Mastercam Solids Tutorial

MASTERCAM SOLIDS
TUTORIAL
March 2018
MASTERCAM SOLIDS TUTORIAL
March 2018
© 2018 CNC Software, Inc. – All rights reserved.
Software: Mastercam 2019
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Information might have changed or been added since this document was published. The latest version of the doc-
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installed with each release – includes the latest information about Mastercam features and enhancements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 5
Preparing the Files 5
General Tutorial Requirements 5
Using the Extrude, Draft, Fillet, and Shell Functions 7
Exercise 1: Creating the Tray Base 7
Exercise 2: Creating the Upper Bosses 15
Exercise 3: Creating the Finger Cutouts 20
Exercise 4: Creating the Marker Cutouts 23
Exercise 5: Adding the Handle 26
Exercise 6: Adding Draft and Fillets 31
Exercise 7: Shelling the Part 36
Using the Revolve, Sweep, and Boolean Functions 39
Exercise 1: Revolving the Spindle Wireframe 40
Exercise 2: Sweeping Wireframe 42
Exercise 3: Creating a Hole 43
Exercise 4: Adding Chamfers 46
Using the Solid Impression Function 49
Exercise 1: Creating an Impression 49
Using the Solid Hole Function 53
Exercise 1: Creating Holes 53
Exercise 2: Creating Holes With a CPlane 62
Exercise 3: Creating Holes With a Vector 66
Exercise 4: Creating Holes With a Solid Face 70
Exercise 5: Working with Presets 74
Modifying a Part with Model Prep 81
Exercise 1: Splitting the Feet from the Part 82
Exercise 2: Removing One Foot 87
Exercise 3: Reducing the Foot Height 90
Exercise 4: Repositioning the Feet 93
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Exercise 5: Resizing the Foot Holes 99
Exercise 6: Creating the Counterbore 102
Exercise 7: Aligning the Vertical Wall 107
Exercise 8: Expanding the Wall Opening 112
Exercise 9: Increasing the Wall Height 116
Exercise 10: Adding the Fillet 119
Challenge Parts 121
Exercise 1: Creating a Solid Part 121
Exercise 2: Modifying a Part 126
Conclusion 131
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Mastercam Solids features functions for creating and editing solid models, with support for both history-based and
brick solids (no history tree). When you create a solid model in Mastercam, all operations appear in the solids history
tree, where you can edit the solid model in many ways. This information is stored in the Solids Manager.
Mastercam’s Model Prep functions let you modify solid models lacking a history tree. Mastercam can identify indi-
vidual geometry elements and even entire features. Using Model Prep functions such as Push/Pull, Move, and Split
Solid Faces, you can make changes to a solid, despite having no access to the model’s original wireframe.
Tutorial Goals
l Create a solid model from wireframe geometry.
l Edit a solid model from the solid history tree.
l Create holes using the Hole function.
l Modify brick solid models with Model Prep functions.
Preparing the Files

This tutorial includes the files needed to complete the exercises. You can find these files in the tutorial’s Parts
folder, which itself contains the subfolders FlangeDemo, ImpressionDemo, MarkerTray, PressurePlate, Ship-
pingPullTab, SolidsHole, and SpindlePartial. Place these files on your system, but keep an unmodified set.
In preparation for the following exercises, set up Mastercam as described here.
Each folder includes a set files marked with numbers and are the results of each exercise. For example, Mark-
erTray01 is the result of Exercise 1 and is in the state the part should be in when starting Exercise 2.
The only exception is the file used for "Using the Solid Hole Function" on page 53. You will be reusing the same part
to create different holes.
WARNING: Screen colors in the tutorial pictures were modified to enhance image quality; they may not
match your Mastercam settings or the tutorial results. These color differences do not affect the lesson or
your results.
Estimated time to complete this tutorial: 4 hours

General Tutorial Requirements
All Mastercam 2019 tutorials have the following general requirements:
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—Introduction
l You must be comfortable using the Windows® operation system.
l The tutorials cannot be used with Mastercam Demo/Home Learning Edition. The Demo/HLE file format
(emcam) is different from Mastercam (mcam), and basic Mastercam functions, such as file conversions and post-
ing, are unavailable.
l Each lesson in the tutorial builds on the mastery of the preceding lesson's skills. We recommend that you com-
plete them in order.
l Additional files may accompany a tutorial. Unless the tutorial provides specific instructions on where to place
these files, store them in a folder that can be access from the Mastercam 2019 workstation, either with the
tutorial or in any location that you prefer.
l You will need an internet connection to view videos that are referenced in the tutorials. All videos can be
found on our YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/MastercamTechDocs
l All Mastercam tutorials require you to configure Mastercam to work in a default Metric or Inch configuration.
The tutorial provides instructions for loading the appropriate configuration file.
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CHAPTER 1
USING THE EXTRUDE, DRAFT, FILLET, AND SHELL
FUNCTIONS
Mastercam Solids features tools you need to create solid models, using functions with dynamic preview so you can
see the results as soon as you edit parameters. In this chapter, you will create a marker tray using the Extrude,
Draft, Fillet, and Shell functions.
Goals
l Learn to use the Extrude, Draft, Fillet, and Shell functions.
l Create a marker tray part from start to finish.
Exercise 1: Creating the Tray Base

