files tab of the Machine Group Properties dialog box:
In the Machine Group Properties, you can select a new .defaults file or edit the existing one.
When you create a new machine group, the .defaults file is specified in the control definition. When you create a new control definition, Mastercam includes the .defaults file which is specified in the .config file. The procedures in this section will show you how to convert your existing defaults files for use with Mastercam X. Later, on page 27, you will learn about Updating configuration files to use the new libraries.
2.2.1.1 Converting Version 9 defaults (.DF9) files This procedure converts both inch and metric .DF9 files at the same time. Typically you would repeat it for each Mastercam product because the defaults files for each are normally stored in different folders.
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X Converting Version 9 defaults files 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 Choose File, Import directory. 3 Select V9 default files (*.DF9) from the Import from files of
type list. 4 Click the From this directory button and navigate to the
folder that contains your current defaults files. (Typically this is \mcam9\mill\ops, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.) 5 Click the To this directory button and navigate to the folder
in which your Mastercam X defaults will be stored. (Typically this is \mcamx\mill\ops, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.)
6 Click Import. Mastercam automatically converts all the .DF9
files found in the source directory, including metric files. Note: If the target directory already contains files with the same name as the files you are converting, they will be overwritten without warning. Later, you will edit your configuration and control definition files to use your converted .defaults files instead of the system defaults. X Converting other products Repeat the previous procedure for Mastercam Lathe and Router, if you have installed either of them.
You do not need to start a new Mastercam session.
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It does not matter which Mastercam product you are running or which machine definition is active.
2.2.1.2 Converting defaults files from earlier than V9 Operation defaults files from versions of Mastercam older than Version 9 need to be converted manually. Complete these steps for each library that you want to use with Mastercam X, for both inch and metric files. X Converting Version 8 and older defaults files 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 From the Machine Type menu, select the factory default
machine definition for the product whose defaults files you are converting.
MILL DEFAULT.MMD LATHE DEFAULT.LMD ROUTER DEFAULT.RMD 3 Select File, New from the menu to create an empty file and
machine group. 4 Select File, Open from the menu. 5 Select All files in the Files of type list.
6 Navigate to the folder that contains the defaults files that you
want to convert and select the desired file. Note: Lathe users may see a dialog box about axis combinations. If you do, click OK to close it. 7 After the file has been opened, you should see all the default
operations in the Toolpath Manager. IMPORTANT: Do not try to edit them at this time. 8 Select File, Save from the menu. 9 Navigate to the folder where you will store your Mastercam X
defaults files. The factory setting is \mcamx\mill\ops, \mcamx\lathe\ops, or \mcamx\router\ops.
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10 Type the name of the new file with a .defaults extension. For
example, haas.defaults. 11 Click the Save button to create the new file.
Repeat this process for each defaults file that you want to convert. Make sure that each time you start out with a machine group of the product that matches the defaults file you are converting.
2.2.2 Tool libraries Complete this section if you want to convert your existing tool libraries for use with Mastercam X. If you want to use the tool libraries installed with Mastercam X, you can skip this section. In Mastercam X, the default tool library is a property of the machine definition. This lets you organize your tools for each machine or type of machine in its own library which is automatically selected when you create toolpaths for that machine.
When you first create a new machine definition, Mastercam uses the tool library specified in the .config file. You can edit a machine definition to use a different tool library. Once a machine group has been created, you can select a different tool library as the default for operations in that group. Of course, when you are creating an operation, you can use the Tool Manager to select tools from any library, just like in your current Mastercam product.
2.2.2.1 Coolant options in Mastercam X One of the differences between tool definitions in Mastercam X and earlier versions of Mastercam is that Mastercam X lets you select a default coolant option from a wider range of coolant types. When you create or edit a tool definition, you can select a default coolant option from any type of coolant available in the active machine definition. If you later use that tool with a different machine (and if you choose to get the coolant option from the tool definition), it is your responsibility to make sure that it supports the particular coolant option stored in the tool definition. The conversion procedures outlined in this section use Mastercam’s factory-default generic mill/lathe/router machine definitions, which support the three coolant types from earlier versions of Mastercam (thru-tool, flood, mist). If you wish to use more sophisticated coolant options in connection with a machine-specific tool library, follow this general outline:
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Convert the library according to the steps outlined in this section. Select the desired machine definition. Select Tool Manager from the Toolpaths menu. Right-click on the desired tool definition and choose Edit. You will be able to access the machine’s coolant options on the Parameters tab. The section Editing a machine definition to use Mastercam X coolant options on page 43 tells you more about defining coolant options in your machine definition and supporting them in your post.
2.2.2.2 Custom tool types and tool definitions with custom tool profiles Tool libraries that contain custom tool types, or tool definitions which use custom tool profile geometry, require additional manual editing to function properly.
Locate the Mastercam files which contain the custom tool geometry. Convert these to Mastercam X format. Use the File, Import directory feature if there are many files, otherwise it might be easier to simply open the file in Mastercam X and save it to the folder where your Mastercam X tool libraries will be stored. Note: The rules for custom tool geometry are the same in Mastercam X as for Version 9.
Convert the library as described in the following procedures. Open the tool library in the Tool Manager. Locate the desired tool definition and edit it so that it references the new Mastercam X file with the tool geometry. (Click the Help button in the Tool Manager to learn more about editing tool definitions.)
2.2.2.3 Converting Version 9 tool libraries (.TL9) This procedure converts both inch and metric .TL9 files at the same time. Typically you would repeat it for each Mastercam product, because the tool libraries for each are normally stored in different folders. X Converting Version 9 tool libraries 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 Choose File, Import directory.
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3 Select V9 tool files (*.TL9) from the Import from files of
type list. 4 Click the From this directory button and navigate to the
folder that contains your current tool libraries. (Typically this is \mcam9\mill\tools, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.) 5 Click the To this directory button and navigate to the folder
in which your Mastercam X tool libraries will be stored. (Typically this is \mcamx\mill\tools, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.)
6 Click Import. Mastercam automatically converts all the .TL9
files found in the source directory, including metric files. Note: If the target directory already contains files with the same name as the files you are converting, they will be overwritten without warning. The section Updating configuration files to use the new libraries on page 27 shows you how to edit your configuration and control definition files to use your converted .tools files instead of the system defaults. X Converting other products Repeat the previous procedure for Mastercam Lathe and Router, if you have installed either of them.
You do not need to start a new Mastercam session.
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It does not matter which Mastercam product you are running or which machine definition is active.
2.2.2.4 Converting tool libraries from earlier than V9 There are two main techniques for importing tool libraries from older versions of Mastercam:
Convert the older libraries by opening them up in Mastercam X and re-saving them. Convert the tool library to a text file with your earlier version of Mastercam and use Mastercam X to create a tool library from it. Each technique is described below. These techniques will also work with Version 9 tool libraries, if you do not want to use the automatic import feature. X Converting Version 8 and older tool libraries 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 Make sure that you are running in the proper mode, inch or
metric. (Choose Settings, Configuration from the menu and select the proper .config file.) 3 From the Machine Type menu, select the default machine
definition for the product whose tool library you are converting.
