Mastercam X5 Lathe Training Tutorial

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Lathe Training Tutorial

Mastercam X5 Lathe Training Tutorial

Copyright: 1998 -2010 In-House Solutions Inc. All rights reserved

Software: Mastercam X5

Author: Mariana Lendel

ISBN: 978-1-926566-80-1

Revision Date: October 22, 2010

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Lathe Training Tutorial

Lathe Training Tutorial Contents

Getting Started .......................................................................................................A-1

TutorialsTutorial #1 .............................................................................................................................1-1

Tutorial #2 .............................................................................................................................2-1

Tutorial #3 .............................................................................................................................3-1

Tutorial #4 .............................................................................................................................4-1

Tutorial #5 .............................................................................................................................5-1

Tutorial #6 .............................................................................................................................6-1

Tutorial #7 .............................................................................................................................7-1

Tutorial #8 .............................................................................................................................8-1

Tutorial #9 .............................................................................................................................9-1

Tutorial #10 .........................................................................................................................10-1

General Notes.........................................................................................................B-1

Creating a Lathe Tool Library...................................................................................C-1

Editing a Lathe Tool Library.....................................................................................D-1

Quiz Answers ..........................................................................................................E-1

Lathe Training Tutorial Page|3-1

TUTORIAL #31

TUTORIAL #3

Objectives:

The Student will design a 2-dimensional drawing by:

!Create lines using polar positioning.

!Trim the construction lines using Trim 2 Entities command.

!Use the Create Line Perpendicular command to create lines.

!Trim lines using the distance option in the Trim/Break/Extend command.

!Creating arcs using the create circle center point command.

!Using the arc tangent command to create tangent arcs.

!Use the trim divide command to clean up the geometry.

The Student will create lathe toolpaths consisting of:

!Facing toolpath to machine the face of the part.

!Canned Roughing toolpath to remove the bulk of material.

!Canned Finish toolpath to remove the leftover material from the roughing toolpath.

!Grooving at an angle with fillets in the corners of the groove

!Finishing toolpath with multiple passes using a tool with a round insert.

!Cutoff toolpath to cut the part off at a desired position.

The Student will simulate the toolpaths using Mastercam's Verify and Backplot by:

!Defining a 3-dimensional cylinder the size of the workpiece.

!Running the Backplot to see the path the tool takes to cut the part.

!Running the Verify to simulate the tool cutting from the solid model.

This tutorial takes approximately 50 minutes to complete.

Page |3-2 Lathe Training Tutorial


SETTING UP THE GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE TUTORIAL #31

GEOMETRY CREATION

STEP 1: SETTING UP THE GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE

Before starting the geometry creation we should customize the toolbars to see the toolbars

required to create the geometry and machine a part. See Getting started page A-4 for details.

Make sure that the Grid is enabled. It will show you where the part origin is. See Getting

started page A-6 for further information.

The Operations Manager to the left of the screen can be hidden to gain more space in the

graphic area for design. From the keyboard, press Alt + O keys simultaneously to hide it.

Repeat this command to make it visible again.

Figure: 1.0.1

Change the Cplane to +D +Z.

See Setting the Construction and Tool Plane to DZ on page A-10 in Getting Started.

Select Planes from the Status Bar.

Select Lathe diameter +D +Z.

NOTE: Because the part is symmetrical in the Z-Axis, you will only draw 1/2 of the total part.


TUTORIAL #31 CREATE THE OUTSIDE PROFILE

STEP 2: CREATE THE OUTSIDE PROFILE

In this step you will learn how to create a line knowing an endpoint, the angle and the length. We will

use this line to create other parallel lines from.

Step Preview:

2.1 Create the 1.25" by 90° line

Create

Line

Endpoint

Enter the Length then press tab on your keyboard and enter the Angle as shown

below (Enter).

[Specify the first endpoint]: Select the Fast Point icon.

Enter in the coordinates 0,-3 (Enter).

Select the Apply button to stay within the command.

Use the Fit icon to fit the drawing to the screen.

Using the mouse scroll wheel, roll the wheel backwards to unzoom, to see the Grid and the

line we just created as shown in Figure 2.1.1.

NOTE: When working with the +D, +Z plane, enter in the coordinates in this order (D,Z).


CREATE THE OUTSIDE PROFILE TUTORIAL #31

Figure: 2.1.1



below (Enter).

