52

MasterCam4-SolidWorks

  • Upload
    nhan-le

  • View
    51

  • Download
    2

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Jeff Quinn

Page 2: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Guide

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lesson 1: Mastercam for SolidWorks—Getting Started

Lesson 2: Contour Toolpaths—Part 1

Lesson 3: Contour Toolpaths—Part 2

Lesson 4: Pocket Toolpaths

Lesson 5: Advanced Pocket Toolpaths

Lesson 6: Manual Drill Toolpaths

Lesson 7: FBM Drill Toolpaths

Lesson 8: 2D (HST) High Speed Toolpaths

Lesson 9: Miscellaneous 2D Toolpaths

Lesson 10: FBM Mill Toolpaths

Lesson 11: 3D (HST) High Speed Toolpaths—Part 1

Lesson 12: 3D (HST) High Speed Toolpaths— Part 2

Lesson 13: Assembly Toolpaths: Configurations

Lesson 14: Assembly Toolpaths: Replacing Parts

Page

1!1

2!1

3!1

4!1

5!1

6!1

7!1

8!1

9!1

10!1

11!1

12!1

13!1

14!1

Page 3: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—1

LESSON 3 ! CONTOUR TOOLPATHS ! PART 2

INTRODUCTON:

This lesson builds on the basic procedures you were introduced to in the first Contour lesson. You will gain ex!

perience in additional geometry selection (Chaining) techniques that will allow you to cut most Contour shapes

you come across. The toolpaths will consist of several new types of contours.

Overview of Exercise:

In this lesson we will machine the part shown by first Facing the 5.0 X 8.0 stock, then machining the yellow

areas shown by using several different types of 2D contour toolpaths and tools.

NEW CONCEPTS COVERED IN THIS LESSON:

! Facing rough stock

! Multi!pass contour to cut an open pocket shape

! Removing excess stock

! Chamfer contour toolpath

! Multiple techniques for contour chain selection

! Chain Manager options

! Review of basic Mastercam for SolidWorks general workflow procedures

Page 4: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—2

Page 5: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—3

Contour Toolpaths ! Additional Reference Information:

REFERENCE INFORMATION: 2D GEOMETRY SELECTION OPTIONS Single Edge: Click the edge. (The Mastercam Chain Manager gives the option to automatically propogate along tangencies.) Multiple Edges: CTRL-Click each edge. (The Chain Manager will display all individual edges. The CHAINS tab will show how Mastercam has connected continuous edges into a single Chain.) Select Tangency: Right Click on Edge and choose the option from the menu. (This will select all of the edges tangent to the one highlighted and put them in the Selection list in the Chain Manager.)

Page 6: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—4

Select Loop: Right Click on Edge and choose the option from the menu. (This will select every connecting edge on a face, whether tangent or not. If the wrong Loop is chosen by SolidWorks, click the yellow arrow to toggle to the other option.) Partial Loop: Click the first entity, then CTRL-RIGHT Click on the second entity to choose the option from the menu. NOTE: When CTRL-RIGHT Clicking on the second entity, you must select on the end of the entity nearest the direction you want to close. For more information, see the SolidWorks Help menu. (This will allow a faster method of selecting a large number of individual edges on complicated contours.)

Select Face: Click on a Face. (This will select every individual edge on a face, including interior edges, whether tangent or not. The Chain Manager gives the option to use only outer loop on faces. This is useful if you only want to cut the outer shape.)

Page 7: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—5

In this task you will choose the view to machine from

and locate part on the machine. Due to the shape of

the model, there is no good location for the origin. We

will use SolidWorks to create the origin location first.

1. Open the part “CONTOUR 2.SLDPRT”

2. From the SolidWorks Drop!Down View Menu, make

sure View Sketches is selected.

(We will need to see Sketches in a later step.)

3. Select this face and select Insert Sketch from the

pop!up icons or from the SolidWorks Insert menu.

(This will start a new sketch on this top face. The

following steps will have us create a single point at

the theoretical sharp corner of the stock. So we can

locate the machining origin where we want it.)

Process Step 1: Prepare and Orient Model for

Machining

CONTOUR TOOLPATHS ! PART 2 ! TUTORIAL

Page 8: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—6

4. Rotate the model similar to the view shown and

select both of the edges by pressing the Control key

and selecting these two edges.

