Milling Guide Mastercam x5

What’s New

What’s New in MastercamX5 September 2010

Be sure you have the latest information! Information mi ght have been changed or added since this docum ent was pub lished. The latest version of this document is insta lled with Mastercam or can be obt ained from your local Reseller. The ReadMe file (ReadMe.htm) includes the latest informati on about new features and enhance ments.

II • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

Mastercam® X5 WHAT’S NEW IN MAS TERCAM X5 Date: Septem ber 2010 - Rev 1 October 2010 Copyright © 2010 CNC Softwa re, Inc.— All rights rese rve d. First Printing: September 2010 Software: Mastercam X5 Part Numbe r: X5-What's New

TER MS O F USE

Use of this docu ment is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement. A copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the Mastercam produ ct package of which this document is part. The Mastercam End User License Agreement can also be found at:

ww w.maste rca m.com/l egal/l icenseag reeme nt/

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C ontents Introduction................................................................................................. 1 BeforeYouBegin ..................................................................................... 1  If Y o uNeed More Help ............................................................................ 2  AdditionalDocumentation...................................................................... 3  Mastercam CustomerFeedbackProgram ............................................ 3 

GeneralSystem Enhancements......................................................... 7 InstallationLocationChanges................................................................ 7 New Mastercam File Extensions........................................................... 7  Separate Installationfor Mastercam Art ............................................... 8  DynamicPlane Improvements............................................................... 9  Tutorial:Creatinga new view using DynamicPlane .........................9  Spin Controls.......................................................................................... 13  New VisualCues .................................................................................... 13  ResizingDialogs..................................................................................... 14  ToolbarHighlight.................................................................................... 14  DefaultChangefor ImportingSolids .................................................... 14  File TranslatorUpdates ......................................................................... 15  

Design Enhancements .......................................................................... 17 AssigningColorsto SolidFaces........................................................... 17  Tutorial:Setting colors for solid faces and features ........................17  SolidPatterns ......................................................................................... 21  Tutorial:Creatinga circularsolid pattern ........................................21  Solidand Surface Analysis Tools ......................................................... 25  Tutorial:Analyzingdraft angles and part curvature .........................25  Modeless Solid DialogBoxes ............................................................... 30 

IV • WHAT’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

EnteringQuickArc Diameters..............................................................30  Tutorial:Creatinga circle based on a tap size.................................30  ImprovedBolt CircleCreation...............................................................32 

General Mill Enhancements...............................................................35 New ToolLibraryFormat......................................................................35  ToolAssemblies .....................................................................................35  ISC A RH EMSupport ..............................................................................36  Mastercam Machine Simulation..........................................................37  Tutorial:Using machine simulation.................................................38  UnselectingPoints in D rillPoint Selection..........................................42  Setup Sheet/ActiveReportsImprovements.........................................43  DefaultSetting for LockingFeed Rates ...............................................46  Offsetand ProfileToleranceControlsMoved.....................................46 

M ill Level1 Enhancements................................................................49 New 2D HSTToolpaths.........................................................................49  Tutorial:Creatingdynamic area mill and core milltoolpaths...........50  Tutorial:Creatinga dynamiccontourtoolpath.................................58  Island Facing in 2D HSTToolpaths......................................................64  C ircleM illImprovements......................................................................65  TransformToolpath Enhancements.....................................................66  FB MM ill.................................................................................................74  FBMD rill.................................................................................................77 

M ill Level3 Enhancements................................................................81 New 3D HSTToolpaths.........................................................................81  Solid ChainSupportin MultiaxisToolpaths........................................85  New MultiaxisToolpaths......................................................................86  ImprovedMultiaxisToolpathInterface................................................88  Tutorial:Creatinga multiaxistoolpath.............................................88 

V

RouterEnhancements........................................................................ 101 B lockD rillSupportin FBM D rill.......................................................... 101 ImportingSolids into ToolpathNesting ............................................. 102  AutomaticToolpathingEnhancements............................................. 102  W CS Support for ATP SinglePart Processing .................................. 104  

LatheEnhancements........................................................................... 105 New Plunge Turn Toolpath................................................................. 105  Tutorial:Creatingplunge turn toolpaths........................................105  Stock Eject Optionfor ChuckMiscellaneousOperations................ 115  Cutoff Toolpa th Enhancements.......................................................... 115  RoughingToolpathImprovements..................................................... 117  PlungeParameters - Front ClearanceAngle..................................... 118  ToolCompensationEnhancements................................................... 119  BoringBar HolderImprovements....................................................... 121  TurnProfileEnhancements................................................................. 122 

Wire Enhancements............................................................................ 125 

New Power LibraryFormat................................................................ 125

A rtEnhancements ................................................................................ 129 New Art Toolpaths.............................................................................. 129  Exportto 256-Color GrayscaleImages .............................................. 130 

Post Enhancements ............................................................................. 131 N C ILinesfor TransformCustom Parameters ................................... 131  Eject StockOptionfor Lathe 903 Line ............................................... 134  20800 NCILine for M ultiaxisComp in Control................................. 135  N C ISupportfor New Wire Power Libraries...................................... 136 

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Introduction Welcome to Mastercam X5! Mastercam X5 featu res a new sui te of CAD/CAM tools focused on delivering speed and efficiency for your machin ing jobs. We are sure that you will benef it from what Mastercam X5 has to offer you and your shop. You can quickly access some of Mastercam X5’s new and exciting featu res through the Wha t’s New dialog box that displays the first time you sta rt Mastercam X5. By clicking on topics on the left side of the dialog box, you can see examples of new featu res, watch videos, and learn the basics about all Mastercam X5 has to offer. To get back to this dialog box at any time, choose Help, What’s New from the Mastercam menu.

Note: Some of the options shown in the Wha t’s New dialog box are only available if you have certain products enabled on your Mastercam SIM.

Before You Begin Wha t’s New in Mastercam X5 outlines the new featu res in each Mastercam product level. Each chapt er’s title corresponds to the Mastercam produ ct that contains the

5

2 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

featu res. For exam ple, the Mill Level 1 Enhancements chapter discusses new functional ity that you can access in Mastercam X5 Mill Level 1 or higher.

TutorialRequirements Many chap ters in this book contain short tutorials on new features in Mastercam X5. To complet e these tutorials, you should meet the following requireme nts:

 You must be comfo rtable using the Windows® operating system.  You must have installed your Mastercam X5 product s. All tutorial files are located in the ..\Documentation\ExampleParts folder of your Mastercam installation. For 32-bit Wind ows system s, these files are stored in C:\Program Files\mcamx5; 64-bit Wind ows syste ms use C:\Program Files (x86)\mcamx5.

 Start Mastercam using your prefer red method:  Double-cli ck Mastercam’s desk top icon. Or

 Launch Mastercam from the Windows Start menu.

If You Need More Help There are many ways to get help with Mastercam, including the following:

 Mastercam Help—Access Mastercam Help by selecting Help, Contents from Mastercam’s menu bar or by pressing [Alt+H] on your keyboard. Also, most dialog boxes and ri bbon bars fea ture a Help bu tton Help directly to related info rmation.

that opens Maste rcam

 Online help—You can search for information or ask que stions on the Mastercam Web forum, loc ated at www.emastercam.com. You can also find a wealth of information, inclu ding many videos, at ww w.ma stercam.c om and www.ma ste rcamedu. com.

 Maste rcam Reseller—Your local Maste rcam Reseller can help with most questions about Mast ercam.

 Technical Support—CNC Softw are’s Technical Support department (860-8755006 or suppo rt@m aste rca m.com) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. USA Eastern Standard Time.

 Documentation feedback —For quest ions about this or other Mastercam documentation, con tact the Technical Documentation departme nt by e-mail at techdoc s@mast ercam.c om.

 Mastercam University—CNC Software sponsors Mastercam Univer sity, an affo rdabl e, online learning tool with more than 180 videos to let you master skills at your own pace. For more info rmat ion on Mastercam University,

INTRODUCTION • 3

please conta ct your Authorized Mastercam Reselle r, visit ww w.ma stercamu.co m, or email traini ng@m astercam.co m.

AdditionalDocumentation You can find more information on using Mastercam in the following material s, located in the \Documentation folder of your Mastercam insta llation:

 Mastercam X5 Installation Guide  Mastercam X5 Administ rator Guide  Mastercam X5 Quick Start  Mastercam X5 Reference Guide  Mastercam X5 Transition Guide  Mastercam X5 Quick Reference Card  Mastercam X5 Wire Getting Started Guide  Version 9 to X Function Map  Mastercam X5 NCI & Paramet er Reference  Mastercam X5 Post Debugger User’s Guide

Mastercam CustomerFeedbackProgram The Mastercam Customer Feedback Program is an opti onal data feedback tool. The program is completely volunta ry. If you choose to turn thi s functionality on, it runs during every Mastercam session, automat ically collecting and sending usage information to CNC Software, Inc. (CNC). The data is used only for quality and product imp rovement purpose s. It helps give CNC an idea of the relative value of various functionalities within its products. The data does not inclu de user mod el data or any informat ion that could be used to re-create model s. This prog ram can not and will not collect data for the pur pose of reverse enginee ring. IMPOR TANT: The Mastercam Customer Feedback Program will at no time collect data that is not relative to Mastercam. No sensi tive, pers onal, or otherwise private data will be gathe red.

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The program is turned off by default. You must choose to participate in the prog ram by clicking the option shown below in the Mastercam Custo mer Feedback Program dialog box.

This dialog box appea rs the first time you open Mastercam after an install. To particip ate, select the “Yes” option and click OK. You can change your status at any time. To change your participat ion settings, select Customer Feedback Program from the Help menu.

