Basic 2D Machining

mastercam x getting started tutorials

Basic 2D Machining
April 2013

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II BASIC 2D MACHINING

Mastercam X7 Basic 2D Machining

Date: April 2013
Copyright 2013 CNC Software, Inc. All rights reserved.
First Printing: April 2013
Software: Mastercam X7

TERMS OF USE

Use of this document is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement.
A copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the
Mastercam product package of which this document is part. The Mastercam
End User License Agreement can also be found at:
http://dnn.mastercam.com/companyinfo/legal/LicenseAgreement.aspx

Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1

Tutorial Goals................................................................................................. 2

1. Drilling Holes......................................................................... 5

Lesson Goals ................................................................................................. 5

Exercise 1: Assigning a Machine Definition .......................................... 5
Exercise 2: Setting Up Stock................................................................. 7
Exercise 3: Drilling Four Holes............................................................. 10

2. Roughing Outside the Part ..................................................

Lesson Goals ............................................................................................... 21

Exercise 1: Creating a Dynamic Mill Toolpath..................................... 21
Exercise 2: Viewing Your Toolpaths .................................................... 31
Exercise 3: Creating a Contour Toolpath ............................................. 32

3. Machining Inside the Part ..................................................

51

Lesson Goals ............................................................................................... 51

Exercise 1: Backplotting All Toolpaths ................................................ 51
Exercise 2: Verifying All Toolpaths...................................................... 55

5. Posting Toolpaths ...............................................................

39

Lesson Goals ............................................................................................... 39

Exercise 1: Creating a Dynamic Mill Toolpath..................................... 39
Exercise 2: Creating a Slot Mill Toolpath............................................. 45

4. Previewing Toolpaths .........................................................

21

57

Lesson Goals ............................................................................................... 57

IV BASIC 2D MACHINING

Exercise 1: Posting All Toolpath Operations ........................................ 57

Exercise 2: Posting a Single Toolpath Operation ................................. 60
Post Processing Summary: Sending NC Files to Machine .................... 63

Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 63

Mastercam Resources .............................................................................. 64

Mastercam Documentation ....................................................................... 65

INTRODUCTION
This tutorial focuses on applying several mill toolpaths to a part previously designed
in Mastercam. The tutorial then guides you through the steps to take that toolpath
data and create NC code to machine the part.
Mastercam offers a variety of toolpath types that let you
quickly build toolpaths for specific applications. You
access these toolpaths, such as the mill toolpaths shown
here, through the Toolpaths menu.
After you create a toolpath, you can use Mastercam's
backplot feature to preview its operation on the screen.
Once you are satisfied with it, post it from the Toolpath
Manager to generate the NC code for a specific machine
tool.
When you first begin this tutorial, you will be prompted
to assign a machine definition to the part. This tutorial
does not go into any depth on machine and control
definitions. However, the Help and other documentation installed with Mastercam provide comprehensive
information regarding these Mastercam features.
When you finish this tutorial, your part will look like this:

If you would like to design (create) the part before you begin this tutorial, please
follow the procedures in the tutorial, Basic 2D Design (available from your Reseller).

2 TUTORIAL GOALS

Tutorial Goals
Open a part file, assign a default machine definition, and set up stock.
Create four drill holes with one toolpath (including selecting a drill point,
choosing tooling, using tool tip compensation, and setting machining
values).
Rough the outside of the part (including chaining entities, selecting tooling,
and setting machining values).
Clean out the inside of the part (including chaining entities, choosing
tooling, and setting machining values).
View all toolpaths in the graphics window.
View a specific toolpath by temporarily turning off the display of selected
toolpaths.
Backplot (view the path the tools take to cut the part) all toolpaths.
Customize your backplot display.
Simulate (verify) the machining of the part from a stock model display.
Post all toolpath operations to an NC file, review/edit the code as necessary,
and save the NC file.
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.

General Tutorial Requirements

All Mastercam tutorials have the following general requirements:

You must be comfortable using the Windows operating system.

