CNC Software, Inc. (www.cncsoftware.com) has unveiled the latest release of its Computer Aided Machining (CAM) software, Mastercam X3.
Mastercam X3 offers expanded machining flexibility and an increased emphasis on speed and automation. Feature-Based Machining, new high speed tool motion, and faster toolpath generation are combined with dozens of additional new enhancements.
Feature Based Machining (FBM) evaluates a part’s features, automatically designs an effective machining strategy and then generates toolpaths using only a solid model of the part and minimal programmer input. To demonstrate how easy FBM is to use, CNC had the 6-year old daughter of one of its executives generate complete toolpaths for a part in less than a minute.
A benchmarked test on another more complex part showed a reduction in programming time from 45 minutes to less than 8 minutes.
CNC also adopted Mastercam’s 3D high speed toolpaths for use in 2D machining. Although optimized for high speed cutting and hard milling, these toolpaths offer many additional benefits in 2D machining, including superior finish and longer tool life.
Multi-axis toolpaths in X3 are faster than in X2 and are combined with enhanced control.
Mastercam in SolidWorks – The new X3 package brings the most popular Mastercam toolpaths directly into SolidWorks. Designers who work with SolidWorks can now program those parts with Mastercam’s toolpaths in the same interface. This package will be released shortly after the general release of Mastercam X3.
Other enhancements include:
- New controlled engagement toolpath.
- Import full SolidWorks history trees.
- Expanded support for cutting STL files.
- CAD enhancements.
- Other 3D high speed toolpath enhancements.
The Mastercam X3 release now is in final beta testing with the production version scheduled to ship in July of this year.