1. Start Mastercam using your preferred method:
a. Double-click Mastercam's desktop icon.
OR
b. Launch Mastercam from the Windows Start menu.
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—1: Using the Extrude, Draft, Fillet, and Shell Functions
2. Select the default metric configuration file:
a. Click the File tab.
b. Choose Configuration from Mastercam's Backstage View to open the System Configuration dialog
box.
c. Choose ...\mcamxm.config <Metric> from the Current drop-down list.
d. Click OK.
1. Open the file MarkerTray, provided with this tutorial.
2. Select the Solids tab, and then Extrude.
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The Chaining dialog box opens.
3. Chain the outer rectangle, as shown in the picture below.
4. Click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
Mastercam performs an extrusion on the selected chain and displays the Solid Extrude function panel.
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5. In the function panel, click Reverse All.
Mastercam reverses the extrude direction.
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6. Set the extrude Distance to 2, and press [Tab] or [Enter] to accept the new setting.
The part displays as shown below:
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7. Click OK and Create New Operation to finalize the extrude operation and begin a new one.
8. Chain the inside rectangle, and click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
9. Reverse the extrude direction, and set the distance to 5.
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10. Your part should now look like the following picture.
11. Set the Type to Add boss.
The Add boss option creates the extrusion as new material on the part.
12. Select the Advanced tab.
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13. Select Draft and leave Angle at 5.
14. The graphics window updates to show the draft on the extrusion. If you have difficulty seeing the draft on the
part, toggle the Draft option several times, watching how the part’s geometry changes.
15. In the Solid Extrude function panel, click OK to create the operation.
16. Save the file as MarkerTray01-XXX, where XXX is your initials.
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Exercise 2: Creating the Upper Bosses

Now that you have the tray’s base, you can add the bosses that form the eraser holder and the marker storage
area. For this exercise, continue with the part you created in the previous exercise, or load MarkerTray01, which
accompanies this tutorial.
1. Click the Levels tab in the lower-left of Mastercam’s window.
2. Turn on the Upper Block Wireframe level, by clicking in its Visible column.
The part displays new geometry, as shown in the picture below. This geometry was previously created for
you and provides the basis of the new bosses.
3. Select the Solids tab, and then Extrude.
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4. Chain the two new rectangles, and click OK in the Chaining dialog box. The selection order does not matter.
5. Mastercam creates the two new extrusions.
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6. Click the blue arrow, and then hover your mouse. A ruler displays, that lets you set the extrude distance.
7. Using your mouse wheel, zoom in closer to the ruler. Mastercam displays smaller increments on the ruler.
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8. Move your mouse up over the ruler until it snaps to 25 mm, and then click to set the new distance. If you
prefer, you can also type values.
When you move your mouse over the ruler, the selected value snaps to the ruler's increments. When you
move the mouse outside the ruler, no snapping is in effect.
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9. In the Solid Extrude function panel, ensure that Add boss is selected.
10. Click the Advanced tab, and notice that Angle is still set to 5.
Mastercam remembers your settings for the current session.
11. In the function panel, click OK to create the operation.
12. Save the file as MarkerTray02-XXX.
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Exercise 3: Creating the Finger Cutouts

Next, you create finger cutouts in the new extrusions. These cutouts make it easier for the tray’s user to get their
fingers under the eraser or the markers. For this exercise, continue with the part you created in the previous exer-
cise, or load MarkerTray02, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. In the Levels Manager, turn on level 4.
2. Select Translucency on the View tab.
3. The part becomes partially transparent, allowing you to see the two rectangles from level 4 that are hidden
under existing geometry.
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4. Select Extrude on the Solids tab.
5. Chain the two new rectangles and click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
6. The two chained rectangles are extruded, as shown in the picture below.
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7. In the Solid Extrude function panel, change the operation to Cut body, and select Through all.
The Cut body option is the opposite of Add boss, removing material from the part rather than adding it.
8. On the Advanced tab, turn off Draft.
9. Turn off Translucency.
10. Click OK to create the operation.
11. Now you can see the effect of the two new cuts more easily.
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Exercise 4: Creating the Marker Cutouts

Now you create the cutouts for each individual marker. For this exercise, continue with the part you just saved, or
load MarkerTray03, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. In the Levels Manager, turn on level 3.
This geometry represents the shape of the marker cutouts.
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2. Select Extrude on the Solids tab.
3. Chain the new geometry, and click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
The Solid Extrude function panel opens.
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4. Select Cut body.
5. In the Distance group, select Through all and Both directions.
6. Extrude cuts the shape specified by the chained geometry through both sides of the boss, giving the results
shown below.
7. Select OK to create the operation.
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Exercise 5: Adding the Handle

Because Mastercam Solids maintains a history tree of all operations used to create a solid model, you can easily edit
the model to correct errors or add new features. To demonstrate this, you now add a handle to the marker tray
using the solids tree. For this exercise, continue with the part you just saved, or load MarkerTray04, which accom-
panies this tutorial.
1. In the Levels Manager, turn on level 5, and turn off levels 2, 3, and 4.
2. Mastercam displays the geometry that you need to create the handle.
3. Select the left-hand portion of the Wireframe Quick Mask button, found along the right side of the graphics
window.
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Mastercam selects all wireframe geometry.
4. Press [Alt+E] to hide all geometry except the selected wireframe.
5. Select Divide on the Wireframe tab.
The Divide function panel opens.
6. Ensure that Trim is selected.
7. Click the line indicated in the picture below.
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8. Mastercam trims the line, leaving the handle merged with the main part of the tray.
9. Click OK in the Divide function panel.
10. Select the Solids tab to open the Solids Manager.
11. Click the plus sign (+) next to the item in the tree.
Mastercam opens the list to show the operations you created to generate the solid.
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12. Notice that the first extrude operation is marked dirty.
By adding the handle, you changed the geometry that makes up the tray’s base, which means that the
extrude operation must be regenerated.
13. Press [Alt+E] to show the hidden entities.
14. Select Regen to regenerate the solid operation.
15. The handle is now a full part of the tray’s base.
16. Double-click Extrude in the Solids Manager.
The Solid Extrude function panel opens, so you can make changes to the operation.
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17. Select Add Chains.
18. Chain the inside of the handle, and click OK.
19. The chain is then added to the operation, cutting the handle opening.
20. If the chaining arrow is not pointing down, right-click Chain 2, and click Reverse.
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21. Click OK and Regenerate to both finalize and regenerate the operation.
OK and Regenerate saves you from going to the Solids Manager to regenerate.
Exercise 6: Adding Draft and Fillets