The tutorials cannot be used with Mastercam Demo/Home Learning
Edition (HLE). The Demo/HLE file format (EMCX-7) is different from
Mastercam (MCX-7), and basic Mastercam functions, such as file
conversions and posting, are unavailable.
Each lesson in the tutorial builds on the mastery of preceding lessons skills.
We recommend that you complete them in order.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

INTRODUCTION 3

Focus Series and Exploring Series tutorials require, at minimum, a mastery of

the basic Mastercam skills taught in the Getting Started Series modules. A
general knowledge of machining principals and practices is also required.
You must have a seat of Mastercam X7 Design or higher to complete most of
the tutorials in the Getting Started Series.
The Basic 2D Machining module in the Getting Started Series requires, at
minimum, a seat of Mill Entry or Router Entry.
The Basic 3D Machining module in the Getting Started Series requires Mill
Level 3 or Router Pro.
Additional files may accompany a tutorial. Unless the tutorial provides
specific instructions on where to place these files, store them in a folder that
can be accessed from the Mastercam workstation, either with the tutorial or
in any location that you prefer.
All Mastercam tutorials require you to configure Mastercam to work in a
default metric or English configuration. The tutorial provides instructions
for loading the appropriate configuration file.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

4 TUTORIAL GOALS

BASIC 2D MACHINING

LESSON 1

Drilling Holes

The first step to machining the tutorial part is to drill the four holes. By beginning
with drilling, you can then use the holes to fixture the part on the machine tool.

Lesson Goals
Open a part file and assign a machine definition.
Define stock.
Create a drill toolpath (including selecting drill points, choosing tooling,
and setting machining values).
Use tool tip compensation.

Exercise 1: Assigning a Machine Definition

In this exercise, you open an existing part, assign a machine definition to the part,
and save it under a new file name.
1 Start Mastercam using your

preferred method:

Double-click Mastercams
desktop icon.
Or

Launch Mastercam from the

Windows Start menu.
2 Select the default metric configuration file:
a Select Settings, Configuration

from Mastercams menu.

6 ASSIGNING A MACHINE DEFINITION

b Choose ...\mcamxm.config <Metric> from the Current drop-down list.

c Click OK.

3 From the Mastercam menu bar, choose File, Open.

4 Open BASIC_2D_MACHINING_START.MCX-7, which was provided with this

tutorial.
5 Click OK if prompted to switch to a

metric configuration.

6 Press [Alt +S] to shade the part for

easier viewing.
7 From the Mastercam menu, choose

Machine Type, Mill, Default to

open the default metric Mill
machine definition.
In Mastercam, you select a machine
definition before creating any
toolpaths. The machine definition
is a model of your machine tool's
capabilities and features and acts
like a template for setting up
machining jobs.
Note: Parts that have previously been saved with a machine definition
automatically load the associated machine definition.
8 Choose File, Save As and save the part under a different file name than the

original file. This will protect the original tutorial file from being
overwritten.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 7

Exercise 2: Setting Up Stock

In this exercise, you define the stock model from which your part is cut. Stock
models help you visualize your toolpaths more realistically. The stock model you
define can be displayed with the part geometry when viewing the file or toolpaths,
during backplot, or while verifying toolpaths.
1 In the Operations Manager, click on

the plus sign (+) next to Properties Mill Default MM.

It changes to a minus sign (-) and
displays the machine group
properties. Machine groups are
created automatically and
displayed in the Toolpaths Manager
when you select a machine from
the Machine Type menu. They
include job setup information for
toolpaths, such as tool numbering,
stock models, material selection,
and toolpath defaults and libraries.
2 Click the Stock Setup icon to

display the Stock Setup tab in the

Machine Group Properties dialog
box.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

8 SETTING UP STOCK

3 Click the Select corners button near the bottom of the dialog box.

Mastercam brings you back to the graphics window to select the two
opposite stock corners.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 9

4 Click the two opposite corners as shown in the following picture. The Stock

Setup tab displays again with X and Y coordinate values from the selected
corners.

5 Enter 25 for the Z coordinate in the stock diagram to provide some depth for

your stock.
6 If not already selected, select the Display checkbox to see the stock model

boundaries in the graphics window.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

10 DRILLING FOUR HOLES

7 Click OK to complete the stock setup. The stock displays as dashed red lines

around the part.

Exercise 3: Drilling Four Holes

In this exercise, you create a drill toolpath that drills all four holes of the part.

Selecting the Drill Holes

1 From the Mastercam menu, choose

Toolpaths, Drill. The Drill Point

Selection dialog box opens.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 11

Note: You may be prompted for an NC file name. If prompted, click OK to

confirm the default NC file name, or overwrite the file name and click OK to
modify the default file name.
2 Right-click in the graphics window

and choose Top (WCS) to switch to

a Top graphics view. This will make
it easier to select the drill holes.

3 Right-click in the graphics window

again and choose Fit to fit the part

to the screen.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

12 DRILLING FOUR HOLES

4 Click each of the four holes of the part to select them for chaining. Choose

them in a clockwise order from top left to bottom left as shown in the
numbered sequence below.

TIP: When you get close to each

holes center point, Mastercam
displays a Visual Cue that indicates
the center point.
5 Click OK. The 2D Toolpaths - Drill/Circles dialog box opens.