[Specify the first endpoint]: Select the Origin as shown in Figure 2.2.1.

Figure: 2.2.1

Make sure that when selecting the origin, the visual cue of the cursor changes as shown.


NOTE: During the geometry creation of this tutorial, if you make a mistake you can undo the

last step using the Undo icon. You can undo as many steps as needed. If you delete or

undo a step by mistake, just use the Redo icon. To delete unwanted geometry, select it

first and then press Delete from the keyboard.


TUTORIAL #31 CREATE THE OUTSIDE PROFILE



below (Enter).

[Specify the first endpoint]: Select the Endpoint as shown in Figure 2.3.1.

Figure: 2.3.1


2.4 Create the 135° line


below (Enter).


Figure: 2.4.1


NOTE: The length on this line is not important as we will trim the lines later on. For now we

will use 1.25.


CREATE THE OUTSIDE PROFILE TUTORIAL #31

2.5 Sketch the final line

In this next step we will enable an option found in the autocursor configuration to help us sketch a

horizontal line.

Select the Config button in the Autocursor toolbar.

Ensure that you have Horizontal/Vertical enabled as shown below.

Select the Ok button to exit the Autocursor Settings dialog box.


Figure: 2.5.1


TUTORIAL #31 TRIM THE LINES

[Specify the second endpoint] Sketch the line to a point beyond the 135° angled line as

shown below.

Select the Ok button to exit the command.

The part should appear as shown in Figure 2.5.2.

Figure: 2.5.2

TRIM THE LINES

In this step, we will trim the intersecting lines left from step 2.

Step Preview:

Edit

Trim/Break

Trim/Break/Extend


CREATE THE GROOVE GEOMETRY TUTORIAL #31

Enable the Trim 2 Entities button.

Select Entity A and then select Entity B to trim the geometry as shown below.


STEP 3: CREATE THE GROOVE GEOMETRY

In this step we will use the create line perpendicular command, create line parallel command and fillet

entities to create the groove geometry.

Step Preview:

3.1 Create a line perpendicular to the 135° line

Create

Line

Perpendicular


TUTORIAL #31 CREATE THE GROOVE GEOMETRY

Enter in the length in the ribbon bar as shown.

[Select line, arc or spline] Select Entity A as shown below.

[Sketch a point] Select Endpoint A as shown below.

[Select which line to keep] Choose the line on the left side of the line as shown below.


3.2 Create parallel lines

In this step you will create parallel lines from the polar line we created in Step #2.

Create

Line

Parallel

[Select a line] Select the perpendicular line we just created as shown in Figure 3.2.1.



[Select the point to place a parallel line through] choose a point to the left of the line we just

created as shown in Figure 3.2.1.

Figure: 3.2.1

Change the Distance to.


[Select a line] Select the parallel line we just created as shown in Figure 3.2.2.

[Select the point to place a parallel line through] choose a point to the left of the line we just

created as shown in Figure 3.2.2.

Figure: 3.2.2

Change the Distance to.





Figure: 3.2.3

3.3 Trim the 0.45" line to a length of 0.25"

Edit

Trim/Break

Trim/Break/Extend

Enable the Extension Length and enter in the value as shown.

[Select the entity to trim/extend] Select Entity A, on the left end of the line as shown below.


3.4 Create a line knowing the endpoints

Create

Line

Endpoint

[Specify the first endpoint] Select Endpoint A as shown in Figure 3.4.1.

[Specify the second endpoint] Select Endpoint B as shown in Figure 3.4.1.

NOTE: When using the Extension Length in the Trim/Break/Extend command, the side of

the line you select is the side Mastercam will trim or extend.



Figure: 3.4.1


3.5 Delete the construction line

Edit

Delete

Delete Entities

[Select Entities] Select the line as shown below.

Click on the End Selection button once selected.

3.6 Fillet the groove

Create

Fillet

Entities

Enter in the fillet radius, set the style to normal and ensure trim is enabled as shown below.

[Fillet: Select an entity] Select Entity A as shown in Figure 3.6.1.

[Fillet: Select another entity] Select Entity B as shown in Figure 3.6.1.



Select the Apply button to continue.

Change the fillet radius to

[Fillet: Select an entity] Select Entity B as shown in Figure 3.6.1.

[Fillet: Select another entity] Select Entity C as shown in Figure 3.6.1.

