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| Greetings!
Mastercam Ultra-News will highlight important news and events pertaining to Mastercam software, since OptiPro has been an authorized distributor and certified training facility of the product since 1982. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as OptiPro strives to provide you with the most current and exciting information regarding Mastercam. |
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Mastercam X5 Showcased at IMTS 2010 | |
Attendees of IMTS 2010 had the first look at Mastercam X5, which was displayed in Chicago, IL on September 13-18. Mastercam X5 introduced significant new capabilities, including new dynamic milling techniques, multiaxis machining, Smart Hybrid Finishing, and much more.
New Dynamic Milling Techniques
Dynamic milling constantly adjusts the toolpath to ensure the most efficient cut possible and allows use of the entire tool flute length, often eliminating the need for multiple depth cuts. New dynamic milling techniques include Dynamic Rest Mill and Dynamic Contour. Dynamic Rest Mill behaves in a manner similar to the current toolpath, only it uses dynamic milling motion instead of core mill or area mill motion for the rest operations. Dynamic Contour uses an intelligent, efficient high speed contouring strategy to remove material along walls. It supports multi-passes and can optionally include finishing passes.
Much easier multiaxis machining
Mastercam's multiaxis suite has new machining techniques and a new, easy, workflow-oriented interface. Mastercam lets you choose the basic type of work you're doing using clear illustrations, and then gives you a clear, step-by-step process for defining how you'll cut the part. Mastercam's multiaxis machining also includes a new highly specialized interface for smooth, gouge-free engine head porting.
Fast, aggressive, intelligent roughing
Mastercam's new 3D surface high speed OptiRough toolpath is a new technique designed to remove large amounts of material quickly using its successful dynamic milling motion. Large, aggressive cuts are followed by fast, smaller up-cuts, safely delivering a fully roughed part faster than ever.
Smart Hybrid Finishing
Hybrid finishing intelligently blends two efficient cutting techniques in a single toolpath. This new toolpath evaluates the model shape and smoothly switches between Constant Z cutting and Constant Scallop machining. The result is a dramatically finer finish with less work.
X5 will be available to Maintenance customers soon...OptiPro will make an announcement when X5 is officially released. Upon it's release, OptiPro will be hosting Roll-out sessions to get all of our maintenance customers up to speed with X5's new features. Watch for an announcement regarding a Roll-out session sign up coming soon! Please contact OptiPro with any questions regarding Mastercam X5 by calling 585-265-0160 or send emails to Lynda Bechtold (lynda@optipro.com).
On another interesting note, CNC Software hosted a famous visitor at their IMTS booth this year. Pablo Huffaker, owner of Race Source and driver of the Grave Digger #16 monster truck, was in the booth signing autographs. The picture below shows OptiPro's Mastercam Technician Chris Parish (left) and Pablo Huffaker at the Mastercam booth:
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Tech Tip: Requirements for Tool Profile Geometry | |
Geometry used for tool profiles must meet these criteria in order for Mastercam to properly display the tool on screen. Follow these rules whether you are creating new tool profiles for custom tool types or editing the standard tool profile files:
- Draw the profile in the Top construction plane.
- Use only line and arc entities.
- Position the lower-left corner at X0, Y0.
- The X dimension must equal 1.0 in either metric or inch units. Mastercam can use the same tool profile in either metric or inch units. (Mastercam automatically scales the geometry based on the diameter that you enter in the tool definition.)
- Use an open contour to outline half of the tool.
- No undercuts are allowed.
- Do not include other geometry in the file. If the profile geometry is on a level in the part file, there should be no other geometry on the level.
- You must use a "center line" to define the middle of the tool. E.g. change the attributes of the line to make a center line.
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Get Your Mastercam Gear at iMastercamstore.com! |
| www.imastercamstore.com >> |
Mastercam is excited to announce iMastercamstore.com, the new site for resellers, business partners, customers, and fans of Mastercam worldwide to purchase Mastercam clothing and other items. The store comprises of three different merchandise categories, which are clothing, hats, and miscellaneous items. In the clothing section, choose from several different types of apparel options, including t-shirts, polo shirts, work shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets. In the hats category, you can find flexfit hats and baseball caps. The miscellaneous items available on iMastercamstore.com include mouse pads, pens, and travel mugs.
iMastercamstore.com is managed by CNC Software with services and support provided by Professional Promotions in East Hartford, Connecticut. iMastercamstore can sell and ship to almost anywhere in the world. If you don't see what you are looking for or need an unusual size, please feel free to send your suggestions and requests to requests@imastercamstore.com. |
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*Authorized Mastercam distributor and certified training facility since 1982* |
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