Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
Transcript of Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
1/100
TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
2/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
3/100
Be sure you have the latest information!
Information might have been changed or added since this document was
published. The latest version of this document is installed with Mastercam or
can be obtained from your local Reseller. The ReadMe file (ReadMe.htm)
includes the latest information about new features and enhancements.
Mastercam forSolidWorks TutorialSeptember 2009
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
4/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
5/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
6/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
7/100
Exercise 5: Backplotting and Verifying the Toolpaths ............. 80
2. FBM Drill .................................................................. 83
Lesson Goals ..................................................................................83
Exercise 1: Creating the Drill Toolpaths .................................. 84
Exercise 2: Customizing the FBM Drill Toolpaths.................... 86
Exercise 3: Backplotting and Verifying the Toolpaths ............. 87
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
8/100
VI MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
9/100
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks provides Mastercam X4 CAM functionality within SolidWorks.
Inside SolidWorks, you can access many toolpath strategies:
3D high speed (HST) toolpaths
2D feature based machining (FBM) mill toolpaths
2D feature based machining drill toolpaths
Non-FBM high speed 2D toolpaths
Besides these powerful toolpaths, Mastercam for SolidWorks features many supporting functions,
including:
Boundary creation
Part setup (including tool and material managers)
Toolpath transformations
Backplotting
Verification
Post processing
Communications
Thread management
In this tutorial, you learn to use many strategies to apply toolpaths to parts in Mastercam for
SolidWorks.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
10/100
2 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Tutorial Goals
Set up a part in Mastercam for SolidWorks.
Define a tool plane and stock.
Create 2D High Speed toolpaths.
Create HST milling toolpaths.
Create FBM Mill and Drill toolpaths.
Backplot and verify toolpaths.
Post toolpaths.
Before You Begin
This tutorial focuses on Mastercam for SolidWorks. You can learn more about the standalone
version of Mastercam in theMastercam Getting Started Tutorialseries, which includes the following
modules:
Welcome to Mastercam
Files and Mastercam
Working in the Graphics Window
Basic 2D Design
Basic 2D Machining
For information and availability, please contact your local Mastercam Reseller.
General Tutorial RequirementsBecause each lesson in the tutorial builds on the mastery of preceding lessons skills, we
recommend that you complete them in order. In addition, this tutorial has the following
requirements:
You must be comfortable using the Windowsoperating system.
You must have installed SolidWorks 2009 or higher and Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks.
You must have the part files that accompany this tutorial. You can store them in a folder
with the tutorial or in a location that you prefer.
Preparing for the TutorialBefore you start the tutorial, be sure you have completed the following tasks:
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
11/100
INTRODUCTION
1 Start SolidWorks using your preferred
method:
Double-click the SolidWorks
desktop icon.
Or
Launch SolidWorks from the
Windows Start menu.
2 In SolidWorks, verify that you have a
Mastercam menu. If you do not have the
Mastercam menu, please refer to
installation instructions in Getting Started
in Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks, which is
included in the Mastercam for SolidWorks
package.
If You Need More Help
There are many ways to get help with Mastercam for SolidWorks, including the following:
Mastercam for SolidWorks HelpAccess Mastercam for SolidWorks Help by selecting Help
Contentsfrom SolidWorkss menu bar.
Mastercam for SolidWorks videosTo see videos of many Mastercam for SolidWorks
features, choose Videosin the Mastercam X4 Help section of the SolidWorks Help menu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks tutorial videosIn your Start menu, under Mastercam X4 forSolidWorks, Documentation, You can find a full set of interactive tutorials that are based
on the lessons in this book.
Context Sensitive HelpMost dialog boxes feature a Help button that opens Mastercam
for SolidWorks Help directly to related information.
Online helpYou can search for information or ask questions on the Mastercam Web
forum, located atwww.emastercam.com.
Mastercam ResellerYour local Mastercam Reseller can help with most questions about
Mastercam for SolidWorks.
Technical SupportCNC Softwares Technical Support department (860-875-5006 or
[email protected]) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. USA
Eastern Standard Time.
Documentation feedbackFor questions about this or other Mastercam documentation,
contact the Technical Documentation department by e-mail at [email protected]
http://www.emastercam.com/http://www.mastercam.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.mastercamedu.com/http://www.mastercam.com/http://www.emastercam.com/ -
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
12/100
4 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Additional Documentation
You can find more information on using Mastercam for SolidWorks in the book Getting Started in
Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks, which is included in the Mastercam for SolidWorks package. You can
also find a PDF version of the book in the \Documentationfolder of your Mastercam for
SolidWorks installation. The default installation path is C:\Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
13/100
Section 1
2D Toolpaths
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
14/100
6 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
15/100
L E S S O N
1General Setup - Mold CoreBefore generating toolpaths for a part, you must prepare Mastercam for SolidWorks and the partfile. This preparation includes such tasks as selecting a machine definition and defining a tool
plane. Failure to set up the part correctly will give unpredictable results. This lesson introduces the
tutorial part files for Section 1, 2D Toolpathsand shows how to create a machine group.
Lesson Goals
Explore the part files.
Select a machine.
Copy a toolpath.
About the Mold Core Part
The lessons in this section are based on the MoldCore.SLDPRTfile, which is included with the
tutorial. The following picture shows the part file as it displays in SolidWorks. This demo part
contains nearly 20 operations, which demonstrate many of Mastercam for SolidWorkss 2D
toolpaths.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
16/100
8 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
This tutorial covers only two of the toolpaths: Facing and Area Mill.
Note: To fully machine the part requires more operations than are described in this book.
The part files included for this portion of the tutorial are:
2DToolpath01.SLDPRTThe tutorial file for starting Lesson 1
2DToolpath02.SLDPRTThe tutorial file for starting Lesson 3
2DToolpathComplete.SLDPRTThe tutorial file after completing Lesson 3
MoldCore.SLDPRTThe fully toolpathed part
Exercise 1: Selecting Your Machine
Toolpaths are contained in Machine groups. For this reason, your part file needs at least one
machine group before you can toolpath the part. Mastercam for SolidWorks automatically creates a
machine group for each machine you select from the Machine Selection menu item. To see howmachine selection works, complete the following exercise.