5. Select the Point icon from the SolidWorks Sketch

toolbar or from the drop down menu Tools – Sketch

Entities – Point, to create a point entity at the

intersection of the two lines.

(Note: You must select the (2) edges first to get

the point at the intersection.)

6. Exit the Sketch.

(Right Mouse Click and Select Icon.)

Page 9: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—7

7. From the Mastercam drop down menu, select

View Manager.

8. View Manager Dialog settings:

9. Select the Geometry button.

10. Rotate the model as needed so you can pick the top

Solid Face to be the Machine View.

11. Rotate XY as desired for Direction.

(We will leave at 0° in this example.)

12. Click OK to accept.

13. Give the new view a Name.

(“2D Machining View” in this example.)

Page 10: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—8

14. Set the Current View and Origin equal to this new

view by clicking the “EQUALS” button.

15. Select button to choose the desired Origin Point.

16. Select the sketch point previously created

as shown.

(In order to see this sketch Point,

View Sketches must be on. See Step # 2)

17. Click OK to accept.

18. Click OK to Accept again to exit and save the View

Manager settings dialog.

(The Mastercam Origin should be located on the

point entity as shown.)

Page 11: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—9

In this task you will supply Mastercam with information

about tool information and stock size prior to beginning

the machining operations.

19. Select the Mastercam Toolpath Manager Icon from

the Property Manager page.

20. Expand the Properties in the Toolpath Manager.

(Click the plus (+) sign if the Files, Tool Settings

and Stock Setup icons are not visible.)

21. Select the Tool Settings icon

22. Change or confirm the highlighted parameters as

shown:

Process Step 2: Create the Job Setup

REFERENCE INFORMATION For further information on other settings, see the Mastercam Help file by clicking Program # Identifies the program in the output NC machine code. Feed Calculation from tool uses the feed rate, plunge rate, and spindle speed directly from the tool definition. Assign tool numbers sequentially assigns the next available tool number. This option overrides the tool numbers stored in the tool definition. Warn of duplicate tool numbers informs you when a duplicate tool number is entered and displays a description of the duplicate tool. Override defaults with modal values When selected, the default values for any of the checked items will be the value from the previous operation. These override the values found in the toolpath defaults file.

Page 12: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—10

23. Select the Stock Setup tab.

24. Select the icon and then set the Stock View to the

previously created view. (“2D Machining View”)

25. Select the Bounding Box button.

26. Accept the default Bounding Box values as shown:

(In this example, the Stock size will be defined as

the extents of the solid model.)

27. Click OK to accept and close the Machine Group

Properties.

Page 13: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—11

During this section you will select the portions of the

solid model that CNC tool will cut. We will generate 5

separate operations to machine the part in this process

step. These will include:

Facing the Top of the Stock

Open Contour Toolpath with Multiple Passes

Partial Contour Toolpaths

Contour the Entire Outside Periphery

Chamfer the top edge

Facing the Top of the Stock

28. Select Facing Toolpaths from the Mastercam

Drop Down Menu or Command Manager.

(Facing operations will machine the entire top

surface of the model to prepare for subsequent

operations.)

29. Rotate model as needed and select the top face as

shown:

(Note: In this example, the shape is simple enough

to allow selecting the top face. In other cases,

additional sketching may be required to define the

stock shape for the facing operation.)

30. Click OK to accept and close the Chain Manager.

(In facing operations, the entire boundary must be

closed and the facing tool cuts inside the boundary,

so chaining direction and cut side is not required to

be set in this example.)

Process Step 3: Toolpath Selection and

Generation

Page 14: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—12

31. When prompted, enter a name for the NC program

we are going to create.

(“CONTOUR 2” is used in this lesson.)

32. Click OK to accept and close the NC name dialog

box.

33. Facing Toolpath Parameters Dialog Box Preview:

(In the following steps we will be setting the

parameters to make our Facing toolpath.)

34. Toolpath Type:

Facing

35. Tool:

Select Library Tool

(We will choose a 2” Face Mill from the Library of

tools provided by Mastercam.)