In this exercise, you add draft to a face and fillets to some edges. Continue with the part you just saved, or load
MarkerTray05, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. In Levels Manager, turn off all levels but 10.
2. Select Draft, Draft Faces on the Solids tab.
The Solid Selection dialog box opens.
3. Ensure that the Face filter is selected.
4. Select the face indicated in the picture below, and click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
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5. Select the top face of the same wall (as indicated in the picture below) for the reference face. The draft is cre-
ated relative to the reference face.
The Draft to Face function panel opens.
6. Set the Angle to 10.
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7. Click OK in the function panel to create the draft.
Next, you will create the outside fillets.
1. Select Constant Fillet on the Solids tab.
2. Turn off all selection filters except Edge.
3. Select all four of the tray’s left outside vertical edges.
Note: Translucency has been turned on for the picture above in order to show you the edges to be selec-
ted.
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4. Click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
The Constant Radius Fillet function panel opens.
5. Set Radius to 5.
6. Select OK and Create New Operation.
The function panel closes, and the Solid Selection dialog box opens.
You will now add the top fillets.
1. Turn the Face filter back on and turn off Edge selection.
2. Select the ten faces shown below, and click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
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3. Notice the yellow warning that appears in the upper-right corner of the graphics area. This indicates that
there is a problem with your current settings.
4. Click the warning to open the entire message.
This warning displayed because the fillet’s radius is too large.
5. Set the Radius to 1.
6. The warning no longer displays and you get the result show in the following picture.
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7. Click OK to create the fillets.
Note: The marker tray part has many other edges that should be filleted. However, to avoid a lot of repetition, this
tutorial leaves those steps out.
Exercise 7: Shelling the Part

To complete the part, you now use Shell to remove extra interior material. For this exercise, continue with the part
you just saved, or load MarkerTray06, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Rotate the view so you can see the bottom of the part.
2. Select Shell on the Solids tab.
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3. Select the part’s bottom face, and click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
If you have trouble selecting the part’s bottom face, turn off all filters in the Solid Selection dialog box
except for Face.
4. Set the Shell Thickness for Direction 1 to 3.
6. The part should now look like the picture below.
This completes the MarkerTray part.
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CHAPTER 2
USING THE REVOLVE, SWEEP, AND BOOLEAN FUNCTIONS
In this chapter, you will be using the Revolve, Sweep, and Boolean functions to create a spindle. These functions also
have a dynamic preview so you can see the results as soon as you edit parameters.
Goals
l Learn to use the Revolve, Sweep, and Boolean functions.
l Create a spindle from wireframe.
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—2: Using the Revolve, Sweep, and Boolean Functions
Exercise 1: Revolving the Spindle Wireframe

1. Open the file SpindlePartial, which is included with this tutorial.
2. So you do not overwrite the original, save the file as SpindlePartial-XXX, where XXX is your initials.
3. Select Revolve on the Solids tab.
4. Chain the geometry as shown below, and click OK in the Chaining dialog box. This is the chain that is going to
be revolved.
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5. Select the line indicated below. This line is your axis of rotation.
6. The first selected chain is the revolved around the axis of rotation chain.
7. Click OK to create the operation. There does not need to be any parameter changes.
8. Save the file as SpindlePartial01-XXX, XXX are your initials.
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Exercise 2: Sweeping Wireframe

Next, you will create a Sweep operation to begin creating a hole in the spindle. For this exercise, continue with the
part you created in the previous exercise, or load SpindlePartial01, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Rotate the view so you can see the circle indicated.
2. Select Sweep from the Solids tab.
The Chaining dialog opens.
3. Chain the circle (chaining direction does not matter), and click OK in the Chaining dialog box. This is the chain
to be sweeped.
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4. Chain the line indicated in the picture below. This line is the sweep’s along curve.
5. Mastercam sweeps the circle along the line forming the new solid shown in the picture below.
6. Click OK to finalize the operation.
7. Save the file as SpindlePartial02-XXX.
Exercise 3: Creating a Hole

Next, you will create a hole using a Boolean operation. For this exercise, continue with the part you created in the
previous exercise, or load SpindlePartial02, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Select Boolean from the Solids tab.
The Boolean function panel opens.
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2. Click Add Selection under Tool Bodies to select the tool body.
3. Turn off all filters except Body.
4. Select the sweeped solid.
5. Click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
6. Click Select Target Body to select the main body of the part.
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7. Select the main body of the part.
8. Change the Type to Remove.
9. Boolean removes all material from the selected area.
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Exercise 4: Adding Chamfers

