Mastercam is showcasing its latest version of its machining software at the Eastec manufacturing trade show scheduled for October 19-21 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Visitors to booth #5249 can learn about the Mastercam 2022 software that the company says offers features and enhancements that streamline a manufacturer’s entire process, from job setup to job completion.
Many of the advancements in Mastercam 2022 are directly driven by Mastercam users and shops. Feedback from Public Beta releases, shop visits, customer surveys, and consultation with our expert industry partners create the practical, shop-driven focus that helps ensure Mastercam users’ success, said Meghan West, Mastercam president and CEO.
“Mastercam is developed by listening to our users and creating solutions for their problems,” said West. “We adapt to changing needs to ensure that the customer experience is the best it can be as we continue to innovate for improved automation, efficiency, connectivity, and precision.”
Features include:
OptiRough toolpath for 2D users. The 3D High Speed Dynamic OptiRough toolpath is now available for all mill and router product levels. This allows users to machine large cut depths with a bidirectional cutting strategy to remove the maximum amount of material with the minimum number of stepdowns. Dynamic OptiRough allows users to create a single toolpath to machine a part, instead of creating multiple 2D operations to achieve the same goal. The toolpath is collision aware of the part, and for complex machining, the toolpath can also be aware of the tool holder.
Multiaxis programming. As more shops seek the benefits of a single setup, multiaxis cutting strategy, Mastercam 2022 adds new techniques and strategies such as the Unified Multiaxis toolpath which allows users to select multiple pieces of input geometry to generate the toolpath pattern. Using those geometry choices, the toolpath picks the best algorithm to calculate the path. Multi-pass on Deburr toolpaths supports flat chamfered and rounded edges which gives the user added flexibility, allowing the Deburr toolpath to create a quality surface finish on larger chamfered or radiused edges.
Modeling advances. Mastercam 2022 introduces mesh creation and editing capabilities that deliver a new class of modeling tools, including the ability to reconstruct models from scanned data. Being able to directly edit wireframe geometry without interacting with the dialog box speeds up design and modification work. And the Overflow UV function allows you to replace multiple surfaces with inconsistent flows with a single surface for flowline toolpaths. Users can also simplify surfaces for general modeling. Overflow UV generates a single unified surface with a desired UV flow on a connected set of surfaces.
Enhanced intelligence and automation. A suite of system-wide enhancements helps automate tasks and speed workflow. New automatic region chaining uses a “smart” approach to auto-select logical chained areas. Holemaking from imported solids is faster as Mastercam will now automatically extract appropriate information and pre-populate programming options. Even tool imports have been made more intelligent as Mastercam will infer more tool properties from an incoming tool CAD model.
For more information on Mastercam 2022, visit https://www.mastercam.com or https://whatsnew.mastercam.com.
Related Glossary Terms
- computer-aided design ( CAD)
computer-aided design ( CAD)
Product-design functions performed with the help of computers and special software.
- flat ( screw flat)
flat ( screw flat)
Flat surface machined into the shank of a cutting tool for enhanced holding of the tool.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- toolpath( cutter path)
toolpath( cutter path)
2-D or 3-D path generated by program code or a CAM system and followed by tool when machining a part.