mill level 1 - · pdf filemill level 1 mill version x² hours: 16 hours, 4 hour classes...

Course Outline

Class One:

Basic introduction to Mastercam

Menus and toolbars

Basic design skills

Practical application

Class Two:

Transformation toolbar

Drawing Control

Practical Application

Class Three:

Toolpath operations manager

Toolpaths

Verification utilities

Practical Application

Class Four:

Additional toolpaths

Work offsets

Post processing\setup sheet

2008

Remote Machine and CNC education Patrik Warren

[MILL LEVEL 1] Beginning Mastercam training, covering basic design and toolpathing principles.

Remote Machine and CNC education

2

Course Syllabus

Mill Level 1

Mill Version X²

Hours: 16 hours, 4 hour classes

Materials: Folder, course syllabus and drawings

Pre-requisites: None

Class One

Objectives:

Basic introduction to Mastercam

Menus and toolbars

Basic design skills

The basics o Terminology

Top drop-down menu Icons Hot keys

Toolbars Ribbon bar

Positioning toolbar General selection toolbar

Drawing area Operations Manager Drawing control Prompt box

This is always telling the user what it wants o Toolbars

Display name


3

Positioning Docking

Reset to default Screen customize

MRU toolbar- keeps track of the last 10 commands used o On-line help

Context sensitive Stuck? Look for the ?

o Files Recently accessed Open/Save As

Types o Options- for files that are not native to Mastercam

o Graphic view (green boxes) Basic views (toolbar or right mouse click)

Top Front Right side Isometric

o Mouse functions Left button- select/deselect- Do not hold buttons down, single click

Selected geometry will be displayed in bright yellow o Pre-selection

Selection methods o Smart selection

Single Window Chain (hold shift key)

o Invert selection Right button- fly out menu Zooming

Scrolling wheel- zooms in and out o Position mouse in area to be zoomed (avoids repositioning the

screen) Rotation

Push and hold wheel Panning


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Push and hold wheel with the ALT key Arrow keys

o ALT+ arrow keys- 3d pan o Zoom

Window Target Selection Unzoom

o Delete/Undelete Delete key on keyboard or pencil icon Pencil icon with blue arrow

Undelete one entity at a time, each time it is clicked Delete duplicates- 3 pencils

o Undo/Redo Undoes entire last function Unlimited undos Different than undelete- this will bring back all deleted entities at once

o Copy/Paste Can only copy and paste geometry between files, no toolpaths

Important hot key assignments

Function Hot key

Zoom window F1

Unzoom F2

Repaint F3

Analyze F4

Fit Alt+F1

Toggle origin F9

Toggle op. Alt+O

Grid Alt+G

Copy Alt+C

Paste Alt+V

Select all Alt+A

Undo Ctrl+Z

Basic design skills o Sketcher toolbar


5

Lines Geometry states

o Phantom- white o Live entity- cyan

Adjustable o Fixed- drawing color o Autocursor- right mouse-click in drawing area

Toggle options Enable power keys Cursor reflects snap point method

o Interactive ribbon bar o Hot key assignments

Horizontal o Y-Axis positioning

Vertical o X-Axis positioning

Positioning toolbar o X,Y and Z o Fastpoint method

Tangent o Must not engage an autocursed position

Entity turns white Bisect Perpendicular

o Locking value boxes Clicking icon, value box turns red Click again to unlock

Parallel Arcs

Circle center point o Dynamic o Lock value box o Modify center point

Tangent o 1 entity o Centerline o 3 entities


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Endpoints o Dynamic o Forced- input radius first

Points Rectangular shapes

Rectangle o Width and height in ribbon bar, not positioning boxes o Anchor to center toggle

Rectangular shapes o Expand arrows o Multiple anchor points o Fillet corners

Points Position Segment

o Number of points o Distance between points

Fillet- easiest way to create an arc tangent to two entities, can be lines or arcs Trim/No trim Types

o Normal o Inverse o Circle o Clearance

Chamfer 1 distance 2 distances Distance and angle Width

o Analyze Hot key- F4 Displaying entity information Changing attributes of fixed entities Accepting changes

o Trim Scissors icon

Selection methods


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o Dual- allows for one and two entity trimming without selecting

from list o 1 entity

Pick on side of entity to keep o 2 entity

Pick on side of entity to keep both entities o 3 entity

For trimming circles Circles trimmed from endpoint

Bounding entities first, then circle Pick on side of entity to keep all entities

o Divide Select on geometry to get rid of Entities must overlap Do not use as delete

o To point Used when there is no geometry to trim to

Extend- ruler icon must be pushed in to enable o Negative value will shorten entity

