IMPERIAL – TRAINING TUTORIAL SERIES

BEGINNER
Beginner Training Tutorial

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Mastercam 2018 Beginner Training Tutorial
Copyright: 1998 - 2018 In-House Solutions Inc. All rights reserved
Software: Mastercam 2018
Author: Mariana Lendel
ISBN: 978-1-77146-648-6
Revision Date: July 19, 2017
Notice
In-House Solutions Inc. reserves the right to make improvements to this manual at any time and without
notice.
Disclaimer Of All Warranties And Liability
In-House Solutions Inc. makes no warranties, either express or implied, with respect to this manual or
with respect to the software described in this manual, its quality, performance, merchantability, or
fitness for any particular purpose. In-House Solutions Inc. manual is sold or licensed "as is." The entire risk
as to its quality and performance is with the buyer. Should the manual prove defective following its
purchase, the buyer (and not In-House Solutions Inc., its distributer, or its retailer) assumes the entire
cost of all necessary servicing, repair, of correction and any incidental or consequential damages. In no
event will In-House Solutions Inc. be liable for direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from
any defect in the manual, even if In-House Solutions Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such
damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
Copyrights
This manual is protected under International copyright laws. All rights are reserved. This document may
not, in whole or part, be copied, photographed, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic
medium or machine readable form without prior consent, in writing, from In-House Solutions Inc.
Trademarks
Mastercam is a registered trademark of CNC Software, Inc.
Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation;
N-See is a registered trademark of Microcompatibles, Inc.; Windows 7 and Windows 8 are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
 MASTERCAM SHORTCUTS MASTERCAM QUICK REFERENCE CARD

MASTERCAM SHORTCUTS

Function Keyboard Function Keyboard

Shortcut Shortcut

Analyze entities F4 Mastercam version, SIM serial number Alt+V

AutoSave Alt+A Motion controller rotation point Alt+F12

C-Hook or user app Alt+C Pan Arrow keys

Configure Mastercam Alt+F8 Paste from clipboard Ctrl+V

Copy to clipboard Ctrl+C Redo an event that has been undone Ctrl+Y

Cut to clipboard Ctrl+X Repaint F3

Delete entities F5 Rotate Alt+Arrow keys

Drafting global options Alt+D Select all Ctrl+A

Exit Mastercam Alt+F4 Selection grid parameters Alt+G

Fit geometry to screen Alt+F1 Shading on/off Alt+S

Gview–Back Alt+3 Show/hide all axes (WCS, Cplane, Tplane) Alt+F9

Gview–Bottom Alt+4 Show/hide coordinate axes F9

Gview–Front Alt+2 Show/hide displayed toolpaths Alt+T

Gview–Isometric Alt+7 Show/hide Operations Manager panel Alt+O

Gview–Left Alt+6 Undo the last creation or event Ctrl+U, Ctrl+Z

Previous Plane Alt+P Unzoom to 80% of original Alt+F2

Gview–Right Alt+5 Unzoom to previous or 50% of original F2

Gview–Top Alt+1 Zoom around target point Ctrl+F1

Help Alt+H Zoom with window selection F1

Hide entities Alt+E Zoom/unzoom by 5% Page Up/Page

Down

Levels Manager Alt+Z

Main attributes, set from entity Alt+X

MASTERCAM QUICK REFERENCE CARD CUSTOMIZE MASTERCAM

CUSTOMIZE MASTERCAM

Create Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts Customize the Ribbon

 Right mouse click in the Ribbon.  Right mouse click in the Ribbon.
 Customize the Ribbon.  Select Customize the Ribbon.
 Keyboard shortcuts, select Customize button.  Select a Mastercam command.
 Select a Tab or create a New Tab.
 Press Add button.
 Select the Category. Customize the right-click menu
 Select a command and under Press new shortcut  Right mouse click in the Ribbon.
key enter the key combinations you want to assign  Select Customize the Ribbon.
to it.  Select Context Menu.
 Select the Category and then the command that
Customize Quick Access Toolbar you want to add.
 Right mouse click on a command in the Ribbon.  Once you click on the Add button the function will
 Select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. be added to the Right mouse button menu.

WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM MASTERCAM

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 BEGINNER TRAINING TUTORIAL PROJECTS

Mill Essentials Tutorial Geometry Functions Toolpath Creation

#1 Create Rectangle. Facing Toolpath.
Create Chamfer. Circle Mill Toolpath.
Create Circle Center Point. Contour Toolpath.
Create Polar Arc. Spot Drill Toolpath.
Transform Mirror. Drill Toolpath.
Join Entities. 2D Contour (Chamfer Toolpath).

#2 Create Rectangle. Setup 1

Create two Polygon. Slot Mill Toolpath.
Create Fillets. 2D HS Dynamic Mill Toolpath.
Create Circle Center Point. Contour Toolpath.
Create Line Endpoint- Vertical 2D HS Dynamic Contour Toolpath.
Trim Divide. Setup 2
Create Rectangular Shapes. Facing Toolpaths.

#3 Create Polar Arcs. 2D High Speed Area Mill Toolpath.

Create Circle Center Point. 2D High Speed Dynamic Mill.
Create Line Tangent. Pocket with Island Toolpath.
Create Fillet. Pocket Remachine Toolpath.
Transform Mirror.
Create Arc Tangent to Two Entities.
Trim 3 Entities.
Create Ellipse.
Transform Offset.
Create Letters.
Create Boundig Box.
Transform Translate.
#4 Circle Center Point. Setup 1
Line Tangent. 2D High Speed Area Mill Toolpath.
Mirror. 2D HS Dynamic Mill Toolpath.
Arc Tangent. Transform Toolpath.
Arc Polar. Drill Toolpath.
Trim. Contour (Chamfer Toolpath).
Fillets. Setup 2
Rotate. 2D HS Dynamic Mill Toolpath.
Translate.
Solids Extrude.
Chamfer.

Beginner Training Tutorial

 BEGINNER TRAINING TUTORIAL PROJECTS

Lathe Tutorial Geometry Functions Surface and Toolpath Creation

#1
Create Rectangle Face
Create Line Parallel Roughing
Create Chamfer Finish
Create Fillet
Trim Entities

#2
Create Line Endpoints (Polar Line) Face
Create Line Parallel Roughing
Create Line Endpoints (Horizontal) Finish
Trim Divide Groove- Multiple Chains
Trim 2 Entities Drilling
Create Fillet

Beginner Training Tutorial

 BEGINNER TRAINING TUTORIAL PROJECTS

Solid Tutorial Geometry Functions

#1 Create Rectangle.
Chamfer Outside Profile.
Create Circle Center Point.
Create Fillets.
Solid Extrude Create Body.
Solid Extrude Cut Body.
Constant Radius Fillet.
One Distance Chamfer.

#2 Create Rectangle.
Create Parallel Lines.
Create Tangent Arcs.
Create Lines.
Translate Geometry.
Create Fillets.
Solid Revolve Create Body.
Solid Extrude Cut Body.

Beginner Training Tutorial

BEGINNER TRAINING TUTORIAL PROJECTS

Beginner Training Tutorial

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Mill Essentials Training Tutorial 1

Getting Started ........................................................................................................... 1
Tutorials:
Tutorial #1 - Facing, Circle Mill, Contour, Spot Drill, Drill, Chamfer Toolpaths .....................................15
Tutorial #2 - 2 Setups, Slot Mill, 2D HS Dynamic Mill & 2D HS Dynamic Contour Toolpaths...............107
GETTING STARTED
Tutorial #3 - 2D HS Area Mill, Pocket, Pocket Remachine Toolpaths...................................................225
Tutorial #4 - Transform Toolpaths...................................................................................................... 325

Lathe Training Tutorial............................................................................................ 507

Getting Started ....................................................................................................... 509
Tutorials:
Tutorial #1 - Face, roughing & Finish Toolpaths ................................................................................. 523
Tutorial #2 - Groove - Multiple Chains & Drilling Toolpaths................................................................583

Solids Training Tutorial ........................................................................................... 655

Getting Started ....................................................................................................... 657
Tutorials:
Tutorial #1 - Extrude, Chamfer, Fillet ................................................................................................. 671
Tutorial #2 Revolve, Extrude Cut ........................................................................................................ 715

