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Lathe Professional Courseware

Mastercam X5 Lathe - Professional Courseware

Copyright: 1998 -2010 In-House Solutions Inc. All rights reserved

Software: Mastercam X5

Author: Mariana Lendel

ISBN: 978-1-926566-75-7

Revision Date: October 12, 2010

Notice

In-House Solutions Inc. reserves the right to make improvements to this manual at any time and without

notice.

Disclaimer Of All Warranties And Liability

In-House solutions Inc. makes no warranties, either express or implied, with respect to this manual or

with respect to the software described in this manual, its quality, performance, merchantability, or

fitness for any praticular purpose. In-House Solutions Inc. manual is sold or licensed “as is.” The entire

risk as to its quality and performance is with the buyer. Should the manual prove defective following its

purchase, the buyer (and not In-House Solutions Inc., its distributer, or its retailer) assumes the entire

cost of all necessary servicing, repair, of correction and any incidental or consequential damages. In no

event will In-House Solutions Inc. be liable for direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from

any defect in the manual, even if In-House Solutions Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such

damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for

incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

Copyrights

This manual is protected under International copyright laws. All rights are reserved. This document may

not, in whole or part, be copied, photographed, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic

medium or machine readable form without prior consent, in writing, from In-House Solutions Inc.

Trademarks

Mastercam is a registered trademark of CNC Software, Inc.

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; N-

See is a registered trademark of Microcompatibles, Inc.; Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista and

Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.


Professional Courseware Contents

2D GEOMETRY ....................................................................................................... 1

Starting Mastercam .....................................................................................................................2

Overview Of The Graphical User Interface ...................................................................................2

Setting Toolbars States For Lathe ................................................................................................3

Setting The Grid ..........................................................................................................................5

Navigate Through Mastercam .....................................................................................................6

Data Entry Shortcuts .................................................................................................................11

The Right Mouse Click Menu .....................................................................................................12

Autocursor ................................................................................................................................13

Setting The Construction And Tool Plane To DZ .........................................................................15

Exercise 1: Create Point Position ...............................................................................................16

Exercise 2: Create Rectangles ....................................................................................................17

Exercise 3: Create Lines .............................................................................................................17

Exercise 4: Create Fillets ............................................................................................................19

Exercise 5: Trim Commands .......................................................................................................21

Exercise 6: Xform Mirror ............................................................................................................24

Create Drawing #1 .....................................................................................................................25

Create Drawing # 2 ....................................................................................................................27

Angle Measurement ..................................................................................................................28

Exercise 7: Break .......................................................................................................................29

Exercise 8: Join ..........................................................................................................................30

Exercise 9: Create Chamfer ........................................................................................................31

Select Chamfer.MCX.-5 ..............................................................................................................31

Create Drawing # 3 ....................................................................................................................32

Create Drawing # 4 ....................................................................................................................33

Create Drawing # 5 ....................................................................................................................33

Exercise 10: Xform Offset ..........................................................................................................34

Create Drawing # 6 ....................................................................................................................35

Exercise 11: Create Arcs .............................................................................................................36

Create Drawing # 7 ....................................................................................................................37

Create Drawing # 8 ....................................................................................................................37

Create Drawing # 9 ....................................................................................................................38

Exercise 12: Create Tangent Arcs ...............................................................................................38

Create Drawing # 10 ..................................................................................................................40

Create Drawing # 11 ..................................................................................................................40

Create Drawing # 12 ..................................................................................................................41

Exercise 13: Translate Command ...............................................................................................41

Create Drawing # 13 ..................................................................................................................42

Exercise 14: Analyze Command .................................................................................................43

Exercise 15: Using The Attributes Command ..............................................................................44

Exercise 16: Managing Levels .....................................................................................................45

How To Name Levels .................................................................................................................46

How To Hide Levels To Easily Control Which Areas Of The Drawing Are Visible At Any Time ......47

Exercise 17: Change Attributes Command .................................................................................48

Exercise 18: Dimension The Geometry .......................................................................................49

Exercise 19: Analyze The Chain ..................................................................................................50

Select Analyze Chain.MCX-5 ......................................................................................................50

Exercise 20: Converting From Different Cad Packages ................................................................54


Key Mapping .............................................................................................................................55

Customizing Drop Down Menus ................................................................................................57

Customize The Right Mouse Button Menu .................................................................................57

Example: Add The Zoom Target To The Right Mouse Menu .......................................................58