1 Open the part file 2DToolpath01.SLDPRT,
which was provided with this tutorial.
2 Save the part under the name
2DToolpath01Tutorial.SLDPRT.
Saving the part under a new name helpsprevent your accidentally modifying the
original file.
3 From the Mastercam X4 menu, choose
Machine Selection, and then select your
machine from the submenu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks creates a
machine group for the selected machine.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
17/100
GENERAL SETUP - MOLD CORE
TIP: To customize the Machine Selection list, choose Mastercam X4, Machine Selection,
Manage List. For more information on the dialog box that displays, click the dialog boxs
Help button ( ).
4 In the SolidWorks FeatureManager, click
the Mastercam Toolpath Managertab to
display the Toolpath Manager.
Note: The Toolpath Manager in Mastercam for
SolidWorks is nearly identical to the Toolpath
Manager in the standalone version of
Mastercam.
5 Click the 2D High Speed (2D Core Mill)
operation to select it.
A green check mark shows that the
operation is selected.
6 Right-click the selected toolpath, and
choose Cutfrom the menu that displays.
Mastercam for SolidWorks removes the
operation from the Toolpath Manager.
7 Click the toolpath group in your new
machine group.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
18/100
10 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
8 Right-click the selected toolpath group,
and choose Pastefrom the menu that
displays.
Mastercam for SolidWorks pastes the
operation into your new machine group.
Note: The red arrow in the machine group
indicates where Mastercam will paste the
operation. For Step 8, the red arrow should be
located below the new toolpath group. If its
not, drag it down with your mouse.
9 Right-click Machine Group-1, and select
Groups, Deletefrom the pop-up menu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks removes the old
machine group, leaving only the one you
created.
10 Right-click your new machine group, and
select Groups, Renamefrom the pop-up
menu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks highlights the
current group name.
11 Type a new machine group name.
TIP: The machine group name can be anything you want, but choose a name that describes
the machine and its operations.
12 If the copied operation is dirty (marked
with a red X), click the Regenerate all dirty
operationsbutton.
Mastercam for SolidWorks regenerates the
toolpath for the new machine.
13 Select File, Saveto save the file.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
19/100
L E S S O N 2
2The 2D Facing ToolpathThe first toolpath you explore in this tutorial is 2D Facing. Your starting part file,2DToolpath01Tutorial.SLDPRT, already has a single toolpath defined (the 2D Core Mill
operation). In this lesson, you add the facing operation to the part file.
Lesson Goals
Define the parts tool plane.
Set up the parts stock model.
Add the 2D Facing toolpath.
Backplot the toolpaths.
Verify the toolpaths.
Exercise 1: Defining the Tool plane
1 If necessary, open the
2DToolpath01Tutorial.SLDPRT file that
you created in the previous lesson.
2 In the CommandManager, click the
Mastercam X4tab.
The CommandManager displays
Mastercam for SolidWorks commands.
3 Click View Manager.
The View Manager dialog box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
20/100
12 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
4 Click the Geometrybutton.
The View Manager dialog box minimizes to
uncover the SolidWorks graphics area.
5 Click the upper surface of the parts base,
as shown in the image to the right.
The selected surface becomes highlighted,
and Facedisplays in the Define View
with geometrydialog box, which is
docked on the left side of the SolidWorks
window.
6 Click OK(the green check) in the Define
View with geometrydialog box.
Mastercam for SolidWorks creates a new
view based on your selection, and the View
Manager reappears.
7 Right-click NEW VIEW #1, and choose
Renamefrom the menu that displays.
8 Type MACHINE, and press [Enter].
9 Click in the MACHINE rows Tcolumn.
A Tdisplays in the column, indicating that
MACHINE is now your tool plane.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
21/100
THE 2D FACING TOOLPATH 1
10 If necessary, select the Enable origin
option, and then click the Select a new
origin for the selected viewbutton.
The View Manager dialog box again
minimizes to uncover the SolidWorks
graphics area.
11 In the graphics area, click the parts lower-
left corner, as shown in the picture to the
right.
A point named Vertexdisplays in the
Selection dialog box, which is docked on
the left edge of the SolidWorks window.
12 Click OKin the Selection dialog box.
Mastercam for SolidWorks places the new
views origin at the selected point.
13 Click the View Managers OKbutton to
finalize your choices.
You have now defined your parts tool
plane.
Exercise 2: Setting Up the Stock Model
Before Mastercam for SolidWorks can generate toolpaths, it must know the dimensions and
orientation of the stock from which your part will be cut. The following exercise shows how to set u
the stock for your part.
1 In the SolidWorks FeatureManager, click
the Mastercam Toolpath Managertab to
display the Toolpath Manager.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
22/100
14 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
2 In the machine groups Properties, click
Stock setup. (If necessary, click the +to
expand the options.)
The Stock Setup tab of the Machine Group
Properties dialog box displays.
3 Click the All Entitiesbutton.
Mastercam for SolidWorks calculates the
dimensions of the stock required.
4 Click the OKbutton to close the Machine
Group Properties dialog box.
The stock model shows in the graphics
area with dashed red lines.
Exercise 3: Creating the Facing Toolpath
1 In the Mastercam X4 CommandManager,
click Pocket Toolpaths.
The Chain Manager displays, docked on
the left edge of the SolidWorks window.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
23/100
THE 2D FACING TOOLPATH 1
2 Right-click to select the line segement
shown in the picture to the right, and then
choose Select Loopfrom the menu that
displays.
Mastercam for SolidWorks chains the selected geometry, as shown below, and Loop
appears in the Chain Managers Selection tab.
3 Click OKin the Chain Manager to finalize
your choice.
The 2D Toolpaths dialog box displays.
4 In the 2D Toolpaths dialog box:
a Select the Toolpath Typepage.
b Click the Facingtoolpath.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
24/100
16 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
TIP: Notice the Chain geometrysection in the Toolpath Type page. To the left of the Select
chainsbutton is (1), which means you have specified one chain for the toolpath. The chain
referenced is the one you created in Step 2.