Exploring the Toolpath Dialog Boxes

Many Mastercam toolpaths, including Drill, use a tree-style dialog interface made
up of three distinct areas:

Tree View - Displays a list of all the available dialog box property pages.
Inactive pages are marked
with a red circle and a slash.
Edited pages are marked with
a green check mark.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 13

Some pages may have a plus or minus symbol, indicating that the
page has subpages and can expand and contract to either display or
hide the subpages.
Page View - Changes with each selection you make in the Tree View area.
Quick View Settings - Summarizes key toolpath information from
parameters you set on the different pages. It updates automatically as
you make changes in the pages, and is always visible.
Tree view area

Page view

Quick
View
Settings
area

BASIC 2D MACHINING

14 DRILLING FOUR HOLES

1 Click the Circle Mill toolpath type

icon. This changes the toolpath to a

circle mill toolpath and changes the
pages listed in the Tree View area.
Notice that the Toolpath Type page
in the Tree View area now has a
green check beside it, indicating
that you made a change on that
page.

2 Click the Drill toolpath type icon to change back to a drill toolpath.
3 Click the Cut Parameters page in the Tree View list. The Page area changes

to list cut parameters for the toolpath.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 15

Setting Drilling Parameters

1 Click the Tool page in the Tree View list to pick a tool for the drill toolpath.
2 Click the Select library tool button

to pick a tool from one of

Mastercams tool libraries.
The Tool Selection dialog box opens.
3 Select the 10mm diameter drill

from the tool list.

Note: Make sure that the
mill_mm.tooldb tool library is
selected at the top of the dialog box. If
not, click the drop-down arrow and
select it from the tool library list.

4 Click OK to return to the Tool page.

5 Click the Linking Parameters page in the Tree View list.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

16 DRILLING FOUR HOLES

6 Enter -25.0 in the Depth field.

7 Click the Tip Comp page in the Tree View list. Notice that this page is off by

default.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 17

8 Select the Tip Comp checkbox to turn on this feature and enter 5.0 in the

Breakthrough amount field.

TIP: The drill tip compensation tells Mastercam how far to drill past the
final depth to break through the stock. Enter a positive number only.
Entering a negative value results in the drill retracting before the desired
depth is reached.
9 Click OK to generate the drill toolpath for the four holes.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

18 DRILLING FOUR HOLES

10 Right-click in the graphics window

and choose Isometric (WCS) from

the menu to view the part and
toolpath in the isometric view.
You may need to center the part in
the graphics window to see it. The
easiest way to do this is to use the
graphics window right-click menu
and select Fit to fit the part in the
graphics window, then unzoom by
pressing [Alt+F2].

TIP: You can also use the fit/zoom/

unzoom buttons in the View Manipulation toolbar.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

DRILLING HOLES 19

Your toolpath should look like this. The cyan lines are feed motion and the
yellow lines are rapid motion.

11 Right-click in the graphics window again, and choose Top (WCS).

12 Choose File, Save from the Mastercam menu or click the Save button to

save your part.

Now that the holes are drilled, you can move forward with removing stock from the
outer area of the part.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

20 DRILLING FOUR HOLES

BASIC 2D MACHINING

LESSON 2

Roughing Outside the Part

The next step to machining the tutorial part is to remove the bulk of the stock from
the outside. You will use a couple of toolpaths to machine this area.

Lesson Goals
Create a dynamic mill toolpath (including chaining entities, choosing
tooling, and setting machining values).
View a specific toolpath by temporarily turning off the display of selected
toolpaths.
Create a contour toolpath (including chaining entities, choosing tooling,
and setting machining values).

Exercise 1: Creating a Dynamic Mill Toolpath

In this exercise, you create a dynamic mill 2D toolpath to clear away much of the
stock from the outside of the tutorial part. Dynamic mill toolpaths, part of the 2D
High Speed toolpath suite, utilize the entire flute length of their cutting tools to
produce the smoothest, most efficient tool motion for high speed pocketing and
core milling.
1 From the Mastercam menu, choose

Toolpaths, 2D High Speed,

Dynamic Core. The Chaining
dialog box opens.
Chaining is the process of selecting
one or more entities and linking
them together in a specific order
and direction. The entities must
have adjoining endpoints and may
be open or closed shapes.
2 Press [Alt+S] to turn off shading and make it easier to select the chains.
3 Click the outside contour of the part to chain it.

