New capabilities in Mastercam X6 include Blade Expert, Swiss Expert, 3D high speed tool path, hybrid-finish filler passes and new stock models.
The new stock model functionality provides the ability to create accurate, fully-associative stock models at any point in the machining process. This enables users to view and verify work as it progresses, perform stock model comparisons and easily choose existing stock for rest machining, the company says.
Blade Expert is designed to simplify toolpath creation for multi-bladed parts, including fans, propellers, impellers, turbines and marine screws. It offers a variety of flexible, multi-axis roughing strategies as well as automatic tool-axis control to ensure smooth machine motion.
Swiss Expert is said to control a variety of Swiss-type NC machines used by manufacturers in the watch-making, medical, electronics and other industries that produce small precision parts. It supports an unlimited number of axes and channels and offers realistic simulation of the entire machine and its tools.
The latest 3D high speed tool path uses rest milling to efficiently rough away remaining material. This tool path can use the software’s new stock model functionality to define stock-removal areas.
The software’s hybrid 3D, high speed tool paths now maintain all Z-level cuts in steep areas of parts while filling in shallow areas with scallop motion within a single Z section. Combining waterline (constant Z) motion and scallop where needed, even in the same Z section, can improve finish and make more efficient use of the tool, the company says.
