The purpose of CAM software is to take a dimensional computerized part drawing and select features on the drawing for the tool to follow. After defining the path of the tool, the user is prompted for speeds and feeds data, depth of cut, machining patterns, and other characteristics for machining the future. Finally, all of this information is used by the PC to create a program.
The use of CAM software is not only limited to very complex programming; there are also great benefits from using such a package for basic two-dimensional contouring or even drilling operations. Even the simplest jobs can benefit from the speed and efficiency of CAM programming.
CAM programming involves there major steps to go from start to a finished program;
- Geometry creation (drawing)
- Toolpath creation
- Post-processing (creating the machine's program)
Here are some of the MasterCam projects that I have done in class.
Project 1
- Lathe Face Toolpath
- Lathe Roughing Toolpath
- Lathe Finish Toolpath
- Lathe Groove Toolpath
- Lathe Thread Toolpath
- Lathe Drill Toolpath
Simulate the toolpath in Verify
Verify shows the path the tools take to cut the part with the material removal. This display lets you spot errors in the program before you machine the part. It also shows any collisions between the workpiece and the tool.
Project 7
- Facing Toolpath
- 2D HS Dynamic Mill Toolpath machines pockets using one or more chains to drive the toolpath.
- 2D HS Area Mill Toolpath machine pockets.
- Transform Rotate Toolpath generates the 2D HS Area Mill toolpaths for the rest of the identical pockets.
- Spot Drill Toolpath
- Drill Toolpath
- 2D Contour (Chamfer Toolpath)
- Contour Toolpath
- 2 Setups
Project 11
- Facing Toolpath
- Spot Drill Toolpath
- Drill Toolpath
- Chamfer Drill Toolpath
- Thread Mill Toolpath
- 2D HS Dynamic Mill Toolpaths
- Contour Toolpath
- Pocket Mill Toolpath
- Circular Mill Toolpath
- 4 Setups
Project 14: 4-Axis
- Drilling with Axis Substitution is used on machines that allow simultaneous 4-Axis movements. The toolpath replaces the X or Y axis with a rotary axis, known as the A axis or B axis. Using this option, the part will be rotated about the rotating axis while the tool moves perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
- Drilling with Rotary Axis Positioning
- Contour with Axis Substitution finishes the walls using a contour toolpath with axis substitution about the Y axis.
- Contour Toolpath
- Transform Toolpath allows you to select a point of rotation, the angle, and the number of copies to create for the operation.
Project 15: 4-Axis
- 2D HS Dynamic Mill with Axis Substitution will be apply the toolpath to transform the 2D toolpath into a Rotary 4-Axis toolpath.
- Contour with Axis Substitution finishes the walls using Contour toolpath with axis substitution about Y-axis.
- Swarf Milling machines the wall surfaces with the side of the tool.
- Drill the Holes 4-Axis output
- 2D HS Dynamic Mill using Index about X-axis machines the slot rotated at 45 degrees from the top plane.
- Transfrom Rotate allows you to select a plane, a point of rotation, the angle, and the number of copies to create for the operation.
- Contour Indexing using Planes machines the flat area by indexing the part 90 degrees and using a Contour toolpath.
Project 17: 5-Axis
Curve 5-Axis can create a 3-Axis, 4-Axis or 5-Axis toolpath along a 3-D curve or along one or all edges of a surface. The tool axis can be oriented paralled to existing lines, normal to a surface, normal to a plane, or oriented from a point or to a point.
- Curve 5-Axis with Tool Axis Control To Point
- Curve 5-Axis with Tool Axis Control From a Point
- Curve 5-Axis with Tool Axis Control To Normal to a Plane
- Curve 5-Axis with Tool Axis Control towards a Chain
- Curve 5-Axis with Tool Axis Control to Lines