The types of data that Mastercam collects includes the following:

 The Mastercam build number  Your SIM number

INTRODUCTION • 5

 The name of the function you called and how you acce ssed it (toolbar button, hot keys, menu) CNC combines the data gathered from Mastercam Customer Feedback Program particip ants to answer the following types of quest ions:

 Which Mastercam funct ions are used the most, and which are used the least?  Which file translators are used, and how often?  Which C-Hooks are used and how often?  Which commands are used sequent ially or in conjuncti on with each other? Note: The lists above are not comp rehensive. These are examples of the types of data CNC collects. If you are running the Mastercam Customer Feedba ck Program, an icon (shown below) displays in your Windows program tray in the bottom right corner of your comp uter screen.

Notes: • Participating in this program does not impact your processing time or computer performan ce. • If you are running the Mastercam Customer Feedback Program, the tool automatically closes when you exit Mastercam. • The data gathered by this program is sent to CNC when you exit Mastercam, or after a specific numb er of transactions. • If you do not have an Internet connectio n, the data is saved to your local drive. The next time you start Mastercam, the program attempts to send the data. If the data cannot be sent over a period of five days, it is auto matically purged from your system. • You can turn your participation settings on and off at any time during a Maste rcam session.

6 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

GeneralSystem Enhancements InstallationLocation Changes To be more compatible with Microsoft® guidelines and secu rity measu res, the default installat ion directory for Mastercam is now C:\Program Files\mcamx5 for 32-bit ope rating systems and C:\Program Files (x86)\mcamx5 for 64-bit opera ting system s. This change requires that user-modifiable data be reloc ated from the installation location to two different locations, depend ing on whether the data is userspecific or sha red. Operating System

Data Locations

Wind ows XP

Use r-specific data: C:\Documents and Settings\\My Documents\my mcamx5 Shar ed data: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\shared mcamx5

Windows Vista and Use r-specific data: C:\Users\\DocuWindows 7 ments\my mcamx5 Shar ed data: C:\Users\Public\Documents\shared mcamx5. For 32-bit Windows system s, non-mo difiable files (including documentation) are stored in C:\Program Files\mcamx5 and C:\Program Files\Common Files\Mastercam; 64-bit Windows systems use C:\Program Files (x86)\mcamx5 and C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Mastercam. For more information, see the Mastercam X5 Installation Guide and the Mastercam X5 Transition Guide inst alled in your Mastercam installation \Documentation folder.

New Mastercam F ileExtensions Mastercam file name exte nsions now include a vers ion numbe r. The following file types are affected:

 .MCX-5

 .GMD-5

 .MATERIALS-5

 .EMCX-5

 .LMD-5

 .OPERATIONS-5

 .DEFAULTS-5

 .MMD-5

 .TOOLS-5

 .CONTROL-5

 .RMD-5

 .WMD-5

The POWER, Post, NC, and NCI file extensions are unaffected.

8 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTER CAM X5

Separate Installationfor Mastercam Art In Mastercam X5, Mastercam Art is not automatically installed with all other Mastercam product s. To install, select the Mastercam Art option from the installation interface.

The Art Design Library is only installed if you select the Art Sample Files duri ng installat ion. Note: You must have a licensed copy of Mastercam Art to modify or create Art surfaces and operations. If you do not have Art install ed, you can still impo rt, view, and machine Art models.

GENERAL SYS TEM ENHANCEMENTS • 9

DynamicPlaneImprovements You can now access the inte ractive Dynamic Plane gnomon from the View Manager. Click the Create From button to return to the graphics window and make a new view based on the currently selected view.

The Dynamic Planes dialog box has also been enhanced. Within the dialog box, you can now name the view you created using the inte ractive gno mon, assign a work offset code, and automaticall y align the Work Coordinate System ( WCS) to your new view.

 Creating a new view using DynamicPlane 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select NEW_VIEW.MCX-5. 3 Press [Alt +S] to shade the part surfaces and make it easier to select geomet ry. 4 On the status bar at the bottom of the screen, click WCS and select View Manager from the men u. The View Manager dialog box open s.

10 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTER CAM X5

5 Click Create From to make a new view based on the current Top view. The Dynamic Plane dialog box displays and the dynamic gnomon appea rs in the graphics wind ow at the cur rent view origin.

6 The next step is to reposition the view origin. Click once on the ball that represents the gnomo n’s origin and then drag it to the left end of the front edge of the part.

GENERAL SYS TEM ENHANCEMENTS • 11

TIP: Use the AutoCursor position indicator to make sure you select the endpoi nt of the line.

7 Click on the second leg of the Y axis (the piece bet ween the arrowhead and the letter Y) and rotate it 90 degrees to point towards the back of the part. 8 Click again to set the Y axis posi tion.

12 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTER CAM X5

9 In the Dynamic Plane dialog box, type MY VIEW as the name of the new view. 10 Select Set as WCS to change the WCS to the new view. 11 Click OK to return to the View Manager.

12 The icon indicating which view is the cur rent WCS has moved to the new view. Click OK to close the View Manage r.

GENERAL SYS TEM ENHANCEMENTS • 13

Spin Controls Spin controls have been added to geomet ry creation and Xform functions to make it easier to enter values. Click on a spin cont rol to inc rementally increase or dec rease a parameter value. Set spin control incremen ts from the Spin Control property page in the System Configu ration dialog box.

New VisualCues The background color of the Attrib utes button changes to red when the Entity Attributes Manager is active. A tool tip lists your settings so you no longer have to open the Entity Attributes Manager to see the m.

14 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTER CAM X5

In addition, when you roll the mouse over the Only button, a tooltip lists you r masking selections. You no longer have to open the Only dialog box to see your setting s.

ResizingDialogs This additional funct ionality has been appl ied to many Mastercam dialog boxes and imp roves their usabilit y. Resizable dialogs have a gripper at the lower right corner of the dialog box.

ToolbarHighlight When you acti vate a toolbar (ei ther using the Toolbar States dialog or the right-click Toolbars menu ), the system momenta rily high lights the new toolbar by display ing a flashing rectangle around the toolbar.

DefaultChangefor ImportingSolids Prior to Mastercam X5, when you impo rted a solid using one of the Mastercam file converter s, wireframe edge curves were created on all the solid edges. In an effort to

GENERAL SYS TEM ENHANCEMENTS • 15

reduce part size and complexity, this option is now off by default. To turn thi s option on, choo se Set tings, Configuration from the Mastercam menu, and select the Edge curves check box on the Converters pag e.

Note: You can turn this option on or off for indi vidual files using the Options button in the File Open dialog box.

F ile Updates

Translator

 ACIS: R20 SP2  Autodesk Invent or: 2011  ProEngineer: Can now read files created in Educational version of ProE  SolidWorks: 2010 SP2.1  Unigraphics: NX7

16 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTER CAM X5

Design Enhancements Assigning Colorsto Solid Faces These new functions assign different colors to individual solid faces and featu res. Mastercam applies colors over the solid body according to a set hierarchy. In this hierarchy, featu re colors are applied over the solid color, and face colors are appl ied over the featu re color. Use these colors to more easily select solid areas for toolpathing and other operations.

 Setting colors for solid faces and features 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select SET_SOLID_COLORS.MCX-5. 3 Press [Alt + S] to shade the part surface s. 4 From the Mastercam menu, choose Solids, Face/fe ature color s, Set solid face colo r. 5 Select color 138 by either typing the number in the Color dialog box or selecting the color from the grid.

6 Click OK to complete the color select ion. 7 Select the part floor and the face sur rounding the large center hol e. 8 Click End Select ion in the General Select ion ribbon bar to comple te the face select ion.

18 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

The selected areas now display with an orange face color applied over the green solid colo r.

9 Click the Sol ids tab in the Ope rations Manager to access the Solids Manage r. 10 Click Set solid feature color on the Solids toolbar. 11

Select color 9 by either typing the number in the Color dialog box or selecting the color from the grid.

12 Click OK to complete the color select ion.

DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS • 19

13 Click on Drill holes 1 through 8 in the Solids Manage r. The part display updates as you click on each featu re.

14 Click End Select ion in the General Selection ribbon bar to comple te the feature selection.

UsingFace and Feature Colorsfor ToolpathSelection Once you have assigned colors to solid faces and featu res, you can use those colors to make selection easier for surface toolpaths. In addit ion, Mastercam now highlights solid faces in the cur rent selection color when selecting for machi ning. Note: The following exercise requires Mastercam Mill Level 3. 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose Machine Type, Mill, Default to select the default mill machine definition. 2

Choose Toolpaths, Surface High Speed to create a new surface toolpath.

Note: Maste rcam may display two prompts - one regarding Advanced 3D Toolpa th Refinement and one to set the NC file name for your toolpath. Click OK on both dialogs to proceed.

20 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

3 Click Activate solid selection on the Gene ral Selecti on ribbon bar to pick solids for the toolpath.

4 Click All on the General Selection ribbon bar. 5 Click the Color button. The Select All dialog box lists the colors you added to the model.

6 Select color 138 and click OK. Both of the orange solid areas are selected.

DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS • 21

7 Click End Select ion in the General Selection ribbon bar to comple te the feature selection. 8 Click OK on the Toolpath/s urface selection dialog box to confirm the surfaces you want to mac hine. 9 (Optional) Complete the surface toolpath by selec ting a tool and entering the toolpath parameter s.

Solid Patterns In Mastercam X5, you can create a pat tern of solid features by selecting source geomet ry and producing mult iple copies of it on a part in a grid (rectang ular pat tern) or around a center point (circular pattern). You can also click in the graphics window to place copies (manual patte rn).