MILL DEFAULT.MMD LATHE DEFAULT.LMD ROUTER DEFAULT.RMD 4 Select File, New from the menu to create an empty file and
machine group. 5 Select File, Open from the menu. 6 Select All files in the Files of type list.
7 Navigate to the folder that contains your current tool libraries
and select the desired library. Note: Your Mastercam display will not change, since the tool definitions aren’t visible in the graphics window. 8 Select File, Save from the menu.
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9 Navigate to the folder where you will store your Mastercam X
tool libraries. The factory setting is \mcamx\mill\tools, \mcamx\lathe\tools, or \mcamx\router\tools. 10 Type the name of the new file with a .tools extension. For
example, haas.tools. 11 Click the Save button to create the new file.
Repeat this process for each tool library that you want to convert. Make sure that each time you start out with a machine group whose product type matches the tool library you are converting.
2.2.2.5 Importing tool information from text files As an alternative to manually converting libraries, you can also import the tool information from text files. X Creating a Mastercam X tool library from a text file 1 If necessary, export your old libraries to text files. Right-click
in the Tool Manager in your current version of Mastercam and choose Convert a library to text. 2 Start Mastercam X. 3 Activate either Mill, Router, or Lathe by selecting a machine
definition from the Machine Type menu. 4 Select Tool Manager from the Toolpaths menu to create a
Mill or Router tool library, or Lathe Tool Manager to create a Lathe tool library. 5 Right-click in the Tool Manager window and choose Import/
export tools, Convert a library from text.
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6 Navigate to the folder which contains the desired text file and
select it. 7 Mastercam prompts you to enter a name for the converted
library. Mastercam will create a new library from the text file instead of adding the tools to the currently open library. TIP: Read the online help in the Tool Manager to learn how to copy tools from one library to another. 8 Repeat this procedure for each text file that you want to
convert to a library. 9 Use the Tool Manager to open the new libraries and edit any
tool definitions.
2.2.3 Material libraries Complete this section if you want to convert your existing material libraries for use with Mastercam X. If you want to use the material library installed with Mastercam X, you can skip this section. Previous versions of Mastercam maintained separate versions of material libraries for each individual product. In Mastercam X , a single library (default.materials) stores Mill and Lathe settings, so that all products can use the same library. If you want to use material libraries migrated from your current Mastercam products, you can handle this in either of two ways:
Convert one library (for example, Mill) and manually edit the Lathe settings. Convert each library and edit your configuration file and machine definitions so that the default material library for each product is different. Mastercam Router installs its own material library, router.materials, in the same folder as default.materials.
2.2.3.1 Converting Version 9 material libraries (.MT9) This procedure converts both inch and metric .MT9 files at the same time. X Converting Version 9 material libraries 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 Choose File, Import directory. 3 Select V9 material files (*.MT9) from the Import from files
of type list.
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Converting Settings and Libraries • 23
4 Click the From this directory button and navigate to the
folder that contains the desired material libraries. (Typically this is \mcam9\mill\tools, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.) 5 Click the To this directory button and navigate to the folder
in which your Mastercam X material libraries will be stored. (Typically this is \mcamx\materials for all products.)
Note: If the target directory already contains files with the same name as the files you are converting, they will be overwritten without warning. 6 Click Import. Mastercam automatically converts all the .MT9
files found in the source directory. Repeat for each folder in which you have material libraries to be converted.
You do not need to start a new Mastercam session. It does not matter which Mastercam product you are running or which machine definition is active. The section Updating configuration files to use the new libraries on page 27 shows you how to edit your configuration and control definition files to use your converted .materials files instead of the system defaults.
2.2.3.2 Converting material libraries from earlier than V9 X Converting Version 8 and older material libraries 1 Start Mastercam X.
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2 From the Machine Type menu, select the factory default
machine definition for the product whose material library you are converting.
MILL DEFAULT.MMD LATHE DEFAULT.LMD ROUTER DEFAULT.RMD 3 Select File, New from the menu to create an empty file and
machine group. 4 Select File, Open from the menu. 5 Select All files in the Files of type list.
6 Navigate to the folder that contains the material libraries that
you want to convert and select the desired material library. 7 Select File, Save from the menu. 8 Navigate to the folder where you will store your Mastercam X
material library. The factory setting is \mcamx\materials. 9 Type the name of the new file with a .materials extension. For
example, lathe.materials. 10 Click the Save button.
Repeat this process for each material library that you wish to convert, in inch and metric. Make sure that each time you start out with a machine group of the proper product.
2.2.4 Operation libraries Complete this section if you want to convert existing operation libraries for use with Mastercam X. If you do not need to convert any libraries, you can skip this section. The procedures in this section will show you how to convert your existing libraries for use with Mastercam X. Later, on page 27, you will learn about Updating configuration files to use the new libraries so that the new libraries will be loaded by default.
2.2.4.1 Converting Version 9 operation libraries (.OP9) This procedure converts both inch and metric .DF9 files at the same time. Typically you would repeat it for each Mastercam product since the operation libraries for each are normally stored in different folders.
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X Converting Version 9 operation libraries 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 Choose File, Import directory. 3 Select V9 Operation Files (*.OP9) from the Import from files
of type list. 4 Click the From this directory button and navigate to the
folder that contains your current operation libraries. (Typically this is \mcam9\mill\ops, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.) 5 Click the To this directory button and navigate to the folder
in which your Mastercam X operation libraries will be stored. (Typically this is \mcamx\mill\ops, or the equivalent for Lathe and Router.)
6 Click Import. Mastercam automatically converts all the .OP9
files found in the source directory, including metric files. Note: If the target directory already contains files with the same name as the files you are converting, they will be overwritten without warning. Later, you will edit your configuration and control definition files to use your converted .operations files instead of the system defaults. X Converting other products Repeat the previous procedure for Mastercam Lathe and Router, if you have installed either of them.
You do not need to start a new Mastercam session.
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It does not matter which Mastercam product you are running or which machine definition is active.
2.2.4.2 Manually converting operation libraries from earlier than V9 X Converting Version 8 and older operation libraries 1 Start Mastercam X. 2 From the Machine Type menu, select the factory default
machine definition for the product whose operation library you are converting.
MILL DEFAULT.MMD LATHE DEFAULT.LMD ROUTER DEFAULT.RMD 3 Select File, New from the menu to create an empty file and
machine group. 4 Select File, Open from the menu. 5 Select All files in the Files of type list.
6 Navigate to the folder that contains the defaults files that you
want to convert and select the desired operation library. 7 You should see all the operations in the Toolpath Manager.
IMPORTANT: Do not try to edit them at this time. 8 Select File, Save from the menu. 9 Navigate to the folder where you will store your Mastercam X
defaults file. The factory setting is \mcamx\mill\ops, \mcamx\lathe\ops, or \mcamx\router\ops. 10 Type the name of the new file with a .operations extension.