Key Mapping .............................................................................................................................60

Example: Allocate Alt + L For Create Line Endpoint ....................................................................60

2D TOOLPATHS ................................................................................................... 63

Exercise 1: Chaining Options .....................................................................................................64

Exercise 2: Drawing #1.MCX-5 ...................................................................................................67

Machine Definition ....................................................................................................................67

Properties .................................................................................................................................67

Lathe Face Toolpath ..................................................................................................................68

About The Operations Manager ................................................................................................70

Backplotting The Toolpath .........................................................................................................70

Lathe Rough Toolpath ...............................................................................................................72

Lathe Finish Toolpath ................................................................................................................73

Verify ........................................................................................................................................74

Center Drill The Hole .................................................................................................................77

Drill The Hole ............................................................................................................................77

Lathe Finish (Id) Toolpath ..........................................................................................................78

Post Processing The File ............................................................................................................79


Properties .................................................................................................................................80


Lathe Stock Flip Toolpath ..........................................................................................................82




Checking The Toolpaths Using Verify .........................................................................................85

Post Process The File .................................................................................................................85


Properties .................................................................................................................................85




Lathe Groove Toolpath ..............................................................................................................88




Properties .................................................................................................................................90

Center Drill The Hole .................................................................................................................91

Drill 3/4 Diameter Through Hole ................................................................................................91




Post Process The Toolpaths .......................................................................................................93

Exercise 6: Drawing # 5.MCX-5 ..................................................................................................94


Properties .................................................................................................................................94



Create A New Tool .....................................................................................................................96


Lathe Thread Toolpath ..............................................................................................................98


Exercise 7: Drawing # 6.MCX-5 ................................................................................................100

Properties ...............................................................................................................................100

Lathe Face Toolpath ................................................................................................................100

Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................101

Finish The Od ..........................................................................................................................101

Lathe Groove Toolpath ............................................................................................................101

Center Drill The Hole ................................................................................................................103

Drill 3/4 Diameter Hole ...........................................................................................................103

Rough The Id ...........................................................................................................................103

Finish The Id ............................................................................................................................104

Break All The Od Sharp Corners To Fillet Them With A 0.005 Radius ........................................104

Cut-off The Part .......................................................................................................................105

Checking The Toolpaths Using Verify .......................................................................................106

Post Process The File ...............................................................................................................106


Properties ...............................................................................................................................106


Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................107

Machine The Profile Groove Using A Rough Toolpath ..............................................................108

Finish The Od ..........................................................................................................................108

Machine The 0.1 Width Groove In One Pass Using A Tool With The Same Width .....................109

Cut-off The Part .......................................................................................................................109




Properties ...............................................................................................................................110

Define The Tailstock ................................................................................................................111


Center Drill The Part ................................................................................................................112

Advance The Stock Using Lathe Stock Advance Toolpath .........................................................112

Advance The Tailstock Using Lathe Tailstock Advanced Toolpath ............................................113

Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................113

Finish The Od ..........................................................................................................................114

Machine The 0.375 Width Groove ...........................................................................................114

Check The Toolpaths Using Verify ............................................................................................115


Exercise 10: Drawing # 10.MCX-5 .............................................................................................116

Properties ...............................................................................................................................116


Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................117

Rough The Back Of The Part ....................................................................................................117


Machine The Profile Groove Using Groove Toolpath And A Round Insert Groove ....................118

Finish The Od ..........................................................................................................................120

Cut-off The Part .......................................................................................................................120



Exercise 11: Drawing #12.MCX-5 .............................................................................................121

Properties ...............................................................................................................................121

Define The Right Spindle .........................................................................................................122


Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................123

Finish The Od ..........................................................................................................................124

Transfer The Stock Using Lathe Stock Transfer Toolpath ..........................................................124

Face The Right Side ..................................................................................................................125

Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................128

Finish The Od ..........................................................................................................................129

Center Drill The Hole ...............................................................................................................129

Drill 1.0 Diameter Hole ............................................................................................................130

Machine The Chamfer Using Finish Toolpath ...........................................................................130



Exercise 12: Drawing #3.MCX-5 ...............................................................................................131

Facing Toolpath .......................................................................................................................131

Roughing Toolpath ..................................................................................................................132

Finishing Toolpath ...................................................................................................................132

Grooving Toolpath ..................................................................................................................133

Stock Transfer .........................................................................................................................134

Stock Transfer .........................................................................................................................135

Cutoff Toolpath .......................................................................................................................136