Page 15: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—13

36. Select the Filter button.

(The Filter button will allow searching through the

tool library for a specific tool type to make it easier

and quicker to find the desired tool.)

37. Select the None button.

(This will de!select all tool types to clear the filter.)

38. Select the Face Mill tool type.

(You can hover your cursor over the icons to see

what tool type is represented by each icon.)

39. Confirm that the rest of your settings match the

screenshot as shown and click OK to accept.

40. Select the 2” Face Mill from the filtered list and

click OK to accept.

41. Other Tool settings:

(Tool numbers should be automatically assigned

from our Job Setup settings.)

Rapid Retract = Selected

Comment: (Enter a description of what the toolpath

does. This will be part of the NC program to assist

the operator of the machine identify what this part

of the program does.)

In this example we inserted “FACE OFF THE TOP OF

THE STOCK”

Page 16: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—14

42. Cut Parameters:

Style = Zigzag

Across overlap = 25%

Along overlap = 110%

Approach distance = 0

Exit distance = 0

Move between cuts = High speed loops

43. Linking Parameters values:

Clearance = 2.0 (Absolute)

Retract = .25 (Absolute)

Feed Plane = 0.1 (Incremental)

Top of Stock = 0.0 (Absolute)

Depth = 0.0 (Absolute)

(Depth value is set from the value of the selected

faces. In this case, Absolute depth of the top face is

at Z 0.0)

44. Set Coolant value:

Flood = ON

45. Click OK to accept the Facing Toolpath parameters

Page 17: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—15

46. Results of Facing parameters:

47. Select the Operation and Backplot and/or Verify

the toolpath operation to confirm your results.

Open Contour Toolpath with Multiple Passes

(In this operation we will remove the cutout area using

Contour toolpath.)

Page 18: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—16

48. Before starting the next operation, turn off the

toolpath display for the Facing operation.

(This will remove selected toolpaths to make it

easier to view and select the model edges for the

next operation.)

49. Select Contour Toolpaths from the Mastercam X4

Drop Down Menu or from the Command Manager.

50. Rotate the model as shown, then Right Mouse Click

on the edge Shown and choose Select Tangency.

(We are using the SolidWorks selection option to

select all of the entities that are Tangent to this

edge instead of selecting each entity individually.)

Page 19: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—17

51. Results:

(You should have 5 edges in the selection list. If you

do not have all 5, you may select the missing edge

from the model or Right Mouse click in the box and

Clear Selections to try again.)

52. Select Chains tab in the Chain Manager.

(Notice that all 5 edges have been combined into

one continuous chain automatically by Mastercam

for SolidWorks.)

53. Click on “Chain 1” in the Chains Selection box.

Page 20: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—18

54. Verify the Direction of cut and Cut side of the

selected chain by selecting the icons.

(Match screenshot shown to Climb Cut

the contour.)

55. Click OK to accept the Chains and close the Chain

Manager.

56. Contour Toolpath Parameters Dialog Box:

(In the following steps we will be setting the

parameters to make our toolpath.)

57. Toolpath Type:

Contour

REFERENCE INFORMATION Change Sides changes which side of the selected chain the cutter will travel. Delete Chain deletes the currently selected chain(s) from the list. Analyze Chain provides technical information about the selected chain. Reverse Chain changes the selected chain cut direction. Rename Chain allows changing the name from Chain #1, etc. to a more meaningful name to help user recall the purpose of the chain. Start Point allows user to change the start point by scrolling through each possible chain point. End Point allows user to change the end point by scrolling through each possible chain point.

Page 21: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—19

58. Tool:

Select Library Tool

(We will choose a ½” Flat Endmill from the

Library of tools provided by Mastercam.)

59. Select the Filter button.

(The Filter button will allow searching

through the tool library for a specific

tool type to make it easier and quicker

to find the desired tool.)

60. Select the None button.

(This will de!select all tool types to clear the filter.)

61. Select the Flat Endmill tool type.

(You can hover your cursor over the icons to see

what tool type is represented by each icon.)

62. Confirm that the rest or your settings match the

screenshot as shown and click OK to accept.

Page 22: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—20

63. Select the 1/2 Flat Endmill from the

filtered list and click OK.