Quiz Answers .......................................................................................................... 777

Beginner Training Tutorial

TUTORIAL #1

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|15

TUTORIAL #2

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|107

TUTORIAL #3

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|225

TUTORIAL #4

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|325

TUTORIAL #1

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|523

TUTORIAL #2

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|583

TUTORIAL #1

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|671

TUTORIAL #2

Beginner Training Tutorial Page|715

 INDEX

Numerics Chain .................................................. 84

1 Point ........................................................... 637 Partial .............................................. 190
2D / 3D Construction .................................... 515 Single ................................................. 92
2D Chamfer ...............................................87, 96 Window ........................................... 299
2D High Speed Area Mill ............................... 269 Chamfer Entities .....................................28, 688
Cut Parameters ...................................... 278 1 Distance .........................................29, 689
2D High Speed Dynamic Contour ................. 189 Change Current Color ................................... 675
Contour Wall .......................................... 195 Change The Main Level .........................375, 693
Cut Parameters ...................................... 194 Change The Solids Color ............................... 692
2D High Speed Dynamic Mill ........................ 166 Change the Wireframe Color ....................7, 663
Cut Parameters ...................................... 175 Circle Center Point ..................................23, 686
Locker Icon ............................................... 23
A
Circle Mill Toolpath ......................................... 46
Adjust Contour .............................................. 566 Cut Parameters ........................................ 50
Analyze Entity ............................................... 707 Clear Colors ...........................................515, 739
Arc Filter/Tolerance ...................................... 283 Clearance ................................................43, 213
Arc Polar ....................................................... 229 Color ............................................................. 515
Arc Tangent ..........................................242, 728 Change the Wireframe Color ................. 515
Arc Three Entities ................................... 728 Comment ................................................41, 211
Arc Two Entities ..................................... 242 Constant Overlap Spiral ................................ 304
Attributes ..................................................7, 663 Contour Toolpath ........................................... 83
2D / 3D Construction ..........................7, 663 Cut Parameters ........................................ 87
Clear Color ..........................................7, 663 2D ...................................................... 95
Color ...................................................7, 663 2D Chamfer ........................................ 87
Level ...................................................7, 663 Corner Rounding ........................................... 278
Line Style ............................................7, 663 Create a New Plane ...................................... 204
Line Width ..........................................7, 663 From Geometry ...................................... 204
Point Style ..........................................7, 663 Relative to WCS ...................................... 480
Z Depth ...............................................7, 663 Create a New Toolpath Group ...................... 202
Auto Hide ...................................................... 518 Create Letters ............................................... 255
AutoCursor ...........................................112, 529 Cut Away From The Center Line ................... 556
B D
Back Feedrate ............................................... 293 Delete ...................................................530, 678
Backplot ........................................................ 557 Delete Entities .............................................. 733
Backplot Toolpaths ......................................... 55 Depth ..............................................43, 161, 213
Break Through ................................................ 64 Depth Cuts ................................................52, 63
C Depth Of Cut ................................................. 565
Chaining ..........................................84, 562, 694 Direction for 1st Pass .................................... 636
Last ......................................................... 570 Drill Point Selection ........................................ 46
Partial .............................................562, 744 Entities ..................................................... 46
Reverse ...........................................563, 745 Last ........................................................... 76
Reverse Chain Direction ........................... 93 Mask on Arc ............................................. 68
Solids ...................................................... 427 Drill Toolpath ..........................................68, 639
Loop ................................................. 427 Cut Parameters ........................................ 72
Stock Setup .............................................. 38 Chip Break ........................................ 459
Unselect ................................................. 694 Peck ................................................. 459
Wireframe .............................................. 405 Tip Comp ..........................................81, 461

