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Mastercam“ X4 Training Tutorials – Professional Courseware Lathe
Date: June 4, 2009
Copyright © 1984 - 2009 In-House Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
Author: Mariana Lendel
ISBN: 978-1-926566-32-0

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 distributor, or its retailer) assumes the entire cost of all
necessary servicing, repair, or 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 the copyright laws of Canada and the United States. All rights are
reserved. This document may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or
reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without prior consent, in writing, from In-
House Solutions Inc.

Trademarks
Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation;
Mastercam Verify is created in conjunction with Sirius Systems Corporation; Windows 95, Windows NT;
and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Acknowledgements:

Special Thanks to:

Andrew Bleau for his help revising this book.
In-House Solutions team for their recommendations and input.

Sincerely,
Mariana Lendel
PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX42DGEOMETRYCREATION


2DGEOMETRYCOURSECONTENT
1.StartingMastercam................................................................................................................................... 2
2.Overviewofthegraphicuserinterface..................................................................................................... 2
3.Settingthetoolbarstatesforlathe........................................................................................................... 3
4.Settingthegrid.......................................................................................................................................... 4
5.Navigatethroughmastercam ................................................................................................................... 5
6.Aboutrightmouseclickmenu.................................................................................................................. 9
7.SettingtheconstructionandtoolplanetoDZ ........................................................................................ 10
8.Exercisesusingcreatepointpositioncommand..................................................................................... 11
9.Exercisesusingcreaterectanglecommand. ........................................................................................... 12
10.Exercisesusingcreatelinecommands.................................................................................................. 12
11.Exercisesusingfilletcommand. ............................................................................................................ 14
12.Exercisesusingtrimcommand.............................................................................................................. 14
13.CreateDrawing#1................................................................................................................................ 17
14.CreateDrawing#2................................................................................................................................ 20
15.AngleMeasurement.............................................................................................................................. 20
16.Exercisesusingbreakandjoincommands............................................................................................ 21
17.Exerciseusingmirrorcommand............................................................................................................ 22
18.Exercisesusingchamfercommand. ...................................................................................................... 23
19.CreateDrawing#3................................................................................................................................ 24
20.CreateDrawing#4................................................................................................................................ 24
21.CreateDrawing#5................................................................................................................................ 25
22.Exercisesusingoffsetcommands. ........................................................................................................ 25
23.CreateDrawing#6................................................................................................................................ 26
24.Exercisesusingcreatearccommands................................................................................................... 26
25.CreateDrawing#7................................................................................................................................ 27
26.CreateDrawing#8................................................................................................................................ 27
27.CreateDrawing#9................................................................................................................................ 28
28.Exercisestocreatetangentarcs. .......................................................................................................... 28
29.CreateDrawing#10.............................................................................................................................. 29
30.CreateDrawing#11.............................................................................................................................. 30
31.CreateDrawing#12.............................................................................................................................. 30
32.Exerciseusingtranslatecommand........................................................................................................ 30
33.CreateDrawing#13.............................................................................................................................. 31
34.ExerciseusingAnalyzeCommand......................................................................................................... 32
35.Exerciseusingattributescommand. ..................................................................................................... 33
36.Managinglevels .................................................................................................................................... 34
37.Exerciseusingchangeattributescommand.......................................................................................... 36
38.Dimensionthegeometry. ..................................................................................................................... 37
39.Exercisetoanalyzethechain. ............................................................................................................... 38
40.ConvertingdrawingsfromdifferentCADpackages.............................................................................. 41
41.Optional.KeyMapping.......................................................................................................................... 42

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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX42DGEOMETRYCREATION



CustomizingDropDowns/RightMouseButtonMenu

CustomizeDropDownsMenuallowsyouto:

Addorremovenewdropdownmenus
Addorremovefunctionsinadropdownmenu
IntheMenuslist,rightclickandchoosetheAdddropdownmenuoption.Mastercam
automaticallyaddsanewdropdownmenu,assignsadefaultname,andplacesthenewdropdown
menuatthebottomofthemenulist.

Toaddafunctiontoadropdownmenu,chooseaCategoryfromthelistanddraganddropthefunction
tothedropdownmenuintheMenuslist.Ifthedropdownmenuisnotexpanded,thenewfunctionis
addedasthelastfunction.Otherwise,itisinsertedbelowtheselectedfunctiononwhichitisdropped.
Toremoveasinglefunctionfromadropdownmenu,expandthemenu,selectthefunction,andpress
theDeletekey.Todeletetheentiremenu,rightclickandchooseDeletedropdownmenu.

CustomizeRightMouseButtonMenuallowsyouto:

Add,removeandrearrangefunctionsandsubmenus

Addingorremovingdropdownmenufunctionsisassociative.Allreferencestothe
modifieddropdownmenuarealsoupdated(forexample,themodifieddropdownmenuis
usedasasubmenuinotherdropdownmenus).Whenyouaddorremovefunctionsfrom
dropdownmenusandsubmenus,youimmediatelyseetheresultsinthecurrentMastercam
session.

Example:AddZoomTargettotheRightmousemenu.

ThedefaultRightmousemenulooksasshowntotheright.













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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


15.DRAWING#3;GROOVINGTOOLPATH

File
Open
SelectDrawing3.mcx

MakesurethataLathemachineisselected.
Otherwise;selectthelathedefault.