64. Other Tool settings:

Rapid Retract = Selected

Comment: “REMOVE THE OPEN POCKET AREA”

65. Cut Parameter Settings:

Compensation = Wear

Stock to leave on walls = .005

(We will leave .005 for final clean!up contour

operation we will add later. Confirm other settings

match the default values as shown.)

Page 23: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—21

66. Lead In/Out Settings:

Lead In/Out = Selected

Entry = Selected

Entry Line Tangent = 30%

Entry Arc Radius = 30%

Select the Double Arrow to copy all values to the

Exit Values.

67. Set Break Through values as shown:

Break through = Selected

Break through amount = 0.05

68. Set Multi Passes settings as shown:

Multi Passes = Selected

Rough = 3

Spacing = .25

Finish = 0

Spacing = 0

Keep tool down = Selected

(Since there is no danger of cutting through the part

in this toolpath, it is more efficient to keep the tool

down.)

Page 24: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—22

69. Set the Linking Parameters values as shown:

Clearance = 2.0 (Absolute)

Retract = .25 (Absolute)

Feed Plane = 0.1 (Incremental)

Top of Stock = 0.0 (Absolute)

Depth = 0.0 (Incremental)

(Depth value is set from the value of the chained

edges. Incremental value is used in case there are

multiple edges are at different depths. Incremental

values always display 0.0)

70. Set Coolant value:

Flood = ON

71. Click OK to accept the Contour Toolpath Parameters.

72. Results:

Page 25: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—23

73. Select the Operation and Backplot and/or Verify

the toolpath operation to confirm your results.

(If your verify does not look like this result, click the

Parameters icon under the Contour operation in the

Mastercam Operations Manager and confirm your

settings are correct. Then Regenerate the toolpath.)

Partial Contour Toolpaths

(In this Contour operation we will remove the excess

material at the four corners of the stock.)

74. Before starting the next operation, turn off the

toolpath display for the Contour operation you just

completed.

75. Select Contour Toolpaths from the Mastercam

Drop Down Menu or from the Command Manager.

Page 26: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—24

76. Rotate the model as shown and select the 3

individual edges as highlighted.

77. Rotate the model so you can select 3 more edges

from the next angled corner of the model.

78. Repeat rotating the model and selecting the edges

for all 4 angled corners. When complete, you

should have 12 edges listed in the Selection list.

Page 27: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—25

79. Select the Chains tab in the Chain Manager.

(Notice once again the Mastercam has combined

the 12 edges into 4 separate chains.)

80. Click on Chain 1 in the Chains Selection Box.

81. Verify the direction of cut and cut side of the

selected chain by selecting the icons.

(Cut side and direction should match screenshot so

we Climb Cut the contours.)

82. Repeat for Chain 2, Chain 3, and Chain 4. Make sure

cut side and cut direction matches the screenshot.

(We want to make sure the cutter is on the outside

of the part and moves in direction shown so we

Climb Cut the contours.)

Page 28: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—26

83. Click OK to accept the Chains to close the Chain

Manager.

84. Contour Toolpath Parameters Dialog Box.

(Most settings should remain correct from the

previous contour operation.)

Confirm the following Settings. All others set as in

screenshot or as desired:

85. Toolpath Type = Contour

86. Tool = ½ “ Flat Endmill

Rapid Retract = ON

Comment = “Remove excess stock from corners”

87. Cut Parameters:

Compensation type = Wear

Compensation Direction = Left

Contour Type = 2D

Page 29: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—27

88. Depth Cuts = OFF

89. Lead In/Out:

Entry = Selected

Entry Line = Tangent

Length = 30%

Entry Arc Radius = 30%

Arc Sweep = 30 degrees

Exit moves should be same as Entry

90. Break Through = Selected

Break through amount = .05

91. Multi Passes = Selected

Rough = 2

Rough Spacing = .25

Finish = 0

Finish Spacing = 0

Keep tool down = OFF

(Note: in this case, we must turn off Keep tool down

to avoid the tool cutting through the part as it moves

to the next corner.)

Page 30: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—28

92. Linking Parameters

Clearance = 2.0 (Absolute)

Retract = .25 (Absolute)

Feed plane = .01 (Incremental)

Top of Stock = 0.0 (Absolute)

Depth = !0.5 (Absolute)

93. Coolant:

Flood = On

94. Click OK to accept the Contour Toolpath Parameters

95. Results:

96. Select the Operation and Backplot and/or Verify

the toolpath operation to confirm your results.

