Tech Tips

  Today we are going to explore one of the newest features in Mastercam 2019 called Axis Control. This new feature can be found inside of the Machine Simulation options and is a great tool to ensure all of the axis, X,Y, and Z along with A,B, and C all fall within the limits of your machine. Let’s begin with a part file that includes proper stock setup and some toolpaths on it to simulate. Go into the Backplot and Simulator options in the Toolpaths Manager and then into the Simulation tab in the top right corner. From here, make [...]

Mastercam 2019 Mill-Turn makes machining on today’s high-powered turning centers and full-function machining centers simpler and easier than ever before. Machines that eliminate multiple setups, manual part handling, redundant fixturing, and reduce idle time can boost production and maximize profitability. Adjust Tool Projection After loading tools, you now have the ability to adjust the tool’s projection length by dragging the tool in the graphics window. Mastercam will display the tool and its locator component in the graphics window. Bar Feed The Bar Feed toolpath has been improved and is now supported in Simulation. There are also new options to help manage geometry including [...]

The feature called Mask on Arc in Mastercam for Solidworks is a familiar option in the standalone version of Mastercam. It provides a quick selection process for hole making toolpaths to help accelerate programming. It can quickly differentiate between similar sizes and select multiple locations. In this example, we have a combination of sketched and fully defined features visible in the part file. Let’s first use the circles drawn in these sketches. If you call a hole making function, such as drill, you will see the checkbox on the point manager to activate the masking. Once you check the box, [...]

The Mastercam Launcher utility helps you set up desktop icons and give them special properties. If you work in a company using a Network license of Mastercam this will help ensure that you activate only the licenses you need while leaving others available on the system. To access this utility, go to the Start menu/All Programs, and find the Mastercam Program Group. Inside here, look for the Mastercam Launcher icon. You may find the icon in a subfolder labeled Utilities in earlier versions of windows. Note there are two primary areas of the launcher window: the upper portion designates what [...]

Did you know that you can export your lathe tool assemblies from Machining Cloud and turn them into 3D Tools in Mastercam? Well, you can and this article will show you how to do it. First, go into the Machining Cloud app and then into the My Workshop section. From here, select the My Tools tab up at the top. In here you will be able to find all of your tool assemblies that you have created. Once you find the tool that you want to create in Mastercam, just select it and go to the Download Model option, then [...]