Stock Transfer .........................................................................................................................137

Facing Toolpath .......................................................................................................................137

Exercise 13: Drawing #14.MCX-5 .............................................................................................138

Option # 1 - Import The Solidworks File ...................................................................................138

Move The Part So The Front Face Is At The Origin ....................................................................139

Use Turn Profile To Create Geometry From The Solid ..............................................................140

Option #2 - Open The Drawing File ..........................................................................................141

Properties ...............................................................................................................................141


Rough The Od ..........................................................................................................................142

Finishing Toolpath ...................................................................................................................143


Finish The Groove With A Rounded Tool .................................................................................147

Rough The Id ...........................................................................................................................149

Finish The Id ............................................................................................................................150


Check The Toolpaths Using Verify ............................................................................................153


DRAWINGS ........................................................................................................ 154

Page|64 Lathe Professional Courseware

EXERCISE 1: CHAINING OPTIONS 2D TOOLPATHS

EXERCISE 1: CHAINING OPTIONS

Resources - Download the file from www.emastercam.com/files/

File

Open

Select CHAIN.MCX-5

Use Analyze, Analyze Chain and select the geometry as shown. Notice that the chain starts with the entity that

you select, from its closest endpoint. As well take note that the entire contour is selected.

NOTE: Chaining is used to select a number of entities when modifying or transforming existing entities or

when creating a toolpath. The entities form a chain when the distance between two consecutive entity

endpoints is less than the chaining tolerance (0.0001 in the system configuration).

NOTE: Choose the Reverse button to change the chaining direction if needed.

Lathe Professional Courseware Page|65


Select the Expand button in the upper left corner of the chaining dialog box. . This will show more

chaining options.

You can change the starting location using the Forward, Backward or Dynamic buttons.

Choose the Forward or Back button. The chaining arrow will move along the chain one entity at a time. con-

tinue moving the chaining arrow until the point is in the desired position.

Choose the Dynamic button and move the mouse along the contour to move the chaining arrow. When the

arrow is in the desired position click to select the point.

Choose Unselect to Unselect the chain.



To create a partial chain select the Partial button in the Chaining dialog box. Select the first entity of the

chain then select the entity where you want the chain to stop as shown below.

Choose Unselect to Unselect the chain .

Select the Options button and enable the Color Mask.

Select only the color Red #12.

Select one entity from the groove to create the chain.

Select the OK button to exit the Chaining dialog box .

NOTE: Note that all of the color red entities are automatically selected. Make sure that you disable the color

mask for future selections.


EXERCISE 2: DRAWING #1.MCX-5 2D TOOLPATHS

EXERCISE 2: DRAWING #1.MCX-5

Open the file that you created earlier in the geometry creation section

File

Open

Select DRAWING #1.MCX-5

MACHINE DEFINITION

The machine definition is tightly integrated with the control definition and post processor.

The control definition tells Mastercam which post processors have been configured for this machine. Most

machine and control definitions are only configured for a single post processor.

PROPERTIES

Tool Settings

Set the Program number to 1.

Enable the options Assign tool numbers sequentially and Warn of duplicate tool numbers.

NOTE: The Machine Definition is a model of your machine’s capabilities and features and acts like a template

for setting up machining jobs. It is a schematic model of your machine tool's components (such as which linear

and rotary axes are present), how they are connected together, and kinematics settings such as maximum

motion rates.

NOTE: The control definition tells the post processor about your control's capabilities and requirements. It

initializes many NC settings and post variables.

NOTE: A special program called a post processor reads your Mastercam file and writes the appropriate NC

code. Generally every machine will require its own post.


LATHE FACE TOOLPATH 2D TOOLPATHS

Enable Feed Calculation From tool.

Establishing the stock size

Stock

Enable Left Spindle.

Set the stock size by selecting Properties.

Set the Geometry to Cylinder.

Set the OD = 5.0

Length = 2.4

Z = 0

Axis -Z

Enable Use Margins

OD Margin = 0.2

Right margin = 0.2

Left margin = 2.0

Select the Preview button to check the stock.

Press Esc to continue.

Chuck Jaws

Enable Left Spindle.

Set the chuck size and the location by selecting Properties.

Set the Profile to Parameters.

Select the Clamping method the OD #1.

Keep the default values for the chuck size.

In Position enable From stock, Grip on maximum diameter.

Grip length = 0.5

Select the Preview button to check the chuck.

Press Esc to continue.