 Creatinga circularsolid pattern 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select PATTERNS.MCX-5. 3 Press [Alt + S] to shade the part surface s. 4 From the Mastercam menu, choose Solids, Pattern, Circular pattern. 5 Click the Select source button on the Circular pattern dialog box to pick a solid featu re. 6 Select the small bone-shaped featu re near the center of the part.

7 Press [Enter] to return to the Circular pattern dialog box.

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The green check mark next to the Solid Feature option shows that you succe ssfully selected a solid feature.

8 In the Parameters group box, increase the number of instances to 7 and select the Full circle check box. The part dynamica lly updates as you chan ge the number.

Note: The Angle parameter is disabled because Mastercam automatically calculates the angle betwe en instances when you select Full circle.

DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS • 23

Editing the Pattern Results Using the following steps, you can adjust the number of instances in the solid pat tern. You can also make changes to the original geometry and the changes are reflected throughout the solid pattern. 1 Click the Remove ins tances button and click on any two of the copies on the part. 2 Press [Enter] to return to the Circular pattern dialog box. 3 Click the Reset instances but ton to replace the copies you removed. 4 Click OK to close the Circular pattern dialog box. 5 Click the Sol ids tab in the Ope rations Manager to access the Solids Manager. 6 Click on the Parameters icon for the Ext rude Boss feature to make changes to the original geomet ry.

24 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

7 On the Ext rude Chain dialog box, select the Draft check box to tilt the walls of the boss. 8 Enter 2.0 for the distance to reduc e the height of the bos s. 9 Click OK to close the Extru de Chain dialog box. The boss is marked as “dirty” and needs regeneration.

10 Click Regen all in the Solid Manager. The original boss and all the copies from the circular pattern are updated. 11 Press [F1] and zoom in on any of the bosses to inspect the change s.

DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS • 25

Solid and Surface AnalysisTools Analyze the curvature of a surface to identify unde rcuts and minimum radius with two new Analyze funct ions: Analyze Draft Angle and Analyze Curvatu re. These new functions shade areas of the model with user-specified colors and suppo rt both surfaces and solids.

 Analyzing draft angles and part curvature 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select ANALYZE.MCX-5. 3 Press [Alt + S] to shade the part surface s. 4 From the Mastercam menu, choose Analyze, Test Surf aces and Sol ids, Draft angle. 5 Click Regener ate the display to see the initial analysis resul ts.

26 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

The part displays with color coding to indic ate diffe rent draft angle condit ions..

Horizontal

Positive angle less than 3 degrees

6 Click the Vertical surface color button, select color 158 from the Color dialog box and click OK. The new vertical color displays immedi ately.

Remainder (what is not marked by another color)

Vertical

7 Type 1.0 for the Positive angle less than field and press [Enter]. The vertical area redu ces based on the tighter criteria..

8 Click OK to close the Analyze Draft Angle dialog box. 9 From the Mastercam menu, choose Analyze, Test Surfaces and Solids, Curvature. 10 Click Regener ate the display to see the initial analysis resul ts.

The part displays with color coding to indicate different types of curves. Radius less than 2 mm

Flat

Remainder (what is not marked by another color) 11 Type 1.0 for the Radius less than field and press [Enter]. 12

Select the Display only internal radii check box. This option shades all fillets that are internal from the perspective of the reference plane and less than the value ente red in the Radius less than setti ng.

13 Deselect the Flat check box to make it easier to see the internal curves. 14

Change the Remainder color to 159 by ente ring the number or by selecting it from the Color dialog box.

15 Press [F1] and draw a zoom win dow around the area shown in the following picture.

The red areas show whe re material could be left behi nd when your toolpath uses a tool with a corner radius larger than the internal, or concave, radii in your part geomet ry.

16 Click OK to close the Analyze Curvature dialog box.

30 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

Modeless Solid DialogBoxes You can now access immediate mode functio ns, such as Fit and Zoom, while any Solid dialog box is open. Immedi ate mode functions interrupt a function, and when they have finished, they return to the funct ion.

EnteringQuickArc Diameters In Mastercam X5, you can specify diameters quickly and without consult ing paper drill cha rts. Standa rd letter and number drill and tap sizes have been added to all Mastercam calculable field s.

 Creating a circle based on a tap size 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select ADD_TAP_HOLE.MCX-5. 3 If needed, press [Alt + S] to shade the part surface s. 4 From the Mastercam menu, choose Create, Arc, Circle Center Point. 5 Click on the blue point above the cen ter circle and drag outward to draw a temporary circle.

6 Click again to set the tempor ary circle diamete r.

DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS • 31

7

Right-click in the Diameter field on the Circle Center Point ribbon bar and select B = Tap tables to access the tap drill sizes list .

8 Select the M12x1.75 metric tap size.

9 Click OK to select the hole size. Mastercam automat ically fills in the cor rect diameter to accommodate the selected tap size.

32 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

10 Click OK on the Circle Center Point ribbon bar to complete the circle.

Notes: • You can also type # and a drill number from 1-97, or type # and a drill letter from A-Z in a calculable field to aut omatically enter the correct diameter (English units only). • You can choose Solid hole diameter from the right-click menu to have Maste rcam return the diameter of a selected solid hole.

ImprovedBoltCircleCreation Bolt circle is no longer a .NEThook and is now a function of Mastercam. It has also been enhanced to give you the ability to:

 Draw circles in 2D or wrapped around a diamet er.  Draw circles arou nd a full circle or along a total sweep angle.  Preview and, if desi red, flip the results.  Remove individual circles.  Create a center point.

DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS • 33

Select Create, Bolt Circle from the Mastercam menu to access the function.

34 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

GeneralM illEnhancements New Tool LibraryFormat Mastercam X5 supp orts two diffe rent tool library database formats. Tool libraries with the .TOOLS-5 extension use the traditional Mastercam proprietary database format. This is the same file form at used in prior versi ons and continues to be the native file format for MCX-5 files. Libraries with a .TOOLDB exte nsion will use a new SQL-style database format. The new TOOLDB database format not only suppo rts libraries of tools, but also has the ability to store mate rials, tool holder s, tool assemblies and cutt ing parameters. This new format makes it easier for tool manufac turers and other third-party developers to interface with Mastercam. This new database is just the first step in an effort to impr ove tool suppo rt in Mastercam.

Tool Assemblies Associating a tool with a holder is now possible in Mastercam X5. Prior to this modific ation, if you assigned a holder to a tool in an ope ration and recalled that tool later, the holder would be lost and have to be reconfigured for each subseq uent ope ration. Also, if you changed the holde r, you would have to remember to go back and change every operation that refe renced it individually. Once a holder is added to a tool, the resulting tool assembly can be used in sub sequent operations without further user inte raction beyond normal tool selection. The only inte raction change occurs when you need to modify a holder and the tool assembly is referenced in more than one operation. When this happen s, the following dialog box displays:

You can select one of the following three options:

 Update asse mbly and all ope rations that use the assembly - (default) updates all other ope rations in the same machi ne group referencing this tool.

36 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

 Create a new assembly - adds the current configu ration as a new assembly and uses Mastercam's def ault tool numbe ring to assign a new tool nu mber.

 Modify only current operation - adds a new asse mbly and retains the current (duplic ate) tool numb er. Note: The current Save to library functionality available in the toolpath parameters has not been modified to save an assembly to the library.

ISCARHEMSupport The following Mill toolpaths now supp ort ISCAR HEM (High Efficiency Machining) and RCTF (Radial Chip Thin ning Factor) speeds and feeds calcul ation functionalit y:

 2D HST - Dynamic Area Mill, Dynam ic Core Mill, Dynamic Rest Mill, Dynamic Contour

 3D HST - Opti Rough This new funct ionality requires that you select an approp riate ISCAR cutt ing tool from the tool library. The HEM calculations use the neces sary attributes stored with the tool in the tool library.

GENERAL MILL ENHANCEMENTS • 37

If you select the Iscar HEM check box on the Tool page, you can set the HEM factor to maximi ze speed and efficiency by ent ering a value or by using the slider bar. The feed rate and spindle speed are automatically set based on this value.

In addition, the Stepover field on the Cut Parameters page changes to a drop-down list. You can only select a 5%, 7%, or 10% stepover.

Mastercam MachineSimulation Machine simulat ion is a safe and cost effective way of proving out multi axis toolpaths by helping you detect collisi ons between your stock, tool, and any machine components before sending any code to your machine tool. Use machi ne simulation to test possible multiaxis fixture scen arios and find the ideal location for mach ining a particular job. You can try out different positions on your machine table without spen ding costly time dryrunn ing your machine tool. Machine simulat ion is capable of simple bac kplotting, verifying stock removal, and full mach ine tool simulation with coll ision checking. Use the Mastercam simulation toolbar to access startup settings and select the desi red machin e, work piece, fixture component s, stock definition and tolerances. Note: Machine simul ation does not simulate Lathe or Wire toolpaths.

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 Using machine simulation 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select SIMULATION.MCX-5. To run machine simulat ion, you need a Mastercam Mill or Router part file that includes at least one toolpath and a surface or solid model of the workpiec e. 3 Click Simulation startup settings on the Machi ne Simul ation toolbar. If the Machine Simula tion toolbar is not displayed, right-click in any open area at the top of the screen and choose Machine Simulation to display the toolbar. 4 Select the Machine drop-down list at the top of the dialog box to see a list of all the machine configu rations installed with Mastercam X5. The Preview wind ow displays the cur rently selected machin e.

GENERAL MILL ENHANCEMENTS • 39

IMPOR TANT: Machine simula tion does not use the machine definition associated with your toolpaths. This allows you to test your toolp aths on multiple machine configu rations. 5 Select 6_5AXGEN_VMCHTAC from the mach ine list. 6 Select the Geometry drop-down list. By default, mach ine simulation loads all visible surface and solid geometry as the workpiece, but you can cont rol this by sele cting one of the Geomet ry options.