5 In the 2D Toolpaths dialog box:
a Select the Toolpage.
b Select the 5/8 FLAT ENDMILLtool.
6 Set the following options:
a Set Feed rate to 120.
b Set Spindle speed to 6000.
c Select Rapid Retract.
7 Select the Cut Parameterspage, and then:
a Set Across overlap to 50.
b Set Along overlap to 75.
c Set Max stepover to 50.
d Turn off the Reverse direction of lastpassoption.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
25/100
THE 2D FACING TOOLPATH 1
8 Select the Linking Parameterspage, and
then:
a Set Retract to 2.0.
b Set Feed plane to 1.6.
cSet Top of stock to 1.5.
d Set Depth to 1.25.
e Ensure that all values are set toAbsolute.
9 Click OKto finalize your choices.
Mastercam for SolidWorks creates the
toolpath shown in the following picture.
Exercise 4: Backplot and Verify the Facing Toolpath
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the
Backplot selected operationsbutton.
The Backplot controls display at thebottom of the graphics area.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
26/100
18 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
2 Click the Playbutton to watch Mastercam
for SolidWorks backplot the toolpath.
TIP: To increase Backplots speed, drag the Backplot dialog boxs slider to the right.
3 When Backplot finishes, click OKor Cancel
(the red X) to close the Backplot controls.
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls appear.
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start
Verify.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the cutting operation, as shown in the following
picture.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
27/100
THE 2D FACING TOOLPATH 1
6 Click the OKor Cancelto close Verify.
Exercise 5: Verifying All of the Toolpaths
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Select
all operationsbutton.
Mastercam for SolidWorks places green
check marks on both the Core Mill and
Facing toolpaths.
2 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls appear.
3 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start
Verify.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates both of the cutting operations, as shown in the
following picture.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
28/100
20 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
TIP: To verify the toolpaths more quickly, click the Fast Forwardbutton( ), instead of Play.
Mastercam for SolidWorks then processes the toolpath without updating the screen until the
Verify completes.
4 Click OKor Cancelto close Verify.
Exercise 6: Posting the Toolpath
1 If necessary, click the Mastercam Toolpath
Managertab to display the Toolpath
Manager.
2 Click the Post selected operationsbutton.
The Post processing dialog box displays.
3 If they are not already selected, select theNC Fileand Editoptions, and then click
OK.
The Save As dialog box displays.
4 Enter a file name for the NC File, and click
Save.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
29/100
THE 2D FACING TOOLPATH 2
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 Editor, as shown i
the following picture.
5 Close Mastercam Editor.
6 Save your work by choosing File, Save
from the SolidWorks menu bar.
7 Choose File, Closeto close the file.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
30/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
31/100
L E S S O N 3
32D Area MillAnother toolpath used to cut the mold core part is Area Mill, which will cut the pocket using asmooth, clean motion. In this lesson, you add the Area Mill toolpaths to the part. Note that the par
file you use contains three toolpaths, the two from the previous part file and an Area Clearance
toolpath.
Lesson Goals
Add the Area Mill toolpath.
Backplot the toolpaths.
Verify the toolpaths.
Exercise 1: Creating the Area Mill Toolpath
1 Choose File, Open, and then load the
2DToolpath02.SLDPRTfile, which was
provided with this tutorial.
2 Save the file as
2DToolpath02Tutorial.SLDPRT.
Saving the file under a new name prevents
you from accidentally modifying theoriginal.
3 In the CommandManager, click the
Mastercam X4tab.
4 Click 2D High Speed Toolpaths.
The Chain Manager dialog box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
32/100
24 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
5 Right-click on the edge shown in the
picture to the right, and then choose
Select Loopfrom the menu that appears.
6 If necessary, click the yellow arrow to
switch the selection from the face to the
edge.
Mastercam for SolidWorks chains the
entire selected edge, as shown in the
following picture.
7 Click OKin the Chain Manager dialog box.
In a few moments, the 2D High Speed Toolpath dialog box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
33/100
2D AREA MILL 2
8 Click Toolpath Type, and select Area Mill.
9 Click Tool, and select the 1/2 FLAT
ENDMILL.
10 Change the Feed rateto 80and the
Spindle speedto 8000.
11 Click Cut Parametersto display the Cut
Parameters page, and change % of dia.to40.0.
12 Click Depth Cuts, and then turn off the
Depth Cutsoption.
13 Click Linking Parameters, and set the
following (as seen in the next picture):
a Retract to 2.0, Absolute
b Feed plane to 1.5, Absolute
c Top of stock to 1.25, Absolute
d Depth to 1.125, Absolute
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
34/100
26 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
14 Click OKto finalize your choices.
Mastercam for SolidWorks generates the toolpath shown below.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
35/100
2D AREA MILL 2
Exercise 2: Backplotting and Verifying the Toolpath
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the
Backplot selected operationsbutton.
The Backplot controls display at the
bottom of the graphics area.
2 Click the Playbutton to watch Mastercam
for SolidWorks backplot the toolpath.
3 When Backplot finishes, click OKor Cancel
to close the Backplot controls.
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls display.
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start
Verify.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the cutting operation, as shown in the following
picture.
6 Click OKor Cancelto close Verify.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
36/100
28 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Exercise 3: Verifying All of the Toolpaths
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Select
all operationsbutton.
Mastercam for SolidWorks places green
check marks on all of the toolpaths.
2 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls display.
3 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start
Verify.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates all of the cutting operations, as shown in the picture
below. The full verification might take several minutes.
TIP: You can click the Stopbutton at any time to see how far the verification process has
proceeded, and then click Fast Forwardto pick up where Verify left off.
4 Click OKor Cancelto close Verify.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
37/100
2D AREA MILL 2
Exercise 4: Posting the Toolpath
1 If necessary, click the Mastercam Toolpath
Managertab to display the Toolpath
Manager.
2 Click the Post selected operationsbutton.
The Post processing dialog box displays.
3 If they are not already selected, select the
NC Fileand Editoptions, and then click
OK.