LATHE FACE TOOLPATH

Toolpath Parameters

Select the OD Rough Right 80 deg.

Tool/Offset Number set to 1

Set the Coolant On.

Set the Home Position From the Machine.

Face Parameters

Make sure that Use stock is enabled.

Finish Z = 0

Entry amount = 0.1(sets the distance from the stock that the cutter starts to feed).

NOTE: Stock Setup allows you to establish the stock size, the size and location of the chuck, tailstock size and

steady rest. This information will be used when generating the toolpaths to check for any collisions and in

Verify to simulate the machining process.


LATHE FACE TOOLPATH 2D TOOLPATHS

Rough stepover = 0.07 (sets the amount of stock that gets removed during each rough cut).

Finish stepover = 0.01 (sets the amount of stock that gets removed during each finish cut).

Overcut amount = 0.03 (sets the distance that the tool cuts past the part center line).

Retract amount = 0.1 (sets the distance the tool moves away from the face of the part before it rapids to the

start of the next cut).

Stock to leave = 0

Establish the cutter compensation type and direction

Cutter compensation set to Computer and the compensation direction set to Left.

Control this parameter outputs a command for cutter compensation in the G-code. You need to enter the tool

diameter in the machine controller.

Computer this parameter builds cutter compensation directly into the Mastercam toolpath.

Wear combines both compensations in computer and in control. You would enter the difference between the

selected tool size in Mastercam and the reground tool size at the controller.

Reverse wear combines both compensations in computer and in control. If the difference between the

selected tool size in Mastercam and the reground tool size is negative, the system automatically reverses the

compensation. For controllers that do not accept negative offset values.

Off select “Off” and the system will ignore cutter compensation within the computer. Used with engraving tool-

paths. For more information on the Cutter Compensation type and direction in the General Notes.

NOTE: Compensation types gives you the ability to compensate for the radius of the cutting tool. There are

four compensation types: computer, control, wear and reverse wear.


ABOUT THE OPERATIONS MANAGER 2D TOOLPATHS

ABOUT THE OPERATIONS MANAGER

The Operations Manager lists all operations in the current job. Use this dialog box to sort, edit, regenerate,

verify and post any operations. You can enter this dialog box by selecting the Toolpaths tab.

BACKPLOTTING THE TOOLPATH

Select the Play button in the VCR near the top of the screen.

NOTE: Backplotting shows the path the tools take to cut your part. This display lets you spot errors in the

program before you machine the part. As you backplot toolpaths, Mastercam displays the current X, Y, and Z

coordinates in the left side of the status bar (lower left corner of the screen).

NOTE: Make sure the following buttons are enabled.


BACKPLOTTING THE TOOLPATH 2D TOOLPATHS

Expand the Backplot dialog box by selecting the double arrow and pick the info tab to get an approximate

machining time.

Step mode lets you advance the tool along the toolpath entity by entity or with a preset step. Each time you

click on Step forward button the tool advances to the next point in the toolpath.

Play mode advances the tool along the toolpath in one continuous motion without pausing. You can pause

it by selecting Stop button .

Display with color codes will display the toolpaths using different colors.

Display tool will display the tool as a wireframe or shaded based on the choice you make in the Backplot

Options.

Display holder will display the tool holder as a wireframe or shaded based on the choice you make in the

Backplot Options.

Display rapid moves will display the rapid moves.


LATHE ROUGH TOOLPATH 2D TOOLPATHS

Quick Verify shows the toolpath shaded based on the tool diameter used.

Option button opens the Backplot Options dialog box and lets you determine general display parameters

such as how the tool moves on the screen (General Settings), and how the tool and the motion look on the

screen (Appearance).

Save as geometry button allows you to save the geometry created by the backplot.

LATHE ROUGH TOOLPATH

Using the Partial chaining method, select the first entity of the chain and the last one to complete chain-

ing.

Toolpath Parameters

Select the existing OD Rough Right 80 deg.

Tool/Offset Number set to 1

Set the Coolant On.


Rough Parameters

Make sure that Overlap is enabled to overlap the previous cut before making the next cut.

Entry amount = 0.1 (set the distance from the stock that the cutter starts to feed).

Depth of cut = 0.07 (sets the amount of stock that gets remove during each cutting pass).

Enable Equal steps.

Minimum cut depth = 0.05 (determines the smallest cut that can be taken per pass).

Stock to leave in X = 0.01

Stock to leave in Z= 0.01

Cutting method set to One-way and the Rough Direction/Angle =0

Cutter compensation in Computer to the Right.

