Tech Tips

There is an exciting new development in the Mastercam 2017 stock model operation. In previous versions, cuts made with C-axis lathe toolpaths or true milling toolpaths would not update the lathe stock. Now in Mastercam 2017, stock awareness has been fully integrated by allowing the stock model operation to update the lathe stock definition. If you have a lathe facing operation using a fixed tool followed by a contour and a drilling operation that both [...]

Today we are going to explain two new features now available in Mastercam 2017 2D high speed toolpaths - Toolpath Preview and Preview Chains. In previous versions of Mastercam, you would have to click OK in Toolpath Parameters and then regenerate to see results. Now in 2017, you can click Toolpath Preview before exiting to see what the toolpath looks like. Also, with the new preview chains function, you can evaluate your machining regions more [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]