(If your verify does not look like this result, click the

Parameters icon under the Contour operation in the

Mastercam Operations Manager and confirm your

settings are correct.)

Page 31: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—29

Contour the Entire Outside Periphery

(In this Contour operation we will run a clean!up contour

around the entire outside edge of the part.)

97. Before starting the next operation, turn off the

toolpath display for the Contour operation you just

completed.

98. Select Contour Toolpaths from the Mastercam

Drop Down Menu or from the Command Manager.

99. Rotate the model as shown then Right Mouse Click

on the edge and choose Select Loop.

Page 32: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—30

100. Make sure the arrow has the correct loop selected.

If it is incorrect, click on the arrow to select the

alternate loop option.

(Confirm the arrow has selected the bottom edge

loop as shown in the screenshot.)

101. Select the Chains tab in the Chain Manager.

102. Click on Chain 1 in the Chains Selection Box.

Page 33: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—31

103. Verify the direction of cut and cut side of the

selected chain by selecting the icons.

104. Move the Start Point to the corner shown by

clicking the Start Point Icon until it matches

screenshot.

105. Click OK to accept the Chains and close the Chain

Manager.

106. Contour Toolpath Parameters Dialog Box.

(Most settings should remain correct from the

previous contour operation.)

Confirm the following Settings:

107. Toolpath Type = Contour

108. Tool = ½ “ Flat Endmill

109. Cut Parameters:

Compensation type = Wear

Compensation Direction = Left

Contour Type = 2D

110. Lead In/Out:

Entry = Selected

Entry Line = Tangent

Length = 30%

Entry Arc = 30%

Exit moves should be same as Entry

111. Break Through = Selected

Break through amount = .05

112. Multi Passes = OFF

Page 34: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—32

113. Linking Parameters

Clearance = 2.0 (Absolute)

Retract = .25 (Absolute)

Feed plane = .01 (Incremental)

Top of Stock = 0.0 (Absolute)

Depth = !0.5 (Absolute)

114. Coolant:

Flood = On

115. Click OK to accept the Contour Toolpath Parame!

ters.

116. Results:

117. Select the Operation and Backplot and/or Verify

the toolpath operation to confirm your results.

(Note: the screenshot shown is a Verify of just the

finish contour operation.)

Chamfer the top edge

(In this Contour operation we will run a clean!up

Chamfer contour around the entire top edge of the part.

We will select our geometry Chain at the bottom edge

of the chamfer.)

118. Before starting the next operation, turn off the

toolpath display for the Contour operation you

just completed.

Page 35: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—33

119. Select Contour Toolpaths from the Mastercam

Drop Down Menu or from the Command Manager.

120. Rotate the model as shown then Right Mouse Click

on the edge at the bottom of the chamfer and

choose Select Tangency.

121. Since there is a sharp corner where the inside

cutout starts, the selection stops. To get the rest

of the edges, rotate the model again as shown

and Right Mouse Click the next edge and choose

Select Tangency.

(You should now have 21 Edges in the Selection

list.)

Page 36: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—34

122. Select the Chains tab in the Chain Manager.

123. Click on Chain 1 in the Chains Selection Box.

Page 37: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—35

124. Verify the Cut Direction, Cutter Side and Start

Point of the selected chain by selecting the icons.

(Make arrow directions match screenshot.)

125. Click OK to accept the Chains and close the Chain

Manager.

126. Contour Toolpath Parameters Dialog Box.

(Most settings should remain correct from the

previous contour operation.)

Confirm the following Settings for each category:

127. Toolpath Type = Contour

128. Tool :

½ “ Chamfer Mill

(User Filter as needed to locate the Chamfer Mill

tool.)

129. Cut Parameters:

Compensation type = Wear

Compensation Direction = Left

Contour Type = 2D Chamfer

Width = 0.06

Tip Offset = 0.1

(Match other parameters as shown.