For example, drilling.operations. 11 Click the Save button to create the new file.
Repeat this process for each operation library for each Mastercam X product that you have installed. Make sure that each time you start out with a machine group of the proper product.
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2.2.5 Updating configuration files to use the new libraries After you convert all of the desired libraries from your current Mastercam workstation, you can edit your configuration (.config) files to point to them instead of the factory default files. By updating your configuration files now, you ensure that when you create your first machine and control definitions, they will use your new libraries. If you do not want to use your converted libraries as the default libraries for each product, you can skip the rest of this section. X Updating configuration files 1 Choose Settings, Configuration from the menu. 2 Choose Files from the list at the left of the dialog box.
3 In the File usage section, select the type of library that you
have converted.
4 In the Selected item section, select the converted library.
5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each converted library that you want
to use as a default.
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6 Click the Save button when you’ve selected all the libraries
that you wish to use as defaults. 7 Repeat this procedure for your metric .config file. (If you
normally work in metric, repeat for your inch .config file.)
2.3 C-Hooks In general, your current C-Hooks will not work with Mastercam X. Some of the key changes that C-Hook developers will need to accomodate include:
Microsoft Visual C/C++ V7.1 is now a requirement. Access to Mastercam functionality is now provided through .LIBs instead of .OBJs. Many variable types have changed. C-Hooks that use legacy Mastercam menus need to have their interface rewritten to use modal or modeless dialog boxes. Mastercam X includes a C-Hook Wizard that you can use to build a skeleton C-Hook, which can then be customized to meet your specific needs.
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Section 3: Posts and Machine Definitions Use this section as a guide to upgrading your current post processors so that they work with Mastercam X, and to understand some of the many important differences introduced in the MP language. While this is not intended to be a complete Mastercam X post reference, it should help you understand some of the changes that occur when your post is converted. The UpdatePost utility that is supplied with Mastercam X can be used to create a complete set of a machine definition, a control definition, and a post from your current post. Many users will find this a convenient way to get up and running quickly. Other procedures tell you how to edit the newly created machine and control definitions to work with the libraries that you migrated in the previous chapter, so that as much as possible of your current Mastercam workstation is transferred to Mastercam X. The procedures in this section have been designed to coordinate with the “Posts and Machine Definition” worksheets found at the front of this Guide. Follow the worksheets to ensure that you only complete the procedures necessary for your workstation and that they are completed in the proper order. A complete reference to the post parameters in Mastercam X is installed in your \documentation folder when you install Mastercam. It includes several examples of how to access the important new parameters for machine definitions, control definitions, and machine groups.
3.1 Updating posts Use the UpdatePost utility to convert posts from earlier versions of Mastercam so that they can be used with Mastercam X. As part of this process, you can also choose to have Mastercam automatically create a machine and/or control definition based on the original post’s settings. The converted posts will retain the name of the original post. The original post will be saved with a backup extension. UpdatePost runs as a C-Hook and is installed by default in your CHooks folder.
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The following table lists the input and output files for different post types. Table 3: UpdatePost input and output files
Input files
Output files
Mypost.pst, Mypost.txt
Mypost.pst, Mypost.pst_v9
Mypost.pst, Mypost.psb, Mypost.txt
Mypost.pst, Mypost.pst_v9 Mypost.psb, Mypost.psb_v9
Optional: UpdatePostX.log, Mypost.mmd, Mypost.control
Optional: UpdatePostX.log, Mypost.mmd, Mypost.control Mypost.psm, Mypost.txt
Mypost.psm, Mypost.psm_v9 Optional: UpdatePostX.log, Mypost.mmd, Mypost.control
Router posts will output .rmd files instead of .mmd. Lathe posts will output .lmd files. X Running UpdatePost IMPORTANT: This procedure is only valid for MP-compatible posts. 1 Organize the posts that you wish to convert.
After you run UpdatePost, the version X post will retain the original file name, and the original post will be renamed with a backup extension (for example, Postname.pst_v9). You may wish to copy your original posts to a temporary folder or to your Mastercam X posts folder before running UpdatePost. Make sure you include any .TXT files used by the original post. UpdatePost can convert several posts at once, but only if they are the same machine type (e.g. Mill, Lathe, Router, Mill/Turn). If you have many posts to convert, you may wish to sort them by machine type. Consider whether you will need to create a machine and/ or control definition for each post, or whether you will use the new posts with existing definitions. UpdatePost will work with posts from Mastercam version 4 or later, including binary posts. 2 Start the UpdatePost utility.
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From the menu, choose Settings, Run User Application, and select UpdatePost.dll. 3 Enter your conversion settings:
Choose the version number and type of the original posts. Specify the target directory for the converted posts. Tell Mastercam whether you need to create a machine and/or control definition for each converted post. 4 Click Select Post(s) to select the individual posts.
Use Shift+click and Ctrl+click to select multiple posts. They must all be the same type and version. You can select posts from different folders, but they will all be saved in the same target folder. For each post, select only the .PST/.PSM file. However, all the files associated with the post (for example, the .TXT file or .PSB file) must be in the same directory as the .PST/ .PSM file. 5 Select your log file options. Creating a log file is strongly
recommended; it will list every error generated during the conversion, plus any other instance where Mastercam could not unambiguously figure out how to convert the original post. 6 Click OK to convert the posts and close UpdatePost, or click
Apply to convert the posts and leave UpdatePost open so you can convert more posts. 7 Review the log file (if you created one) for errors and other
notes.
If UpdatePost encounters any errors, it will not stop the conversion process, and will create a finished post. All errors will be noted in the log file and flagged in the converted post. It is important that you review these and make the appropriate corrections to ensure that the converted post contains no critical errors. If you think you will need to refer to the log later, make sure that you print it out or save a copy to a different file. Mastercam overwrites the log each time you run UpdatePost.
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3.1.1 Automatically creating machine and control definitions from posts Users who are upgrading from earlier versions of Mastercam can use the UpdatePost utility to automatically generate a machine and control definition from their existing post processor. The machine and control definitions will be automatically configured to use the converted post. When you are running the utility, simply select the Machine Definition and/or Control Definition options in the Create Files section of the UpdatePost dialog box. Mastercam will automatically transfer information from your current post to the new machine and control definition. For any information that is not read from the post, Mastercam will use system default values. Typically, most of the values read from the post will be written to the control definition, while most of the values in the machine definition will be default values. The control and machine definition will each have the same name as the post. For example, if you convert a mill post called HAAS_VR8.PST, Mastercam will create HAAS_VR8.CONTROL and HAAS_VR8.MMD in addition to the post file itself. The machine definition will be automatically configured with the HAAS_VR8.CONTROL and HAAS_VR8.PST. Mastercam will convert all of the post numbered questions into control definition settings. However, you will still see the numbered questions in the converted post. This is for your information only— Mastercam will ignore them and use the control definition settings.
