2018 marks the 35th anniversary of CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., the developer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software. In 1983, two brothers, Mark and Jack Summers, came up with a new concept for programming CNC (Computer-Numerical-Control) machine tools. A third brother, Brian Summers, soon joined and together they developed a PC-based CAD/CAM software package that laid the foundation for what would be Mastercam, the world’s most widely used CAD/CAM software.
“It started out as a simple idea,” says Chairman Mark Summers. “I was a machinist. My brother was a mathematician. We combined our experience to put what was out of reach for most shops – NC programming software – right onto their desktops.” In the 35 years that followed, they have advanced dozens of important new technologies for those shops, including “smart” toolpaths, hybrid machining, mill-turn, multiaxis, their proprietary Dynamic Motion technology, as well as basic packages for milling, turning, and wire EDM. All of this couldn’t be possible without the valuable feedback from the industry and from what’s most important to CNC Software, the user base. In addition to manufacturers, the company has focused on selling and supporting Mastercam in the education sector since its inception.
They first called the software program “Meghan,” named after Mark Summers’ eldest daughter, and then changed to “Mastercam” as a clearer descriptive of the software’s primary function. Today, Meghan is the CEO and Mastercam is the most widely used CAD/CAM software in the world, closing in on almost a quarter million installations at the end of 2017.
“Mastercam users help drive our innovation,” says CEO Meghan West. “We’re in constant contact with shops, machine tool builders, educators, tooling suppliers, and they all help us focus on what shops need the most now and in the future, so we can deliver.”
“One of the biggest reasons for our success is our global dealer network – probably the largest and most experienced in the CAM industry,” continues West. “They are true partners with our customers, offering advice, training, and applications experience to Mastercam users around the world. We’re also extremely proud to be the number one CAD/CAM program being taught by technology teachers in schools, colleges, and universities. Helping to train the next generation of skilled manufacturing personnel is an important mission of ours.”
Related Glossary Terms
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)
electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)
Process that vaporizes conductive materials by controlled application of pulsed electrical current that flows between a workpiece and electrode (tool) in a dielectric fluid. Permits machining shapes to tight accuracies without the internal stresses conventional machining often generates. Useful in diemaking.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- numerical control ( NC)
numerical control ( NC)
Any controlled equipment that allows an operator to program its movement by entering a series of coded numbers and symbols. See CNC, computer numerical control; DNC, direct numerical control.
- turning
turning
Workpiece is held in a chuck, mounted on a face plate or secured between centers and rotated while a cutting tool, normally a single-point tool, is fed into it along its periphery or across its end or face. Takes the form of straight turning (cutting along the periphery of the workpiece); taper turning (creating a taper); step turning (turning different-size diameters on the same work); chamfering (beveling an edge or shoulder); facing (cutting on an end); turning threads (usually external but can be internal); roughing (high-volume metal removal); and finishing (final light cuts). Performed on lathes, turning centers, chucking machines, automatic screw machines and similar machines.
- wire EDM
wire EDM
Process similar to ram electrical-discharge machining except a small-diameter copper or brass wire is used as a traveling electrode. Usually used in conjunction with a CNC and only works when a part is to be cut completely through. A common analogy is wire electrical-discharge machining is like an ultraprecise, electrical, contour-sawing operation.
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