The Save As dialog box displays.
4 Enter a file name for the NC File, and click
Save.
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 Editor.
5 Close Mastercam Editor.
6 Save your work by choosing File, Savefrom the SolidWorks menu bar.
7 Choose File, Closeto close the file.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
38/100
30 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
39/100
Section 2
3D High Speed Toolpaths
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
40/100
32 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
41/100
L E S S O N
1General Setup - Phone CradleAs you learned in Section 1, before generating toolpaths for a part, you must prepare Mastercam foSolidWorks and the part file. Because the exercises in this lesson use a different part than the first
three lessons, you need to set up the new part for your machine. As before, this preparation
includes such tasks as selecting a machine definition and defining a tool plane. Failure to set up th
part correctly will give unpredictable results. This lesson introduces the tutorial part files, as well a
teaches you to set up the parts for toolpathing.
Lesson Goals
Understand the part files.
Select a machine.
Create and set the tool plane.
Define the stock.
About the Phone Cradle Sample Part
Lessons 1 through 3 of this section are based on the PhoneCradle.SLDPRTfile, which is included
with the tutorial. The following picture shows the part file as it displays in SolidWorks.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
42/100
34 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
This tutorial covers only a subset of the toolpath types used to machine the part. These toolpath
types are as follows:
Core Roughing
Rest Roughing
Scallop
Waterline
Note: To fully machine the part (shown in the following picture) requires more operations than
are described in this book.
The part files included for the phone cradle portion of the tutorial are:
PhoneCradle01.SLDPRTThe tutorial file for starting Lesson 1
PhoneCradle02.SLDPRTThe tutorial file after completing Lesson 1
PhoneCradle03.SLDPRTThe tutorial file after completing Lesson 2
PhoneCradle04.SLDPRTThe tutorial file after completing Lesson 3
PhoneCradle05.SLDPRTThe tutorial file after completing Lesson 4
PhoneCradleComplete.SLDPRTThe tutorial file after completing all lessons
PhoneCradle.SLDPRTThe phone cradles full SolidWorks drawing, with no toolpaths
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
43/100
GENERAL SETUP - PHONE CRADLE 3
Exercise 1: Selecting Your Machine
Toolpaths are contained in machine groups. For this reason, your part file needs at least one
machine group before you can add a toolpath to the part. Mastercam for SolidWorks automatically
creates a machine group for each machine you select from the Machine Selection menu item. To
see how machine selection works, complete the following exercise.
1 Open the part file
PhoneCradle01.SLDPRT, which was
provided with this tutorial.
2 Save the part under the name
PhoneCradleTutorial.SLDPRT.
3 Optional:If you want to use a machine
definition other than the default:
a From the Mastercam X4 menu, choose
Machine Selection, and then selectyour machine from the submenu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks creates a
machine group for the selected
machine.
TIP: To customize the Machine Selection list, choose Mastercam X4, Machine Selection,
Manage List. For more information on the dialog box that displays, click the dialog boxs
Help button ( ).
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
44/100
36 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
b Click the Mastercam ToolpathManagertab to display the ToolpathManager.
c Right-click Machine Group-1, andselect Groups, Deletefrom the pop-upmenu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks removes the
old machine group, leaving only the
one you created.
Exercise 2: Defining the Tool Plane
Mastercam for SolidWorks uses planes to determine the orientation of the toolpaths it creates. The
following exercise shows one way to define the tool plane for a part.
1 On the SolidWorks CommandManager,
select the Mastercam X4tab.
Commands specific to Mastercam forSolidWorks display in the
CommandManager.
2 Click View Manager.
The View Manager dialog box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
45/100
GENERAL SETUP - PHONE CRADLE 3
3 Click the Geometrybutton.
View Manager minimizes to uncover the
SolidWorks graphics area.
4 Click the upper surface of the parts
rectangular base.
The selected face highlights, and its default
name, Face, displays in the Define
View with geometrydialog box.
5 Click OK(the green check) to finalize your
selection.
The View Manager redisplays.
6 In View Manager, right-click NEW VIEW
#1, and select Renamefrom the pop-up
menu.
7 Type MACHINE, and press [Enter].
You now have a user-defined plane named
MACHINE.
8 With the MACHINE plane selected, click
the Set your current tool plane and origin
to the selected viewbutton.
Mastercam for SolidWorks aligns your tool
plane to the MACHINE plane.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
46/100
38 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
9 Select the Enable originoption, if
necessary, and then click the Select a new
origin for the selected viewbutton.
The View Manager minimizes to uncoverthe SolidWorks graphics area.
10 Click the bottom left corner of the parts
base, and then click OKin the Selection
dialog box to finalize your choice.
Mastercam for SolidWorks places theorigin at the selected point.
11 Click the View Managers OKbutton.
You have now defined your parts tool
plane.
Exercise 3: Defining the Stock
Before Mastercam for SolidWorks can generate toolpaths, it must know the dimensions and
orientation of the stock from which your part will be cut. The following exercise shows how to set up
the stock for your part.
1 In the SolidWorks FeaturesManager, click
the Mastercam Toolpath Managertab.
The Toolpath Manager displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
47/100
GENERAL SETUP - PHONE CRADLE 3
2 In your machine groups properties, select
Stock setup. (If necessary, display Stock
setup by clicking the +next to the
Properties icon.)
The Stock Setup dialog box displays.
3 Click All Entitiesand then OK.
Mastercam for SolidWorks analyzes the parts geometry and creates stock of the
appropriate size, as shown in the following picture.
4 Click OK, and save your work by choosing
File, Savefrom the SolidWorks menu bar.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
48/100
40 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
49/100
L E S S O N 2
2The Core Roughing ToolpathIn this lesson, you program the roughing toolpath that removes the majority of the material fromthe phone cradle. Because the feature to cut is a dome-shaped core, and because the tool can
approach the feature from the outside, you will create an HST Core Roughing toolpath to rough ou
the part. The following picture shows the Core Roughing toolpath being cut on a Makino vertical
machining center.
Lesson Goals
Set a containment boundary.