Figure: 3.6.1


The part should appear as shown in Figure 3.6.2

Figure: 3.6.2


CREATE THE ROUNDED GROOVES TUTORIAL #31

STEP 4: CREATE THE ROUNDED GROOVES

In this final step we will use the circle center point and arc tangent command to create the needed

geometry to finish the part. We will also trim the part to clean up the leftover geometry.

Step Preview:

4.1 Create arcs

Create

Arc

Circle Center Point

Enter in the Radius as shown.

[Enter the center point] Select the Fast Point command.

[Enter the center point] Enter in the coordinates 1,-0.575.



Figure: 4.1.1


TUTORIAL #31 CREATE THE ROUNDED GROOVES

Enter in the Radius as shown.

[Enter the center point] Select the Fast Point command.

[Enter the center point] Enter in the coordinates 1,-1.125



Figure: 4.1.2

4.2 Create arcs tangent to two entities

Create

Arc

Arc Tangent

Enable the Arc Tangent 2 Entities button.

Enter in the Radius 0.25 as shown.

[Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to] Select Entity A.

[Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to] Select Entity B.



[Select the fillet to use] Select Entity C.


[Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to] Select Entity D.

[Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to] Select Entity E.

[Select the fillet to use] Select Entity F.



TUTORIAL #31 CREATE THE ROUNDED GROOVES

Enter in the Radius 0.375 as shown.

[Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to] Select Entity G.

[Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to] Select Entity H.

[Select the fillet to use] Select Entity I.



Figure: 4.2.1



4.3 Trim the geometry to finish the part

Edit

Trim/Break

Trim/Break/Extend

Enable the Divide button.

[Select the curve to divide/delete] Click on the portions of line that are shown as dotted lines

below.


The completed part should appear as shown in Figure 4.3.1.

Figure: 4.3.1

NOTE: When using the Trim Divide command, ensure you select the portion of the line you

wish to delete. The entity will trim up to an intersection point.


TUTORIAL #31 SAVE THE FILE

STEP 5: SAVE THE FILE

File

Save As

File name: "Your Name_3".

Select the OK button.


PART SETUP: TUTORIAL #31

TOOLPATH CREATION

PART SETUP:

SETUP SHEET:


TUTORIAL #31 SELECT THE MACHINE AND SET UP THE STOCK

STEP 6: SELECT THE MACHINE AND SET UP THE STOCK

Step Preview:

In Mastercam, you select a Machine Definition before creating any toolpaths. The Machine Definition

is a model of your machine tool's capabilities and features and acts like a template for setting up

machining jobs. The machine definition ties together three main components: the schematic model of

your machine tool’s components, the control definition that models your control unit’s capabilities and

the post processor that will generate the required machine code (G-code). For a Lathe exercise (2D

toolpaths) we need just a basic machine definition.

To display the Operations Manager press Alt + O.


Machine type

Lathe

Default

Select the plus sign in front of Properties in the Toolpaths Manager to expand the Toolpaths

Group Properties.

Select Tool Settings to set the tool parameters.

NOTE: For the purpose of this tutorial, we will be using the Default lathe machine.


SELECT THE MACHINE AND SET UP THE STOCK TUTORIAL #31

Change the parameters to match the screen shot in Figure 6.0.1.

Figure: 6.0.1.

Select the Stock setup tab.

Choose the properties button to set up the stock for the Left Spindle.

Program # is used to enter a number if your

machine tool requires a number for a program

name.

Assign tool numbers sequentially allows you to

overwrite the tool number from the library with the

next available tool number.

Warn of duplicate tool numbers allows you to get a

warning if you enter two tools with the same

number.

Write home position clearance moves writes home

position clearance moves into the toolpath.

Override defaults with modal values enables the

system to keep the values that you enter.

Feed Calculation set From tool uses feed rate,

plunge rate, retract rate and spindle speed from the

tool definition.


TUTORIAL #31 SELECT THE MACHINE AND SET UP THE STOCK

Define the stock by setting the stock geometry to Cylinder and entering the stock

dimensions. Ensure you enable Use Margins and enter in the values as shown in Figure 6.0.2.

Figure: 6.0.2

Select the Ok button to exit the Stock Setup page.

Ensure that Left spindle is selected and then select the Properties button in the chuck jaws

area as shown below.

NOTE: The stock model that you create can be displayed with the part geometry when

viewing the file or the toolpaths, during backplot, or while verifying toolpaths. You can

create stock on the left or right spindle.