7 Select All elements from the list. TIP: Similar con trols are available on the Simulation tab for the Fixture setting. For example, you can move all your fixture geome try to a specific level and turn the display on or off. 8 Click Simul ate at the bottom of the dialog box to go directly into the simulation. The workpiece is positioned on the table.

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This simulation mode shows kinematic (machine) motion and includes collision checking, but does not display material removal.

9 Click Run near the top left corner of the screen to begin the simulation.

10 While the simulation is running, click Workpiece focus to display only the tool and the workpiece. This focus opt ion keeps the workpiece stati onary and moves the tool around the workpiec e.

GENERAL MILL ENHANCEMENTS • 41

11 When the simulation ends, move the slider on the progress bar at the bottom of the screen back to the beginning of the toolp ath. 12 Click Machine focus to display the machine and the workpiece again.

13 Move the speed slider to make the simulation faster or slower and click Run again to see the result s.

14 Click Exit to return to the graphics wind ow.

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UnselectingPoints in D rillPoint Selection Two new buttons have been added to the Drill Point Select ion dialog box that let you unselect entities without having to close the dialog box and start the selection pro cess agai n.

 Unselect - unsele cts the last drill point you selected. You can click it more than once to remove drill points one at a time.

 Unselect all - unsele cts all points you selected during the cur rent drill point select ion function. This does not exit you from the poi nt select ion function, but allows you to start your selecti on over. Cho ose Yes to unselect all selected points or No, which cancels your “unselec t” request. When you use the single point selection mode (default), the Unselect and Unsele ct all buttons only become active when you choose the points to unselect and press the [Esc] key as prompted. These but tons may bec ome active upon other act ions that complete the single selection method, such as clicking another button in the Drill Point Selection dialog box. If you access an existing drill toolpath in the Drill Point Manager to add more points, the Unselect and Unselect all buttons:

 Only work on new point s. Those already included in the toolpath are not affecte d.

 Are inactive until you add poi nts that can be unselect ed.  Become inact ive again once all newly added points have been unselecte d.

GENERAL MILL ENHANCEMENTS • 43

Setup Sheet/ActiveReportsImprovements Mastercam X5 includes several enhancements for all funct ions that use ActiveReports, including setup sheet s:

 Mastercam X5 has been updated to use the latest versi on of ActiveReport s. Default templ ates and customized templates created with the previous versi on of ActiveReports (ver sion 3) will cont inue to function without updating.

 In the latest version of ActiveReports Desi gner (version 6), the Tag parameter replaces the Data Field parameter for the SubReport control. When linking a subreport to a report, enter the subreport's path expression in the Tag paramete r.

 Nesting reports in Mastercam X5 now can inclu de material information. Our default template does not call this information so you will have to edit the template with ActiveReports Desi gne r.

 Save custom capture images for setup sheets to a specified folder. Click the Browse Folder button in the Capture Images ribbon bar and specify a folde r.

 You can now define defau lt temp lates for all ActiveReports reports on the Reports property page in the System Configuration dialog box.

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Note: Maste rcam applies the setup sheet default defin ed in this dialog box if there is no template defined in the Control Defin ition Manager (Files page).

 Customize General Information for a setup sheet from the Setup Sheet dialog box. You can change the order of existing labels or create new one s.

 Add custom XML tags for addit ional user-defined infor mation. Edit the template with the ActiveReports Designer to call on the custom tags. When creating a setup sheet, you can enter the information in the Additi onal Parameters dialog box.

GENERAL MILL ENHANCEMENTS • 45

 A new XML data source enhances access to operation, tool, and offset info rmation.

 New tags have been added to the XML data source. For mo re inf ormation on these new tags, please see Mastercam Help.

 A new set of subreports for Manual Entry Ope rations is included with the default templates. Note: Manual entry operations are not included in the sample files.

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DefaultSetting for LockingFeed Rates The Lock Feed rates parameter is now selected (activated) on the Toolpat hs page in the def ault system configurati on files. Prior to Mastercam X5, this option was deselected. When activated, Mastercam locks any feeds and speeds that you manually enter for your tool sett ings in toolpaths.

These feeds and speeds values do not change until you re-enter them or choose the Re-initialize speeds & feeds option from the Tools page right -click menu. Note: This function ality is now also available for Lathe. In Lathe, the affected fields are on the Toolpa th Parameters page and include Feed Rate, Plunge Feed Rate, Spindle Speed, and Finish Spindle Speed. For more information about other Lathe enhance ments in Mastercam X5, see Lathe Enhance ments on page 105.

Offset and Profile ToleranceControlsMoved The Profile tole rance and Offset tole rance controls moved from the Arc Filter/ Tolerance page in Mastercam X4 to the Cut para meters page in Mastercam X5 for

GENERAL MILL ENHANCEMENTS • 47

Mill/Router tree-style tool paths. These parameters are now located in the Corner round ing group box (previously the Smoothing group box).

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M ill Level1 Enhancements New 2D H ST Toolpaths The orig inal Dynamic Mill toolpath is now split into two appl ication-speci fic toolpaths: Dynamic Area Mill and Dynam ic Core Mill. Mastercam X5 also adds two new dynamic milling toolpaths to the 2D high speed toolpath group: Dynamic Rest Mill and Dynam ic Contou r. To access the dynamic milling toolp aths, choo se Toolpaths, 2D High Speed from the Mastercam menu. After selecting the entities to machine, choose one of the dynamic milling toolpaths from the Toolpath Type list.

DynamicArea and Core Mill Select Dynamic Area Mill to contain the tool within pockets or pockets with islands. Use Dynamic Core Mill when you need to approach material from the outside while still avoi ding desi red areas.

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 Creatingdynamicarea mill and core m ill toolpaths 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select DYNAMIC_CORE_AREA.MCX-5. 3 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpaths, 2D High Speed. Note: Click OK if you are prompted for an NC file name. 4 Select the green chain on the floor of the pocket in the upper right corner as the toolpath chai n.

5 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to comple te the chain.

MILL LEVEL 1 ENHANCEMENTS • 51

6 Select the Dynamic Area Mill toolpath type.

7 On the Tool page, click the Select library tool button and select the 12mm flat endmill from the tool library.

8 Click OK on the Tool Selection dialog box to return to the toolpath parameter s. 9 On the Cut Paramete rs page, make the following adjust ment s:

 Set the Toolpath radius to 10% to reduce sharp corner motion between the cut passes. This parameter cont rols the size of the arc on and off each pass.

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 Set the Micro lift distance to 0.5mm. This is the dis tance the tool lifts off the part on back moves to help clear chips and mini mize excessive tool heating.

 Set the Stock to leave on wal ls and Stock to leave on floors to 0.5mm to leave material for a futu re finish toolpath.

10 On the Depth Cuts page, deselect the Depth cuts check box to turn this option off. 11 On the Entry Motion page, make the following changes:

 Enter 5.0mm for the Helix radius to control the size of the entry hel ix.  Enter 0.5mm for the Z clearance to add some extra height befo re the entry moves.

MILL LEVEL 1 ENHANCEMENTS • 53

 Enter 10.0 for the Plunge angle to set the angle of des cent and pitch for the entry move.

12 On the Linking Parameters page, enter 40.0 for the retract height to make sure you have enough clea rance bet ween pocket s.

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13 On the Arc Filter/ Tolerance page, set the Filter ratio to 3:1. This sets the ratio of the filter tole rance to the cut tole rance, both of which add up to the total tole rance. For more informat ion on filters and tole rances in Mastercam, see Mastercam Help.

14 Click OK to complete the toolp ath. 15 Press [F1] and draw a zoom window around the toolpath to see it in closer detail. You can see how the toolpath starts from the inside of the part and works i ts way towards the outer bounda ry, changing shape a s needed to accom modate the pocket. e

TIP: If you copy this toolpath to the other two closed pockets and rechain, the toolpath autom atically adjusts to each new bounda ry shape.

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Addinga dynamic core m illtoolpath 2D high speed core mill toolpaths require two chain s. The outside chain represents the stock bounda ry, allowing the toolpath to move freely outsi de this area. The inner chain def ines the limit of the toolpath. 1

Right-click in the graphics window and choose Fit to view the who le part.

2 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpaths, 2D High Speed. 3 Select the orange line as the first chain.

4 Select the purple edge around the top of the part as the second chain. 5 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to complete the chain.

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6 Select the Dynamic Core Mill toolpath type.

7

Mastercam remembers all the other set tings you made for the area mill toolpath, so you do not have to re-en ter them. Click OK to complete the toolpat h.

MILL LEVEL 1 ENHANCEMENTS • 57

DynamicRest Mill The new Dynam ic Rest Mill toolpath behaves in a manner similar to the cur rent 2D high speed rest mill toolpath, only it uses dynamic milling motion instead of core mill or area mill motion for the rest ope rations. The following picture highlights the dynamic motion used to clean up the addit ional material in the corners of the part.

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In addition, the existing Rest Mill and the new Dynamic Rest Mill toolpaths include a new Rest Material page, expan ding your ability to specify the targeted rest mate rial.

DynamicContour New in Mastercam X5, Dyna mic Contour - also based on the dynamic milli ng algo rithm - uses an intellige nt, efficient high speed contouring strategy to remove material along walls. The Dynamic Contour toolpath supp orts multiple passes and can opt ionally include finishing passes.

 Creating a dynamiccontour toolpath 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select DYNAMIC_CONTOUR.MCX-5. 3 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpaths, 2D High Speed.

MILL LEVEL 1 ENHANCEMENTS • 59

4 Select the top orange curve as the toolpath chain. Make sure that your chain points in a clockwise direction.

TIP: If your chain points counterclockwise, click Reverse on the Cha ining dialog box to flip it. 5 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to complete the chain. 6 Select the Dynamic Contour toolpath type.

