CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

February 2005

Product News

Mastercam Makes Great Improvements to 3-Axis and Multiaxis Toolpaths

Mastercam's latest release introduces significant new capabilities for 3-axis surface machining and multiaxis toolpaths. Mastercam's new 3-axis enhancements include tools to optimize cut order and minimize tool burial, helping ensure safer machining. Mastercam also includes enhancements for the multiaxis user, including powerful, new 5-axis machining solutions. Some new features of the release include:

STEP translator

The STEP read/write translator is available to Maintenance customers free of charge. This translator gives one wide access to a variety of outside CAD systems at no additional cost.

Optimize cut order and minimize burial

Precise control over tool motion is crucial to efficient machining. Mastercam's multisurface "finish contour" and "restmill" features now include full control over optimizing your cut order by minimizing your tool burial or minimizing retracts. When you minimize tool burial, the cut order will be checked to make certain that the tool will not be buried too deeply into too much material. If you choose not to minimize tool burial, the cut order will be optimized to reduce the number of retracts.

Quick, smooth 3D "project blend" cutting

Mastercam has added an element to its successful multisurface "project blend" technique. If your part has no vertical or steep walls, choose the "Quick" option to decrease your processing time. If your part has vertical or steep walls, choose the "Thorough" option to improve the placement of cuts on these walls.

Undercut tools

Mastercam's undercut tools are being enhanced to support lollipop, slot, and dovemill cutters for undercut machining with full shank protection. Undercut support is also being added to "flowline," which includes support for check surfaces.

5-Axis Flowline cutting

Mastercam's enhanced 5-axis flowline cutting eliminates problematic "fishtail" or "butterfly" motion that can occur in other systems when a tool is larger than a surface radius. Many users find this especially useful when cutting difficult internal areas such as cylinder head ports.

All these features are available to new customers and customers participating in Mastercam's optional Maintenance program.

Developed by CNC Software, Inc., Mastercam is Windows®-based CAD/CAM software for 2- through 5-axis milling and turning; 2- and 4-axis wire EDM; 2D and 3D design, surface, and solid modeling; and 2D and 3D routing. The U.S.-based company provides Mastercam CAD/CAM solutions to more than 79,000 installations in 75 countries in industries including mold-making, prototyping, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. Mastercam runs under Windows 2000 and Windows XP, and is compatible with all other CAD/CAM systems. For more information about CNC Software, Inc. and its Mastercam family of products, contact CNC Software, Inc., M-F, 8 AM-6 PM EST at (800) 228-2877 or (860) 875-5006, 671 Old Post Road, Tolland, CT 06084. You can also visit http://www.mastercam.com .

 

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