With Mastercam 2020 you can set up your max spindle RPMs for various machine types. Whether it is a Milling machine, a router, or a lathe, you will want to properly set up the max RPMs so you are using your machine to its full potential. Start with your milling machine selected and then go to the Machine tab to select the Machine Definition option. Click the checkmark in the box that appears and then right-click in the Machine section of the window and select Expand All so we can see the entire machine component list. From here, you can [...]

This article will show you how to adjust the coolant command options inside of the Machine Definition in Mastercam 2020. Setting up the names for the coolant is important to ensure that programmers and operators know exactly what style of coolant to expect for each tool. First, select the machine you would like to change and then go to the Machine tab on the Ribbon Bar and select the Machine Definition option. Click the checkmark in the box that appears and then click on the blue icon which will launch the General Machine Parameters window. Inside here, click on the [...]

With Mastercam 2020 you can make some simple yet effective changes inside of the Control Definition. Things, like setting up the proper G Code file extensions, having IJK or R output for arc moves, or enabling and disabling canned cycles, are essential things in Mastercam that we need to have properly set up for ideal output of our G Code. Let’s begin with a machine selected and go into the Machine Definition through the Machine tab. Next, select the controller icon to enter the machine’s Control Definition. Inside of the Files section, you can set up the proper NC File [...]

There is a new feature in Mastercam 2020 called Dependencies. In previous versions of Mastercam, the process of selection and regeneration of parent and dependent operations was a process of several clicks. Now, in Mastercam 2020, the regeneration and selection process are streamlined for us with just one click of a button. After clicking on the new icon in the toolpath manager titled Dependencies you will see inside of the drop-down arrow that you have 2 options: Selection and Regeneration. When the selection option is on if you click on a parent operation all of the dependent toolpaths that are [...]

There is a new feature inside of the Analyze Entities function in Mastercam 2020 that makes it easier to figure out associations between geometry and toolpath. This new feature makes it easy to check to see how and where geometry is being used. To illustrate, we are going to use a file that has many toolpaths and multiple machines. Most of the work has been programmed for a milling machine, however, there are two features that cannot be milled out. These would have to be completed with wire EDM. When we begin to analyze some geometry using the icon shown [...]

This article will show you how to add new toolpaths to your defaults file in Mastercam 2020. If you have used the migration utility to update a previous version default file you may have encountered the error message below. This can be fixed easily by following a few simple steps. If you select a new toolpath, for instance, the Surface High-Speed Blend toolpath that same warning message will appear. If you click OK, Mastercam will still make the toolpath but will repeat that same error message again the next time you try to use it. This is happening because migration [...]

Today we will outline how to update your previous Mastercam version resource files to Mastercam 2020 using the Migration utility. To start, create a temporary source folder for the Migration utility to access called “update.” You will use this to hold copies of the contents of the Shared Mcam folder, which will leave the previous installation undisturbed. You can remove all but the files that have custom settings from these copied folders (if you are confident in doing so). Next, launch Mastercam and go to File - Convert - Migration Wizard. Select the Advanced option and the screen will change [...]

How would you like a handy reference guide for all of Mastercam’s functions? The Mastercam 2020 Quick Reference Guide is one simple chart that shows all the Mastercam icons, what functions they call, and the associated keyboard shortcut. It’s the perfect thing to have near your computer. The back of the reference guide even shows quick tips for the on-screen editing tools. Did you forget how to use the Mastercam Dynamic Gnomon or need some reminders on how to use the Quick Masks? This is your answer. Just click below to download the PDF, print it out and post near [...]