22 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

The chaining arrow should point

clockwise. If the chaining direction
arrow is pointing counterclockwise,
click the Reverse button on the
Chaining dialog box.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 23

4 Click the top of the stock boundary as the second chain. This second chain

represents the size of the stock material. The chaining arrow should again
point clockwise.

5 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to chain the part. The Chaining dialog

box closes and the Chaining Options dialog box opens.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

24 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

6 Select Dont show this dialog again this session and click OK. The 2D High

Speed Toolpath dialog box opens.

7 Click the Tool page in the Tree View list to select a tool for this toolpath.
8 Click the Select library tool button.

The default metric tool library

opens.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 25

9 Select the 12mm diameter flat endmill, and click OK.

Setting the Dynamic Mill Toolpath Parameters

1 Click the Cut Parameters page in the Tree View area to enter values for

different cutting parameters and compensation options.

2 Set the following parameters:.

Enter 5.0 for the Approach distance, which adds the specified
absolute distance to the beginning of the toolpaths first cut.
Enter 10% for the Min toolpath radius. This parameter is used to
calculate 3D arc moves and reduce sharp corner motion between
passes.
Enter 0.5 for the Micro lift distance. Microlifts are slight lifts during
back moves that help clear chips and minimize excessive tool heating.
Select When exceeding a distance from the Motion>Gap size,
retract drop-down list, select the Distance radio button in the Gap
size group box, and enter 100.0. Mastercam adds retract motion when
the next cut begins at a distance greater than the distance you define.
Enter 0.5 for the Stock to leave on walls.This leaves 0.5mm of stock
on the outer walls.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

26 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

Enter 0 for Stock to leave on floors.

3 Click the Depth cuts page in the Tree View area.

TIP: Depth cuts divide the total depth of a toolpath into smaller Z-axis
cuts to reduce tool wear. You can enter a maximum rough step, and
Mastercam divides the total depth into equal steps. Or you can enter the
exact number of finish steps and the size of each finish step. For more
details, please refer to the Mastercam Help.
4 Make sure the Depth cuts checkbox is deselected to turn off depth cuts for

this toolpath. Notice the red circle and a slash that displays next to the
Depth Cuts page, indicating that the options on this page are all turned off.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 27

Dynamic mill toolpaths utilize the full flute length of your tool, so dividing
the toolpath into smaller cuts is not necessary.

5 Click the Entry Motion page in the Tree View list to set how and where the

tool enters the stock.

Note: The open pocket machining method enters from outside the material
- these entry parameters are only used if Mastercam encounters a closed
pocket.
6 Set the following parameters:

Select Profile from the Entry method drop-down list. This entry
method creates a ramp entry based on the shape of the offset pocket.
The slot is cleared by taking lighter cuts in the Z axis. Subsequent cuts
are properly engaged at the full cut depth.
Enter 1.0 for the Z clearance. This is an extra height used in the
ramping motion down from a top profile. It ensures that the tool has
fully slowed down from rapid speeds before touching the material, so
that it enters the material smoothly at the plunge angle.
Select the Entry pitch radio button and enter 1.0 for the distance. This
controls the entry descent by the pitch value you define. Mastercam
lowers the tool by the pitch value for every complete revolution of the
entry motion, ensuring the tool is never buried by more than the
specified pitch.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

28 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

7 Click the Linking Parameters page in the Tree View list to set important

heights such as clearance, retract, and feed plane, as well as the final
toolpath depth.
8 Set the following parameters:

Select the Clearance checkbox and enter 10.0 for the height, which is
the height at which the tool moves to and from the part.
Select the Use clearance only at the start and end of operation
checkbox, so the toolpath rapids to the clearance height only at the
start and end of the toolpath.
Enter 2.0 for the Retract height and select the Absolute radio button.
This is the height that the tool moves up to before the next tool pass.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 29

By selecting Absolute, the retract height is always measured from

0,0,0, not relative to any selected geometry.

Enter 1.0 for the Feed plane height, which is the height that the tool
rapids to before changing to the plunge rate to enter the part.
Enter 0 for the Top of stock height, which is the height of the material
in the Z axis.
Enter -25.0 for the Depth. This value determines the final machining
depth and the lowest depth that the tool descends into the stock. In
this case, the depth is -25mm, or 25 mm below the top of the part.
TIP: The default depth is the depth of the selected geometry.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

30 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

9 Click OK to generate the toolpath.

10 Right-click in the graphics window

and choose Isometric (WCS) from

the menu to view the part and
toolpath in the isometric view.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 31

The toolpath cleans most of the material outside the part using smooth,
efficient tool motion.

11 Right-click in the graphics window again and choose Top (WCS) from the

menu to view the part and toolpath in the top view.

