Tech Tips

There is a new easy way to scale Mastercam solids, surface, and wireframe models from Metric to Inches and vice versa. This article will explain how to do it. Let’s start out with a basic Parasolid file in inch units (shown above). After using Analyze Distance, we can see the part size is 19.7. Now, we can go to the Transform tab, select the Scale function and select our model. There are two settings that help make the conversion. First, we should make sure that our style of scaling is set to Uniform. This applies the scaling uniformly across the part instead of different values for different axis. Next, under the Uniform section, there are three icons across the bottom of our scale. The first one is for Metric Conversion, the second is for Scaling to Inch Units, and the last one opens up the Scale Calculator. These options are only in the Uniform style of scaling. In older versions, we would have to type 25.4 into the scaling to convert the size to metric for us. Now, all we have to do is select the Metric Scale option and now this part automatically converts from 1.97 inches to the [...]

There’s a new function in Mastercam 2019 which will help you visualize part features with more clarity. Section View can be activated relative to any saved planes and you can choose multiple styles of display. You will notice some new icons in the Planes Manager and on the View Ribbon tab. If you click the drop-down arrow to the right of either icon you can see that section viewing can be applied to stock models, shaded entities, whether they be surface, solid or polygon mesh entities, wireframe geometry, and toolpath displays. Each of these can be activated or deactivated independently. The final option to Show Caps heals the section through. Next, to enable Section Viewing, simply check the box in the appropriate row for the plane that you want to use. When you click the Section View button the display updates instantly. Toggling the Show Caps option also instantly updates the view. Since View Sheets can capture all these settings it’s very easy to save and quickly recall highly customized snapshot of your working environment, showing sections through part geometry, toolpath, and stock models independently. You can even activate multiple planes to generate compound sections. As you can see, this [...]

In Mastercam 2019, three functions have been added to the Model Prep tab: Align to Plane, Align to Face, and Align to Z. Align to Plane lets you quickly prepare a solid body for machining by positioning it in line with a specific plane. You can move the solid and additional selected geometry to align with an existing plane. You can also create a new work coordinate system (WCS) based on a selected face of the solid. This is helpful when you must align a solid to an entity that must remain in a particular orientation. The Mastercam function, Solid Position, has been renamed Align to Face and has been enhanced to make it easier to use. You can still easily mate the selected faces of two solids, but with the improved Align to Face, you can also align the edges of the solids that you mate. Choose any linear edge on the solid to be moved and it aligns to the X-axis of the gnomon. Then, after placing the solid on the target body, pick a linear edge to rotate the moved solid perpendicular or parallel to it. Align Solid Body, which was previously on the Turning tab, has [...]

Three functions have been added to the Mastercam 2019 Model Prep tab: Align to Plane, Align to Face, and Align to Z and this post will cover all three. Align to Plane lets you quickly prepare a solid body for machining by positioning it in line with a specific plane. You can move the solid and additional selected geometry to align with an existing plane. You can also create a new work coordinate system (WCS) based on a selected face of the solid. This is helpful when you must align a solid to an entity that must remain in a particular orientation. The Mastercam function, Solid Position, has been renamed Align to Face and has been enhanced to make it easier to use. You can still easily mate the selected faces of two solids, but with the improved Align to Face, you can also align the edges of the solids that you mate. Choose any linear edge on the solid to be moved and it aligns to the X axis of the gnomon. Then, after placing the solid on the target body, pick a linear edge to rotate the moved solid perpendicular or parallel to it. Align Solid Body, which [...]

A new function called Hole is now available on the Solids tab in Mastercam 2019. This function automates the punching of cylindrical holes in primitive solids, saving you from creating circles and extruding them. Set the hole dimensions and the hole type. You can create a simple cylinder or select from the following hole types: Counterbore Countersink Counterdrill Taper Click in the graphics window to place it on the solid. Press Enter to view the new hole. The hole remains live and you can place copies of it on the part or modify any of its parameters until you exit. Create and save commonly used holes in a preset library. You can use these presets in future sessions of Mastercam. Mastercam converts hole dimensions stored in a preset library to the current units (inch to metric, or metric to inch). The Solids Manager displays this function's operations. Stay tuned to many more tips and tricks on Mastercam 2019 and for more information about Mastercam CAD/CAM products, please click the button below. Sign up