Next, you will create a One Distance Chamfer operation to add chamfers. For this exercise, continue with the part
you created in the previous exercise, or load SpindlePartial03, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Select One Distance Chamfer from the Solids tab.
2. Turn off all filters except Edge.
3. Select the edge indicated in the picture below, and then click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
The One Distance Chamfer function panel opens.
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4. Set Distance to 5.
You have now completed the spindle part.
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CHAPTER 3
USING THE SOLID IMPRESSION FUNCTION
Mastercam's Solid Impression allows you to create a new solid body that is a negative impression of a selected
closed body. In this chapter, you will create a solid impression by selecting a wireframe chain which then projects to
the solid body. The depth of the projection is from the wireframe chain to the bottommost face of the selected solid
or solid face.
Goals
l Create an impression from a solid.
Exercise 1: Creating an Impression

1. Open the file ImpressionDemo, which is included with this tutorial.
2. So you do not overwrite the original, save the file as ImpressionDemo-XXX, where XXX is your initials.
3. Select Impression on the Solids tab.
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—3: Using the Solid Impression Function
4. Chain the wireframe rectangle that is positioned above the solid.
5. Turn off all of the filters except for Body.
6. Select the solid body, and then click OK in the Solid Selection dialog box.
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—3: Using the Solid Impression Function
7. Solid Impression creates a new solid body above the original geometry.
8. Delete the original solid body and rotate the new one to see the solid impression.
9. Save your file.
You have now completed the mold part.
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CHAPTER 4
USING THE SOLID HOLE FUNCTION
The Hole function automates the creation and editing of holes in solids, saving you from creating circles and extrud-
ing them. You select the hole positions, dimensions, and type. In this chapter, you will create holes, experimenting
with creating holes with planes, and how to create and use presets.
Hole saves time by not requiring you to create wireframe geometry and multiple extrude operations for simple
holes. It allows you to correctly represent the bottom of a hole as it will be machined, and not just as a flat bottom.
You create multiple holes in one operation, and can utilize a library of standard and user-created sizes to save time.
In this chapter, you will be reusing the SolidsHole part file to create holes of different sizes and types.
Goals
l Create a basic hole.
l Create holes on a vector, construction plane, and solid face.
l Create a preset.
l Create holes using the preset.
Exercise 1: Creating Holes

In this exercise, you will create a basic hole with the SolidsHole part file. This part file will be reused for the next
few exercises.
1. Load the file SolidHole.
2. Save the file under the new name SolidHole01-XXX, where XXX is your initials.
3. Select the Levels tab to open the Levels Manager.
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—4: Using the Solid Hole Function
4. Select in the Visible column for level 2 to display it.
5. There are now five points displayed that you will use to create holes.
6. On the Solids tab, select Hole.
The Hole function panel opens.
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7. Enter Hole #1 as the Name of the operation.
8. Select Add Position to select a hole position.
9. Select the point shown in the picture below.
10. Press [Enter]. You will now have a hole that cuts into the side of the part.
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11. Set Distance under Depth to 20.
12. This sets the depth of the created hole.
13. Set the Bottom angle to 0.
14. This removes the angle from the bottom of the hole, leaving it flat.
15. Set Bottom angle back to 118 to remove the flat bottom.
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16. Notice that the Type is currently set to Simple.
This sets the style of hole you are creating. You can create a counterbore, countersink, counterdrill, or a
taper hole.
17. Change Type to Counterbore.
18. The hole is now a counterbore type.
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19. The Hole Style grid automatically updates to include information that is important for a counterbore hole
type.
The Diameter stays the same, but the Counterbore diameter is twice that amount. The Counterbore
depth is also the same as the Diameter.
20. Change Diameter to 8.
21. The Counterbore diameter and Counterbore depth values automatically update. Counterbore diameter is
now 16, and Counterbore depth is now 8.
22. Change Counterbore diameter to 20 and Counterbore depth to 5.
You will notice that the other values do not change. Changing the Diameter will change the counterbore val-
ues, but changing the counterbore values does not change the Diameter.
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23. Select Top Chamfer.
This option creates a chamfer at the top of the created holes.
24. Set Diameter (%) to 10.0 and Angle to 30.
25. The created hole should match the picture below:
26. Click OK to create the hole.
Next, you will modify the hole operation to create more holes.
1. Select the Solids tab, if the Solids Manager is not currently open.
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2. Double-click on Hole #1.
3. Select Add Position.
4. Select the four points shown below, and press [Enter].
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5. There are now a total of five holes being created in one operation.
6. Change Diameter to 10.
All five holes now have the same diameter.
7. Right-click on Position - 1 in the Position list, and select Remove.
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8. This removes the point located on the edge of the solid.
9. Select OK and Regenerate on the Hole function panel to accept these changes and regenerate the oper-
ation.
10. Save your part.
Exercise 2: Creating Holes With a CPlane