The new machine and control definitions will be automatically saved to your CNC_MACHINES folder. If you wish, you can use the CD_Compare utility to examine the new control definition and see exactly which control definition settings have been read from the post and which are system defaults. From the Settings menu, choose Run User Application, open the CD_Compare folder, and choose CD_Compare.
3.1.1.1 Machine definitions created by UpdatePost When you run UpdatePost and automatically generate a machine and control definition, virtually all of the custom information contained in your current post is written to either the control definition or the converted post. The machine definitions created by UpdatePost are, for the most part, copies of Mastercam’s generic machines that are renamed and which load your control definition and post. These machine definitions will:
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Have a standard axis layout and orientation. Include a tool changer group with automatic tool changer. Mills and routers will include A/B/C rotary axes with counterclockwise rotation. Lathes will include left/right spindles and upper/lower turrets, plus steady rest and tailstock. Routers will include sample aggregate heads and drill blocks. However, it is important to understand that if your current post includes settings that are different from the default machine components, your converted post will—by design—use your converted settings and not the default machine definition components. This is because the primary goal of the conversion process is maintaining maximum compatibility with your current parts and jobs so you can be up and running as quickly as possible. For example, if you are running an HMC, most likely your post has the switch vmc=0. When you run UpdatePost, your new machine definition will show the X-Y-Z axes aligned for a VMC, but your converted post will still have vmc=0, so your part will post the same way as before. To take full advantage of the machine definition in your post, first edit the machine definition with the proper axis orientation and topology, and delete any unnecessary components. Then, use the pmachineinfo postblocks to access the machine definition settings via parameters. (For example, axis orientation information is available to your post as parameters 17390–17396.) See the Mastercam X Post Parameter Reference, installed in the \Documentation folder in your Mastercam X program folder, to learn more and see specific examples.
3.1.2 Finding and fixing conversion errors The UpdatePost utility incorporates several features that make it easy to identify and fix errors and areas of concern in the converted post. Because of the great variety in techniques used to customize Mastercam posts, and because version X incorporates several important structural changes, it is impossible for UpdatePost to predict with 100% accuracy the intent of the post writer. You need to be concerned about two types of situations:
UpdatePost could not reliably convert a line or object in a way that conforms to Version X standards, and recorded an error condition instead of a complete line of code.
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There were several possible Version X conversion solutions, and UpdatePost was not sure which to use. This means that the converted post will work, but might not produce the output that you expect. The most important tool in evaluating the conversion results is the UpdatePost log.
Mastercam writes this to the file UPDATEPOSTX.LOG in the destination directory where you are saving the converted posts. (Each time you run the UpdatePost utility and save posts to the same directory, the log is overwritten.) In the log file, an error looks like this: 22 - 20 Apr 2005 01:12:59 PM - PST LINE (1200,1200) - Label has not been defined[*30]
The LINE (x, y) block tells you the location of the error in the original and converted post; in this case, line 1200 in each. When you open the converted post, Mastercam displays the affected code as a block of three lines:
the first line is the actual line of code created by UpdatePost. the second line is the original line, commented out, and preceded by the phrase CNC. the third line reproduces the error message from the log, formatted as a comment, and preceded by the phrase CNC. The following code shows a typical conversion error. In this example, Mastercam knows that the line is supposed to be an else command, but it cannot convert the other word because it has not been properly defined: else, #'nobrk' emulation option #CNC else, p_nobrk_emul #'nobrk' emulation option #CNC Label has not been defined[*30]
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There is a one-to-one correspondence between messages embedded in your code and messages in the log file. Before using a converted post, you should always review the log and the corresponding message in the post and make any necessary corrections.
3.1.2.1 Uncertain variable type errors Mastercam X is much more strict than earlier versions of Mastercam in enforcing the type of a variable, whether it is a string or real variable. When UpdatePost expects a variable to be a string but it finds a real, or vice versa, it inserts a question mark in the code following the variable name. It inserts a single question mark ? when it expects a real variable, and a double question mark ?? when it expects a string variable. IMPORTANT: Because UpdatePost cannot properly process the expression which contains the variable, these lines will not produce the output that you intend. Review and correct each instance before running the post.
3.1.3 Converting a V9 post: Example The following sections illustrate some of the key differences between Mastercam X post processors and posts from Version 9 or earlier. These differences include new requirements and standards that posts will need to meet going forward. The Mastercam X post used in this example was automatically generated with the UpdatePost utility from a sample Version 9.1 post. It illustrates some of the requirements and features by comparing the actual code from the original post and the converted post.
The sample post is based on the MP_EZ post and a brief selection of text entries in the .TXT file. The online help includes the complete text of the original and converted posts plus the conversion log. Input files required by UpdatePost:
V9_POST.PST V9_POST.TXT Output files generated by UpdatePost:
V9_POST.PST (Mastercam X format) V9_POST.PST_V9 (backup copy of original post) UPDATEPOSTX.LOG (conversion log - optional)
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\CNC_MACHINES\V9_POST.MMD (machine definition optional) \CNC_MACHINES\V9_POST.CONTROL (control definition optional) The following sections briefly discuss some of the major post changes that will be implemented in Mastercam X. Each section includes some sample code from the posts referenced above.
3.1.3.1 New header line A new header line is required to identify a post for Mastercam X. Do not delete or modify it. UpdatePost automatically adds the header to the converted post. [POST_VERSION] #DO NOT MOVE OR ALTER THIS LINE# V10.00 E1 P0 T1114629180 M10.00 # Post Name
: MP_EZ
3.1.3.2 Pre-defined variables and post blocks end with $ Mastercam X posts require that all pre-defined variables and post blocks end with a $ symbol. UpdatePost will automatically append it to your variable and post block names when it converts your post. skp_lead_flgs$ : 1 #Do NOT use v9 style contour flags get_1004$ : 1 #Find gcode 1004 with getnextop? rpd_typ_v7$ : 0 #Use Version 7 style contour flags/processing? strtool_v7$ : 2 #Use Version 7+ toolname? tlchng_aft$ : 2 #Delay call to toolchange until move line cant_tlchng$ : 1 #Ignore cantext entry on move with tlchng_aft newglobal$ : 1 #Error checking for global variables getnextop$ : 0 #Build the next variable table
3.1.3.3 e$ (EOB) required at end of output lines Mastercam X posts require that all output lines end with , e$. In earlier versions of Mastercam, this was often assumed. In Mastercam X you must explicitly include it. UpdatePost will automatically add , e$ where it thinks it is appropriate. pcomment2
#Comment from manual entry
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scomm$ = ucase (scomm$) if gcode$ = 1007, "(", scomm$, ")" else, "(", scomm$, ")", e$
