Mastercam 2020 Multiaxis Machining Improves Productivity 

Mastercam Multiaxis is an add-on for Mastercam Mill 3D, Router 3D, Mill-Turn and Mastercam for SolidWorks. It improves productivity with simultaneous four- and five-axis machining capability for Mastercam. Mastercam Multiaxis offers a wide range of multiaxis machining strategies, both basic and advanced. These toolpaths are also useful for advanced control of three-axis machines. 

Cut Patterns

Cut Patterns guide the tool along specified paths. These patterns can be simple 2D and 3D wireframe, solid primitives, or complex multisurface grids. Mastercam’s Multiaxis machining has many toolpath types to govern the cut pattern. 

Tool Axis Control

Mastercam’s Tool Axis Control allows orientation of the tool’s center axis to be manipulated as it follows the cut pattern. You have complete and dynamic control over the tool axis, lead/lag, entry/exit, and tilt, which simplifies even the most difficult multiaxis jobs. Full entry and exit control allow you determine exactly where and how the cutter enters and leaves your part. An automatic point generator adds greater precision, as well as advanced gouge checking and a 5-axis safe zone around the part to ensure safe cuts in even the most complex operations. 

Collision Control

When programming 5-axis parts, it is often necessary to come very close to the part or fixture with the cutter, arbor, or the holder. Mastercam gives you “near miss tolerance” fields so you can specify how close you are willing to get with any part of the tool and how to avoid those situations.

Blade Expert Add-On

Mastercam’s Blade Expert Add-On simplifies the toolpath creation process for any multibladed parts, including fans, propellers, impellers, turbines, marine screws, and more. Blade Expert is an easy-to-use custom application, designed to generate efficient, smooth, and gouge-free toolpaths for these complex bladed parts. 

Port Expert Add-On

Mastercam’s Port Expert Add-On creates accurate, efficient engine cylinder head porting toolpaths on port surface or solid data. The Port Expert toolpaths use three-axis machining as far into the port as possible, and then convert automatically to five-axis motion with minimum tilt. This avoids fishtails or inefficient reverse moves, and smoothly transitions where the toolpaths meet at the middle of the port. 

Dynamic Motion and Accelerated Finishing

Included in Mastercam Multiaxis are two innovative machining strategies. Dynamic Motion extends tool life with proprietary toolpath strategies that maximize material removal rate and reduce cycle times, and Accelerated Finishing takes advantage of innovative profile tools and processes aimed at greater efficiency and higher machining productivity. 

For more information on Mastercam’s Multiaxis machining, click here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.