Close arc Join

o Coordinate systems Rectangular

X,Y and Z axes

Polar Distance

-X

+X

+Y

-Y

+Z

-Z

Rectangular origin


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Angle- defines direction

o Screen- great tool for frame of reference Alt+G Grid Size Active Visible Origin

Demo drawings o Connecting rod

Relative positioning Delta

Intro to Xform Bounding box

Lines Center point

o M_part Letting Mastercam do the math

Polar Origin

180°

90°

270°

0°/360°


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Class Two

Objectives:

Transformation toolbar

o Group/Result

o Types

Drawing control

o Attributes

Drawings

Transformation toolbar o Create a star

Create polygon Dynamic

o Adjusting parameters Multi-line Delete Divide

o Xform Translate

Delta o X, Y and/or Z o Using functions with other functions

Delta + polar Delta + mathematical functions

From/To o Snap points

Polar o Distance o Angle (direction)

Move/copy/join # of copies

o Distance between o Total distance


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Re-select geometry Flip direction

o 3-way toggle Other side Both sides Original side

Preview o Regen o Fit

Rotate Rotation origin Angle of rotation # of copies

o Angle between o Total sweep

Use new attributes o Level

Increment level per copy o Color

Rectangular array Direction 1

o Distance o Angle

Direction 2 Mirror

Horizontal o Reference point

Vertical Angular Line 2 points

Scale Scaling origin Uniform- all 3 axis same

o Factor o Percentage

XYZ- independently scale x, y and or z


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Offset Distance Click entity and side to offset

Offset contour Chain manager (explained in detail in toolpathing section) Just click contour to offset, then click green checkmark XY distance Z distance Angle (taper)

o Absolute- relative to working coordinate system o Incremental- relative to geometry position

Project- to move geometry of varying z heights all to the same z reference Construction plane (constructing z depth) Plane Surface

Translate 3d- used to move geometry between views (ex. Front to top etc…) Views

o Reference points

Drawing control o Colors

Changing attributes Select geometry to change Right click any box in the drawing control section

o Levels Level manager

Current level Naming Viewing Creating new levels

o Line styles

Drawings o Demos

20_1 Picture frame drawing area

Geneva 1 Only drawing what’s needed


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Relative positioning o Polar

Relative positioning with polar function Exercise

Putting all known information down, extrapolate from there Substitution of known information

Class Three

Objectives:

Machine and control definition

Operations manager

o Associativity

Toolpathing

o Pocket

o Contour

o Drill

Verification Utilities

o Backplot

o Verify

Drawings

Create ncCAD part drawing o Demo for class

Machine and control definition o Machine Definition

Types

Mill

o Capabilities (horizontal, vertical etc…)


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Lathe

Wire

Router

Must define a machine definition to access toolpaths

Machine definitions in Mastercam are the starting point for creating machining jobs. Before you start a machining job in your shop, typically you first decide on what machine you will run the job, and then create the job based on that machine's features and capabilities. 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.

Machine definitions tie together three main components:

A schematic model of your machine tool's components (such as which linear and rotary axes are present), how they are connected together, and kinematic settings such as maximum motion rates. These are set in the Machine Definition Manager.

A control definition that models your's control unit's capabilities. This provides information to the post processor such as tolerances and NC formatting information. It also reads information from the post processor, such as post text, canned text, and miscellaneous values, and feeds that information to the rest of Mastercam. Use the Control Definition Manager to define these settings.

A pointer to your post processor. This means that when you select a machine definition to begin creating toolpaths, the post processor is automatically selected.

Note: Most Mastercam users only need a basic machine definition. These let you get up and running quickly by eliminating the need for solid models and other advanced features. Users who need to support multiaxis simulation and Mastercam MultiTasking need to create more sophisticated machine definitions

o Control definition

Easier way to make modifications to the post file

The control definition has two main functions:

It provides the post processor with the information it needs to properly process the toolpath data for the selected machine definition. This lets the post create an NC file which meets the control's requirements.

It tells Mastercam about the control and the post's capabilities and requirements so that users can't select options or features that the post won't support.

Many of the settings in the control definition are defaults for, and can be overridden in, the machine group properties or toolpath parameters for specific operations.


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Mastercam uses the combination of a machine definition and a control definition to represent a machine tool. As part of a machine definition, you select a control definition and post processor. Later, when you select the machine to create a toolpath, the control and post are automatically selected at the same time.

Like the machine definition, a copy of the control definition is stored in the machine group when a machine is selected, and saved with the part.

This lets you move the part file to another Mastercam station without bringing along the machine and control definition files.