Mill Essentials Training Tutorial Page|783

 INDEX

Breakthrough Amount ...............81, 461 GUI - Graphical User Interface ..........3, 511, 659
Drill/Counterbore ........................................... 72 Backstage (FILE) .................................3, 659
Dwell ............................................................... 72 Graphic Area ......................................3, 659
E QAT - Quick Access Toolbar ...............3, 659
Ellipse ............................................................ 250 Quick Mask Buttons ...........................3, 659
Entry Amount .......................................556, 565 Ribbon ................................................3, 659
Entry Feed Rate ............................................ 280 Right Click Menu ................................3, 659
Entry Method ................................................ 280 Scale ...................................................3, 659
Entry Motion ................................................. 176 Selection Bar ......................................3, 659
Entry Method ......................................... 176 Tabs ....................................................3, 659
Helix Only ......................................... 176 Toolpaths/Solids/Planes Manager .....3, 659
Profile .............................................. 412 WCS ....................................................3, 659
Equal Steps ................................................... 565 H
Exit Vector .................................................... 566 High Speed Loops ...................................42, 212
Extrusion Operation ..............................378, 696 HST Leads ...................................................... 282
F K
Face Parameters ........................................... 556 Keep Tool Down Within ................................ 278
Face Toolpath ............................................... 554 L
Facing Toolpath .............................................. 37 Lathe Plane +D +Z ......................................... 586
Cut Parameters ........................................ 42 Lead In .......................................................... 637
Feed Plane ......................................43, 161, 213 First Pass Lead In .................................... 637
Fillet .............................................................. 743 Second Pass Lead In ............................... 637
Fillet Chains ............................................ 743 Lead In/Out .............................................88, 566
Fillet Entities ........................................... 747 Level .............................................................. 515
Fillet Chains Level Invisible ............................................... 704
Clearance ............................................... 123 Levels ............................................................ 693
Fillet Entities .........................................138, 540 Line Endpoints ..................................4, 512, 660
Normal ................................................... 138 Coordinates ............................................ 513
Finish Parameters ......................................... 572 Endpoint Coordinates ........................5, 661
Finish Stepover ............................................. 556 Endpoint, Length and Angle .......5, 513, 661
Finish Toolpath ............................................. 569 Multi-line ................................................ 731
Finishing ........................................................ 306 Tangent .................................................. 235
G Vertical ................................................... 128
Groove Finish Parameters ............................ 636 Line Parallel ..........................................531, 721
Groove Rough Parameters ........................... 635 Linking Parameters ......................................... 43
Groove Shape Parameters ............................ 634 M
Use Stock For Outer Boundary ............... 634 Machine
Groove Toolpath ........................................... 631 Lathe Default .......................................... 586
Grooving Options ................................... 632 Manager Panels ........................................9, 665
1 Point .............................................. 632 Auto Hide .........................................10, 666
2 Points ............................................ 632 Toolpaths Manager ............................9, 665
3 Lines .............................................. 632 Mastercam To Metric
Chain ................................................ 632 Current Session Only ................11, 519, 667
Manual Point Selection .................... 632 Default ......................................12, 520, 668
Multiple Chains ................................ 632 Micro Lift Distance ........................................ 293
Window Point Selection .................. 632 Minimum Overlap Angle ............................... 566

Page |784 Mill Essentials Training Tutorial

 INDEX

Mirror ........................................................... 239 Rectangular Shapes ...................................... 141

