Developers of the Mastercam machining program are due to preview their forthcoming release, Mastercam X7, calling it “the most powerful Mastercam machining software yet,” and promising significant new capabilities will be introduced when the release is made available during Q2 2013.
The preview is set for the PMSTS 2013 event in April, where CNC Software will be emphasizing its Swiss Expert 2012 program.
A highlight of the X7 release will be Mastercam’s new Mill-Turn programming module, which it promises will simplify machining on high-powered turning centers and full-function machining centers. Mastercam Mill-Turn streamlines programming procedures with “intelligent” job setups that are linked to specific machines.
“Intelligent work-plane selection makes it easy to select the proper spindle and turret, and program your part with Mastercam’s proven milling and lathe toolpaths,” according to CNC Software.
Also in the new release, Mastercam X7 integrates with the Renishaw Productivity+ measuring probe for in-process gauging. This system verifies setups on a machine tool by determining fixture offsets, orientation, and critical dimensions. “Probing eliminates the need for tool presetters, expensive fixtures, and manual settings with dial indicators,” the developer noted. The result is that machine offsets can be adjusted automatically, even during machining.
Creating, organizing tooling
Another new function to be introduced in Mastercam X7 include a new Tool Manager that CNC Software stated will provide “a whole new way to create and organize” tooling.
The developer also listed a series of improvements to existing capabilities in Mastercam X7, including the Backplot and Verify utilities, which will establish more efficient workflow processes, better analysis tools, and more comprehensive toolpath support. It said the Dynamic and OptiRough toolpaths will be improved with more efficient tool motion, including enhanced cut orders and faster calculation times. And, “Multi-threading support” will be extended to most 2D high-speed toolpaths, which will accelerate toolpath processing.
The last improvement CNC Software promised will be an “Oscillate” motion for Curve and Swarf 5-axis toolpaths, which it predicted would prolong tool life because it will mean that different areas of the tool are used in the course of machining with the same area of the tool.
At PMSTS 2013, CNC Software will be demonstrating its Mastercam Swiss Expert program for Swiss-style NC machines, which it said has been well received by shops supporting watchmakers, medical and dental instrument and device manufacturers, and automotive and electronics suppliers— all industries that demand extremely small, high-precision parts. It noted that Mastercam Swiss Expert was developed in Switzerland and is recognized by programmers for its ability to support an unlimited number of axes and channels, and for realistic simulation of the entire machine and its tools.
It added that Mastercam Swiss Expert reduces project startup times, so operators may expect it to optimize cycle times. It’s flexible, too, as it supports all types of tooling.
