This was very handy! I did really like MasterCAM's tool cribs. Back when I was using it regularly (lathe work) you could actually go to a tool manufacturers website, and import the tool directly into MasterCAM's tool crib.
#TUTORIAL MASTERCAM X8 FULL#
I'm sure there are other things you can do in this vein, but like any powerful business software, it's all about exploiting the full efficiency.That is a good point about MasterCAM's tool crib. We have have a 20 pocket changer on our CNC and ideally at least 10 of those pockets have known tools all the time, so anyone preparing a CAM file can use those default tools and the machine will be ready to go immediately.
We are a research shop so are doing lots of one-offs. For example, the tool database should accurately reflect what you have in your shop, so when you select an endmill in MasterCAM, that's an endmill you actually have. Is it worth $20K? I'd say yes but to maximize it's value you have to work really hard to learn all its features and integrate it into your shop operation. I thought of some more useful things to say. I've not seen another major package for any industry that has that much ancient baggage. It looks mostly really modern and there are more and more modern bits with every release, and yet there is a whole alternative infrastructure underneath which looks like it dates from the Roman Empire.
#TUTORIAL MASTERCAM X8 SOFTWARE#
As software though it reminds me of an ancient european city, like London or Rome. We haven't seen a lot of reliability issues with recent releases (since about X3). We import Solidworks or other solid models and go from there. I also agree with the point above that you don't want to be designing in it much. There are a huge number of auto tool path options for HSM and suchforth and the limited amount of surface milling CAM I've done certainly suggests it can do a lot. I particularly agree with the person above who said there's a lot of power in the software that most people don't use.
For the OP's company, with no CAM experience, doing some training should work well as you won't have to relearn anything. I used to say I didn't use MasterCAM, I fought MasterCAM.
It's certainly a long learning curve in comparison to a lot of other software. Now he says that there are things that it does much better that Gibbs, though there are a few things in Gibbs that are easier. A firm grasp on both 2D and 3D machining is required and can be attained by completing the Mill Level 1 and Mill Level 3 Training Tutorials or eCourses.I just received X7 in a box which is sitting on my desk so yes, definitely X7 not X8! Our shop uses it, with one former GibbsCAM user who went through training on MasterCAM and over the last couple of years has got better and better at it. The Mastercam X7 Multiaxis eCourse is intended for the advanced Mastercam user looking to learn Mastercam Multiaxis programming. Once you have purchased the course, simply click the red " Introduction" heading below to begin. Each tutorial will walk you through creating geometry, applying then verifying toolpaths and generating G-Code for a machinable part.
#TUTORIAL MASTERCAM X8 HOW TO#
The contents also describe how to verify the toolpaths using the new Machine Simulation module that combines toolpath backplot mode and material removal mode with collision detections.īelow you will find an overview of the eCourse video content organized by tutorial and respective video segments. Specific parameters such as Cut patterns, Tool Axis Control, Limits, Collision Control, Linking and more are described in detail. A special tutorial is dedicated to teaching how to drill and circle mill holes using Multiaxis toolpaths. It also covers the Multiaxis Classic family toolpaths: Rotary, Curve, Swarf, Flow, and Msurf. The Intro to Multiaxis eCourse covers the different applications that are available by configuring the Rotary Axis Control page including: Rotary axis positioning and Axis substitution. A firm grasp on both 2D and 3D machining is required and can be attained by completing the Mill Level 1 and Mill Level 3 Training Tutorials or eCourses. The Mastercam X8 Multiaxis eCourse is intended for the advanced Mastercam user looking to learn Mastercam Multiaxis programming.