SELECT THE MACHINE AND SET UP THE STOCK TUTORIAL #31

Make the necessary changes to define the chuck size, the clamping method and the stock

position. Ensure that you choose the clamping method OD#1 as shown in the graphic below.

Select the OK button to exit the Chuck Jaws dialogue box.

Enable Fit screen to boundaries in the Display Options area.

Select the OK button to exit Machine Group Properties.

Select the Top view from the view toolbar to see the stock.


The stock should look as shown in Figure 6.0.3.


TUTORIAL #31 FACE THE PART

Figure: 6.0.3

STEP 7: FACE THE PART

Face toolpaths allows the user to quickly clean the stock from one end of the part, and create an even

surface for future operations. Note that we do not have to chain any geometry to create the toolpath

because of the extra material we specified on the right face in the stock setup. You can also select

points to dictate where Mastercam will create the facing operation.

Toolpath Preview:

Toolpaths

Face

NOTE: The stock is not geometry and can not be selected.


FACE THE PART TUTORIAL #31

Select the Ok Button to accept the NC name.

Select the OD Rough Right -80 Degree Tool and enter in the comment.

NOTE: The Feed Rate and the Spindle Speeds are based on the Mastercam Tool Definitions.

They can be changed at any time, based on the material that you are going to machine.


TUTORIAL #31 FACE THE PART

Select the Face Parameters tab and make all of the necessary changes as shown in the

screenshot below.

Once the you have entered in all of the information select the Ok button to exit the Face

Properties.

The toolpath should appear as shown in Figure 7.0.1.

Entry Amount sets the height at which the tool rapids to or from the part.

Rough Stepover sets the roughing pass value.

Finish Stepover sets the finish pass value.

Overcut Amount determines how far past the center of the part the tool will cut.

Retract Amount determines the distance the tool moves away from the face of the part

before it moves to the start of the next cut.

Stock to Leave sets the remaining stock after the tool completes all passes.

Cut away from the center line sets the tool to start cutting closest to the center line and

cut away from the center line at each pass.


ROUGH THE PART USING A CANNED ROUGH TOOLPATH TUTORIAL #31

Figure: 7.0.1

STEP 8: ROUGH THE PART USING A CANNED ROUGH TOOLPATH

Canned Rough Toolpaths allow you to enter parameters that define how the toolpath is cut in

preparation of a finish operation. The dialog box displays only those parameters that are supported by

you machine’s controller’s roughing canned cycle program.

Toolpath Preview:

Toolpaths

Canned

Rough

NOTE: The chaining mode is Partial by default. You will have to select

the first entity and the last entity of the contour.


TUTORIAL #31 ROUGH THE PART USING A CANNED ROUGH TOOLPATH

Select Entity A.

Select Entity B.

Select the Ok button to exit the Chaining dialog box.

In the Toolpath Parameters tab, select the same tool that we used in the facing operation

and make all of the necessary changes as shown in the screenshot.

NOTE: Make sure that the chaining direction is CCW, otherwise select the Reverse button in

the Chaining dialog box.


ROUGH THE PART USING A CANNED ROUGH TOOLPATH TUTORIAL #31

Select the Rough Parameters tab and make any necessary changes as shown.

Depth of cut sets the amount of material to be removed during each pass.

Equal Steps sets the Depth of Cut value to the maximum amount of material that the tool

can remove at each pass to ensure equal passes.

Minimum cut depth sets the minimum cut that can be taken per pass.

Stock to leave in X sets the remaining stock in the X axis after the tool completes all passes.

Stock to leave in Y sets the remaining stock in the Y axis after the tool completes all passes.

Entry Amount sets the height at which the tool rapids to or from the part.


TUTORIAL #31 ROUGH THE PART USING A CANNED ROUGH TOOLPATH

Select the Lead In/Out button and enable Extend start of contour and specify a length of

0.25" as shown.

Select the Lead out tab and enable Extend end of contour and specify a length of 0.25" as

shown.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lead In/Out parameters.

Select the Ok button to exit the Roughing Toolpath Parameters.


Figure: 8.0.1

NOTE: We need to extend the contour for the lead in and lead out to make sure that the

tool will not crash into the part on the next finish canned operation that uses the rough

settings.We will also extend the end of the contour for a better finish.