3.1.3.4 New parameters for fstrsel tables String select tables now include two additional parameters.
The first new parameter is an integer which tells MP how many of the values in the table are to be used. This lets you use only a portion of the values in the table if you wish. The second is a -1, 0, 1 code which tells MP how to handle underflow or overflow values, that previously would have resulted in an error condition. UpdatePost will automatically set the first parameter to the number of values in the table, and the second parameter to -1. # ----------------------------------------# General G and M Code String select tables # ----------------------------------------# Motion G code selection sg00
G0
#Rapid
sg01
G1
#Linear feed
sg02
G2
#Circular interpolation CW
sg03
G3
#Circular interpolation CCW
sg04
G4
#Dwell
sgcode
#Target for string
fstrsel sg00 gcode$ sgcode 5 -1
3.1.3.5 Characters "+", "-", and "." no longer allowed in variable or post block names UpdatePost will automatically convert plus signs "+", minus signs "-", and periods "." to underscores "_" in variable and post block names, since these characters are no longer allowed. Sometimes this will result in an error when UpdatePost can’t interpret the rest of the line. The error will be reported in the log file. Mastercam will insert a ? or ?? in the line where the error occurred and terminate processing the rest of the line. It inserts ? if it expects a real variable, or ?? if it expects a string. The following sample shows two variables with illegal characters. UpdatePost was able to process sg54.1, converting it to sg54_1, but was unable to process G54.1P1, so it wrote ?? and reported an error.
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Original line from version 9.1 post: sg54.1 G54.1P1 # Work coordinate system G code #7
Output from UpdatePost: sg54_1 ?? # Work coordinate system G code #7 #CNCsg54.1 G54.1P1 # Work coordinate system G code #7 #CNC Illegal character(s) encountered
3.1.3.6 Numbered questions no longer used Mastercam X replaces all of the numbered questions from earlier posts with settings in the control definition. If you tell UpdatePost to create a control definition when it converts your post, it will automatically transfer the settings from the numbered question to the appropriate control definition setting. Mastercam preserves the numbered questions in your converted post, but this is only for your reference. MP will ignore them when you use the post.
3.1.3.7 New headers and organization for post text Mastercam X introduces a new level of organization for your post text.
Post text that used to be stored in the .TXT file is now stored in the .PST file. Each .PST file can have several different text sections, one for each control definition that the post has been configured for. Each .PST file can include a section of default text values that will be loaded automatically when you create a new control definition with the post. To take advantage of these new capabilities, Mastercam X includes a new post text header, of the form [CTRL_MACHINE | CONTROL FILE]
This identifies all the post text entries that are used for that control definition. Mastercam writes a new header each time you configure the post for a new control definition and appends it to the .PST file followed by set of values. Within each section, Mastercam uses the same category headers as earlier versions. In the sample post, the text header reads
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[CTRL_MILL|V9_POST]
The first part of the header comes from the Control type field in the Control Definition Manager:
The second part of the header matches the name of the .control file in which the control definition is stored:
The post text defaults are stored under a similar header with DEFAULT as the control name: [CTRL_MILL|DEFAULT]
This lets you store a set of default text values for each control type. When you convert a post with UpdatePost, Mastercam creates the control definition header and copies the information from your original .TXT file to it. Your .TXT file is no longer used and will not be copied to the destination folder. Mastercam also creates a DEFAULT header populated with your original post text entries, so that they will be the defaults for any new control definitions you create with the post. To edit the post text, use the Text page in the Control Definition Manager. [CTRL_MILL|DEFAULT] [misc integers] 1. "Work Coordinates [0=G50,1=HOME,2=G54's]"//2 2. "Can Cycle G101 - G103 [0=OFF, 1 and -1=ON]" 3. "Reference Return [0=G28, 1=G30]" 10. "Y axis, over center [0=OFF, 1=ON]" [simple drill] 1. "Drill/Counterbore"
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... 8. "Bld on" 9. "bLd off" 10. "Text10" [CTRL_MILL|V9_POST] [misc integers] 1. "Work Coordinates [0=G50,1=HOME,2=G54's]"//2 2. "Can Cycle G101 - G103 [0=OFF, 1 and -1=ON]" 3. "Reference Return [0=G28, 1=G30]" 10. "Y axis, over center [0=OFF, 1=ON]" [simple drill] 1. "Drill/Counterbore" 7. "" 8. ""
Note: In the “Work coordinates” lines, the “//2” at the end of the line is a default value. See the online help for the Misc Int/Real Values page in the Control Definition Manager to learn more.
3.1.4 Configuring machine and control definitions The topics in this section introduce you to customizing machine and control definitions to use libraries that you have migrated from your earlier Mastercam workstation. This makes it easy for you to create and use tool libraries, operation defaults, and other settings that are customized for a specific machine; whenever you select the machine to create an operation, the associated libraries and defaults are automatically activated. The topics in this section are not a comprehensive guide to creating or editing machine and control definitions. Please access the online help from the Machine Definition Manager or the Control Definition Manager for more comprehensive information.
3.1.4.1 Using Mastercam’s default machine and control definitions with your converted post If you do not want to create machine or control definitions with UpdatePost, you can use one of Mastercam’s default machine definitions. You can manually configure it to use your converted post. If you wish to take this approach, consider the following points:
The control definition created by UpdatePost is customized with all of the numbered questions from your existing post. If
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you use Mastercam’s default definitions, you will need to recreate this manually.
If you are modifying one of Mastercam’s default machine or control definitions, it is a good practice to save it with a new name instead of overwriting the default definition. (Use the Save As function inside the Machine Definition Manager or the Control Definition Manager.) To use one of your converted posts with a different machine and control definition, follow this general outline. X Adding a post to a machine and control definition 1 Use the Control Definition Manager to load the post. (Click
Post Processors, then Add files, and select the new post from the Post processors drop list.) Mastercam automatically creates a new control definition. IMPORTANT: The new control definition does NOT read any values from the numbered questions or pre-defined variables. The only way to transfer information from the numbered questions to the control definition is with UpdatePost. 2 Make any desired changes to the control definition settings
or post text. 3 Save the new control definition in a .control file. You can
choose to save it in its own .control file by itself or you can select an existing .control file. 4 Exit the Control Definition Manager and open the Machine
Definition Manager. Open the desired machine definition. 5 Select the .control file with the new control definition.
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6 Select the post and save the machine definition.
See the topic “Configuring a post to work with a control definition” in the online help for more detailed information.
3.1.4.2 Editing a machine definition to use tool and material libraries Complete the steps in this section to edit a machine definition to use the tool and material libraries that you migrated from your previous Mastercam workstation. If you automatically created your machine definitions with UpdatePost, they will already point to your migrated libraries if you added them to your .config files as described in Updating configuration files to use the new libraries on page 27. In that case, you do not need to complete this procedure. Typically, this procedure would be performed if you were editing one of the Mastercam default machine definitions. X Editing a machine definition to use tool and material libraries 1 From the Machine Type menu, choose Machine Definition
Manager and open the desired machine definition. 2 Click the General Machine Parameters button on the
toolbar.
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3 Select the Tool/material libraries tab.