Set toolpath parameters.
Generate the toolpath.
Backplot and Verify the toolpath.
Post the toolpath.
Exercise 1: Creating the Toolpath
1 If necessary, load the file
PhoneCradleTutorial.SLDPRT that you
saved at the end of the previous lesson.
Alternatively, you can start this lesson with
the file PhoneCradle02.SLDPRT.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
50/100
42 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
CAUTION: The steps in this exercise describe only the key settings required to create the
Core Roughing toolpath for the phone cradle part. Your toolpath settings might vary
depending on your selected parameters, including machine definition, tooling, material,
toolpath type, surface finish requirement, and cycle time requirement. For this reason, as
you work through this exercise, review all settings in each dialog box to ensure that the
settings are correct for your situation.
2 If necessary, click the Mastercam X4tab to
show the Mastercam CommandManager.
3 In the CommandManager, clickSurface
High Speed Toolpaths.
The Enter new NC namedialog box
displays.
Note: If you are asked to try the Toolpath
Refinement feature, select Suppress this
featureand OK.
4 Type a name for the toolpaths NC file, and
click OK.
In a few moments, the Surface High Speed
Toolpaths dialog box displays.
5 On the Toolpath Type page, select Core
Roughing.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
51/100
THE CORE ROUGHING TOOLPATH 4
6 Click the Select containment boundaries
button.
The dialog box minimizes to uncover the
SolidWorks graphics area.
7 To create the containment boundary:
a Right-click the edge shown highlighted
in the image to the right.
b Choose Select Loopfrom the menuthat displays.
Mastercam for SolidWorks highlights all
four edges of the upper rectangle.
8 Finalize your choice by clicking OKin the
Selection dialog box.
Mastercam for SolidWorks sets the selected
geometry as the toolpaths containment
boundary.
9 Select the dialog boxs Toolpage, and click
Select library tool.
The Tool Selection dialog box displays.
10 Select a 3/4 flat endmill.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
52/100
44 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
11 Set Feed rateto 80and Spindle speedto
2000.
12 Select the Cut Parameters page, choose
the Add cutsoption, and then enter a
Stepdownof 0.125, a Min stepdownof
0.0125, and a Max profile stepoverof
0.375.
13 Set the stock to leave on walls and floors to
0.05
14 Select the Arc Filter/Tolerancepage, and
set Filter ratioto 2:1. Make sure that Filter
toleranceis 0.001333, Cut toleranceis
0.000667, and Total toleranceis 0.002.
15 Click OK.
Mastercam for SolidWorks generates the
Core Roughing toolpath. (It might take a
minute or so.)
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
53/100
THE CORE ROUGHING TOOLPATH 4
Exercise 2: Backplotting and Verifying the toolpath
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the
Backplot selected operationsbutton.
The Backplot controls display in the
PropertyManager.
2 Click the Playbutton to watch Mastercam
for SolidWorks backplot the toolpath.
TIP: To increase Backplots speed, drag the
Backplot dialog boxs slider to the right.
3 When Backplot finishes, click the OKor
Cancel(the red X)to close the Backplot
controls.
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls display.
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start
Verify.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
54/100
46 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the cutting operation as shown in the following
picture.
6 Click OKor Cancelto close Verify.
Exercise 3: Posting the Toolpath
1 If necessary, click the Mastercam Toolpath
Managertab to display the ToolpathManager.
2 Click the Post selected operationsbutton.
The Post processing dialog box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
55/100
THE CORE ROUGHING TOOLPATH 4
3 If they are not already selected, select the
NC Fileand Editoptions, and then click
OK.
The Save As dialog box displays.
4 Enter a file name for the NC File, and click
Save.
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 Editor, as shown i
the following picture.
5 Close Mastercam Editor.
6 Save your work by choosing File, Save
from the SolidWorks menu bar.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
56/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
57/100
L E S S O N 3
3The Rest Roughing ToolpathBefore you apply the finishing toolpath, the part needs further roughing. The Rest Roughingtoolpath is a good choice, because it removes only stock remaining from previous toolpaths, rathe
than cutting the entire part. Here, you program the Rest Roughing toolpath that will smooth out th
surface of the main phone cradle. The following picture shows the toolpath being cut on a Makino
vertical machining center.
Lesson Goals
Create a containment boundary from construction geometry.
Set the toolpath parameters.
Generate the Rest Roughing toolpath.
Backplot and Verify the toolpaths.
Exercise 1: Creating the Toolpath
CAUTION: The steps in this exercise describe only the key settings required to create the
Rest Roughing toolpath for the phone cradle part. Your toolpath settings might vary
depending on your selected parameters, including machine definition, tooling, material,
toolpath type, surface finish requirement, and cycle time requirement. For this reason, as
you work through this exercise, review all settings in each dialog box to ensure that the
settings are correct for your machine.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
58/100
50 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
1 If necessary, load the file
PhoneCradleTutorial.SLDPRT that you
saved at the end of the previous lesson.
Alternatively, you can start this lesson with
the file PhoneCradle03.SLDPRT.
2 Hide previously generated toolpaths:
a Display the Toolpath Manager, by
clicking the Mastercam Toolpath
Managertab.
b Click the Select all operationsbutton.
c Click the Toggle toolpath display onselected operationsbutton.
3 Click the Mastercam X4tab to display the
Mastercam CommandManager.
4 In the CommandManager, clickSurface
High Speed Toolpaths.
In a few moments, the Surface High Speed
Toolpaths dialog box displays.
5 On the Toolpath Type page, select Rest
Roughing.
6 Click the Select containment boundariesbutton.
The dialog box minimizes to uncover the
SolidWorks graphics area.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
59/100
THE REST ROUGHING TOOLPATH 5
7 If necessary, click the plus mark in the
upper left corner of the graphics area to
display the flyout design tree.
8 In the design tree, select Sketch6.
SolidWorks highlights Sketch6 on thescreen, and Sketch6 displays in the
selection box.
9 Click OKto finalize your selection.
You have now defined a containment
boundary for this toolpath.
10 Select the Toolpage, and choose the 3/4
flat endmill.