X Axis ...................................................... 241 Redo ..............................................112, 530, 678
Y Axis ...................................................... 248 Regenerate Solids ......................................... 700
Mitered Corners ...................................394, 705 Regenerate Toolpaths .................................... 45
Modify A Hole ............................................... 705 Rename a Toolpath Group ........................... 201
Modify Geometry ......................................... 706 Renaming The NC File ................................... 216
Move Between Cuts ...............................42, 212 Reorganizing The Toolbars .......................4, 660
Multi Passes .................................................... 89 Retract ............................................43, 161, 213
O Retract Amount ............................................ 556
Offset Command .......................................... 252 Rotate ........................................................... 369
Offset Entity .................................................. 252 Rough Overlap Parameters ........................... 566
Offset Tolerance ........................................... 278 Rough Parameters ........................................ 565
One Distance Chamfer ..........................393, 703 Stock Recognition ................................... 567
Optimize Cut Order ....................................... 293 Use Stock For Outer Boundary ........ 567
Overcut Amount ........................................... 556 Rough Stepover ............................................ 556
Overlap Amount ........................................... 566 Rough Toolpath ............................................ 561
Overlap Between Passes ............................... 636 Rough/Finish ................................................. 158
Roughing ......................................................... 51
P
Planes Manager ............................................ 586
S
Pocket Remachining ..................................... 311 Save As .......................................................... 709
Pocket Toolpath ............................................ 298 Save The File ................................................. 691
Cut Parameters ...................................... 303 Save the File .................................................... 30
Remachining .................................... 313 Saving The File .............................................. 546
Standard Pocket .............................. 303 Set The Grid .................................................. 521
Roughing ................................................ 304 Set the Grid .............................................13, 669
Stepover Percentage ....................... 314 Shaded .......................................................... 697
Polygon ......................................................... 113 Simple Drill - No Peck ................................... 641
Post the File .................................................. 100 Slot Mill Toolpath ......................................... 152
Posting A File ................................................ 575 Cut Parameters ...................................... 157
Edit ......................................................... 575 Solid .............................................................. 692
NC File .................................................... 575 Solid Extrude .........................................376, 693
Preview Chains ............................................. 169 Add Boss ................................................. 702
Material Crosshatch ............................... 170 Create A Single Operation ...................... 699
Material Region ...................................... 170 Create Body ....................................378, 696
Motion Region ........................................ 170 Cut Body ................................................. 699
Tool Containment .................................. 170 Through All ...................................... 699
Preview Toolpath ............................................ 44 Solid Revolve ................................................ 756
Profile Tolerance ........................................... 278 Create Body ............................................ 758
Propagate Along Tangencies ................394, 705 Solid Selection ......................................393, 704
Edge ................................................393, 704
Q
Solids Manager .....................................379, 708
Quick Mask Buttons ...................................... 511 Spot Drilling .................................................... 68
Quiz Answers ................................................ 777 Chamfer .................................................... 73
R Start Angle .................................................... 194
Rectangle ........................................19, 528, 676 Stepover Percentage/Stepover Distance ...... 158
Anchor Position ...................................... 111 Stock Setup .............................................35, 550
Anchor To Center ................................... 676 All Entities .............................................. 149

Page |785 Mill Essentials Training Tutorial

 INDEX

Chuck Properties .................................... 552 Entry Method

Display Options ...................................... 553 Entry Helix ....................................... 280
Fit Screen To Boundaries ................. 614 Skip Pockets Smaller Than ...................... 280
Stock Properties ..................................... 550 Translate ...............................................259, 737
Cylinder ............................................ 612 Z Depth ................................................... 371
Use Margins ..................................... 551 Trim Break Extend ........................118, 543, 683
Stock To Leave .............................................. 556 Divide/Delete .........................118, 545, 685
Stock To Leave In X ...............................565, 636 Trim 1 Entity ........................................... 683
Stock To Leave In Y ....................................... 565 Trim 2 Entities ........................................ 543
Stock To Leave In Z ....................................... 636 Trim 3 Entities ........................................ 245
T U
Tool Inspection/Change ................................ 277 Undo .............................................112, 530, 678
Tool Page ........................................................ 39 V
Select Library Tool .................................... 39 Verify ............................................................ 559
Filter ................................................. 301 XY Clipping Plane .................................... 646
Tool Settings ...........................................34, 549 Clip Top ............................................ 646
Toolpath Chaining Options ........................... 167 Verify Toolpaths ............................................. 57
Avoidance Regions ................................. 168
W
From Outside ......................................... 168
Machining Regions ................................. 167 Wall Backoff % .............................................. 636
Stay Inside .............................................. 427 Wireframe .................................................... 697
Toolpath Parameters .................................... 555 Work Coordinate System (WCS) ................... 480
Comment ............................................... 555 X
Toolpath Transform XY Stepover ................................................... 278
Rotate ..................................................... 438 Z
Number of Steps .............................. 439 Z Clearance ................................................... 280
Rotation Angle ................................. 439 Z Depth ......................................................... 515
Start Angle ....................................... 439 Zoom ............................................................. 740
Toolpaths Manager ....................................... 517 Window .................................................. 740
Top Of Stock ...................................43, 161, 213
Transitions .................................................... 280

Page |786 Mill Essentials Training Tutorial

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