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7 On the Tool page, click the Select library tool button and select the 6mm flat endmill from the tool library.

8 Click OK on the Tool Selection dialog box to return to the toolpath parameter s. 9 On the Cut Paramete rs page, make the following adjust ment s:

 Set the Stepover to 1.0mm to control the distance between cutting passes in the X and Y axes.

 Set the Toolpath radius to 10% reduce sharp corner motion between the cut passes. This parameter cont rols the size of the arc on and off each pass.

 For the Gap size parameter, select Distance and enter 200.0m m. If the distance from the end of one pass to the start of the next pass is less than this distanc e, Mastercam does not create a retract move as defined on the Linking parameters pag e.

 Set the Micro lift distance to 0.5mm. This is the dis tance the tool lifts off the part on back moves to help clear chips and mini mize excessive tool heating.

 For the Motion>Gap size, retract parameter, select When exceeding a distance from the drop-down list. This option adds retracts when the next cut pass begins at a distance that is greater than the gap size.

 Set the Stock to leave on floors to 0.5mm to leave mate rial for a futu re finish toolpath.

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10 On the Contour Wall page, set the following parameters:

 For Radius of tool that shaped the stock, enter 15.0mm. This parameter uses the tool radius from a previous ope ration to better define the shape of the stock removed by the dynamic cont our toolpath.

 For Stock thickness, enter 3.0mm. This sets the amount of stock in X Y that the toolp ath removes.

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11 On the Depth Cuts page, deselect the Depth cuts check box to turn this option off. 12 On the Linking Paramete rs page, enter -9.525 for the depth.

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13 Click OK to complete the toolp ath.

14 Press [F1] and draw a zoom window around the toolp ath on the right side of the part to see it in closer detail. The consistent tool motion ensu res you do not overload your tool when mac hining just the walls of the part.

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IslandFacingin 2D HST Toolpaths Mastercam's standard 2D pocket island facing funct ionality is now included in the following 2D high speed toolpaths:

 Rest Mill and Dynamic Rest Mill  Area Mill and Dynamic Area Mill  Core Mill and Dynamic Core Mill When you select Use island depths on the Depth Cuts parameter page, Mastercam passes the tool over the isla nd until it reaches the depth of the island. It then goes around the island until it reaches the final depth.

You can also turn on Island facing indepe ndent of Depth cut settings. When activated, Mastercam faces the top of all islands selected for the toolpath at their defi ned depth. Facing quickly cleans the stock from the top of the islands, qualifies them, and creates an even surface for future ope ration s. After each dep th cut is mad e, the islands between the last depth cut and the cur rent depth cut are faced. Mastercam orders the islands from lowest to highest to ensu re the most efficient material removal.

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CircleMill Improvements Circle Mill now allows for feed rate and spin dle speed overrides for Finishi ng and Semifinishing passe s.

66 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

New high speed transitions also reduce tool motion outsi de the cutting passes.

TransformToolpathEnhancements The Transf orm Operation toolpath includes many imp rovements in Mastercam X5.

MILL LEVEL 1 ENHANCEMENTS • 67

1

Remove comments - when selected, the resulting NCI of the transform operation no longer contains any comments (NCI line #’s 1005 thru 1008) from the selected sou rce ope rations.

2

Source operations tree control

 You can transfo rm Manual Entry ope rations.  You can select ope rations that reference solids when Create new operat ions and ge omet ry is enable d. The solid is not copied, only the surface s, chains, or points nee ded to create the toolp ath.

 The sou rce ope rations tree now only lists ope rations within the same 3

ma chine group. Method - Tool plane

 Include origin - an operation’s tool plane contains both an origin and a view. When transforming by tool plane, X5 allows you to choose whether to have the origin travel along with the view when a tool plane is transfo rmed. Leaving this opt ion deselect ed works well with 5-axis toolpaths as when unchec ked the tool plane’s origin remains stati onary while the tool plan e’s view is moved about.

 Save views - this opt ion saves the transf ormed tool planes created during regene ration to the View Manager when Create new operations and geom etry is deselected. When Create new operations and geometry is selected, the Save views option is forced to On and disabled. 4 Source - There are two types of toolpath information that a transform operation can ext ract from its sou rce ope rations to use as its own:

 NCI - refers to the actual NCI lines of the sou rce ope ration s. If you select this option, the transf orm reads, copies, and transforms each of the source ope rati on's NCI lines. This opt ion is availab le only for the Translate and Rotate methods.

 Geometry - refers to the source operation's toolpath entities and their associated geomet ry entitie s. If you select this option, the transf orm copies and transfo rms the source ope ration and its geometry, regene rates a new toolpath and then claims those NCI lines as its own. This mode ensu res all cutting directions, cutter compensations, and entry and exit mot ion come out as if you transf ormed the geometry and programmed it all manuall y. This is the only opt ion available for the Mirror transform me thod.

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Translate MethodChanges For the Translate transform method, many of the changes were made to improve consistency bet ween the geometry transform and toolpath transf orm interf aces.

1 Delta - an inc remental move of the sou rce ope ration from its cur rent position. Works the same as Rectangula r, except that you specify delta XYZ coordina tes instead of X and Y dist ance s. 2

Instances - determines the number of copies Mastercam creates and the spacing bet ween these copie s. These options are the same as geometry transf orm.

Note: The Copy source operatio ns option on the Type and Methods page affects the total numbers of instances create d. 3 Pattern parameters - these options are the same as geomet ry transform.

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RotateMethodChanges As with the Translate imp rovement s, the addition of the Instances parameters was made to improve consistency with the geomet ry transfo rm inte rface.

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M irrorM ethodChanges The new Cutting direction options for the Mirror transfo rm meth od cont rol whether Mastercam applies the same cut directi on, tool compensat ion, start point, and select ion order def ined in the sou rce operation to the mir rored ope ration s.

 Reverse order - maintains the same start point for the mi rror transform toolpath as the source toolpath but reverses the order of the mirror transf orm toolpath's geometric entit ies, including chain directi on, point order, and, for surface toolpath s, selecti on order. This also reverses cut direction and cutter compensat ion settings in the mirror transform ed operat ion. Deselect to apply the same cut direction and cutter compensat ion settings from the source toolpath to the mirror transformed ope ration. You can choose whether to maintain the same start point, or maintain the same start entity for the mirror transform toolpath as the source toolpath.

 Maintain start point - makes the mirrored trans form operation use the same start point as the source operation. The cutting direction ma y differ however, based on whether you also selected Reve rse order. In the following example s, the source ope ration displays on the left, and the mirrored transfo rm operation on the right.

MILL LEVEL 1 ENHANCEMENTS • 71

Note: If you select the Reverse order check box, Mastercam automatically chooses the Maintain start point option. The following picture shows the cutting direction that results when you mirror a source contour operation conf igured with a clockwise cut direct ion and choose to Reverse order and Maintain start point for the mirrored transfo rm ope ration.

Original opera tion

Mirrored operati on

Mastercam reverses the cutting directi on from clockwise to counte rclockwi se and maintains the same order of the toolp ath’s geometric entiti es (start point, chain direct ion).

The following pict ure shows the results when you deselect Reverse order and select Maintain start point:

Original ope ration

Mirrored operation

Mastercam maintains the sou rce ope ration's start point and the clockwise cutti ng direction in the mirror transf orm oper ation. Howeve r, the first entity in the chained geometry changes accordingly.

 Maintain start entity - avail able only when Reverse order is deselect ed. Choose this option when you want the mirrored transform ope ration to use the same entity in the chained geometry as the source ope ration and the same cutting direction.

The following pict ure shows the results of choosing this option Mastercam changes the start point of the mirro red operation to maintain the start ent ity.

Original operation

Mirrored operati on

FBM Mill DraftedWall Machining FBM Mill now recogni zes and cuts tape red walls when you select the Recognize tapered feat ures check box on the Setup page.

On the Finish tools page, you can match the wall draft angle on finish passes using a tapered tool.

You can also specify a stepdown value for tape red walls on the Roughi ng, Restmill, and Wall finish page s.

L inkingParent O perationto a Solid This new featu re ensu res that you know when an FBM Mill operation needs to be upd ated based on changes to your solid model. Mastercam now marks the FBM parent ope ration, as well as the Detect button in the parameter s, as “dirty” when you modify and regene rate a solid model. You need to edit the FBM parent ope ration, re-detect the featu res, and regene rate the FBM ope rations when the solid model has been changed.

O utput3D Arcs for RoughEntry On the FBM Mill Roughing page, select the Output 3D arc mov es check box to creat e 3D arcs for the entry motion.

FBM D rill Note: For information about FBM Drill changes in Mastercam Router, see Block Drill Support in FBM Drill on page 101.

SavingFeatureSettings Info rmation set on the Featu res page, such as hole type, assig ned finish tool, supp ressed stat e, and plane assignment, is saved within the part file after you click OK. The saved set tings will be applied to existing feat ures even if you click Detect again. Select ing Cancel disc ards the cur rent changes and restores previou sly saved sett ings.

Additional4th Axis Controls FBM Drill now outputs tool planes that support drilling toolpaths in a rotary axis envi ronment. The FBM Drill Setup page includes a 4th axis output group box and an Axis of Rotation drop-down list.

When your active machine definition is configured with a rotary axis, you can select this check box, then use the dropdown to define the axis of rotation. When the Machine Def inition option is selected (default), Mastercam gene rates tool planes based on the

mach ine definition's rotary axis confi guration. You can override this assignment by selecting another axis of rot ation.

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ReversingPlanes on MultipleHoles The Featu res page in FBM Drill now allows you to select and reverse the plane on multiple holes at the same time. Right-click in the Planes column for the holes and select Plane from the right-cl ick menu.

