CNC SOFTWARE INC. issued an add-on feature for its MasterCAM 2020 programs Mastercam Mill 3D, Router 3D, Mill-Turn, and Mastercam for Solidworks®, noting it "improves productivity with simultaneous four- and five-axis machining capability for Mastercam. Mastercam Multiaxis offers a wide range of multiaxis machining strategies, both basic and advanced. These toolpaths also are useful for advanced control of three-axis machines.
Among the capabilities introduced with this add-on:
• Cut Patterns that guide the tool along specified paths. These patterns can be simple 2D and 3D wireframe, solid primitives, or complex multi-surface grids. Mastercam’s Multiaxis machining has several toolpath types to govern the cut pattern.
• MasterCAM's Tool Axis Control allows orientation of the tool’s center axis to be manipulated as it follows the cut pattern. Programmers have complete and dynamic control over the tool axis, lead/lag, entry/exit, and tilt, which simplifies even the most difficult multi-axis jobs. Full entry- and exit-control allow them to determine exactly where and how the cutter enters and leaves your part. An automatic point generator adds greater precision, as well as advanced gouge checking and a five-axis safe zone around the part to ensure safe cuts in even the most complex operations.
• Collision Control. When programming five-axis parts, it may be necessary to come very close to the part or fixture with the cutter, arbor, or the holder. MasterCAM gives programmers “near miss tolerance” fields, so it's possible to specify how close to approach any part of the tool and how to avoid those situations.
• MasterCAM’s Blade Expert Add-On simplifies the toolpath creation process for any multibladed parts, including fans, propellers, impellers, turbines, marine screws, and more. Blade Expert is a powerful and easy-to-use custom application, designed to generate efficient, smooth, and gouge-free toolpaths for these complex bladed parts.
• MasterCAM’s Port Expert Add-On creates accurate, efficient engine cylinder head porting toolpaths on port surface or solid data. The Port Expert toolpaths use three-axis machining as far into the port as possible, and then convert automatically to five-axis motion with minimum tilt. This avoids fishtails or inefficient reverse moves, and smoothly transitions where the toolpaths meet at the middle of the port. • Included in MasterCAM Multiaxis are two innovative machining strategies. Dynamic Motion® extends tool life with proprietary toolpath strategies that maximize material removal rate and reduce cycle times, and Accelerated Finishing® takes advantage of innovative profile tools and processes aimed at greater efficiency and higher machining productivity.
Learn more at www.mastercam.com.
