Let’s take a look at the advantages of positioning Mastercam operations in the solids tree relative to each other. Mastercam has awareness of a models evolution and we can leverage that awareness when we make a toolpath. For example, in this file of a model we have arranged the Toolpath and Solids Managers to bracket the graphics workspace. When we move the Stop Operation flag up along the Solid Tree, some features will start to [...]
There’s a new enhancement to the sweep function in SolidWorks 2016 that will allow you to create sweeps for a mid-path profile in either direction or bidirectional. In previous versions of SolidWorks, a profile had to sweep the entire length of the path, no matter the location of the profile sketch. This is no longer the case. Now mid-path profiles can be swept using direction 1, direction 2, or both directions. This simple part (below) [...]
The Refit Spline is easier to access and more powerful than ever in Mastercam 2017. When you have a complicated spline there can be thousands of points that determine its path. Most of the time, this many points are unnecessary and just add extra processing time. So in the past, you could run the “RmNodes” C-hook to help reduce the number of points that define a spline, while keeping its shape mostly the same. In [...]
There is a new enhancement in SolidWorks 2016 that will allow you to define the edges of constant and variable fillets as curvature continuous. This option creates a smoother curvature between adjacent surfaces. Here’s an example of how it works . . . The part shown above contains two surfaces that meet at a sharp edge. Select the edge, and go to Insert > Features > and select Fillet/Round. In the property manager under Fillet [...]
There is a useful, but sometimes over-looked option in Mastercam’s wireframe geometry chaining. Chain masking can help focus selection based on the geometry attributes. In addition, the option to mask chaining by color employs a ‘smart selection’ tool that takes advantage of selection intelligence built into the software. The file shown below contains both solid model geometry and wireframe curve geometry on all of the solid’s edges. For this example we will focus on cutting [...]
SolidWorks 2016 includes an enhancement for creating and editing mates that will allow you to manipulate specific mates such as: angle, distance, Limit Angle, Limit Distance, Slot, and Width mates all in one convenient table called the Mate Controller. In Mate Controller, you can show and save the positions of assembly components at various mate values and degrees of freedom without using configurations for each position. You can also create animations based on the positions [...]
You can now use the space bar to instantly recall the last command used if you returned Mastercam to an idle state between commands. To do this just active a simple command, for instance: Create / Curve / Curve on One Edge. Place curves on a few edges, then click OK. Now, if you hit the space bar Mastercam will return to the single edge curve command immediately. Note that if you change color [...]
There is a new feature in the design interface of SolidWorks 2016 called “Selection Breadcrumbs” that will allow you to select a part or feature in the graphics area and then refine that selection through the context-based representation of the item, or the “trail of breadcrumbs” connected to the selection. Take this assembly made up of 4 mated parts. When you select a face, you can see all of the mates of the component that [...]