In this exercise, you will use the same part file (SolidsHole) to create holes using a construction plane (CPlane). It is
recommended that you do not use your part file from the previous exercise so that you can fully see the holes you
are creating.
1. Open the file SolidsHole.
2. Save the file under the new name SolidHole02-XXX.
3. Select the Levels tab.
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5. Three wireframe circles display on the front face of the solid and the other point geometry is hidden.
6. Select Hole on the Solids tab.
7. Set Depth to Through all.
This will extend the holes entirely through the target body.
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8. Set Type to Countersink and Diameter to 6.
9. Select the Planes tab to open the Planes Manager.
10. Select the C column for Front.
This sets the construction plane to the Front plane.
11. Select the Hole tab to return to the function panel.
12. Select CPlane.
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This sets the plane orientation to the current CPlane, which is now Front. Plane Orientation displays the cur-
rent plane or vector location the holes will be placed on.
14. Click the left side of the Arc Quick Mask.
This selects all the arc entities currently displayed on screen.
15. Press [Enter].
The points on the front face of the solid have been selected.
16. On the View tab, select Translucency.
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17. You can see the points going all the way through the part, because Through all has been selected.
18. Select Translucency again to turn it off.
19. Click OK in the Hole function panel to create the holes.
20. Save your part.
Exercise 3: Creating Holes With a Vector

In this exercise you will create a hole placed on a vector.
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5. A line is now displayed next to the boss.
7. Click Select Vector under Plane Orientation.
This has you select a line, edge, or two points to specify the hole direction.
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8. Right-click in the graphics window and select GView, Trimetric (WCS) to change the view.
9. Select the line shown below:
Note: Make sure that your cursor matches the image above. If you do accidentally select the endpoint of the
line, ensure that you select the endpoint on the opposite side to complete the vector selection.
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11. Select the endpoint of the line is touching the face of the boss and press [Enter].
12. Set Depth to Through all.
13. Set the Type to Simple, and enter a Diameter of 10.
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15. You have now created a hole by using a vector line, as shown below:
16. Save your file.
Exercise 4: Creating Holes With a Solid Face

In this exercise, you will be creating holes on the chamfered face of the part file.
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5. Points are now displaying on the chamfered face of the part.
7. Set the Name of the operation to Counterdrill.
8. Click Select Face under Plane Orientation.
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9. Select the chamfered face shown below:
11. Window select the points and press [Enter].
12. Set the Type to Counterdrill and set Diameter to 5.
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13. Select Top Chamfer.
15. You now have three holes on the chamfered solid face.
16. Save your part.
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Exercise 5: Working with Presets

In this exercise, you will be creating hole presets and then using them to create subsequent holes. Presets allow
you to save the parameters of holes that are not in the provided library to use in future part creation. In this case, it
will be the parameters from the Counterdrill operation created in the previous exercise. For this exercise, continue
with the part you created in the previous exercise, or load SolidHole04, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Open the file, SolidsHole-4, if it is not already open.
2. In the Solids Manager, double-click on the Counterdrill operation.
The Hole function panel displays.
3. Select the arrow next to Template to expand the group.
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4. Click the plus next to Category.
5. Enter Counterdrills as the category name, and click OK.
You have now created a new template category.
6. Select Add Preset.
7. Enter Counterdrill 5 for the Name, and set the Category to Counterdrills.
8. Click OK. You have now added the counterdrill hole to your Counterdrills category template.
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9. Click OK in the Hole function panel.
11. Turn on level 6, and turn off all other levels except for level 1.
13. Change the Type to Taper.
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14. Set the Category to Counterdrills.
15. Select the preset you saved earlier.
16. The parameters are then automatically updated to the selected preset. You will notice that the Type has been
changed to Counterdrill, and the parameters match from the previous exercise.
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17. Select CPlane to set the Plane Orientation to Top.
19. Window select the points on the top of the face and press [Enter].
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20. You will now have points placed at the top of the face, with parameters saved in the presets.
21. Save your part.
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CHAPTER 5
MODIFYING A PART WITH MODEL PREP
Model Prep provides functions, such as Push/Pull, Move, and Split Solid Faces, that let you edit solids with no his-
tory tree. When you use Model Prep functions, Mastercam recognizes edges, faces, and even complete features,
giving you the power to make changes without the operations or wireframe used to create the solid.
In this chapter, you will be modifying the above part based on new specifications that have to be made. The
required changes are as follows:
l Remove one of the feet.
l Reduce the foot height by 5 mm.
l Reposition the three remaining feet to be 120 degrees apart.
l Increase the foot hole diameter to 12 mm.
l Reduce the part’s center hole diameter to 20 mm and add a 30 mm counter bore, 2 mm deep.
l Align the opening on the vertical wall with one of the feet.
l Increase the opening width from 20 degrees to 45 degrees.
l Increase the vertical wall height from 35 mm to 50 mm.
l Add a 10 mm fillet to the vertical wall’s inside bottom edge.
Goals
l Modify a part using various Model Prep functions
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—5: Modifying a Part with Model Prep
Exercise 1: Splitting the Feet from the Part

To manipulate the part’s feet as needed for the edits, you must first separate them from the rest of the part.
1. Load the file FlangeDemo.
2. Save the file as FlangeDemo-XXX, where XXX is your initials. This prevents you from saving over the original
file.
3. Right-click in the graphics area, and select Top (WCS).
4. Mastercam displays the part in the top view.
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5. Select Circle Center Point on the Wireframe tab.
6. Draw a circle centered on the part, with a diameter (100) that matches the outermost circular edge of the
part.
You will use this circle as helper geometry to separate the feet from the main body of the part.
7. Select Split Solid Faces on the Model Prep tab. This function splits single faces into multiple faces that you
can manipulate separately.
The Split Solid Face function panel opens.
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8. Right-click in the graphics window, and select Isometric (WCS) to rotate the part view.
9. Click the circle and one of the feet.
The circle projects down onto the selected face, indicating where the face will be split.
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10. Ensure that Wireframe is selected and Project using construction plane is not selected.
11. Click OK and Create New Operation to finalize your choices and begin a new Split Solid Face operation.
12. The top face of the feet is split from the rest of the part. The arrows in the picture indicate the split on the
front feet.
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13. Hold down your mouse wheel and move the mouse to flip the part as shown below.
14. Select the bottom of the part and the circle.
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15. Select Project using construction plane on the Split Solid Face function panel.
The circle projects onto the face based on the construction plane, so you can split the face from the bottom.
16. Click OK to create the operation. The back face of the part is also split.
17. Delete the circle, and save the file.
Exercise 2: Removing One Foot