12 Choose File, Save from the

Mastercam menu or click the Save

button to save your part.

Exercise 2: Viewing Your Toolpaths

In this exercise, you will temporarily turn off the display for the drill and dynamic
mill toolpaths so that you easily see any additional toolpaths you create.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

32 CREATING A CONTOUR TOOLPATH

1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the

Select all operations button.

Check marks display on the yellow
folders of each toolpath, which
indicates that they are selected.

2 Press [T] to toggle off the toolpath

display of both toolpaths in the

graphics window.
This function toggles the visibility
of toolpaths on and off in the
graphics window so that you can
view only specific toolpaths.
The Toolpath icon changes to gray
when the toolpath display is
toggled off.

Exercise 3: Creating a Contour Toolpath

To get the final finish on the outer walls with no stock remaining, you will create a
contour toolpath. Contour toolpaths remove material along a path defined by a
chain of curves. Contour toolpaths only follow a chain; they do not clean out an
enclosed area.
1 From the Mastercam menu, choose

Toolpaths, Contour. The Chaining

dialog box opens.

2 Click the outside contour of the part to chain it.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 33

The chaining arrow should point

clockwise. If the chaining direction
arrow is pointing counterclockwise,
click the Reverse button on the
Chaining dialog box.

3 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to chain the part. The Chaining dialog

box closes and the 2D Toolpaths - Contour dialog box opens.

4 Click the Tool page in the Tree View list to select a tool for this toolpath.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

34 CREATING A CONTOUR TOOLPATH

5 Select the 12mm diameter flat endmill you used for the dynamic mill

toolpath.

Setting the Contour Toolpath Parameters

1 Click the Lead In/Out page in the Tree View area to enter values for the entry

and exit moves.

Lead in/out or entry/exit moves are a combination of lines and arcs at the
beginning and end of a 2D or 3D contour toolpath. They control how the
tool approaches and pulls away from the toolpath.
Mastercam places entry and exit lines relative to the entry and exit arcs. If
both an entry line and entry arc are defined, the line is machined first. If
both an exit line and exit arc are defined, the arc is machined first. The lead
in/out entry points may differ based on where you clicked the geometry to
chain it.
2 Set the following parameters:

Enter 25% for the Entry, Line, Length.

Enter 50% for the Entry, Arc, Radius.
Click the arrow button in the
center of the page to copy the
values to the Exit parameters.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 35

3 Click the Linking Parameters page in the Tree View list.

4 Set the following parameters:

Select the Clearance checkbox and enter 10.0 for the height.
Select the Use clearance only at the start and end of operation
checkbox.
Enter 2.0 for the Retract height and select the Absolute radio button.
Enter 1.0 for the Feed plane height.
Enter 0 for the Top of stock height.
Enter -25.0 for the Depth.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

36 CREATING A CONTOUR TOOLPATH

BASIC 2D MACHINING

ROUGHING OUTSIDE THE PART 37

5 Click OK to generate the toolpath.

6 Right-click in the graphics window and choose Isometric (WCS) from the

menu to view the part and toolpath in the isometric view, and then fit to
screen. The contour toolpath removes the 0.5mm left behind by the
dynamic mill toolpath and machines the outer wall to its final size.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

38 CREATING A CONTOUR TOOLPATH

7 Right-click in the graphics window again and choose Top (WCS) from the

menu to view the part and toolpath in the top view.

8 Choose File, Save from the

Mastercam menu or click the Save

button to save your part.
The stock has been removed from the outer areas of the part. In the next lesson, you
will remove material from the inner areas of the part, including the slot.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

LESSON 3

Machining Inside the Part

The next step in machining the tutorial part is to clean out material from the inside.
You will use two toolpaths specifically geared towards the areas inside the part.

Lesson Goals
Create a dynamic mill toolpath (including chaining entities, choosing
tooling, and setting machining values).
Create a slot mill toolpath (including chaining entities, choosing tooling,
and setting machining values).

Exercise 1: Creating a Dynamic Mill Toolpath

In this exercise, you create a dynamic mill toolpath to clean out the large interior
shape of the tutorial part. This toolpath type works well for all pocket shapes because
the tool goes right to the final depth, and you can cut using the whole flute length
instead of stepping down.
1 Select the Contour toolpath in the Toolpath Manager and press [T] to turn

off the toolpath display. This makes it easier to see the new toolpaths you
create.
2 From the Mastercam menu, choose

Toolpaths, 2D High Speed,

Dynamic Area. The Chaining dialog
box opens.