Enable Lead In/Out and disable Use entry vector, and set in the Lead out, the Exit Vector to Angle =45 and

Length = 0.1

Enable Extend/ shorten end of contour.

Enable Extend and add the Amount = 0.2

Disable stock recognition.


LATHE FINISH TOOLPATH 2D TOOLPATHS

Backplot the last toolpath

Select Parameters and change the Stock Recognition to Use

stock for outer boundary.

The Adjust Stock dialog box will appear, leave the default set-

tings in the dialog box and select the Ok button.

Regenerate the toolpath.

Backplot the toolpath again.

LATHE FINISH TOOLPATH

Click on the Last button, Mastercam will select the same chain as the one selected in the previous opera-

tion.

Toolpath Parameters

Select the OD Finish Right 35 deg tool.

NOTE: The first cut amount is too big. The reason for this is that

the system calculates the depth cuts based of the selected

geometry without taking into consideration the stock.


VERIFY 2D TOOLPATHS

Tool/Offset Number are set to 2

Set the Coolant On.


Finish Parameters

Finish stepover = 0.01 (set the amount of stock to be removed).

Number of finish passes = 1

Stock to leave in X = 0

Stock to leave in Z = 0

Finish direction set to OD.

Cutter compensation in Computer to the Right.

Enable Lead In/Out and set Use entry vector Angle = 180 and Length = 0.1

In the Lead out, set the Exit Vector to Angle = 45 and Length = 0.1




VERIFY

Select the Select All Operations button in the Operations Manager.

NOTE: Verify uses a solid model to simulate the machining of a part.


VERIFY 2D TOOLPATHS

Select the Verify button in the Operations Manager.

Select the Options button and enable Change tool/color to see the material that is cut by each tool.

NOTE: To be able to see any tool collisions enable Stop on collision.


VERIFY 2D TOOLPATHS

The stock shape is a Cylinder boundary. The stock sizes are displayed according to the Stock Setup settings.

Select the OK button to exit the Verify Options dialog box.

Pick the Play button to run the verification for the part.


CENTER DRILL THE HOLE 2D TOOLPATHS

CENTER DRILL THE HOLE

Toolpath Parameters

Select a 1/2 Inch Center drill.


Set the Coolant On.


Simple drill - no peck

Depth = -0.25

Clearance = 0.25 incr.

Retract = 0.1 incr.

Cycle set to Drill/Cbore.

Backplot the drill operation

Enable the Quick verify button.

DRILL THE HOLE

Toolpath Parameters

Select a 3/4 Inch Drill.


Set the Coolant On.


Simple drill - no peck

Depth = -2.4

Clearance = 0.25 incr.

Retract = 0.1 incr.

Cycle set to Peck Drill.

1st peck = 0.2

Enable Drill tip compensation.

Breakthrough amount 0.25

Backplot the drill operation


LATHE FINISH (ID) TOOLPATH 2D TOOLPATHS

LATHE FINISH (ID) TOOLPATH

Click on the Single button, and select the line.

Toolpath Parameters

Select a ID Finish Min 0.5 Boring bar.


Set the Coolant On.


Finish Parameters

Finish stepover = 0.01

Number of finish passes = 1

Stock to leave in X = 0

Stock to leave in Z = 0

Finish direction set to ID.

Cutter compensation set to Computer to the Left.

Enable Lead In/Out and set Use entry vector Angle = 180 and Length = 0.1

In the Lead out, the Exit Vector to Angle = -45 and Length = 0.05





POST PROCESSING THE FILE 2D TOOLPATHS

POST PROCESSING THE FILE

Run the post processor.

EXERCISE 3: DRAWING #2.MCX-5

Open the file that you created earlier in the geometry creation section

File

Open

Select DRAWING 2.MCX

Make sure that a Lathe machine is selected. Otherwise; select the lathe

default.

NOTE: A post processor is a program that converts a toolpath, which contains all the information necessary to

machine a part, into an NC program. This code is required by a particular machine and control combination to

machine the part. A generic post processor and a control definition must be customized for the specific

machine and control combination. A post customizing file (*.PST) describes the post processor, including the

miscellaneous integers used, canned text values, debugging and program switches, system variables, format

statements, etc.

NOTE: The NC program may be saved, and sent directly to the lathe machine associated with the post.

NOTE: We need to reverse the geometry (Xform Mirror) and move the part

to machine first the back of the part (facing it).

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