With the feet split from the rest of the part, you can remove one of them, leaving three as required by the modi-
fication instructions. For this exercise, continue with the part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo01, which accom-
1. Select Push-Pull from the Model Prep tab.
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The Push-Pull function panel opens. Push-Pull extends bosses or produces cuts based on selected faces or
features. You can also use Push-Pull to create fillets from edges or to remove fillets.
2. Place the part in Isometric view.
3. Click the lower-left foot, as shown.
This is the foot you will remove from the part. The foot is highlighted and a red single-axis arrow control is
placed on its face.
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4. Click the red arrow, drag downward to remove the foot, and click again to set the change.
5. Your part should look like the picture below.
7. Save the file as FlangeDemo02-XXX.
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Exercise 3: Reducing the Foot Height

Now that you have the required three feet, you will reduce the thickness of the remaining feet, and center them on
the part’s outside rim. For this exercise, continue with the part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo02, which accom-
1. Select Push-Pull on the Model Prep tab.
The Push-Pull function panel opens.
2. Click the top face of each foot, and press [Enter].
3. Click the red arrow, and enter -2.5.
4. Press [Enter] twice.
Push-Pull reduces the foot height by 2.5 mm.
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Note: The first time you press [Enter], Mastercam shows the result and gives you a chance to type another
value. The second time, Mastercam accepts the entry, and closes the entry field.
5. Click OK and Create New Operation to finalize your choices and begin a new Push-Pull operation.
6. Rotate the view to show the bottom of the part, and select the bottom faces of the three feet.
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7. Click the red arrow, and enter -2.5 into the box that appears.
8. Press [Enter] twice.
10. Push-Pull reduces the foot height by 2.5 mm, leaving the feet centered on the rim, as you can see by rotating
the part to view the edge.
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Exercise 4: Repositioning the Feet

The next step is to reposition the feet so they are equidistant from each other. For this exercise, continue with the
part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo03, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Place the part into top view.
2. Select Move on the Model Prep tab.
The Move function panel opens. The Move function moves (and sometimes resizes), rotates, or copies solid
features or faces.
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3. Use window selection to select all of the faces of the left-hand foot.
4. Rotate the view and check that you did not miss any faces.
5. Return to top view after you have ensured that all of the faces have been selected.
6. Click the gnomon’s button to change from geometry manipulation mode to gnomon manipulation mode.
The gnomon’s current location is the center of rotation for Move. The gnomon manipulation mode lets you
specify a new center of rotation.
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7. Click the ball at the gnomon’s origin, and place the gnomon at the center of the part.
The part’s center point is now the center of rotation.
8. Click the gnomon’s button again, to change from gnomon manipulation mode back to geometry manipulation
mode.
You can now use the gnomon as a tool for rotating the selected foot into a new position.
Note: The image shown on the gnomon’s button indicates the gnomon’s mode. In the pictures below, the left
icon indicates geometry manipulation mode, and the right icon indicates gnomon manipulation mode.
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9. On the gnomon, click the center segment of the blue control.
This segment of the control activates 2D rotation around the Z axis.
10. Type 30, and press [Enter].
The selected foot rotates with the mouse movement, as shown in the picture below.
11. Click OK and Create New Operation to finalize your changes and begin a new Move operation.
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12. Window select the right-hand foot, as shown.
13. Switch to gnomon manipulation mode, and move the gnomon to the center of the part.
14. Switch back to geometry manipulation mode, and rotate the gnomon 30 degrees clockwise (-30 degrees).
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Move rotates the foot into its correct position.
15. Click OK in the Move function panel.
16. Your part should now look like the picture below.
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Exercise 5: Resizing the Foot Holes

Next, you will re-size the hole in each foot, increasing them from 10 mm to 12 mm. For this exercise, continue with
the part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo04, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Change the part’s view to isometric.
3. On the Selection Bar, turn off the Edge Selection filter. Only Face Selection should be on.
You can now more easily select the holes without accidentally selecting the hole edges.
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4. Select the three foot holes shown below.
5. Click the red arrow to display the ruler control.
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6. Type 6.0 and press [Enter].
Note: When you move your mouse pointer outside of the ruler, you can select any value. When you move
your mouse pointer over the ruler, the displayed value snaps to the ruler increments.
7. Press [Enter] again to finalize the changes.
8. Click OK in the function panel.
9. The holes are now 12 mm in diameter, as shown in the picture below.
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Exercise 6: Creating the Counterbore