40 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

3 Click the inner contour of the part to chain it.

4 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to chain the part. The Chaining dialog

box closes and the 2D High Speed Toolpath dialog box opens.
5

Click the Tool page in the Tree View list to select a tool for this toolpath.

6 Click the Select library tool button.

The default metric tool library

opens.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

MACHINING INSIDE THE PART 41

7 Select the 6mm diameter flat endmill, and click OK.

Setting the Dynamic Mill Toolpath Parameters

1 Click the Cut Parameters page in the Tree View area to enter values for

different cutting parameters and compensation options.

2 Set the following parameters:

Enter 35% for the Stepover.

Select Never from the Motion > Gap size, retract drop-down list.
Enter 0 (zero) for the Stock to leave on walls and Stock to leave on
floors.
Note: See Setting the Dynamic Mill Toolpath Parameters on page 25 for
more information on these parameters.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

42 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

3 Click the Linking Parameters page in the Tree View list to set important

heights such as clearance, retract, and feed plane, as well as the final
toolpath depth.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

MACHINING INSIDE THE PART 43

4 Enter -10.0 for the Depth.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

44 CREATING A DYNAMIC MILL TOOLPATH

5 Click OK to generate the toolpath.

6 Right-click in the graphics window and choose Isometric (WCS) to view the

part and toolpath in the isometric view. The toolpath cleans off the floor of
the part, but doesnt completely machine the additional slot.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

MACHINING INSIDE THE PART 45

7 Right-click in the graphics window again and choose Top (WCS) from the

menu to view the part and toolpath in the top view.

8 Choose File, Save from the

Mastercam menu or click the Save

button to save your part.

Exercise 2: Creating a Slot Mill Toolpath

Slot mill toolpaths are designed to efficiently machine obround slots. These are slots
that consist of 2 straight lines and two 180-degree arcs at the ends, such as the
remaining slot on your part.
1 Select the second Dynamic Mill toolpath in the Toolpath Manager and press

[T] to turn off the toolpath display. This makes it easier to see the new
toolpaths you create.
2 From the Mastercam menu, choose Toolpaths, Circle Paths, Slot Mill. The

Chaining dialog box opens.

3 Click the slot to chain it. The chaining arrow should point clockwise.

4 Click OK on the Chaining dialog box to chain the part. The Chaining dialog

box closes and the 2D Toolpaths - Slot Mill dialog box opens.
BASIC 2D MACHINING

46 CREATING A SLOT MILL TOOLPATH

5 Click the Tool page in the Tree View list to select a tool for this toolpath.
6 Select the 6mm diameter flat endmill you used for the dynamic mill

toolpath.

Setting the Slot Mill Toolpath Parameters

1 Click the Depth Cuts page in the Tree View area to enter values for different

cutting parameters and compensation options.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

MACHINING INSIDE THE PART 47

2 Select the Depth cuts checkbox to turn on depth cuts, and enter the values

shown in the graphic below.

3 Click the Linking Parameters page in the Tree View list.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

48 CREATING A SLOT MILL TOOLPATH

4 Enter -20.0 for the Depth and select the Absolute radio button.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

MACHINING INSIDE THE PART 49

5 Click OK to generate the toolpath.

6 Right-click in the graphics window and choose Isometric (WCS) to view the

part and toolpath in the isometric view. The slot is machined in four depth
cuts.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

50 CREATING A SLOT MILL TOOLPATH

7 Right-click in the graphics window again and choose Top (WCS) from the

menu to view the part and toolpath in the top view.

8 Choose File, Save from the

Mastercam menu or click the Save

button to save your part.
Now that you have machined all areas of the part, you can use Mastercams Backplot
and Verify functions to check your toolpaths before sending them to the machine
tool.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

LESSON 4

Previewing Toolpaths

Mastercam has several ways of viewing your toolpath motion before you actually
machine your part. Visualizing the machining process for this part is an important
step before sending the program to your machine control.

Lesson Goals
Backplot all toolpaths.
Customize your backplot display.
Verify all toolpaths.

Exercise 1: Backplotting All Toolpaths

Backplot is a Mastercam function that allows you to see the path the tools take to cut
the part. This display lets you spot errors in the program before you machine the
part.
Note: This lesson assumes that you have successfully completed Lessons 1
through 3 of the Basic 2D Machining tutorial and have saved the MCX file.
If you have not, or if you think your completed part file is incorrect, open the
BASIC_2D_MACHINING_FINISH.MCX-7 file provided with this tutorial.
1 If necessary, open Mastercam and your part (see note above).
2 At the top of the Toolpath Manager,

click the Select all operations

button.