Note: the 2D Chamfer toolpath is a special type of

contour that compensates for the chamfer size. It

has been designed to calculate from a Depth of

0.0. We will set this value in upcoming step.)

Page 38: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—36

130. Lead In/Out:

Entry = Selected

Entry/Exit at midpoint in closed contours = OFF

Entry Line = Tangent

Length = 30%

Entry Arc = 30%

Exit moves should be same as Entry

(Set other values as desired or as shown.)

131. Break Through:

OFF

132. Multi Passes:

OFF

133. Linking Parameters

Clearance = 2.0 (Absolute)

Retract = .25 (Absolute)

Feed plane = .01 (Incremental)

Top of Stock = 0.0 (Absolute)

Depth = Type in Value = 0 (Absolute)

(Note – The chamfer toolpath is designed to calcu!

late the correct depth from an input value of 0.0, so

we need to enter this value even though our

chained geometry was at a different depth.)

134. Coolant:

Flood = On

135. Accept the Contour Toolpath Parameters.

136. Results:

Page 39: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—37

With this step, we will view all operations in the

completed toolpath on the computer screen to confirm

that we have the results we expected before we send

the NC code to the machine. This step will help avoid

costly mistakes.

Backplot the toolpath.

(Backplotting is the quickest way to confirm the

toolpath. With backplot, you do not see material being

removed, you only see tool motion compared to the

finished part.)

137. Make sure ALL operations of the toolpath are

selected.

138. Select the Backplot button.

139. Play the toolpath.

(These buttons are similar to a video recorder.

You can hover your cursor over each button to

see what their function is.)

Process Step 4: Backplot and Solid Verify the

Entire Toolpath

Page 40: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—38

140. Backplot results:

141. Solid Verify the toolpath:

142. Make sure ALL toolpaths are selected.

143. Select the Verify button.

REFERENCE INFORMATION Display with Color Codes Shows the toolpath moves using the color codes from the Backplot Options. Display Tool Toggles the tool on and off Display Holder Toggles the tool holder on and off. Display Rapid Moves Includes the rapid moves in the backplot. Display Endpoints Shows the entity endpoints in the toolpath. This allows you to see how many tool moves actually occur. Display Quick Verify Displays a shaded path the width of the tool as the backplot progresses. Options Opens the backplot options dialog.

Details Gives tool location and other information

during the backplot.

Page 41: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—39

144. Select to display the Holder and Tool.

145. Play the toolpath.

146. Results from Verify:

(Completed Toolpath)

Page 42: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—40

(Mastercam for SolidWorks allows you to make changes

to your geometry and any parameters or settings

without requiring you to start over.

In this example, an Engineering Change Order requires

the slot to change dimensions. We will make the

necessary modifications and make the required changes

to get a correct new toolpath.)

ENGINEERING CHANGE ORDER:

A. Slot dimension to change from 2” wide by 1.75”

deep to 2.5” wide by 2.5” deep.

147. Double Click on an interior face of the slot on the

solid model to display the parametric dimensions.

Process Step 5: Making Changes—Editing the Toolpath

Page 43: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—41

148. Double click on the text of the first dimension

value to be changed.

149. Change the dimension to the new value.

(In this example the 2.00 dimension needs to

be changed to 2.50)

150. Click the Regenerate button to rebuild the

solid with the new value.

151. Click OK to accept the new value.

152. Change the 1.75 dimension to the new value

by repeating the procedure.

(In this example the 1.75 value needs also

needs to be changed to 2.50)

153. Results:

(Make sure your model matches the

screenshot shown.)

Page 44: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—42

154. Regenerate the toolpath to see the updated

toolpath.

(Note: Since we did not change the overall

dimensions of the model size, we will not need

to update the Stock Setup on this example.)

Select All Operations in the Operations

Manager.

155. Regenerate all Selected Operations.

156. Solid Verify all operations.

Page 45: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—43

157. Results of Verify:

(NOTE: The dimensional changes caused a

problem with removing all of the material from

the open contour area. We will need to make

a change to the parameters to fix this.)

158. Select the Parameters icon under Operation

#2 from the Operations Manager.

(Note: Operation #2 is the operation that cuts

the open pocket area. You can confirm this by

hovering your cursor over the operation and

reading the comment we previously input to

identify this operation.)