4 Click on a library type in the File type window. 5 Select the library to use as the default from the drop-down
list. 6 Repeat the previous 2 steps for inch and metric tool libraries
and the material library. 7 Click OK twice to close the dialog box and save the machine
definition.
3.1.4.3 Editing a machine definition to use Mastercam X coolant options Mastercam X greatly expands your flexibility for creating and selecting coolant options. You can:
Define up to 10 coolant options. Turn on each option individually and in any combination. Customize the name and states of each option. Users with sophisticated machines can also define options that control other peripheral devices besides coolant. All of the defined
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options will be available to the user with the Coolant button on the Toolpath Parameters tab:
Version 9 (and earlier) posts had a predefined post variable, scoolant, which stored the coolant state—typically, either Flood, Tool, Mist, or Off. In Mastercam X, this has been replaced by a set of parameters that can be accessed with the new pmachineinfo post block. (See the Mastercam X Post Parameter Reference or the online help for more information.) To maintain compatibility with earlier posts, Mastercam X includes a V9-style coolant mode based on the scoolant variable. When you automatically create a machine definition with UpdatePost, this mode is turned on by default. Follow these steps to deactivate this mode and take advantage of Mastercam X’s expanded coolant capabilities. This procedure is entirely optional, though. IMPORTANT: Customizing a post to support new coolant options is a sophisticated task that should only be undertaken by experienced post writers. X Defining Mastercam X coolant options 1 From the Machine Type menu, choose Machine Definition
Manager and open the desired machine definition. 2 Click the General Machine Parameters button on the
toolbar. 3 Select the Coolant commands tab.
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4 Deselect the option to Support coolant using coolant value
in post-processor. This is the option which enables compatibility with earlier posts.
5 As soon as you deselect this option, Mastercam enables the
text entry fields for all the other event labels. Enter the name of each of your coolant (or other) options, and the name of their on and off states. 6 You can also set several other options:
Change the name of the Coolant button. For example, in the default Router machine definitions, it is labeled Options instead of Coolant. Choose to turn off all coolant options when one is shut off. 7 Click OK to close this dialog box, and click OK again to save
the machine definition. 8 Edit your post to implement the new options:
Each coolant event label is stored in a post parameter that can be accessed with pmachineinfo. Read the state of the V9 compatibility flag with parameter 17102. “True” means that the V9 compatibility mode is active and you should use the scoolant value to control the coolant. See the Mastercam X Post Parameter Reference or the online help for more information.
3.1.4.4 Editing a control definition to use operation defaults and libraries Complete the steps in this section to edit a control definition to use the operation defaults file and operation libraries that you migrated from your previous Mastercam workstation. If you automatically created your control definitions with UpdatePost, they will already point to your migrated libraries if you added
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them to your .config files as described in Updating configuration files to use the new libraries on page 27. In that case, you do not need to complete this procedure. Typically, this procedure would be performed if you were editing the Default.control file installed with Mastercam. X Editing a control definition to use operation defaults and libraries 1 From the Machine Type menu, choose Control Definition
Manager and open the desired .control file. 2 Click the Existing definitions button and select the desired
post/control definition. 3 Choose the Files topic. 4 Click on the type of file that you wish to select.
5 Click the file cabinet button and choose the desired file. 6 Repeat these steps to select an operation library and an oper-
ations default file, for both inch and metric. 7 Click OK to close the Control Definition Manager and save
the control definition. Note: The same operation library or defaults file can be used by several different controls.
3.1.4.5 Selecting your default machines Mastercam lets you use default machine definitions in several different ways.
You can specify which machine (if any) will be loaded whenever Mastercam is started.
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You can specify a default machine for each product type. This is the machine that will be loaded when you select Default from the Machine Type menu.
For example, if the only mill in your shop is a Haas VR8, you might want to make that your default mill instead of Mastercam’s generic mill machine definition so that it is automatically selected whenever you run Mastercam Mill. These preferences are stored in your configuration (*.config) file. Complete the following procedures if you want to use any of your new machine definitions as defaults. X Setting your start-up machine 1 Choose Settings, Configuration from the menu. 2 Select the desired configuration file from the list. Remember
that in Mastercam X you are not required to have separate configuration files for each product.
3 Select the Start/Exit topic. 4 Select the Default machine option, and select the desired
machine definition from the list.
You can select a machine from any Mastercam product type that is installed on your system. For example, if you have installed Mastercam Mill, Lathe and Router, your default machine can be any of those types. The type of machine that you choose determines which Mastercam product will load when you first start Mastercam. For example, if you select a
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lathe as your default machine, whenever you start Mastercam, you will be running Mastercam Lathe with a lathe machine group in the Toolpath Manager. 5 Save your changes.
Click OK to close the System Configuration dialog box and be prompted to save the changes. Or click the Save button to save the changes and keep the dialog box open to work on a different *.config file. X Selecting a default machine for each product 1 Choose Settings, Configuration from the menu. 2 Select the desired configuration file from the list. Remember
that in Mastercam X you are not required to have separate configuration files for each product.
3 Select the Files topic. 4 In the File usage section, select the desired machine type.
5 In the Select items section, select the desired machine.
6 Repeat the previous two steps for each installed product. 7 Save your changes.
Click OK to close the System Configuration dialog box and be prompted to save the changes.
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Or click the Save button to save the changes and keep the dialog box open to work on a different *.config file.
3.1.4.6 Migrating aggregate tooling components for router Mastercam Router version 9 supported aggregate tooling components for block drills, aggregate heads, and multiple (piggy-back) heads. These were stored in .HD9 files. In Mastercam X, aggregate tooling components are defined in the machine definition. Mastercam X includes a C-Hook, HD9toGMD.DLL, which converts your .HD9 file into a component library whose elements can be added to a machine definition. To use your current aggregate tooling components, you must first run this C-Hook to create the component library, and then add the components to your router machine definition. X Converting your .HD9 files 1 From the Settings menu, choose Run User Application. 2 Select HD9toGMD.dll. 3 Select the desired .HD9 file, and enter the name of the
component library you want to create.
4 Choose OK to create the library. Mastercam tells you what
components it found and converted. In this example, the .HD9 file contained one drill block and one aggregate head.
5 Click OK to close the message box. Your components are now
available to be added to any router machine definition. X Adding the components to a router machine definition Follow these steps to add your converted aggregate tooling components to your router machine definition. The examples
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shown here assume that you are working with a machine definition that has been created with UpdatePost from your current Router post, but the general process applies to any router machine definition, no matter where it comes from. 1 Open the Machine Definition Manager from the Machine
Type menu. (Start the Machine Definition Manager this way even if you already have a router machine group in your file.) 2 If necessary, open the desired router machine definition.
3 The left side of the window lists the component groups from
the default component library. Click the Open button in the Component File section. 4 Open the .GMD file created from your .HD9 file. Mastercam
will have automatically copied it to your \CNC-MACHINES folder when you ran the C-Hook. The new library and its components should display like in the following picture.
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5 Typically, aggregate tooling components will be added to a
Head group in a machine definition. Click on the + sign to expand the Router Head Group.