The specifications state that your part’s center hole be reduced to 20 mm. You must also add a counter bore. For
this exercise, continue with the part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo05, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Select Push-Pull.
2. Select the center hole.
3. Click the red arrow, type 10, and press [Enter] twice.
Push-Pull changes the hole’s diameter to 20 mm.
4. Click OK in the Push-Pull function panel.
5. Set the part to Top (WCS) view.
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6. Create a 30 mm diameter circle at the center of the part by using Circle Center Point.
You will use this circle to split the part’s inner face at the diameter needed for the counter bore.
7. Select Split Solid Faces from the Model Prep tab.
The Split Solid Face function panel opens.
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8. Rotate the part’s view until it looks similar to the picture.
If the circle is laying completely on top of the solid, you would have to turn off the face filter in general selec-
tion to pick the circle. When the circle is positioned over empty space it can be selected without changing the
filter.
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9. Click the circle and then the part’s inner face, as shown below.
10. Ensure that Wireframe is selected, and Project using construction plane is deselected.
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11. Click OK in the function panel to split the solid face.
12. Delete the wireframe circle, as it is no longer needed.
13. Select Push-Pull.
14. Click the portion of the newly split face shown in the picture.
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15. Click the red arrow, type -2, and then press [Enter] twice.
Mastercam creates the counter bore.
16. In the function panel, click OK.
Exercise 7: Aligning the Vertical Wall

Next you will rotate the vertical wall so the opening aligns with one of the feet. For this exercise, continue with the
part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo06, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Select Move from the Model Prep tab.
The Move function panel displays.
2. Double-click the top face of the vertical wall, as shown. The entire feature is selected.
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3. Click the gnomon button to switch to gnomon manipulation mode.
4. Click the center segment of the gnomon’s blue arc.
You have now set the gnomon for 2D rotation around the Z axis.
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5. Type -10, and press [Enter] twice.
The gnomon’s X axis rotates to center on the opening in the vertical wall, as shown (in top view).
6. Click the gnomon’s button to change back to geometry manipulation mode.
7. Ensure that the Snap to AutoCursor positions option is selected in the function panel.
You are now in 3D rotation mode.
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8. Click the right segment of the gnomon’s blue arc.
9. Move your mouse cursor to the center of the hole in the lower foot, as shown.
Because you have Snap to AutoCursor positions on, you can easily snap the mouse to the hole’s exact cen-
ter, which should be an angle of -20 degrees.
10. Click to set the angle, and then click OK in the function panel.
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11. The opening in the wall is now aligned with the hole in the foot, as shown.
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Exercise 8: Expanding the Wall Opening

According to the part’s new specifications, you must expand the opening in the wall from 20 degrees to 45 degrees.
For this exercise, continue with the part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo07, which accompanies this tutorial.
1. Select Move on the Model Prep tab.
2. Select all nine faces of the step-like portion of the wall.
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3. Click the gnomon’s button to select gnomon manipulation mode, and place the gnomon at the center of the
part.
The gnomon is now set to the center of rotation.
4. Switch back to geometry manipulation mode, and rotate the geometry -12.5 degrees.
5. In the function panel, click OK and Create New Operation.
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6. Select all three faces of the opposite side of the wall opening.
7. Click the gnomon’s button to select gnomon manipulation mode, and place the gnomon at the center of the
part.
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8. Switch back to geometry manipulation mode, rotate the selected geometry 12.5 degrees.
9. Click OK in the Move function panel.
By rotating each side of the opening by 12.5 degrees, you added 25 degrees to the opening, while main-
taining its centering on the foot’s hole.
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Exercise 9: Increasing the Wall Height

In this exercise, you increase the height of the vertical wall. Continue with the part you just saved, or load FlangeDe-
mo08, which accompanies this tutorial.
2. Select the face shown below.
3. Drag the ball on the bottom of the arrow to the bottom of the part, as shown in the picture below.
The reference-point ball marks the zero point from which the control's setting is measured.
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4. Place the mouse pointer over the arrow. You see that the part’s height is 35 mm as measured from the ref-
erence-point ball you placed at the bottom of the part.
5. Select all of the wall’s six top faces, selecting the largest one last, which places the arrow in the correct ori-
entation.
These are the faces that you will move upward to increase the wall’s height.
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6. Drag the ball back to the bottom.
You can change the reference point at any time. Just click the ball and move it as needed, including snapping it
to other geometry.
7. Click the red arrow, type 50 followed by [Enter] twice.
8. Click OK in the function panel.
9. Push-Pull changes the wall's height to 50 mm, measured from the bottom of the part.
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Exercise 10: Adding the Fillet

In this exercise, you add a fillet to the part. Continue with the part you just saved, or load FlangeDemo09, which
accompanies this tutorial.
1. Select Push-Pull from the Model Prep tab.
2. In the Selection Bar, turn off Face Selection, and turn on Edge Selection.
3. Select the wall’s inside edge, as shown in the image below.
This is where you will create the fillet.
4. Click the red arrow, type 10.0, and press [Enter] twice.
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5. In the function panel, click OK to finalize the change.
You have now finished modifying the flange part to meet the new specifications.
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CHAPTER 6
CHALLENGE PARTS
The following two exercises are challenge exercises meant to test your skills and knowledge for both Mastercam
Solids and Model Prep functions. Follow the directions provided to re-create the part file shown. If you have trouble
with any step, refer to the accompanying videos.
Goals
l Create a pressure plate part.
l Modify the ShippingPullTab.mcam part file.
Exercise 1: Creating a Solid Part