Page 46: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—44

159. Set the Multi Passes parameters as shown:

Rough Number = 4

(All other parameters should remain as shown.)

160. Click OK to accept and close the parameter dialog.

161. Click the icon to Select all Dirty Operations.

(Since we changed parameters, Mastercam

recognizes the toolpath needs to be regenerated

and marks it as “Dirty” in the Operations

Manager.)

162. Select the icon to Regenerate all Dirty Operations.

163. Repeat Solid Verify procedures.

(Select all operations then Solid Verify all

Selected operations.)

164. New Modified Verify results:

Page 47: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—45

We now will take the toolpath information we have

created and post process it to a language that the

machine tool can read.

165. Select the operations to Post Process.

(Usually we will select ALL Operations to post.)

166. Select to Post Selected Operations.

Process Step 6: Post Process the Program to

Generate NC Code

Page 48: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—46

167. Set the Post Processing options as shown:

168. Click OK to accept and Post Process the toolpath.

169. Give the program a name.

(CONTOUR 2.NC is used in this example.)

Page 49: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—47

170. Resulting NC Code:

171. Close the Mastercam X Editor Window.

172. SAVE your SolidWorks file.

SUMMARY:

In this lesson, you added to your experience in the basic procedures of cutting contour shapes with Mastercam

for SolidWorks. You experienced multiple new ways to select geometry to identify chains to cut and created a

program with multiple operations. After completing this lesson and the practice exercises that follow you

should be able to:

! Select multiple sets of individual edges to create Chains to generate Contour toolpaths.

! Select Tangent edges to create Chains.

! Select Loop edges to create Chains.

! Face extra stock from the top of a part.

! Create a cleanup contour pass around the outside of a part.

! Chamfer edges of a part.

! Cut an open pocket area with multiple contour passes.

! Remove areas that have additional stock with multiple contour passes.

! Verify using Backplot and Solid Verify multiple operations.

! Modify parameters and solid model dimensions and have the toolpath update parametrically.

! Create NC code to send to the machine.

Page 50: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—48

Lesson 3

Lab Exercise #1

Lab Exercise Instructions:

Program the part above (Contour2!Lab 1.SLDPRT) with the following requirements:

1. Use View Manager to create and setup the machining view and locate the origin

2. Job Setup Notes/Tips:

Stock Size = Bounding Box

Locate Origin at Corner of Stock

3. Operations:

Remove excess material from the angled corners (Tool = 1” Flat Endmill)

Contour the entire outside periphery (Tool = 1” Flat Endmill)

Chamfer the top edge to remove sharp corners (Tool = 1/2” Chamfer Mill)

4. Run Backplot and Solid Verify to confirm results

5. Create G!code for NC machine

Page 51: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—49

Lesson 3

Lab Exercise #2

Job Description:

Incorporate the changes to the Contour 2 Hands!on exercise you completed during the lesson.

An Engineering change order modifies:

1. The 8.00 length dimension needs to be changed to 6.00.

2. The .06 X 45° Chamfer needs to be changed to .125 X 45° Chamfer.

Lab Exercise Instructions:

1. Modify the Part model to the new dimensions shown and listed above.

2. Use View Manager to relocate the origin.

3. Use Job Setup to redefine the stock size (Bounding Box)

4. Update parameters as needed to make a correct part.

5. Run Backplot and Solid Verify to confirm results

6. Create G!code for NC machine

Page 52: MasterCam4-SolidWorks

Mastercam for SolidWorks Step!by!Step Programming Exercises

Contour Toolpaths —Part 2 Lesson 3 Page 3—50

Lesson 3

Lab Exercise #3

Lab Exercise Instructions:

1. Open the part CONTOUR2!LAB 3.SLDPRT.

2. Use View Manager to create and setup the machining view and locate the origin.

3. Job Setup Notes/Tips:

Stock Size = Bounding Box

Locate Origin at Corner of Stock

4. Operations:

Multi!pass Contour to remove the material from the two flat relieved areas. (Tool = 1” Flat Endmill)

Contour the entire outside periphery (Tool = 1” Flat Endmill)

Chamfer the top edge to remove sharp corners (Tool = 1/2” Chamfer Mill)

5. Run Backplot and Solid Verify to confirm results

6. Create G!code for NC machine