FINISH THE PART USING A CANNED FINISH TOOLPATH TUTORIAL #31

STEP 9: FINISH THE PART USING A CANNED FINISH TOOLPATH

Finish Toolpaths cut parallel to the part geometry, making one final cut on the part and refining the

canned roughing or pattern repeat toolpath. You must have an existing canned rough or canned

pattern repeat operation in order to create a canned finish toolpath.

Toolpath Preview:

Select the Toolpaths tab in the Operations Manager.

Click on Select all Operations.

Select Toggle Toolpath Display on selected operations to turn the toolpath display off.

Toolpaths

Canned

Finish

NOTE: You can also use ALT + T to toggle toolpath display on or off. For the remaining

tutorials, the toolpath display will be automatically disabled.

NOTE: The chaining dialog box does not appear because a Canned Finish toolpath uses the

information from the Canned rough toolpath.


TUTORIAL #31 FINISH THE PART USING A CANNED FINISH TOOLPATH

Select the OD 55 Degree Right tool from the tool list and enter in the comment.

Select the Finish Parameters tab and make all of the necessary changes as shown below.

Select the Ok Button to exit the Finish Parameters.


NOTE: The Feed Rate and Spindle Speed are based on the Mastercam Tool Definition.


ROUGH THE ANGLED GROOVE TUTORIAL #31

Figure: 9.0.1

STEP 10: ROUGH THE ANGLED GROOVE

Groove toolpaths are used for machining indented or recessed areas that can not be machined by

roughing toolpaths or tools.

Toolpath Preview:

Toolpaths

Groove


TUTORIAL #31 ROUGH THE ANGLED GROOVE

Choose Chain when the Grooving Options dialog box opens up.

Select the Ok button to exit the Grooving Options Dialog box.

The Chaining dialog box will open, leave Partial as the chaining method.

1 Point allows the user to select points from the graphics area to identify a groove.

2 Points allows you to specify a groove by indicating the top corner of the groove and the point

in the lower opposite corner.

3 Lines allows you to select three lines from the graphics screen to define the groove shape.

Chain allows you to chain a more complex shape to define a groove by chaining on-screen

geometry.

Multiple Chains allows you to chain multiple grooves by chaining on screen geometry.

Manual Point Selection allows you to manually select points from the graphics area.

Window Point Selection allows you to create a window in the graphics area and chains all of

the points within the window.



Select Entity A as your first chain, then select Entity B as your second chain as shown below.


Select the OD Groove Center Medium tool from the tool list and enter in the comment as

shown below.

Select the Tool Angle button as outlined above.

NOTE: We need to specify the angle we want to groove because the groove is on a 45°

angle.


TUTORIAL #31 ROUGH THE ANGLED GROOVE

Select the Plunge Direction button. This will tell Mastercam at what angle the tool should

machine.

[Select a line parallel to the plunge direction] Select Entity A as shown below.

The Plunge Direction should read -45° as shown below.

Select the Ok button to exit.

Select the Groove Shape Parameters tab and notice that the tool angle changed to 45°.



Select the Groove Rough Parameters and make any changes as shown below.

Select the Groove finish parameters tab and disable the option to Finish Groove as shown

below.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lathe Groove dialog box and generate the toolpath.


Figure: 10.0.1


TUTORIAL #31 FINISH THE ANGLED GROOVE WITH A CUSTOM TOOL

STEP 11: FINISH THE ANGLED GROOVE WITH A CUSTOM TOOL

In this step we will create a toolpath to finish the groove using a custom tool.

Toolpath Preview:

Toolpaths

Groove

Choose Chain when the Grooving Options dialog box opens up.

Select the Ok button to exit the Grooving Options dialog box.

Select the Last button in the chaining dialog box.

Select the Ok button to exit the chaining dialog box.


FINISH THE ANGLED GROOVE WITH A CUSTOM TOOL TUTORIAL #31

Enter in the comment and right click in the Tool List and select Create new tool as shown

below.

Select the Grooving/Parting as the tool type as shown below.



The Inserts tab will automatically be selected. Select the Single End (Radius) insert and make

any changes as shown in the screenshot below.

Select the Holders tab and make the changes as shown below.



Select the Parameters tab and make the changes to the tool as shown below.

Select the Setup Tool button as shown above and change the Plunge Direction as shown

below.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lathe Tool Setup dialog box.

To see a preview of how the tool looks, select the Draw Tool button.



A preview of the tool should appear as shown

Press Enter once complete.

Select the Ok button to exit the Define Tool dialog box.