11 Also on the Tool page, set Feed rateto 80
and Spindle speedto 2000.
12 Select the Cut Parameters page, ensure
that Add cutsis still selected, and then
enter 0.03for Stepdown, a Min stepdown
of 0.003, and a Max profile stepoverof0.375.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
60/100
52 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
13 Set the stock to leave on walls and floors to
0.02
14 To set how to compute the remaining
stock:
a Select the Rest Materialpage
b Select the One other operationoption
c Choose the Core Roughing operation,as shown below.
15 Select the Arc Filter/Tolerancepage, and
make sure that Filter ratiois still set to 2:1,
and that the other values are still set as
shown in the image to the right.
16 Click OK.
Mastercam for SolidWorks generates the
Rest Roughing toolpath. (It might take a
minute or two.)
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
61/100
THE REST ROUGHING TOOLPATH 5
Exercise 2: Backplotting and Verifying the toolpath
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the
Backplot selected operationsbutton.
The Backplot controls display in the
PropertyManager.
2 Click the Playbutton to watch a backplot
of the toolpath.
3 Click OKor Cancelto close the Backplot
controls.
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Select
all operationsbutton and then the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls appear in the
PropertyManager.
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start the
Verify function.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the
cutting operation. The first picture
following shows the result. The second
picture following shows the part after Rest
Roughing has been completed.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
62/100
54 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
TIP: To turn off the animated display, and so get to the results quicker, click the Fast
Forwardbutton in the Verify dialog box. Verify might still take a while to complete, but not as
long as it would take if Mastercam for SolidWorks needed to concurrently update the
display.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
63/100
THE REST ROUGHING TOOLPATH 5
6 Click OKor Cancelto close the Verify
dialog box.
7 Save your work by choosing File, Save
from the SolidWorks menu bar.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
64/100
56 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
65/100
L E S S O N 4
4The Scallop ToolpathWith the roughing complete, its time to apply a finishing toolpath to the phone cradles surface.The high speed Scallop toolpath uses a 3D stepover distance that is measured along the surface,
instead of parallel to the tool plane. This ensures a consistent scallop height, regardless of the
surface direction. In this lesson, you create a Scallop toolpath to finish the surface of the main
phone cradle. The following picture shows the toolpath being cut on a Makino vertical machining
center.
Lesson Goals
Set Scallop toolpath parameters.
Generate a Scallop toolpath.
Backplot the toolpath.
Verify the toolpath.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
66/100
58 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Exercise 1: Creating the Toolpath
CAUTION: The steps in this exercise describe only the key settings required to create the
Scallop toolpath for the phone cradle part. Your toolpath settings might vary depending on
your selected parameters, including machine definition, tooling, material, toolpath type,
surface finish requirement, and cycle time requirement. For this reason, as you work
through this exercise, review all settings in each dialog box to ensure that the settings are
correct for your situation.
1 If necessary, load the file
PhoneCradleTutorial.SLDPRT that you
saved at the end of the previous lesson.
Alternatively, you can start this lesson with
the file PhoneCradle04.SLDPRT.
2 Hide previously generated toolpaths:
a Display the Toolpath Manager, by
clicking the Mastercam Toolpath
Managertab.
b Click the Select all operationsbutton.
c Click the Toggle toolpath display onselected operationsbutton twice.
3 Click the Mastercam X4tab to display the
Mastercam CommandManager.
4 Click Surface High Speed Toolpathsin the
CommandManager.
The Surface High Speed Toolpaths dialog
box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
67/100
THE SCALLOP TOOLPATH 5
5 On the Toolpath Type page, select the
Finishingoption, and then choose Scallop.
6 Click the Select containment boundaries
button.
The dialog box minimizes to uncover the
SolidWorks graphics area.
7 If necessary, click the plus mark in the
upper left corner of the graphics area to
display the flyout design tree.
8 In the design tree, select Top TCB.
SolidWorks highlights the Top TCB
geometry on the screen, and Top TCBdisplays in the selection box.
9 Click OKto finalize your selection.
You have now specified a containment
boundary for the Scallop toolpath.
10 On the dialog boxs Toolpage, click theSelect library toolbutton.
The Tool Selection dialog box displays.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
68/100
60 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
11 Click the 3/32 ball endmill, and click OK.
12 Also on the Tool page, set Feed rateto 160
and Spindle speedto 8000.
13Select the Cut Parameters page, and entera Stepoverof 0.005. Make sure that
Scallop heightis 0.000067.
14 Set the stock to leave on walls and floors to
0.0.
15 Select the Steep/Shallowpage, and set
Fromto 0.0and Toto 60.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
69/100
THE SCALLOP TOOLPATH 6
16 Select the Arc Filter/Tolerancepage, and
then set Filter ratioto Offand Total
toleranceto 0.001.
17 Click OK.
Mastercam for SolidWorks generates the
Scallop toolpath. (It might take several
minutes.)
Exercise 2: Backplotting and Verifying the toolpath
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the
Backplot selected operationsbutton.
The Backplot controls display in the
PropertyManager.
2 Click the Playbutton to watch a backplot
of the toolpath.
3 Click OKor Cancelto close the Backplot
controls.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
70/100
62 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click Select all
operationsand then Verify selected
operations.
The Verify controls appear in the
PropertyManager.
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start the
Verify function.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the cutting operation for all the toolpaths. The first
picture following shows Verify in progress, whereas the second picture following shows thecompleted cut on the actual part.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
71/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
72/100
64 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
73/100
L E S S O N 5
5The Waterline ToolpathThe last toolpath covered in the phone cradle tutorial finishes the wall areas of the part. Due to thangles involved, which can be constrained to between 30 and 90 degrees, a Waterline toolpath is
appropriate. Waterline toolpaths are similar to finish contour toolpaths, but use Mastercam's high
speed toolpath techniques for a smoother, more efficient tool motion. In this lesson, you generate
the Waterline toolpath for the phone cradle part.
Lesson Goals
Set Waterline toolpath parameters.
Generate a Waterline toolpath.
Backplot the Waterline toolpath.
