CAD/CAM Software Update Includes Exclusive Turning Strategies

Mastercam 2018 introduces new 2D/3D milling features, design improvements, turning and mill-turn enhancements, and more.

Stock awareness has been added to select 2D tool paths and enable tool motion on the top, bottom or both values of the stock. This provides safer and more optimized tool motion. The workflow for all 3D High Speed tool paths has been streamlined and gives users fine control over exactly where to cut. High-speed Hybrid tool paths now offer smoothing controls and deliver a finer finish, requiring less handwork.

For work in stringy materials such as aluminum or plastic, Mastercam’s new Chip Break control prevents problems by enabling users to set length and time conditions, and retract and dwell options. Mill-Turn machine definitions now contain tailstock and quill components, tailored to user’s machines.

A new set of turning strategies automate toolpath generation and support for Sandvik Coromant’s CoroTurn Prime inserts and PrimeTurning method. PrimeTurning is said to provide higher metal removal rates, productivity gains and increased tool life in a variety of materials.

Mastercam’s CAD functions are designed for the machinist. Angle Sweep improves the creation of more complex wireframe functions. When creating or editing primitives, there are now on-screen sweep and rotate controls which can snap to the AutoCursor positions of existing entities. Hole Axis makes it easier to work with a large number of holes, especially holes with matching diameters that are selected as a group.