MasterCAM For SolidWorks PDF
MasterCAM For SolidWorks PDF
MasterCAM For SolidWorks PDF
Tutorial (Mill)
Mastercam for
SolidWorks Tutorial
(Mill)
April 2013
TERMS OF USE
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Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1
Tutorial Goals................................................................................................. 2
1. General Setup........................................................................ 3
29
21
11
35
IV TUTORIAL OR BOOKTITLE
41
45
Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 52
INTRODUCTION
Stock model
Boundary creation
Part setup (including tool and material managers)
Associativity Checking
Toolpath transformations
Backplotting and verification
Post processing and communications
Thread management
Machine Simulation
2 TUTORIAL GOALS
In this tutorial, you learn many strategies for applying toolpaths to parts in
Mastercam for SolidWorks.
Tutorial Goals
Set up a part in Mastercam for SolidWorks.
Define a tool plane and stock.
Create classic 2D toolpaths.
Create 2D High Speed Dynamic toolpaths.
Create FBM Drill toolpaths.
Backplot and verify toolpaths.
IMPORTANT: Screen colors in the tutorial pictures were modified to
enhance image quality; they may not match your Mastercam settings or
the tutorial results. These color differences do not affect the lesson or
the exercise results.
INTRODUCTION 3
4 TUTORIAL GOALS
LESSON 1
General Setup
Before generating toolpaths for a part, you must prepare Mastercam for SolidWorks
and the part file. This preparation includes such tasks as selecting a machine definition and defining the stock.
Lesson Goals
Explore the part files.
Select a machine.
Rename a machine group.
Set up a stock model.
The lessons in this tutorial are based on the 2D_HST_MM.SLDPRT file, which is
included with the tutorial. The following picture shows the part file as it displays in
SolidWorks.
SolidWorks item in the Active AddIns list, and then do the following:
a To load the Mastercam for
GENERAL SETUP 5
1 Open the part file 2D_HST_MM.SLDPRT, which was provided with this
tutorial.
GENERAL SETUP 7
next to Properties.
The Properties entry expands to
show more information.
Entities button.
Mastercam for SolidWorks fills in
the X, Y, and Z extents of the
required stock.
GENERAL SETUP 9
You now have 2 mm of extra stock all around the part, except for the bottom.
LESSON 2
Your part file, 2D_HST_MM_Tutorial.SLDPRT, now has a machine assigned (in this
case, just the default mill) and stock specified. In this lesson, you add a facing operation to the part file.
Lesson Goals
Define the parts tool plane.
Add the 2D Facing toolpath.
Backplot the toolpath.
Verify the toolpath.
MastercamX7 tab.
The CommandManager displays
the Mastercam for SolidWorks
commands.
views.
5 Click each view and watch the gnomon in the graphics area change to show
CommandManager, click 2D
Toolpaths, and select Facing
Toolpaths.
The Mastercam Chain Manager
appears, docked on the left edge of
the SolidWorks window.
on Rapid Retract.
12 Select the Cut Parameters page, and then:
a Set the Style drop-down to Dynamic, as shown in the following image.
b Set Max stepover to 50.
The Dynamic style creates a smooth controlled motion that cuts from the
outside to the inside, while maintaining a constant load on the tool with
minimal entries and exits.
Workpiece box.
Mastercam for SolidWorks displays
the parts final shape.
3 Click the Play button to watch
Verify button.
5 Click the Play button to start Verify.
LESSON 3
The next step in toolpathing your part is to contour the sides to their specified
dimension. In this lesson, you add the contour operation to the part file.
Lesson Goals
Add the 2D Contour toolpath.
Backplot the toolpath.
Verify the toolpath.
CommandManager, click 2D
Toolpaths, and select Contour
Toolpaths.
The Chain Manager dialog box
displays.
Chain #1.
11 Exit the Analyze Chain dialog box, and click OK in Chain Manager to finalize
your selections.
The 2D Toolpaths - Contour dialog
box appears.
12 Click Tool in the dialog boxs list.
None.
b Select the flat endmills icon.
c Click OK.
Verify button.
4 Click the Play button to start Verify.
LESSON 4
Your part has five pockets, one closed and the rest open, that must be cut. In this
lesson, you add a Dynamic Area toolpath to machine the closed pocket.
Lesson Goals
Add the Dynamic Area toolpath.
Backplot the toolpath.
Verify the toolpath.
CommandManager, click 2D
HighSpeed Toolpaths, and select
Dynamic Area.
Chain Manager appears, docked to
the left of the SolidWorks window.
Verify button.
4 Click the Play button to start Verify.
LESSON 5
The Dynamic Core toolpath is a great choice for the parts four open pockets. Not
only can you include all of the pockets in a single toolpath, but you can also specify
avoidance chains for areas that must not be cut. In this lesson, you add a Dynamic
Core operation to the part file.
Lesson Goals
Add the Dynamic Core toolpath.
Backplot the toolpath.
Verify the toolpath.
CommandManager, click 2D
HighSpeed Toolpaths, and select
Dynamic Core.
Chain Manager appears.
regions.
b Click the arrow under
Avoidance regions.
Chain Manager appears.
Manager.
i
Verify button.
LESSON 6
FBM Drill is a Feature Based Machining (FBM) strategy that can detect holes in a
solid and automatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected
features. With FBM Drill you can:
Lesson Goals
Add the drill toolpaths.
Backplot the toolpaths.
Verify the toolpaths.
TIP: You can also begin this lesson by loading the file
2D_HST_MM06.SLDPRT, which is provided with this tutorial.
2 In the MastercamX7
list.
b Select the Pre-drilling option.
After some calculation, the Features page appears (see the following
picture), displaying the holes that FBM Drill detected.
Verify button.
4 Click the Play button to start Verify.
LESSON 7
Lesson Goals
Backplot all toolpaths.
Verify all toolpaths.
Run Machine Simulation on toolpaths.
Post toolpaths.
operations button.
3 On the Backplot tab in Mastercam
toolbar.
2 Click the Play button.
Simulate.
The Machine Simulation window
appears as seen in the picture
below.
Note: If your window does not look similar to the picture, try choosing
View, Focus, Machine Focus from Machine Simulations menu bar.
48 MACHINE SIMULATION
button.
The Post processing dialog box
displays.
Mastercam for SolidWorks analyzes all operations and creates the NC file for
the part. Because you selected the Edit option, the NC file displays in
Mastercam Code Editor, as shown in the following picture.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the Mastercam for SolidWorks Tutorial (Mill).
Now that you have mastered the skills in this tutorial, explore Mastercams other
features and functions. Additional tutorials may be available in this or other series.
The Mastercam tutorial series is in continual development, and we will add modules
as we complete them. For information and availability or for further training, please
contact your local Mastercam Reseller.