M ill Level3 Enhancements New 3D H ST Toolpaths Mastercam X5 adds new roughing and fini shing toolpaths to the already powerful 3D high speed suite of toolpath s.

OptiRough The new 3D surface high speed OptiRough toolpath suppo rts cut ters cap able of mach ining very large depths of cut. It uses an aggressive, fast, intelligent roughing algo rithm b ased on Mastercam’s 2D high speed dynamic milling motion. Access this new toolpath by choo sing Toolpaths, Surface High Spee d. After selecting the surfaces to machin e, choose Roughing as the Toolpath Type, and then select OptiRoug h. A single OptiRough toolpath can cut mate rial in two direction s: on step downs (-Z) and step ups (+Z). This highly efficient bi-directional cutting strategy removes the maxi mum amount of material with the minim um of step downs, significantly reducing cycle time s.

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As step downs are calculated, the dynamic roughi ng motion clears the material in the -Z direction, avoiding any island s. The numbers in the following pictu re indicate the cut order.

If you activate step up cuts in the toolp ath’s Cut Parameters, Mastercam calcul ates additional slices in the +Z direction to remove any material left behind bet ween the step downs - for exampl e, islands or large scallops on angled wall s.The step up cuts use a 2D high speed dyn amic rest motion to clear leftover mate rial. Step up cuts are ordered bet ween step downs.

TIP: Because step up cutting is optional, you can use this toolpath for aggressive roughing without calculating the rest portion of the toolpath, which can be timeintensive.

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H ybridFinish Hybrid machining is the latest addition to the list of finishing toolpath s and is designed to address both steep and shallow regions of your models. This powerful toolpath benef its from newly developed technology compa rable to Waterli ne and Scallop motion. Access this new toolpath by choosing Toolpaths, Surface High Spee d. After selecting the surfaces to machin e, choose Finishing as the Toolpath Type, and then select Hybrid. Hybrid finish supp orts a use r-defined limiting angle to distinguish the steep regions from the shallow regions, and also inclu des a sepa rate steep stepd own and shallow step over.

The Steep stepdown value in this section def ines the constant Z distance between adjacent stepd owns. Mastercam uses these stepd owns in combination with the Limiting angle and Shallow stepover to calculate cut passes for the hybrid toolpath. Mastercam first slices the enti re model into sect ions def ined by the Steep stepdown distanc e. It then analyzes the drive surface's slope trans ition bet ween each stepd own along the specified Limiting ang le.

84 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

 If the drive surface's slope transition distance within the stepd own distance is less than the appl ied limiting angle, the hybrid toolpath consi ders it steep and a single 2D waterline cutting pass is generated.

 Otherwise, the stepd own is defined as shallow. Mastercam uses the Shallow step over value to create 3D scallop cut passes along the shallow slope for the shallow ste pdown. Note: If a combina tion of steep and shall ow areas exist within a single stepd own, the entire stepdown is conside red shal low Hybrid machining gene rates the steep and shallow motion in one seamless toolpath, mainta ining a logical cutt ing order based on a top-d own app roach.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 85

Existing 3D HST linking is used to ensu re all entry, exit, and trans ition mo tion is smooth and free-fl owing.

Solid ChainSupportin MultiaxisToolpaths You can now chain solid loops, faces, or edges for certain aspects of multi axis toolpath s. This app lies to the following areas:

 Drive curves - Curve toolpat hs  Tool axis control chains - Curve, Flow, Multisurface, and Port toolpaths

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New MultiaxisToolpaths Mastercam X5 int roduces eight new triangular mesh toolpaths to the Multiaxis family. The triangular mesh toolp aths can be found under the Surface/Solid toolpath type.

These new toolpaths support surface, solid and STL input. The strategies are very similar to Mastercam’s 3-axis strategie s, including rough ing, parallel finishing, constant Z finish ing, constant cusp (similar to scallop mach ining), flat, penci l, and project ion ma chini ng.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 87

What makes these toolpaths different is that they bene fit from multiaxis opt ions such as tool axis control, collision checking, and linking. For exampl e, they can be locked to 3 axis output while still supporti ng undercut machin ing with lollipop cut ters.

88 • WHA T’S NEW IN MAS TERCA M X5

ImprovedMultiaxisToolpathInterface Mastercam X5 introduces a unified interface and a streamlined workflow for Multiaxis toolpath s. Use the following process for all multiaxis toolpaths: 1 Begin by selecting the toolpath fami ly. 2 Select the toolpath type. 3

Proceed through the branches of the tree structure until all necessa ry parameters have been set. The tree structu re will change based on toolpath family and type selection s.

The tree is laid out in the logical order of setting your toolpath parameter s. Simply advance along the tree structu re, choosing your options and setting your parameters along the way, to create the desired multiaxis toolp ath.

 Creating a multiaxis toolpath 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select MULTIAXIS.MCX-5. 3 Press [Alt+S] if necessary to shade the part. 4 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpath s, Multiaxis. Multiaxis toolpaths can all be accessed from a single me nu option.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 89

The Toolpath Type page has been organ ized to make it easier to access the desired toolpath.

 The classic Mastercam toolpaths are located under the Classic button.  Multiaxis toolpaths that machine wireframe geometry are grouped together under the Wireframe button.

 If you need to mill or drill holes, select toolpaths from the Drill/Circle Mill button.

5 Select the Msurf toolpath type from the Classic toolpath family.

Entering Tool Parameters Once you have selec ted a toolpath type, the next step is to set up your tooling. 1 Select the Tool page from the tree cont rol on the left side of the dialog box. The tree structure is designed to flow from the top down in logical order.

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2 On the Tool page, click the Select library tool button.

3

Click New Library at the top of the Tool Selecti on dialog box to select a diffe rent tool library.

4 Select the MILL_MM (NEW).TOOLS-5 tool library file and click OK.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 91

5 Select the 12mm ball endmill and click OK to return to the toolpa th parameter s.

TIP: The green check mark next to the Tool page in the tree control indicates that you made changes on this page. 6 On the Holder page, click the Open Library button. 7 Select the BT40.HOLDERS file and click OK.

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8 Select the B4C4-0020 holder.

Note: For more information about tool assemblies in Mastercam X5, see Tool Assemblies on page 35.

EnteringTool M otionParameters The next several pages in the tree structu re focus on cont rolling the tool motion while cutting material and between passe s. 1 On the Cut Pattern page, set the following parameters:

 Select Sphere from the Pattern options drop-d own list to mat ch the tool motion to the spheric al shape of the part.

 Select Spiral from the Cutting method drop- down list to gene rate spiral tool mot ion.

 Select Computer from the Compens ation type drop- down list.  Enter 0.03mm for the Cut tolerance to dete rmine the accuracy of the multi axis toolpath. A smaller cut tolerance value creates a more accurate toolpath, but may take longer to gener ate the toolpath and create a longer NC program. This value is also used to eliminate duplica te positions and as a tole rance when compen sating to surface s.

 Enter 3.0mm for the Across stepover to control the dist ance bet ween passes.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 93

 Enter 5.0mm for the Along stepover to limit tool motion. The value specified is the distance bet ween gene rated vectors along the selected geomet ry. Notice that as you select diffe rent opt ions, the images on the right upd ate to give you a clea rer pictu re of what each parameter doe s.

2 Click Select next to the Pattern options drop-d own list to set the sphe re dimensions that con trol the tool motion.

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3

The Sphe re Options dialog box establi sh the dimensions and locat ion of the sphe re used as the cut pattern for the toolp ath. Enter the sphe re dimensions shown on the following pictu re and click OK.

4 Click Flow parameters at the bottom of the Cut Pattern pag e. 5 Click Cut direction on the Flowline data dialog box. This changes the direct ion of the tool motion so it circles around the part.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 95

6 Click OK to return to the toolpath parame ters. 7 On the Tool Axis Control page, make the following changes:

 Select Pattern surface from the Tool axis control drop-down list to keep the tool axis normal to the spherical surface.

 Select the Angle increment check box and enter 1.0 for the angle. The value is an angular measu rement betwee n adjacent tool vectors. An additional vector is added to the toolpath when the angle between cal culated vecto rs is greater than the angle inc rement valu e.

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8 On the Collision Control page, enter 1.5mm for the Stock to leave for compensat ion surface s.

9 Click Select next to the Compensation surface(s) to return to the graphi cs window for surface selection. Compens ation surfaces are used to drive the tool tip location. 10 Click the arrow button to select the compensat ion surface s. 11 Draw a window around the enti re part to select all the surface s.

12 Click End Select ion in the Gener al Select ion ribbon bar to comple te the surface selection.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 97

13 The Toolp ath/su rface select ion dialog box now shows 171 surfaces sele cted. Click OK to return to the toolpath parameter s.

14 On the Linking page, chan ge the following parameters:

 Enter 25.0mm for the Retract to set the height that the tool moves up to before the next tool pass.

 Enter 5.0mm for the Feed plane to set the height that the tool rapids to before changing to the plunge rate to enter the part.

 In the Keep tool down within group box, select the Distance che ck box and enter 20.0mm as the dist ance value. If the distance from the end of one pass to the start of the next pass is less than this value, Mastercam does not create a retract move. The tool moves directly bet ween the passes at the feed rate.

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15 On the Home/ Ref. Points page (under the Linking page), enter 250.0 for the X, Y, and Z home position values.

16 Click OK to complete the toolp ath.

MILL LEVEL 3 ENHANCEMENTS • 99

Simulating the ToolpathResults Now that your toolpath is complet e, you can see the results on a simulated machine tool. 1 Click Run Simulation on the Machine Simulation toolb ar. If the Machine Simula tion toolbar is not displ ayed, right-click in any open area at the top of the screen and choose Machine Simulation to display the toolbar. 2 Click Run near the top left corner of the screen to begin the simulation.