Select the Groove rough parameters tab and disable Rough the groove as shown below.

NOTE: To save the tool to the library you can select the Save to Library button. Otherwise,

the tool will be available only for this job.



Select the Groove Finish Parameters tab and make any changes as shown below.

Select the Lead In button.

Direction for 1st Pass determines the direction that the tool will finish the groove (CCW -

Starting on the right wall or CW - starting with the left wall.) With the first pass of a finish

toolpath; the tool cuts down on one wall of the groove to the groove floor and then retracts out

of the groove. On the second pass, the tool cuts down the opposite wall of the groove to the

groove floor and moves across the groove floor to the point where the first pass ended.

Retraction Moves sets the retract moves to Rapid moves or with the Feed Rate.

Finish Stepover value sets the maximum amount of material the tool will remove with the

finish pass. Allows you to get a warning if you enter two tools with the same number.

Stock to leave in X sets the remaining stock in the X-axis after the tool completes all finish

passes.

Stock to leave in Z sets the remaining stock in the Z-axis after the tool completes all finish

passes.

Overlap Distance from 1st corner sets the amount the tool cuts across the floor before

retracting out of the groove.

Overlap between passes sets the amount the tool overlaps the first pass before it retracts.

Wall Backoff % sets how far the tool backs away from the wall for the groove after the first pass

before it retracts.



Change the First pass lead in entry vector to -90° as shown.

Select the Second pass Lead in tab and change the entry vector to -90° as shown.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lead In dialog box.

Enable the Select Overlap radio button and click on the Select Overlap as shown below.

Mastercam will return you to the Graphics User Interface.



[Select endpoint for first cut] Move your cursor to a location close to the one shown below

and left click.

[Select endpoint for second cut] Move your cursor to a location close to the one shown

below and left click.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lathe Groove dialog box and generate the toolpath.



TUTORIAL #31 FINISH THE ROUNDED GROOVES ON THE OD

Figure: 11.0.1

STEP 12: FINISH THE ROUNDED GROOVES ON THE OD

In this step, we will create a finish toolpath to machine away the rest of the material above the

rounded groove. We will use a rounded tool and tell Mastercam to machine the groove by specifying a

number of finishes passes and the spacing between them.

Toolpath Preview:

Toolpaths

Finish

Leave the chaining mode set to Partial.

Select Entity A as shown below.



FINISH THE ROUNDED GROOVES ON THE OD TUTORIAL #31

Enter in the comment and right click in the Tool List and select Create new tool as shown

below.

Select the General Turning as the tool type as shown below.



The Inserts tab will automatically be selected. Select the R (Round) insert and make any

changes as shown in the screenshot below.

Select the Holders tab and make the changes as shown below.


FINISH THE ROUNDED GROOVES ON THE OD TUTORIAL #31

Select the Parameters tab and make the changes to the tool as shown below.

To see a preview of how the tool looks, select the Draw Tool button.

A preview of the tool should appear as shown below.



Press Enter once complete.

Select the Ok button to exit the Define Tool dialog box.

Select the Finish parameters tab and make any changes as shown below.

Select the Lead In/Out button as shown above and change the Lead In as shown below.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lead In/Out dialog box.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lathe Finish dialog box.


NOTE: To save the tool to the library you can select the Save to Library button. Otherwise,

the tool will be available only for this job.


CUTOFF THE PART TUTORIAL #31

Figure: 12.0.1

STEP 13: CUTOFF THE PART

Lathe Cut-off Toolpaths vertically cut off pieces of the part such as sections of bar stock.

Toolpath Preview:

Toolpaths

Cutoff

[Select cutoff boundary point] Select Point A as shown below.


TUTORIAL #31 CUTOFF THE PART

Scroll to the bottom of the tool list and choose the OD Cutoff Right tool and enter in the

comment as shown below.


CUTOFF THE PART TUTORIAL #31

Select the Cutoff parameters tab and make any changes as shown below.

Select the Ok button to exit the Lathe cutoff dialog box.


Figure: 13.0.1

Retract Radius sets the distance from the stock where the tool starts with feed rate.

X Tangent Point sets the distance as a radius value up to which the tool cuts to.

Cut to: determines if the center of the Front Radius or Back Radius is going to reach the final

depth.

Corner Geometry parameters allow you to create a chamfer or radius on the corner of the

part.