52 BACKPLOTTING ALL TOOLPATHS

All five toolpath folders display a

check mark.
Note: Make sure that all toolpaths are
set to display in the graphics window.
The Toolpath icon for each toolpath
should be black.
If any of the toolpaths are not
displayed, press [T].

3 Right-click in the graphics window and choose Isometric (WCS) from the

menu to view the part and all toolpaths in the isometric view. Fit to screen if
necessary.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

PREVIEWING TOOLPATHS 53

4 In the Toolpath Manager, click the

Backplot selected operations

button. The Backplot dialog box
and Backplot VCR bar open.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

54 BACKPLOTTING ALL TOOLPATHS

5 In the Backplot dialog box, select

the Display tool and Quick verify

buttons. These options will display
a simulation of a tool and shade the
toolpath during backplot.

TIP: To further customize your backplot display, choose other buttons

on the Backplot dialog box. For example, choose the Options button
to open the Backplot Options dialog box. This dialog box lets you
set various backplot parameters such as tool display, holder display, and
tool motion colors.
6 Use the buttons and sliders on the Backplot VCR bar to backplot the

operations.

The Play button begins the

backplotting action.
Click the Help button on the
VCR bar for more information
on each of the controls.

7 When finished, click OK on the Backplot dialog box to exit the backplot

function.
TIP: The backplot display is easily customizable. See the Mastercam
Help for details on each of the buttons, fields, and display options in the
Backplot and the Backplot Options dialog boxes.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

PREVIEWING TOOLPATHS 55

Exercise 2: Verifying All Toolpaths

Mastercam's Verify utility allows you to use solid models to simulate the machining
of a part. The model created by the verification represents the surface finish, and
shows collisions, if any exist. In this exercise, you simulate (verify) the machining of
the part from a stock model display.
1 In the Toolpath Manager, make sure

all operations are selected and click

the Verify selected operations
button. The Verify dialog box
opens.
This launches the Mastercam Simulator (as shown below).

2 If not already chosen, click the

Verify button on the toolbar.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

56 VERIFYING ALL TOOLPATHS

3 Click the Play button.

Mastercam Simulator runs Verify

on all toolpaths.
The picture below shows the part following complete verification.

4 Click the Fit button if needed to

show entire part during or after

verification.

TIP: Click the Help button or press [F1] to access the help for Mastercam
Simulator procedures, features, and options.
5 Close Mastercam Simulator.

You have previewed your part using Mastercams Backplot and Verify functions. In
the next chapter, you will post your operations and view your NC code.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

LESSON 5

Posting Toolpaths

Post processing, or posting, refers to the process by which the toolpaths in your
Mastercam part files are converted to a format that can be understood by your
machine tools control (for example, G-codes). A special program called a post
processor, or post, reads your Mastercam file and writes the appropriate NC code.
Generally, every machine tool or control will require its own post processor, customized to produce code formatted to meet its exact requirements.

Lesson Goals
Post all toolpaths to create NC files.
Post a single toolpath to create an NC files.

Exercise 1: Posting All Toolpath Operations

In this exercise, you post all toolpath operations for this part to an NC file, review/
edit the code as necessary, and save the NC file.
Note: This lesson assumes that you have successfully completed Lessons 1
through 3 of this Basic 2D Machining tutorial module and have saved the
MCX file. If you have not, open the BASIC_2D_MACHINING_FINISH.MCX-7
file provided with this tutorial.
1 If necessary, open Mastercam and your part (see note above).
2 In the Toolpath Manager, click the

Select all operations button.

All five toolpath folders will display a check mark to indicate they are
selected.

58 POSTING ALL TOOLPATH OPERATIONS

3 In the Toolpath Manager, click the

Post selected operations button.

The Post processing dialog box
opens.

4 Set the post processing parameters as shown. These settings will ask if you

want to save the NC file and will display the resulting file in your default text
editor.

5 Click OK.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

POSTING TOOLPATHS 59

6 Mastercam Code Expert opens to the Editor tab, displaying the posted NC

code similar to the image below.

7 Scroll through the NC code to verify that each line of code meets your

expectations. Edit and save as necessary.

Notes:
Posting may take several minutes. When it is complete, the NC code will
display in your default editor/communicator. This tutorial uses
Mastercam Code Experts Editor to display the NC code.
Producing the correct NC code for your machine and application
depends on properly configuring the machine definition, control
definition, and PST file. For detailed information on machine
definitions, control, definitions, and posting, please see the
Mastercam Help.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

60 POSTING A SINGLE TOOLPATH OPERATION

Exercise 2: Posting a Single Toolpath Operation

1 In the Toolpath Manager, click the

single operation you want to post.