In this exercise, you test your solids knowledge and skills by applying solids functions to supplied geometry to create
a pressure plate part. If you have trouble with any step, refer to the videos. The following pictures show two views
of the part you will create.
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Mastercam Solids Tutorial—6: Challenge Parts
1. Load the file PressurePlate, included with this tutorial.
2. So you do not overwrite the original, save the file as PressurePlate-XXX, where XXX is your initials.
3. Extrude the outside rectangle and the six large circles downward by 15 mm.
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4. Extrude the inner rectangle upward by 10 mm.
View the YouTube video of steps 3 and 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bQJWKrJnx4
5. Use Shell to cut out the center rectangle to a thickness of 10 mm. Make sure to select only the face.
View the YouTube video of step 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAOlX8kNuhQ
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6. Use Boolean to join all features into a single solid.
View the YouTube video of step 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm2FhRXJOfU
7. Use Extrude to create holes from the six smaller circles.
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View the YouTube video of step 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yTyt8MBWs8
8. Add a 3 mm fillet to the part’s bottom face.
View the YouTube video of step 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFKTxtfsHY
9. Add 3 mm fillets to the inner corners.
View the YouTube video of step 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6APxMpHMrU
10. Use the Solids Manager to change the 3 mm bottom fillet to 2 mm and to add 2 mm fillets to the twelve ver-
tical edges of the rounded tabs.
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View the YouTube video of step 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckr3TezdC2s
Exercise 2: Modifying a Part

In this exercise, you test your Model Prep knowledge and skills as you make changes to a solid part. Try to complete
the edits on your own. If you have trouble, refer to the linked videos.
In this challenge, you work on the file named ShippingPullTab, included with this tutorial. In most cases, this is
the only file you need to complete the challenge. However, a set of files named ShippingPullTab03 through
ShippingPullTab07 are also included with this tutorial and are the results of each of the challenge steps. For
example, ShippingPullTab03 is the result of Step 3.
1. Load the file ShippingPullTab, included with this tutorial.
2. To avoid overwriting the original, save the file as ShippingPullTab-XXX.
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3. Remove the flange shown below.
View the YouTube video of step 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdi6JQ-PiM4
4. Add a 5 mm circular cutout to the part, as shown in the following picture.
View the YouTube video of step 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVCK38tbRKs
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5. Increase the diameter of the indicated features to 2 mm.
View the YouTube video of step 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm3AjUn12Uk
6. Move the indicated feature 4 mm to the right, as shown below.
View the YouTube video of step 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCLOuaZSkaw
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7. Add a 0.5 mm fillet to the 5 mm hole, as shown below.
View the YouTube video of step 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsph6jEHbOY
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130
Mastercam Solids Tutorial—Conclusion
CONCLUSION
Congratulations! You have completed the Mastercam Solids Tutorial! Now that you have mastered the skills in this
tutorial, explore Mastercam's other features and functions.
You may be interested in other tutorials that we offer. Mastercam tutorials are being constantly developed, and we
will add more as we complete them. Visit our website, or select Help, Tutorials from the File tab.
131
ATTENTION! UPDATES MAY BE AVAILABLE.
PLEASE REFER TO MASTERCAM.COM/SUPPORT
FOR THE LATEST DOWNLOADS.

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MASTERCAM SOLIDS

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Preparing the Files 5

General Tutorial Requirements 5

Using the Extrude, Draft, Fillet, and Shell Functions 7

Exercise 1: Creating the Tray Base 7

Exercise 2: Creating the Upper Bosses 15

Exercise 3: Creating the Finger Cutouts 20

Exercise 4: Creating the Marker Cutouts 23

Exercise 5: Adding the Handle 26

Exercise 6: Adding Draft and Fillets 31

Exercise 7: Shelling the Part 36

Using the Revolve, Sweep, and Boolean Functions 39

Exercise 1: Revolving the Spindle Wireframe 40

Exercise 2: Sweeping Wireframe 42

Exercise 3: Creating a Hole 43

Exercise 4: Adding Chamfers 46

Using the Solid Impression Function 49

Exercise 1: Creating an Impression 49

Using the Solid Hole Function 53

Exercise 1: Creating Holes 53

Exercise 2: Creating Holes With a CPlane 62

Exercise 3: Creating Holes With a Vector 66

Exercise 4: Creating Holes With a Solid Face 70

Exercise 5: Working with Presets 74

Modifying a Part with Model Prep 81

Exercise 1: Splitting the Feet from the Part 82

Exercise 2: Removing One Foot 87

Exercise 3: Reducing the Foot Height 90

Exercise 4: Repositioning the Feet 93

Exercise 6: Creating the Counterbore 102

Exercise 7: Aligning the Vertical Wall 107

Exercise 8: Expanding the Wall Opening 112

Exercise 9: Increasing the Wall Height 116

Exercise 10: Adding the Fillet 119

Challenge Parts 121

Exercise 1: Creating a Solid Part 121

Exercise 2: Modifying a Part 126

l Edit a solid model from the solid history tree.

l Create holes using the Hole function.

l Modify brick solid models with Model Prep functions.

Preparing the Files

Estimated time to complete this tutorial: 4 hours

l You must be comfortable using the Windows® operation system.

l Create a marker tray part from start to finish.

Exercise 1: Creating the Tray Base

a. Double-click Mastercam's desktop icon.

b. Launch Mastercam from the Windows Start menu.

2. Select the default metric configuration file:

a. Click the File tab.

c. Choose ...\mcamxm.config <Metric> from the Current drop-down list.

1. Open the file MarkerTray, provided with this tutorial.

2. Select the Solids tab, and then Extrude.

The Chaining dialog box opens.

3. Chain the outer rectangle, as shown in the picture below.

4. Click OK in the Chaining dialog box.

5. In the function panel, click Reverse All.

Mastercam reverses the extrude direction.