Verify the Waterline toolpath.
Exercise 1: Creating the Waterline Toolpath
CAUTION: The steps in this exercise describe only the key settings required to create the
Waterline toolpath for the phone cradle part. Your toolpath settings might vary depending
on your selected parameters, including machine definition, tooling, material, toolpath type
surface finish requirement, and cycle time requirement. For this reason, as you work
through this exercise, review all settings in each dialog box to ensure that the settings arecorrect for your situation.
1 If necessary, load the file
PhoneCradleTutorial.SLDPRT that you
saved at the end of the previous lesson.
Alternatively, you can start this lesson with
the file PhoneCradle05.SLDPRT.
2 Hide previously generated toolpaths:
a Display the Toolpath Manager, byclicking the Mastercam Toolpath
Managertab.
b Click the Select all operationsbutton.
c Click the Toggle toolpath display onselected operationsbutton twice.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
74/100
66 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
3 Click the Mastercamtab to display the
Mastercam CommandManager.
4 Click Surface High Speed Toolpathsin the
CommandManager.
The Surface High Speed Toolpaths dialog
box displays.
5 On the Toolpath Type page, select the
Finishingoption, and then chooseWaterline.
6 Click the Select containment boundaries
button.
The dialog box minimizes to uncover the
SolidWorks graphics area.
7 If necessary, display the flyout design tree
by clicking the plus mark in the upper left
corner of the graphics area.
8 In the design tree, select Wall TCB Upper
and Wall TCB Lower.
SolidWorks highlights the selected
geometry and displays Wall TCB Upper
and Wall TCB Lower in the selection box.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
75/100
THE WATERLINE TOOLPATH 6
TIP: If SolidWorks ignores your second
selection, click on the screen away from the
flyout list, and then try the second selection
again.
9 Click OKto finalize your selections.
You have now specified containment
boundaries for the Waterline toolpath.
10 Go to the dialog boxs Toolpage, and
choose the 3/32 ball endmill.
11 Also on the Tool page, set Feed rateto 160
and Spindle speedto 8000.
12On the Cut Parameterspage, ensure thatAdd cutsis still selected, and then enter a
Stepdownof 0.005, a Min stepdownof
0.0005, and a Max profile stepoverof
0.046875.
13 Set the stock to leave on walls and floors to
0.0.
14 Select the Steep/Shallowpage, and set the
Fromvalue to 30and the Tovalue to 90.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
76/100
68 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
15 On the Arc Filter/Tolerancepage, make
sure that Total toleranceis 0.001.
16 Click OK.
Mastercam for SolidWorks generates the
Waterline toolpath. (It might take several
minutes.)
Exercise 2: Backplotting and Verifying the toolpath
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the
Backplot selected operationsbutton.
The Backplot controls display in the
PropertyManager.
2 Click the Playbutton to watch a backplot
of the toolpath.
3 Click OKor Cancelto close the Backplot
controls.
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Selectall operationsand Verify selected
operationsbutton.
The Verify controls appear in the
PropertyManager.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
77/100
THE WATERLINE TOOLPATH 6
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start the
Verify function.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the
cutting operation.
6 Click OKor Cancelto close the Verify
dialog box.
7 Save your work by choosing File, Save
from the SolidWorks menu bar.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
78/100
70 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
79/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
80/100
72 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
81/100
L E S S O N
1FBM Mill
About the FBM Sample PartLessons 1 and 2 of this section introduce the Feature-Based Machining (FBM) functions in
Mastercam for SolidWorks. The following picture shows the part file as it displays in SolidWorks.
The part files included for the FBM portion of the tutorial are:
FBMPart01.SLDPRTThe file for starting the FBM section of the tutorial
FBMPart02.SLDPRTThe file after completing Lesson 1
FBMPartComplete.SLDPRTThe FBM tutorial file after completing Lessons 1 and 2
FBM Mill is a powerful feature-based machining (FBM) strategy that analyzes a solid part, detects
all machining features in a specified plane, and generates the 2D milling toolpaths needed tomachine the detected features. In this lesson, you use FBM Mill to generate toolpaths for the part
shown in the following picture. The goal is to generate toolpaths for the following operations:
Facing the top surface
Contouring the parts outside edges
Cutting the main pocket
Cutting the slots in the main pocket
Cutting the two large holes in the main pocket
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
82/100
74 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Lesson Goals
Set up a machine group.
Define the parts stock.
Generate FBM Mill toolpaths.
Modify FBM Mill parameters.
Backplot and Verify the toolpaths.
Exercise 1: Set Up
1 Load the part file FBMPart01.SLDPRT,
which was supplied with this tutorial
2 So that you do not overwrite the original
during this tutorial, save the file as
FBMPartTutorial.SLDPRT.
3 Optional: If you want to use a machine
definition other than the default:
a From the Mastercam X4 menu, choose
Machine Selection, and then select
your machine from the submenu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks creates a
machine group for the selected
machine.
b Click the Mastercam ToolpathManagertab to display the ToolpathManager.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
83/100
FBM MILL 7
c Right-click Machine Group-1, andselect Groups, Deletefrom the pop-upmenu.
Mastercam for SolidWorks removes the
old machine group, leaving only the
one you created.
Exercise 2: Defining the Stock
FBM Mill requires that you set up stock for the part. The following exercise shows how to completthis task.
1 In the SolidWorks FeaturesManager, click
the Mastercam Toolpath Managertab.
The Toolpath Manager displays.
2 In your machine groups properties, select
Stock setup. (If necessary, display Stock
setup by clicking the +next to the
Properties icon.)
The Stock Setup dialog box displays.
3 Click All Entities.
Mastercam for SolidWorks analyzes the
parts geometry and creates stock of the
same size as the parts geometry.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
84/100
76 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
4 Change the X, Y, and Z dimensions to 102,
152, and 27, respectively.
Now you have extra stock for a facing
operation and to cut the outside contour.
5 Change the Zcoordinate of the stock origin
to2.
This change takes all of the extra stock that
is normal to the Z axis and places it above
the parts front face, which is the tool
plane.