The machine definitions created by UpdatePost include a complete set of axis components organized in a typical layout. They also include sample default aggregate components. Notice how they are attached to the other router components:
Drill blocks are attached to an axis via a Drill block connection point. Aggregate and piggy-back heads are attached directly to a Router spindle component. 6 Delete the sample aggregate heads and drill block. Right-
click on each one and choose Delete from the menu.
Do not delete the Router spindle group. Do not delete the Drill Block Connection Point. 7 To add your converted components, drag them from the
component window to their proper place in the machine definition tree. When the component is positioned over an
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allowable location, the cursor shape changes as shown in the following picture.
Drag the drill block onto a connection point. Drag aggregate or piggy-back heads onto a router spindle. You can make your own Drill block connection point. Right-click on an axis and choose Add component, Miscellaneous, then change its name to Drill block connection point. It does not matter if your converted tooling is inch or metric. 8 Click OK to close the Machine Definition Manager and save
the machine definition when prompted. X Using your aggregate tooling Once your converted tooling components have been added to the machine definition, you can select them as part of the toolpath creation process.
To use a drill block, select Toolpaths, Block Drilling Toolpath from the menu. Then, in the Toolpath parameters tab, rightclick and choose Get block drill.
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To use an aggregate head, select your toolpath and geometry as you normally do. Then, in the Toolpath parameters tab, right-click and choose Get aggregate.
To use multiple or piggy-back heads, select your toolpath and geometry as you normally do. Then, in the Toolpath parameters tab, click the Multi Heads check box and button.
3.1.5 Converting setup sheets Since a setup sheet (.set) file is basically a type of post processor, you can also use the UpdatePost utility to convert .set files to Mastercam X format. Start the UpdatePost utility by selecting Settings, Run User Application from the menu, then choosing UpdatePost. Then follow the same procedure as for converting posts. Note: After clicking the Select Post(s) button, select All files (*.*) from the Files of type list so that you can select the .set files. Setup sheets in Mastercam X still use the .set extension, so your new setup sheet will have exactly the same name as the old one. Mastercam will create a backup copy of your original file with a different extension.
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3.1.6 Inch and metric machine definitions Just like any Mastercam part file, machine definition files are recognized as either inch or metric, depending on the units that were active when they were created. This means that, if you are working in metric units and you use the Machine Definition Manager to open an inch machine definition, you will be alerted that the units are changing:
However, this only affects the Machine Definition Manager session. When you close the machine definition, Mastercam switches back to the units you were using when you were working on your part. Your part is never converted. As a convenience to our users, Mastercam X includes a complete set of both inch and metric machine definitions. This lets you use machine definitions that are created in the units you typically work with, but it is important for you to understand that you can cut metric parts with inch machine definitions, and vice versa. If you typically work with metric units, or your machine tool’s native dimensions are metric, you might wish to create the machine definition as a metric file, so that you are not prompted to change units whenever you edit it; but this does not affect how your parts are machined. Each machine definition by default includes both inch and metric parameter values which are automatically used by Mastercam to machine parts in either units:
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Follow these guidelines:
If you are using the UpdatePost utility to automatically create machine definitions, set Mastercam to the desired units before running it. For example, if you want to create metric machine definitions, make sure you are running in metric mode first. You do not need to create separate inch and metric versions of your machine definitions. You can select an inch machine definition as the default machine in your metric .config file, and vice versa. In general, if you only have one machine on your shop floor, you should only need to create one machine definition for it. To create part geometry in either inch or metric units, select the proper .config file in the System Configuration dialog box. The active machine definition or machine group has no effect whatsoever on the units in which your geometry is created. Control definitions (.control files) and post processors do not have units associated with them. Inch and metric machine definitions can each use the same .control files and posts. However, because the control definition is where you select the .defaults file that automatically loads when a machine definition is selected, Mastercam installs separate control definitions that point to inch and metric .defaults files. This is done simply for your convenience.
You can configure any control definition to point to either an inch or metric .defaults file. In the properties for any machine group, you can select either an inch or metric .defaults file.
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Section 4: Updating parts and machining jobs Mastercam X is designed to smoothly import and convert your current parts so that you can easily keep working on your current jobs. It includes an import utility (File, Import directory) that lets you convert parts in batch mode, or you can import individual files. However, many users will find it more convenient to convert parts one at a time, as they are required. The most important part of importing a part from an earlier version of Mastercam is creating a machine group to hold the toolpaths and assigning a machine and control definition to it. The following sections tell you more about how this is done and issues that might arise.
4.1 Converting parts The following sections describe what happens when Mastercam converts a file, how to convert files in batch, and some examples of how Mastercam validates your current operations against the machine definition in the converted file.
4.1.1 What happens when you convert a file? Mastercam performs the following tasks when you import or convert a part file from earlier versions.
Mastercam reads the product type (Mill, Lathe, Router) and units (inch/metric) from the source file. Based on this, it looks up the proper default machine definition from the .config file. It creates a machine group in the new file based on the default machine. This also determines the control definition and post assigned to the new file. Most of the current Job Setup information, such as the stock model and material selection, is written to the machine group properties. Inside the machine group, Mastercam creates toolpath groups which correspond to the toolpath groups in the original file.
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It updates the NCI file name for each operation in the original file to become the NC file name for each operation in the new file. The path for the new NC file is specified in the control definition. The post selection in the original file is discarded. The new post selection will be the post assigned to the default machine definition. Mastercam validates each operation against the default machine definition. (See “Machine compatibility” on page 58.) For Lathe parts, Mastercam automatically assigns axis combinations based on the turret and spindle settings in the source file. Your original parts are completely unchanged.
4.1.2 Converting files in batch mode Mastercam lets you convert single parts by simply opening them with the File, Open function. Use the File, Import directory function to convert parts in batch. If you have many parts to convert, think about how to organize them so you can convert them as efficiently as possible:
The import function automatically converts all the files in a folder, so make sure the folder does not contain any parts that you do not want to convert. Consider creating different folders for parts of the same product type that are cut on different machines. For example, if some Mill parts will be cut on a 5-axis machining center, and others on a 4-axis HMC, consider placing them in separate folders. Before converting each set of parts, you can select a different default machine in System Configuration so that each part will be assigned the proper machine. In the same way, you can create folders for parts based on which post processor they require. If you have configured a machine definition with multiple posts, for example, you can update the machine definition to use a different post between conversion runs. Each conversion session can mix inch and metric parts. If you edit your machine preferences between sessions, make sure you apply the same changes to both inch and metric configuration files.
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IMPORTANT: If you are converting parts with toolpaths, it doesn’t matter which product is running or what the active machine group is. However, if you are converting parts that have just geometry and no toolpaths, you should make sure that you are running in Design mode with no machine group visible in the Toolpath Manager. X Converting parts in batch 1 Choose File, Import directory from the menu. 2 Select the version number of the files to import. 3 Select the source folder. 4 Select the destination folder and click OK. 5 As each part is converted, Mastercam displays messages
about compatibility issues between the specified machine definitions and the operations in the file. Review these messages and print/save them as they are displayed.
