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Mastercam Ultra-News
January 2013
In This Issue...
Mastercam X7 Sneak Preview:Surface High Speed Toolpaths
Upcoming SpaceClaim Webinar: Fast and Easy Geometry Editing
Tech Tip: Taming Multi-Blade Parts with Expert CAM Software

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Greetings!
Mastercam Ultra-News will highlight important news and events pertaining to Mastercam software, as we are now in our 30th year of being a certified reseller and training facility! We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as OptiPro strives to provide you with the most current and exciting information regarding Mastercam.
OptiPro Systems

Mastercam X7 Sneak Preview: Check Surfaces Feature Enhances High Speed Toolpaths

Mastercam X7 will now allow the end user to select and leave stock on surfaces when creating High Speed Toolpaths due to a new enhancement: the Check Surfaces feature. If you use 3D toolpaths on a daily basis, you understand the need for using Check Surfaces. This feature has always been available in Mastercams' standard 3D Toolpaths. When High Speed Toolpaths were introduced in Mastercam X2, the Check Surfaces function was absent from the software and, as a result, high speed toolpaths became overlooked by programmers. Now, with the ability to select and adjust the amount of stock to be left on a surface, it is OptiPro's hope that more programmers will utilize High Speed Toolpaths. High speed toolpaths are far more efficient and accurate than standard 3D toolpaths by comparison. Look for the Check Surfaces feature in X7's High Speed, Waterline, Raster, Spiral, Radial, and Hybrid Toolpath selections.
OptiPro Systems

Fast and Easy Geometry Editing, Repair, and Fixture Design for Mastercam

SpaceClaim  
If you aren't utilizing SpaceClaim, the new productivity add-on for Mastercam, you could be wasting valuable time trying to correct and update CAD parts prior to CNC programming. By integrating SpaceClaim into Mastercam, you can find and eliminate errors in a CAD model with a single click of a button. You can also quickly and easily edit or change models based on manufacturing needs. Or, if you need to make geometry from scratch (such as a custom fixture to hold your part), SpaceClaim can do it in no time. Watch the video below to learn more about how SpaceClaim can revolutionize your manufacturing operations...
  

OptiPro and SpaceClaim with be hosting a webinar on January 31st at 10AM to showcase this powerful workflow. During this webinar, you can see how SpaceClaim can:

  • Create tools, fixtures and electrodes with simplicity
  • Fix corrupt/dirty geometry with automatic repair tools
  • Modify any imported imported file including IGES, STEP and all Major CAD formats
  • Convert 2D dwg/dxf files to 3D with ease
  • Document the manufacturing process with detailed process drawings

To register, click the link below:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/719825586

To learn more about SpaceClaim, visit OptiPro's website at www.optipro.com/spaceclaim or contact us at 585-265-0160.

OptiPro Systems 

Tech Tip: Taming Multi-Blade Parts with Expert CAM Software

Multi-Blade Parts = Multi Problems
Multi-bladed parts are difficult to machine because orientation of the tool must be continually adjusted to reach all the surfaces that require machining. Programming of a complex multi-blade part, even with full-featured CAM software, must be done thoughtfully and carefully to avoid crashes and ruining an expensive part. It is common for programming to take a couple days.
Multi-blade part
Multi-blade parts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but there is a significant amount of similarity in the way they are machined.
Less is More
Multi-blade parts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but there is a significant amount of similarity in the way they are machined. The workflow is almost always the same:
  • Rough out excess material between the blades
  • Semi-finish the blades
  • Finish the blades
  • Finish the base
Blade Expert
Programming of a complex multi-blade part, even with full-featured CAM software, must be done thoughtfully and carefully to avoid crashes and ruining an expensive part. It was common for programming to take a couple days, but Blade Expert drastically reduces programming time of complex shapes.

The initial iteration of our blade program made it possible to apply this one workflow process to an enormous variety of multi-bladed parts. All the user was required to do is identify the features on the part as prompted. There were no additional requirements to create geometry, as the interface is intuitive. After bringing in the blade model, the user was prompted for basic information about how he or she wanted the 5-axis blade manufacturing process to function:

  • Selection of the tool, holder and tooling related data
  • Choosing the cut pattern
  • Selecting the Tool Axis control method
  • Setting the collision avoidance method
  • Setting the tool movement method for non-cutting gap motions
Programs for these models were created in Blade Expert and then their operation was simulated using Vericut software. The user could visualize all of the complex machine movements with the program's computer simulation. This simple process reduced what would have taken two days with conventional programming techniques down to an hour!
  
Contact OptiPro today to learn more about Mastercam Blade Expert or to request a quote.
*Authorized Mastercam distributor and certified training facility since 1982*