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You can watch the ent ire toolpath as it might appear on a ma chine tool.

3 Click Exit to return to the graphics wind ow.

Note: For more information on Machine Simula tion in Mastercam X5, see Masterc am Machine Simulation on page 37.

RouterEnhancements Block D rillSupportin FBM Drill To minimize tool change time, FBM Drill now recognizes block drill unit s that are configured in the active Router machine def inition. FBM Drill can assign block drill tools and gene rate block drilling toolpath s.

If the active mach ine defin ition contains one or more block drills, the FBM Drill Tools page displays a Machine Definition group box and Use Block Drill check box.

When Use Block Drill is selected (default), Mastercam adds the block drill to the tools it selects for the FBM Drill-gene rated drill cycle s.

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If more than one block drill is available in the Machine definit ion, choose the Select button to open the Drill Block Selection dialog box whe re you select the drill block to use. Holes that cannot be block drilled are sing le-po int dril led. For more inform ation on other new features in FBM Drill, see FBM Drill on page 77.

ImportingSolids into ToolpathNesting In Mastercam X5, both Rectangular and TrueShape Nesting suppo rt solid operations, including operations created by FBM toolpaths. FBM parent operations, howeve r, are not yet supported.

AutomaticToolpathingEnhancements Mastercam X5 includes several impr ovements to Automat ic Toolp athing (ATP).

 You no longer have to be in Mill or Router to run ATP. When running ATP, the ATP machine definit ion overrides Mastercam's machine definition.

 You can overwrite or append new levels to an existing sca n.

ROUTER ENHANC EMEN TS • 103

 You can create new operations from the Strategy Explorer. Choose File, New Operation and select an operation from the submenu, or click the Add a new operat ion button and choose an operation from the drop-d own menu.

 Three new options have been added in the Opt ions dialog box for cutlist configurations:

 Filter level 0  Combine views  Ignore blanked levels option - also app lies to Single Part Process ing.

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WCS Supportfor ATP Single Part Processing Select the Use Active WCS option to use the cur rent WCS setting when creating the ATP operations. If the option is not selected, ATP uses the WCS from the operation library speci fied in the active strategy.

LatheEnhancements New Plunge Turn Toolpath ISCAR and Mastercam have worked very closely to devel op Mastercam X5's new Plunge Turn toolpath. ISCAR's plunge and turn tools have long been the industry stan dard for produc ing highly effic ient grooving and turning toolpaths on lathe parts. However, due to the complex motion and cutting methods required, use of these tools was typically releg ated to ma nual programming. With Mastercam X5 Lathe, clearance values, options to eliminate hanging ring burrs, and wide step avoidance have been added to support the ISCAR plunge and turn tools.

 Creating plunge turn toolpaths 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose File, Ope n. 2 Go to ..\Documentation\ExampleParts and select PLUNGE_TURN.MCX5. This file already contains a facing operat ion to clean material from the front of the part. The next step is to use the Plunge Turn toolpath to perform a grooving ope ration. 3 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpaths, Plunge Turn. Note: The first time you select the Plunge Turn toolpath during a Mastercam session, you may see the following message reminding you that only specific tools are appropriate for this toolpath:

To disable this message, select Don’t display this mess age again and click OK.

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4 Select Chain in the Grooving Options dialog box and click OK to define the groove.

5 Select the chain shown in the following pictu re. The green arrow indicates the start of the chain and the red arrow indicates the end of the chain.

Note: The selection color was changed from yellow to blue to make the chain easier to see. To change the selection color, choose Settings, Configuration from the Maste rcam menu and use the options on the Colors tab. 6 Click OK to complete the chain.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 107

7 On the Toolpath parameters tab, select T0202 from the library as the tool for the toolp ath.

8 On the Plunge turn sha pe parameters tab, make sure Use stock for outer boundary is selected. This option is required for the Plunge Turn toolpath.

9 On the Plunge turn rough parameters tab, set the following options:

 Set the Stock to leave in X and Stock to leave in Z to 0.5mm to leave material for a future finish toolpath.

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 Set the Depth of cut to 3.0mm, which equals 60% of the tool width. This percent age is the maximum cut depth recomm ended by ISCAR for their tools in this toolp ath. TIP: If you enter a cut depth larger than 60% of the tool width, Ma stercam displays a warning.

 In the Wide step cleanup group box, select the Cleanup steps check box and enter 60% for the Maximum width. This opt ion removes steps that are too large to remove on a finish cut. Such large steps can remain when the wall is angled. The toolpath adds one or more passes if the extra width is more than the specified maxi mum percent of tool width.

10 On the Plunge turn finish parameters tab, select Negat ive in the Prevent hanging ring group box. A hanging ring occurs when the tool pushes off, rather than cuts, a small piece of mate rial from the edge of the cut. With this option enabled, the toolpath inclu des plunge moves in the negative direction

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 109

(which matches the cut direction) to remove this extra ma teri al without manual intervent ion.

110 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

11 Click OK to complete the toolp ath.

12 Click Backplot in the Operations Manager to take a closer look at the plunge turn toolp ath.

13 In the Backplot dialog box, click Display tool, Display holder, and Quick verify to see the tool, holder, and mate rial removed duri ng the backpl ot.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 111

14 Click Play on the backpl ot VCR bar to run the backplot. Notice the extra steps added to handle the wide areas and the additional plunge moves to prevent hanging ring burrs.

15 Click OK to complete the backplot .

Addinga toolpath for the angled groove Angular grooves can be some of the most difficult grooves to program. But the Plunge Turn toolp ath includes options specifically for these areas on your part. 1 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpaths, Plunge Turn. 2 Click OK to define the groove using a chain, similar to the previous toolpath. 3 Select the chain shown in the pictu re at right. The green arr ow indic ates the start of the chain and the red arrow indicates the end of the chain. 4 Click OK to complete the chain.

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5 On the Toolpath para meters tab, make sure the T0202 tool is still selected and click Tool Angle.

6 Enter -45 for the tool angle to rotate the tool to match the groove geomet ry.

7 Click OK to return to the toolpath parame ters. 8 On the Plunge turn shape parameters tab, click Floor to set the groove angle from the groove floor.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 113

9

Select the line that represents the groove floor in the graphics win dow.

10

Select the Use stock for outer boundary check box to reduce the tool load on the first cut.

11 On the Plunge turn finish parameters tab, notice the Tool deflect ion backoff parameter. This parameter accommodates the unique ISCAR Groove/Turn inserts which “rock” in the holder as they travel across material in either direction. This value accounts for the tool deflect ion.

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12 Click OK to complete the toolp ath.

13 Select the sec ond plunge turn toolpath in the Operations Manager and click Backplot to review the toolp ath motion. 14 Click Play on the backplot VCR bar to run the backplot.

15 Click OK to complete the backplot .

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 115

Stock EjectOptionfor ChuckMiscellaneousOperations This enhancement is specifically for users prog ramm ing multiple spin dles. Until now, you couldn't start with stock in both spindle s, and then use the Stock Transfer miscellaneous ope rati on because Stock Transfer does not allow a chuck with stock in it to pick off stock in another spin dle. The new Eject stock opti on on the Lathe chuck page of the Lathe Chuck Prope rties dialog box allows you to eject the stock from the pickoff chuck, so you can use Stock Transfer later on.

CutoffToolpathEnhancements Mastercam X5 Lathe includes the following improvements for cutoff toolpaths. On the Cutoff parameters tab of the Lathe Cutoff Properties dialog box:

 The option to define the entry amount (for both the main cut and clearance cuts) and inc rement al retract radius from the stock model, rat her than the selected cutoff point .

 A new Back Face Stock parameter so you can select the cutoff point on the back of the finished part and still leave stock for back facing.

 The ability to apply a seconda ry feed rate and spindle speed at a defined radius.

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In addition, on the Stock Update Parameters dialog box, you can now keep both pieces of stock after the cutoff operation. You can access this dialog box by clicking the Stock Update button on the Toolpath parameters tab.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 117

RoughingToolpathImprovements Tool Inspection After successfully adding tool inspecti on to groove toolpaths, Mastercam X5 adds similar funct ionality to the roughing toolpaths. This feature allows tool inspect ion bet ween depth passe s, after a specified cut length, or after a specified time. You can access the featu re from the Rough paramet ers page of the Lathe Rough Properties dialog box.

118 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

ExitAmount Rough turn strategies can now accommodate for open space at the end of a toolpath. The Exit amount para meter extends the cut bey ond the stock by the specified amo unt.

PlungeParameters- FrontClearanceAngle Previously, the Lathe Plunge parameters dialog box had an option for a clea rance angle only from the back of the tool. Because tool orientati on is relative to the cut direction, the “back” can be on either side of the tool, depending on the chain d irecti on. The Lathe Plunge parameters dialog box now contains selections for both a front and back clearance angle. You can access the se new options by clicking the Plunge Paramete rs button on the Rough parameters page of the Lathe Rough Properties dialog box or the Finish parameters page of the Lathe Finish Prope rties dialog box.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 119

Tool CompensationEnhancements A number of imp roveme nts have been made to lathe cutter compens ation to fix these problem s:

 Air cuts caused by offsetting the stock bound ary by the stock to leave amount.  Air cuts caused by offsetting the part bounda ry past the stock boundary.  The contour loses depth during cutter compensat ion and causes missed cut s.  Gaps bet ween the offset part boundary and stock boundary cause missed cut s.