6 Click OK.
The Stock Setup dialog box closes, and
Mastercam for SolidWorks displays the
stock as dashed red lines.
Exercise 3: Creating the Mill Toolpaths
1 In the Mastercam X4 CommandManager,
click FBM Mill.
The FBM Toolpaths - Milldialog box
displays.
2 Select the Setuppage.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
85/100
FBM MILL 7
3 Select Rough outside of partand Finish
outside of part.
FBM Mill will now create rough and finish
toolpaths for the outside edges of the part.
4 Deselect the Create as neededoption.Now FBM Mill can only use tools from the
library selected in the Tool library box.
5 Click the Detectbutton.
FBM Mill analyzes the part to identify
features to machine, and then displays the
detected features in the Features page.
6 Click OKto generate toolpaths for the
detected features.
The Enter new NC namedialog box
displays.
7 Type a name for the NC file, and click OK.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
86/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
87/100
FBM MILL 7
3 Change the Recognize holes greater than
this diameter as featuressetting to 10.
The value of 10 ensures that FBM
generates a toolpath for the 20mm hole
that is located inside the pocket.
4 Click the Detectbutton.
FBM Mill reanalyzes the part to identify
features to machine and then displays the
features in the Features page. Notice the
new Zone 5 operation, which is the 20mm
hole.
5 Click OK.
The dialog box closes, and Mastercam for
SolidWorks marks the FBM Mill operation
as dirty.
6 Click the Regenerate all dirty operations
button.
FBM Mill regenerates the toolpaths, this time including the smaller hole as a detected
feature, as shown in the following picture.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
88/100
80 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Exercise 5: Backplotting and Verifying the Toolpaths
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Select
all operationsbutton.
2 Click the Backplot selected operations
button.
The Backplot controls display in the
PropertyManager.
3 Click the Playbutton to watch a backplot
of the toolpaths.4 Click OKor Cancelto close the Backplot
controls.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
89/100
FBM MILL 8
5 Click Verify selected operations.
The Verify controls appear in the
PropertyManager.
6 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start the
Verify function.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the cutting operation. The following picture shows
the results.
7 Click OKor Cancelto close the Verify
dialog box.
8 Save your work by choosing File, Save
from the SolidWorks menu bar.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
90/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
91/100
L E S S O N 2
2FBM DrillFBM Drill is a feature-based machining (FBM) strategy that can detect holes in a solid andautomatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected features. With FBM
Drill you can:
Detect holes in a solid using specified criteria.
Review the detected features list and edit or delete features.
Preview toolpath operations and make additional changes before they are generated.
Automatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected features.
In this lesson, you use FBM Drill to generate toolpaths to drill the holes indicated in the following
picture.
Lesson Goals
Generate FBM Drill toolpaths.
Adjust feature detection.
Customize FBM Drill toolpaths.
Backplot the toolpaths.
Verify the toolpaths.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
92/100
84 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
Exercise 1: Creating the Drill Toolpaths
1 If necessary, load the part file
FBMPartTutorial.SLDPRT that you
saved at the end of the previous lesson.
Alternatively, you can start this lesson withthe file FBMPart02.SLDPRT.
2 In the Mastercam X4 CommandManager,
click FBM Drill.
The FBM Toolpaths - Drilldialog box
displays.
3 Click the Detectbutton.
FBM Drill analyzes the part and displays a set of operations for all detected holes, as shown
in the following picture. Notice that the 20mm hole, which was toolpathed by FBM Mill in
the previous lesson, is in the list.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
93/100
FBM DRILL 8
4 Select the Hole Detection page.
5 Set the Minimum diameterand Maximum
diametersettings to 0.5and10.0,
respectively.
Reducing Maximum diameterto 10
ensures that FBM Drill does not generate a
toolpath for the 20mm hole.
6 Click the Detectbutton again.
FBM Drill uses the new parameters toreanalyze the part. The 20mm hole no
longer appears in the feature list.
7 Click OK.
FBM Drill generates the drilling toolpaths
and adds them to the mill toolpaths that
FBM Mill generated in the previous lesson.
8 To hide the FBM Mill toolpaths so that you
can see the drill toolpaths more clearly:
a Select the FBM Mill toolpaths by
clicking FBM Mill-FRONTin the
Toolpath Manager.
Mastercam for SolidWorks selects the
entire toolpath group and deselects all
others.
b Click the Toggle toolpath display onselected operationsbutton.
Mastercam for SolidWorks removes theFBM Mill toolpaths from the display,
leaving only the unselected FBM Drill
operations, as shown in the following
picture.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
94/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
95/100
FBM DRILL 8
3 On the Features page, choose the Select
common featuresoption.
You can now select entire groups of similar
features with a single mouse click.
4 In the features list, click one of the 8mm
holes.
FBM Drill automatically selects all four of
the 8mm holes.
5 In the Hole typecolumn, right-click one of
the 8mm holes, and select Hole type,
Counter borefrom the pop-up menu.
FBM Drill changes the hole type for all four
8mm holes.
6 Click OKto dismiss the dialog box.
Mastercam for SolidWorks marks the FBM
Drill operations as dirty.
7 Click Regenerate all dirty operations.
FBM Drill regenerates the toolpaths based
on the new parameters.
Exercise 3: Backplotting and Verifying the Toolpaths
1 In the Toolpath Manager, click Select all
operationsand Backplot selected
operations.
The backplot controls display in the
PropertyManager.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
96/100
88 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
2 Click the Playbutton to watch a backplot
of the toolpaths.
3 Click OKor Cancelto close the Backplot
controls.
4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the Verify
selected operationsbutton.
The Verify controls appear in the
PropertyManager.
5 Click the Fast Forwardbutton to start the
Verify function.
Mastercam for SolidWorks simulates the cutting operation. The following picture shows
the results.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
97/100
FBM DRILL 8
6 Click OKor Cancelto close the Verify
dialog box.
7 Save the file.
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
98/100
90 MASTERCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS TUTORIAL
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
99/100
-
8/10/2019 Mastercam X4 for SolidWorks Tutorial
100/100