2 Click the Post selected operations

button. The Post processing dialog

box opens.

3 Set the post processing options as

shown.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

POSTING TOOLPATHS 61

4 Click OK.

Note: When you select less than all the operations in your part file, you are
prompted to verify that you are intending to post only the selected posts (as
shown below)

Answer as appropriate (usually Yes because you intended to post a single

operation).
The Save As dialog box opens.
5 Click Save to save the NC file in the default location with the recommended

file name.
Note: If you have previously posted any or all of the operations from this file,
you will receive a message asking you if you want to replace the existing NC
file. Answer as appropriate. If you choose Yes, you will be asked if you want
to overwrite the existing code. Choose Yes.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

62 POSTING A SINGLE TOOLPATH OPERATION

6 Mastercam Code Expert opens to the Editor tab, displaying the posted NC

code for the selected operation similar to the image below.

7 Scroll through the NC code to verify that each line of code meets your

expectations. Edit and save as necessary.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

POSTING TOOLPATHS 63

Post Processing Summary: Sending NC Files to

Machine
IMPORTANT: This tutorial is based on the Mastercam Mill Default
machine definition for training purposes only. It is not possible to
provide a step-by-step procedure for sending the NC code to your
machine control because machine setups are customizable and most
likely different from the machine definition used here. Following is a
general description of how the NC code is communicated to machines
and their controls for machining.
After the NC file is reviewed, edited, and saved, you can set up your machine control
to accept the NC file. This is done according to your machine and control manufacturers procedures.
When the machine control is ready to receive the NC file, configure your preferred
editor or communications program to communicate with your machine control.
Refer to your communications program documentation for details.
Send the NC code to your machine control according to your machine and control
manufacturers documentation. Once you start the communication process, the
send/receive data processing is mostly managed by your machine control.
Contact your local Mastercam Reseller for customized machine/control definitions,
post (PST) files, and support.

Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the Basic 2D Machining tutorial. 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.
This is a module of the Mastercam Getting Started Tutorial Series. The series introduces general Mastercam functions and teaches basic skills for getting started with
Mastercam. Other tutorial series include:

Focus Series: Focuses on a specific Mastercam featurefor example, Setup

Sheets or FBM Drill, and teaches basic and advanced skills.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

64 MASTERCAM RESOURCES

Exploring Series: Explores a single Mastercam productfor example

Mastercam for SolidWorks or Mastercam Swiss Expert, and teaches indepth skills for working with the product.
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.

Mastercam Resources
Enhance your Mastercam experience by using the following resources:

Mastercam HelpAccess Mastercam Help by selecting Help, Contents from

Mastercams menu bar or by pressing [Alt+H] on your keyboard. Also, most
dialog boxes and ribbon bars feature a Help button that opens Mastercam
Help directly to related information.
Mastercam ResellerYour local Mastercam Reseller can help with most
questions about Mastercam.
Technical SupportCNC Softwares Technical Support department (860875-5006 or support@mastercam.com) is open Monday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. USA Eastern Standard Time.
Mastercam UniversityCNC Software sponsors Mastercam University, an
affordable online learning platform that gives you 24/7 access to Mastercam
training materials. Take advantage of more than 180 videos to master your
skills at your own pace and help prepare yourself for Mastercam
Certification. For more information on Mastercam University, please
contact your Authorized Mastercam Reseller, visit www.mastercamu.com,
or email training@mastercam.com.
Online communities You can find a wealth of information, including
many videos, at www.mastercam.com and www.mastercamedu.com.
For tech tips and the latest Mastercam news, you can join us on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/mastercam), follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/
mastercam), and subscribe to our blog, Mastercam Xtras (http://
blog.mastercam.com). Visit our YouTube channel to see Mastercam in
action (www.youtube.com/user/MastercamCadCam)!

BASIC 2D MACHINING

POSTING TOOLPATHS 65

Mastercam Documentation
Mastercam installs the following documents in the \Documentation folder of your
Mastercam installation:

Whats New in Mastercam X7

Mastercam X7 Installation Guide
Mastercam X7 Administrator Guide
Mastercam X7 Transition Guide
Mastercam X7 Quick Reference Card
Mastercam X7 Post Debugger Users Guide
Getting Started with Renishaw Productivity+
Mastercam X7 ReadMe

Contact Us
For questions about this or other Mastercam documentation, contact the Technical
Documentation department by email at techdocs@mastercam.com.

BASIC 2D MACHINING

66 MASTERCAM DOCUMENTATION

BASIC 2D MACHINING

Attention! Updates may be available.

Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest downloads.

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