TUTORIAL #31 BACKPLOT THE TOOLPATHS

STEP 14: BACKPLOT THE TOOLPATHS

Backplotting shows the path the tools take to cut the part. This display lets you spot errors in the

program before you machine the part. As you backplot toolpaths, Mastercam displays the current X, Y,

and Z coordinates in the lower left corner of the screen.

Make sure that you Select all operations

(signified by the green check mark on the folder

icon).

Select the Backplot selected operations button.

Make sure that you have the following buttons turned

on (they will appear pushed down) to see the tool and the rapid moves.

Select the Isometric view from the view toolbar to see the stock.

Select the Fit button.

You can adjust the speed of the backplot.

You can step through the Backplot by using the Step forward or Step back buttons.

Select the Play button in the VCR bar.

Select the OK button to exit Blackplot.


TOOLPATH VERIFICATION TUTORIAL #31

STEP 15: TOOLPATH VERIFICATION

Toolpath Verification allows you to use solid models to simulate the machining of a part. The model

created by the verification represents surface finish, and shows collisions if any exist.

Select the Verify all operations button.

Use the Fit icon to fit the solid to the screen.

Set the Verify Speed by moving the slider bar in the speed control bar.

Select the Machine button to start the simulation.

The Finished part should appear as shown in the following picture.

STEP 16: RUN THE POST PROCESSOR TO OBTAIN THE G-CODE FILE

Post Processing refers to the process by which the toolpaths in your Mastercam part files are

converted to a format that can be understood by your machine tool’s control. A special program reads

your Mastercam file and writes the appropriate NC code.

Make sure that all operations are selected, otherwise:

Select all operations.


TUTORIAL #31 RUN THE POST PROCESSOR TO OBTAIN THE G-CODE FILE

Select the Post Selected operations button from the

Toolpath Manager

In the Post Processing window, make all of the necessary

changes as shown to the below.

Select the Ok button to continue.

Enter the same name as the Mastercam file name in the NC file name field.

NC File enabled, allows you to keep the NC file and to assign the same name as the MCX file.

Edit enabled allows you to automatically launch the default editor.


SAVE THE UPDATED MCX FILE TUTORIAL #31

Select the Ok button.

Select the Red X Box in the upper right corner to exit the editor.

STEP 17: SAVE THE UPDATED MCX FILE

Select the Save icon.


TUTORIAL #31 REVIEW EXERCISE -STUDENT PRACTICE

REVIEW EXERCISE -STUDENT PRACTICE


CREATE THE GEOMETRY FOR TUTORIAL #3 EXERCISE TUTORIAL #31

CREATE THE GEOMETRY FOR TUTORIAL #3 EXERCISE

Use these commands to create the geometry.

Create the top half of the geometry.

Create Line Endpoint.

Create Line Parallel.

Create Line Perpendicular.

Chamfer Entities.

Fillet Entities.

Trim/Break/Extend.

Delete Entities.


TUTORIAL #31 CREATE THE TOOLPATHS FOR TUTORIAL #3 EXERCISE

CREATE THE TOOLPATHS FOR TUTORIAL #3 EXERCISE

Create the Toolpaths for Tutorial #3 Exercise as per the instructions below.

Set the machine properties including the stock.

Rough, Face and Finish the OD.

Use the stock setup to define the face operation.

Use the OD Rough Right Tool for roughing and facing

operations.

Use an OD Finish Right tool for the finish operation.

Extend the ends of the contour with Lead In/Lead Out so the

tool machines beyond the end of the part.

Machine the rounded grooves on an angle.

Select the Multiple Chains option.

Chain the rounded grooves CCW.

Create a custom round tool with the tool radius equal to the

fillet size.

Setup the tool so that it machines the groove on the right

angle.

Use stock for outer boundary.

Rough and Finish the grooves in the same toolpath.

Machine the last grooves.

Select the Multiple Chains option.

Chain the rounded grooves CCW.

Create a custom round tool with the tool radius equal to the

fillet size.

Setup the tool so that it machines the groove on the 90

degree angle.

Use stock for outer boundary.

Rough and Finish the grooves in the same toolpath.


NOTES: TUTORIAL #31

NOTES:


TUTORIAL #31 TUTORIAL #3 QUIZ

TUTORIAL #3 QUIZ

Why would you use a canned rough cycle?

What type of toolpath must precede a canned finish cycle?

Mastercam X5 Lathe Training Tutorial

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