120 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

In addition, when cut ter compensation in control is used, the mac hine controller is responsible for offsetting the geomet ry by the tool radius. But some machine controllers cannot handle inte rnal arcs smaller than the tool radius. Lathe toolpaths now incl ude an option in the Tool Compensat ion group box called Optimize cutter comp in control that removes internal arcs smaller than the tool radius. This option is only available if you select Control for cut ter compensat ion.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 121

Note: If you want to revert to the tool compensation available prior to X5, access the Maste rcam applet by choosing Start, Programs, Mas tercam X5, MCAMX Control Panel Applet. The options to change the lathe cut ter compen sation are on the Toolpath support page.

BoringBar HolderImprovements Mastercam's verificat ion and colli sion checking has been enhanced to create a more accurate visual represent ation of boring bars, while still maintain ing accu rate col lision detection. For visuali zation verific ation in Backplot and Verify, Mastercam creates a 3D representation assembly from a 2D profile. This profile is provided by either the tool

122 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

parameters or custom tool. Collision check ing is not done with the 3D model. It continues to check for collisions as it previou sly did.

Turn ProfileEnhancements Mastercam X5 has refined the Turn Profile func tion introduced with X4 to more quickly gene rate more accu rate profiles from solids for all your turning applications.

LATHE ENHANC EMEN TS • 123

Choose Create, Turn Profile from the Mastercam menu to access this funct ion.

Select Use solid properties to use Parasolids to directly compute the turned profile. This method quickly gene rates accurate line/a rc geomet ry in most cases. If the Parasolid function fails, the polygon mesh method is used. This check box is only enabled if Spin is selected and you have not selected any surfaces.

124 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

Wire Enhancements New Power LibraryFormat In addition to Mastercam Wire's cur rent POWER libraries, Mastercam X5 adds TECH power libraries. These new database files make it easier than ever to select the correct power settings based on your machi ning needs. A TECH library is machine control specific. For exampl e, when you load an EDM mac hine def inition such as the Mitsu bishi or Makino suppl ied with Mastercam X5, it loads the control-specif ic TECH- based library. You can see this in the following two cont rol defin ition areas:

126 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

When you are creating a wirepath using a TECH-based machine /control def inition, the power library settings can be acce ssed through the Wire/Power page of the wirepath dialog boxes.

Notes: • TECH power libraries are not associated to wirepaths. When first creating a wirepath, Mastercam Wire reads the power settings from the library, but allows them to be changed for the current operation. When editing the wirepath, Maste rcam Wire retains the power settings that you set. • All wirepaths based on the TECH power libraries have up to 9 passes, except for tapered contour wirepaths with a land, which can have up to 18 passes; 9 for the primary cut, and 9 for the tapered cut.

WIRE ENHANC EMEN TS • 127

• Default TECH power library settings can be modified per operation by clicking the Tech buttons on the Wire/Power page to get to the Technolo gy Database dialog box.

128 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

A rt Enhancements New Art Toolpaths Mastercam X5 includes four new Art toolp aths. All of these toolpaths restrict the toolpath to a closed geometry chain and support nested cha ins. Additionall y, the new spiral toolpaths can cut from the insi de out or from the outside in. They are especially useful to the coining, engraving, and paper emb ossing indus tries. Parallel - Horizontal Conta ined

Spiral - Circular Contained

Spiral - Rectan gular Contai ned

Spiral - Follow Boundary Conta ined

130 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X4

Exportto 256-Color GrayscaleImages Mastercam Art now has the ability to expo rt to a 256-color grayscale image. Expo rting to one of the three standa rd graphic formats yields a superi or quality file that you can use to laser-cut 3D images.

From the Art menu, select Export Active Art Base Surface and save the Art Base Surface to one of the following graphic formats:

 BMP  JPG  TIFF

Post Enhancements NCILinesfor TransformCustomParameters One of the new featu res in Mastercam X5 is the ability to define custom parameters for transform ope ration s. You can def ine up to four int eger parameters and four real (decimal) paramet ers.

These values work in much the same way as other custom parameters for drill ope rati ons and mis cellane ous operations. The following secti ons describe how to take advantage of this featu re.

132 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

Definingthe Field Labels The Control Definition Manager includes a new Text page called Transform Operation. Use it to enter the desi red labels for the fields.

Supportingthe New Parametersin Your Post Two new NCI lines make the values available to your post:

 1031 for the custom reals. This line calls a new entry postblock, ptransreal$.

 1032 for the custom intege rs. This line calls a new entry post block, ptransint$. Each line has 10 parameter s.In X5, only the first four are supported; par amete rs 5-10 are for future use. New predefined variables store the values:

 trans_mr1$-trans_mr10$ for the custom reals  trans_mi1$-trans_mi10$ for the custom integers

POST ENHANC EMEN TS • 133

The new lines are output following the 1020 line.

The new predefined variables retain their values until the next 1031/1032 is output. This means that the post writer needs to reset them between transfo rm ope rations. Note: The Mastercam generic posts do not contain any default implementation of the new postblocks. Post writers who want to use this feature in X5 need to declare and initiali ze the new postblocks from scratch.

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EjectStock Optionfor Lathe903 Line Lathe chuck ope rations for X5 now include an Eject stock opt ion.

When you select this option, clmp_op$ seco nd para meter on the 903 NCI line.

is set to 3. This value is output as the

POST ENHANC EMEN TS • 135

20800 NCILine forM ultiaxisCompin Control Mastercam X5 now supports multiaxis compensat ion in cont rol. Enter the desired tool diameter in the Cut Pattern page. The defau lt value is the diameter of the ope ratio n’s selected tool, but you can override this default with any desi red value.

This value is output on a new 20800 NCI line and is availab le to your post.

This new NCI line is output for Mill, Lathe, and Router toolpath s, except for Lathe misc ops. It is output for tool changes and for null tool changes whe re the operation change s. It is output following the 20009 line for mill tool change s, and the 20112 line for lathe tool cha nges. If the operation is not a multiax is operation, the value is zero.

136 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

NCISupportfor New Wire Power Libraries Mastercam X5 int roduces new Wire power libraries stored as XML-based .TECH files. Several new 20000 NCI lines have been c reated to supp ort the new Technol ogy Dat abase inte rface that accompanies these files. These new NCI lines follow a scheme similar to what was used in X4 for the Agievision interf ace.

 Lines 22001-22005 are shared with the Agievision interface.  Lines 22101-22113 are new lines, created specifically for the new power library data. Before you can use the new libraries, you must enable the Technology Database inte rface by selecting any of the new Wire machine definitions that include (TECH) in their name s. For X5, these machine definitions include Makino and Mitsubishi ma chine s.

POST ENHANC EMEN TS • 137

Like the Agievision inte rface, the cont rol defin itions for the TECH machi nes are keyed to the Machine model selected on the Control Model page. Unless you select either Mitsubis hi or Makino, Mastercam does not enab le the new featu res

Use the sx_nci_default$ variable to valid ate the Machine model select ion:

 For the Makino, sx_nci_default$ = 100.100  For the Mitsu bushi, sx_nci _default$ = 50.50 The sx_nci_default$ variable works just as it does with the Agievision interface. For more informat ion on validating the Agievision post, see the Mastercam X5 NCI & Parameter Reference installed in your Mastercam inst allation \Document ation folder. The text string for the Machine model is output with the 22001 line. Note: For the Makino and Mitsubishi machines, the Control version option is disabled. This option is always output as 0 on the 22002 line.

N C IO u tp u tfor T E C HFiles When the interface is enabled, NCI lines 22001-22113 are output for each roughing cut and skim pass, for both primary and taper cuts. The data that you see and select in the

138 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

Techn ology Database dialog box is read from the XML data in the .TECH file; not all of it is visible in the dialog box. Use the picture on the previous page, the following picture, and the table below as a guide to the NCI output. See the online help for Mastercam X5 to learn to use the diffe rent options when programming Mastercam.

NCI Line

Description

22001 22002 22003 22004 22005 22101 22102 22103 22104

Machine model string from control definition. Not used;always 0.

Not used; always blank. Piece material (string). Wire material (string). Machine string; used to identify the librar y. Control string; used to identify the librar y. Uni ts intege r. 0=inch, 1=met ric. Power library comment. This is a single string that is used for the entire librar y.

POST ENHANC EMEN TS • 139

NCI Line

Description

22105

Quality description/lab el. This is a comment that applies to the individual pass. Machining condi tion code. This is output as a strin g, although it only contains numeric data. This is also output with the tool change lines (NCI 1000/1001 /1002) as the ccode$ parame ter. This line consis ts of a string of six numeric values: 1 Minimum thickness of primary piece.

22106

22107

2

Maximum thickn ess of primary piece.

Note: Not all parts will have diffe rent values for maximum and minimum thickness. In these cases, a single thickne ss value will be output in both places. 3 Primary Ra. If the selected Finish (Ra) is a range of

values, the value output with this paramet er will be the average. 4 Minimum thickness of taper piece. 5

Maximum thickn ess of taper piece. See note after paramet er 2.

Taper Ra. If the selected Finish (Ra) is a range of values, the value out put with the parameter will be the average. The class Method for primary cuts (string ). The class Method for taper cuts (string ). 6

22108 22109 22110 22111 22112 22113

Miscellaneous file paths (if any). These are read direc tly from the .TECH file. Finish (Ra) string for primary cuts. Finish (Ra) string for taper cuts.

Note: The Makino and Mitsubishi machine definitions supplied with Maste rcam X5 include posts that already implement these features. If you use these machine definitions and posts, you need no add itional prog ramming to suppo rt the new libraries.

X

140 • WHAT’S NEW IN MASTE RCAM X5

Attention! Updates may be availabl e. Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest download s.

671 Old Post Road Tolland, CT 06084 USA www.mas tercam. com Printed in the USA on 100% Post Consumer Waste, FSCStocks X5-What’sNew