You can make job-specific edits or overrides by editing the local copy of the control definition (in your part file) separately from the master copy stored on your hard drive.

Note: A copy of the .PST file does NOT get stored in the part or machine group. The .PST file referenced by the control definition must reside on the local workstation in order to post a part.

Mastercam stores control definitions in your CNC_MACHINES folder, in files with a .CONTROL extension. Each .CONTROL file can store several control definitions, for different machine types or configured for different post processors.

Operations manager o Properties

Stock setup Shape

o Rectangle Display

o Wireframe o Solid

Size o All entities o Bounding box

Stock origin Tool settings

Feed calculation o From tool o From material o From defaults o User defined

Assign tool numbers sequentially


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Stock material o Library

Files Changing machine definition Changing control definition

o Icons Select- green checkmarks

Select all Select dirty

Regenerate- tool icons Regen all- updates toolpaths to incorporate latest changes made Regen dirty

Backplot- blue waves Verify- block Post process- G1 Toggle toolpath display Insert arrow location

Up Down After selected group Locate

Associativity Geometry based- if any changes are made to the geometry, it is marked

as dirty Parameter based- if any changes are made to the parameters, it is

marked as dirty Elements of an operation

Parameters Tool Geometry

o Geometry chaining manager Add chain Delete chain Rechain all

Status line o Dirty operation- marked with a red X o Dirty operations must be regenerated


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Toolpaths o Tool manager

Setting up tools to be used Drag and drop Filter

By tool type By size

Changing libraries o Chaining dialogue box

Methods Chain Window Single Area Partial Point Vector

Unselect Flip direction Expand options

Move start point forward/back Dynamic

o Pocket Labels

Toolpath parameters o Coolant button o Speeds and feed o Comment box

Pocketing parameters o Retract heights

Reference buttons o Feed plane o Top of stock o Depth o Depth cuts

Maximum cut depth


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Number of finish cuts Finish cut depth

o Cut direction Climb Conventional

o XY stock to leave (walls) o Z stock to leave (floor) o Types

Standard- tool stays inside selected boundaries Facing- tool is allowed outside outer boundary

Overlap Approach/exit

Remachining- toolpath only in parts roughing tool

missed Remaining stock

o From all previous operations o From previous operation o Roughing tool diameter o Clearance o Toggles

Uncheck display stock to avoid

all the display options when

generating the toolpath Roughing/finishing parameters

o Rough Cutting method Stepover

Percentage Distance

Roughing anlge Minimize tool burial Entry/helix

Ramp Helix

o Finish Number of finish cuts Spacing


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Spring passes Feed and speed control for finish pass Toggle boxes

o Contour Chaining direction

Compensation type o Computer o Control o Wear o Reverse wear o Off

Compensation direction o Right/left

Lead in/lead out Entry/exit

o Parameters Overlap

o Drill Tip compensation

Break through Tip angle

Backplot o Whatever is selected is backplotted/verified/and posted o Backplot dialogue box

VCR controls Play/ stop Speed Step back/forward Rewind/fast forward Progress bar

Icons Toolpath color Display tool Display holder Rapid moves Endpoints


19

Quick verify Expand options

Cycle times Maximum depths X,Y and Z Backplot by pass Display information at specific point

Verify o Machine o Reset o Quality

Class Four

Objectives:

Toolpaths

o Transform

Work offsets

Post processing

Setup sheet

Drawings

Recreate ncCAD part o Add islands

Set construction Z depth

Toolpaths o Island depths

Island facing- islands must be drawn at depth Stock above islands

o Chamfer toolpath Width Tip offset


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o Transform toolpaths Operations manager

Selected operations will be transformed Translate

Parameters o Methods

Mirror Rotate

o Circle paths Slot mill

Slot is two parallel lines connected by two tangent arcs Entry/exit Ramp entry

Circmill Select like drill point Start and exit point are center of circle by default Circle diameter- use this option if no circle is selected to define diameter Roughing Multipasses

Thread mill Parameters

o Inside o Outside

o Contour Tabs

Full o Partial

Thickness Width Manual Automatic Cutoff options

Work offsets o For toolpaths on multiple fixtures

Planes Work offset


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o 0=G54, 1=G55 (or next available position )etc… o Edit selected operations

Edit common parameters- changing multiple instances through more than one

operation

Setup sheet o .set file

No graphical output o GUI

Graphical output

Post processing o Select files to process

NC file Ask/overwrite Edit

o Editor Send to machine

o Communications parameters Name file and location

NCI file o Posting to different machines

Notes:

mill level 1 - · pdf filemill level 1 mill version x² hours: 16 hours, 4 hour classes...

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