Today we will discuss a new Mastercam 2017 Bounding Box enhancement and review the built-in dynamic push pull technologies. In X9, the bounding box feature was enhanced, allowing you to drag out the box envelope in each direction independently. However, the center point option only created one point in the 3D center of the volume. Now in 2017, activating the center point option creates additional points in the center of all faces. Below, we have [...]
Today we will explore a powerful new tool in Mastercam 2017 - the Verify Record option. In previous versions, we were limited to capturing static images of our cutting operations. Now in Mastercam 2017, the new video option records the screen in real time and saves in the mp4 format. If you have a job set up and programmed, complete with multiple operations and detailed setup sheets you can give the setup and operations crew [...]
Mastercam 2017 includes a powerful new enhancement to Toolpath Operation Import. In previous versions, Toolpath Import was accessed via the right-click menu in the Toolpath Operations Manager. Once you entered the Import dialog you would have to navigate to a file location and set the file type filter to show operations or part files. Now, in Mastercam 2017, you can navigate to the import source and simply drag and drop the source file on the [...]
The Mastercam 2017 Lathe plans integration seamlessly integrates the management of axis combinations, origins, and coordinate sets. In previous versions you would have to manage settings in two different areas of a toolpath operation. Now, Mastercam 2017 and Mastercam for Solidworks 2017 both employ the same straightforward and easy to use interface. In the example file below which was programmed in an earlier version, the machine file has twin spindles and dual turrets. There are [...]
CNC Software recently announced the Mastercam Tech Exchange. This is a new online portal for registered and linked Mastercam customers to download sample files, tool libraries, and posts. Sample Files There are currently 17 sample files for both X9 and 2017 for many Mastercam products, but more will be added regularly. In the past, sample files were provided in the Mastercam install, but now you will find them on this Tech Exchange. Tool Libraries Previously, [...]
The Mastercam 2017 Recent Functions tab just got even more powerful and useful. In previous versions, the MRU (Most Recently Used) toolbar, was very handy for recalling commands used repeatedly, but it was not capable of tracking and recalling every command used. For example, Backplot or Post were not remembered or recalled. Now in Mastercam 2017, the Recent Functions tab has been redesigned in the function tab style and it has gained the ability to track [...]
There is a powerful new tool in Mastercam 2017 that makes your lathe program setup faster than ever before. It is called Align Solid Body. In previous versions we would have used transform or plane functions that, while extremely powerful, were still designed for general use with all the Mastercam products, which could be confusing. The new Align Solid Body tool instantly gets the job done with a few simple clicks. The 3D solid model [...]
The interactive Gview gnomon for dynamic planes is an exciting new shortcut in Mastercam 2017. In previous versions, the Gview indicator gnomon located in the lower left corner of the graphics window was merely a passive indicator, showing the current graphics view relative to the system coordinate set. Also, while the dynamic plane tool was easily accessed, you would have to set it in place temporarily to activate face alignment. Now, in Mastercam 2017 the [...]