4.1.3 Machine compatibility Whenever you convert a file, Mastercam creates a machine group based on a default machine definition. As part of this process, it validates each operation against the machine definition to ensure that the toolpath can be run on the machine as it is currently programmed. There are several levels of compatibility:
Severe incompatibility, in which the toolpath physically cannot be cut on the machine. This typically results from the toolpath referencing axes or other components that are not present in the machine definition. Minor incompatibility, in which one or more toolpath parameters fall outside the limits set by the machine definition. Complete compatibility, in which the operation is converted with no action required by you. In addition, as part of this process Mastercam also assigns axis combinations to the converted operations and validates them. (This mostly affects lathe parts.) In each case, Mastercam implements routines to trap the incompatibility and notify you so you can isolate and resolve the problem. The following sections describe each of these situations in greater detail.
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Mastercam performs all of these checks in the following circumstances:
When you import files in batch mode. When you open and convert single files. When you select a new machine definition for a machine group. When you move or copy an operation from one machine group to another.
4.1.3.1 Severe incompatibility When Mastercam is physically unable to perform an operation on the selected machine, it displays the following message:
Click the Details button to learn more. Mastercam displays a report similar to the following. In this case, it tells you that the selected machine definition is not configured with the correct rotary axes. This would be displayed if you tried to import a part with multi-axis toolpaths using a machine definition for a simple 3-axis mill.
If you are converting many files, print this report or copy it to another document so you can refer to it later. Close this dialog box and the Replace Group Machine Warning dialog box to proceed with the conversion. When Mastercam creates the machine group for this file, it will not use the incompatible machine definition. Instead, it creates a special
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machine group based on its system defaults. Note that no post has been assigned:
Your original operations are contained within this group. Before resuming work on this part, click the Replace button to select a proper machine definition. If you try to edit the machine or control definition, you will not be able to configure a post or save any changes to your hard drive.
4.1.3.2 Minor incompatibilities In the case of a minor incompatibility, Mastercam creates the machine group with the selected machine, and then edits the operation as necessary to conform with the machine definition. The operation will be marked dirty and you can review a status report which tells you exactly which values have been changed. You will first see the following message while converting the file.
It gives you several options:
Click OK to have Mastercam edit the operation. Click Cancel to abort the conversion.
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Or click Details to see a report which tells you exactly which changes Mastercam will make:
In this example, the spindle speed of the imported operation exceeds the maximum specified in the machine definition. If you accept the change, Mastercam will reduce the operation’s spindle speed to the machine definition maximum. If you are converting a batch of files, preserve this error report so you can return to the operation later. You can print it, save it, or copy it to another file or text editor. If you accept the changes, the file will be converted and the operation will be marked dirty in the Toolpath Manager:
Click the Parameters icon to review the changes, then click the Regenerate button on the Toolpath Manager toolbar to regenerate the toolpath.
4.1.3.3 Axis combinations For machines that have multiple axis combinations in their machine definitions, Mastercam automatically tries to select the best one for each operation as it converts it. Axis combinations are used most often with multi-spindle/multi-turret lathes, so Mill and Router users will rarely have to deal with this, although it is possible to create axis combinations for some sophisticated milling applications. As each file is converted, Mastercam will display a message like the following picture. The highlighted operation shows where Mastercam
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has selected a different axis combination based on the tooling, turret, and spindle selections in the source file:
The axis combinations in Mastercam’s default lathes—and in any lathe machine definition created by UpdatePost—are designed to mesh closely with the tooling and machine setup features in Mastercam Version 9, so the axis combinations that you see displayed in this dialog box should match the turret and spindle selections in your source Mastercam file. If you have installed a sophisticated lathe machine definition with Mastercam X and wish to change the axis combinations displayed here, you can to do that on an operation-by-operation basis as decribed below.
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X Selecting a new axis combination 1 In the Toolpath Manager, click on the Parameters icon for
the desired operation.
2 Click the Axis Combo’s button on the Toolpath parameters
tab.
3 Select the new axis combination and choose OK.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the spindle, turret, and mounting orientation of the tool used in the operation are consistent with the new axis combination. Right-click the tool and choose Edit tool, then click on Setup tool to review this.
4.1.3.4 Vertical turret lathes (VTLs) In Mastercam X, support for vertical turret lathes is found in the machine definition. Because of this, when you import a VTL part from earlier versions of Mastercam, the converted part will not be set up on a VTL unless the default lathe machine definition is a VTL. However, you can easily recreate the same VTL functionality of earlier versions of Mastercam by simply selecting a VTL machine definition in the machine group properties.
The first procedure in this section describes how to create a lathe VTL in the machine definition. The second describes how to select it in the machine group properties.
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X Creating a VTL machine definition Follow these steps to convert a horizontal lathe to a VTL. In particular, you need to perform these steps if you have automatically created a lathe machine definition with UpdatePost and want it to be a VTL. 1 From the Machine Type menu, choose Machine Definition
Manager and open the desired lathe machine definition. 2 Click the General Machine Parameters button on the
toolbar. 3 Select the Op feed rate limits / axis motion / orientation
tab. 4 Select the Vertical turret lathe option and choose OK.
5 Save the machine definition.
From this point forward, whenever you select this machine, Mastercam will automatically adjust the part display and tool/ construction planes to reflect the VTL orientation. X Selecting a VTL machine definition Follow these steps if your part has been converted with a horizontal lathe and you want to use a VTL instead. 1 Open the part in Mastercam. 2 In the Toolpath Manager, click on the Files tab in the
machine group properties.
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3 Click the Replace button in the Machine section.
4 Select a lathe machine definition that has been set up as a
VTL, as described in the previous procedure. 5 Choose OK to close the Machine Group Properties dialog
box.
4.1.3.5 Home positions in Mill/Router parts In previous versions of Mastercam, defining a home position for Mill and Router toolpaths was optional. You could activate or deactivate it by selecting the check box on the Tool parameters page for each operation. In Mastercam X the home position is always active. When you convert a part whose operations do not have a home position defined, the operations in the converted part will have a home position of 0,0,0. Typically, this does not affect your NC output. However, Mastercam X includes a backplot option to show the home position. In these cases, you might wish to disable that option so your tool doesn’t appear to move to your part starting from 0,0,0. X Turning off the home position display 1 After starting backplot, click the Options button. 2 Deselect the Show Mill/Router Home Position option.
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X Changing the home position Mastercam lets you set, manage, and change home positions in several places.
Each machine definition includes a home position setting. This is set as part of the axis combinations, so each axis combination can have a unique home position. The control definition tells Mastercam whether to use the machine definition or the operation defaults as the source of the default home position. Set this on the Tool page in the Control Definition Manager. Use the Toolpath parameters tab for each operation to edit the home position directly or change its source.
Transition Guide
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