15.1PROPERTIES

ToolSettings

SettheProgram#3
EnableAssigntoolnumberssequentially
EnableWarnofduplicatetoolnumbers
EnableWritehomeposition
EnableFeedCalculationFromtool

Stock

Establishthestockasabargivingextramargins:
ODmargin=0.2;Rightmargin=0.15;
Leftmargin=2.0
SelectthePreviewbuttontocheckthestock.
PressEsctocontinue








ChuckJaws

Usethedefaultdimensionsforthechucksize
SetthechuckPositionfromStocktoDiameter=4.4;
Z6

SelectthePreviewbuttontocheckthechuck.

PressEsctocontinue

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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


15.2.LATHEFACETOOLPATH

ToolpathParameters

SelectaODRoughRight80deg
Tool/OffsetNumbersetto1
SettheCoolanton

FaceParameters

MakesurethatUsestockisenabled.
FinishZ=0
Entryamount=0.1
Roughstepover=0.07
Finishstepover=0.005
Overcutamount=0.03
Retractamount=0.1
Stocktoleave=0
CuttercompensationinComputertotheLeft
Backplotthetoolpath

PressAlt+Tsimultaneoustoremovethetoolpathdisplay




15.3LATHEROUGHTOOLPATH

UsingPartialselection ,selectthefirstentityofthechainandthelastonetocompletethe
chaining.

ToolpathParameters

SelecttheexistingODRoughRight80deg
Tool/OffsetNumbersetto1
SettheCoolantOn







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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


Roughparameters

MakesurethatOverlapisenabled.
Entryamount=0.1
Depthofcut=0.06
EnableEqualsteps
Minimumcutdepth=0.05
StocktoleaveinX=0.005
StocktoleaveinZ=0.005
CuttingmethodsettoOnewayand
theRoughDirection/Angle=0
CuttercompensationinComputerto
theRight
SetproperLeadIn/outparameters
Extendtheendcontour0.5
EnableUsestockforouterboundary
Backplotthelasttoolpath.

Notethatthetooldoesn’tattempttocutinsidethegroove.ThisisaresultofthePlungeparameters
beingsettononeintheRoughparameterspage.

15.4LATHEFINISHTOOLPATH

ClickontheLastbutton ,forMastercamtoselectthesamechainastheoneselectedinthe
previousoperation.

ToolpathParameters

SelectaODFinishRight35deg
Tool/OffsetNumberaresetto2
SettheCoolantOn
SettheHomePositionasUserdefine;D14,Z11




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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


FinishParameters

Finishstepover=0.01
Numberoffinishpasses=1
StocktoleaveinX=0
StocktoleaveinZ=0
FinishdirectionsettoOD
Cuttercompensationin
ComputertotheRight
SetproperLeadIn/Out
parameters;UseforLeadInonly
Tangententry;Length=0.1


Thisensuresthattheentrywillbeextendedwiththelengthtobettermachinethechamfer.

Extendtheendcontour0.5
Backplotthelasttoolpath

15.5LATHEGROOVETOOLPATH

Select2PointsintheGrooveDefinition

Notethatthefirstpointshouldbetheupperrightcornerofthegrooveandthesecondpointshould
bethelowerleftcorner.

ToolpathParameters

SelectaODGrooveCenterwidth0.25
Tool/OffsetNumbersetto1
SettheCoolantOn

GrooveShapeParameters

Allowsyoutosettheshapeandorientationofthegroovesinagroovetoolpath.Youcanalsodefine
radiusand/orchamferdimensionsforeachcornerindividually.

Makesurethatallcornerradiiaresetto0,andallchamfersaredisabled.




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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


GrooveRoughParameters

MakesurethatRoughthegrooveisenabledtosettheroughingpassesforthegroove
SettheCutDirectiontoPositive
Stockclearance=0.1(setthedistancefromthestockthatthecutterstartstofeed).
SettheStockamountto0
RoughstepsetstoPercentoftoolwidth(setstheamountofstockthatgetsremoveduringeach
cuttingpassasapercentofthetoolwidth)
Backoff%issetto10(determineshowfarthetoolwillbackawayfromthewallofthegroove
beforeitretracts)
StocktoleaveinX=0.005
StocktoleaveinZ=0.005
RetractMovessettoRapid
GrooveWallssettoSteps

Groovefinishparameters
Directionfor1stpasssettoCCWtostartwiththe
leftside.
Numberoffinishpasses=1
Finishstepover=0.1
StocktoleaveinX=0.0
StocktoleaveinZ=0.0
CuttercompensationinComputer
WallBackoffsetas%oftoolwidth

ClickonSelectOverlapbuttonandpickfromthegraphicthepositionwherethefirstfinishcutends
andtheamountthatthefirstandsecondfinishcutsoverlap.

EnableLeadInandsettheFirstpassleadin;Use
entryvector,Angle=90andLength=0.1
SetintheSecondpassleadintheExitVectorto
Angle=90andLength=0.1

Notethetoolcollisionwarningandselectyesto
continuewritingthetoolpath

Backplotthelasttoolpath

Notethatatthestartofthefinishpassthetool
collidewiththestock.Weneedtoincreasethe
lengthoftheLeadin,onthefirstpass,tostartfeed
inthepartfromabovethestock.

ChangetheLengthto0.5

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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


RegeneratethetoolpathandBackplotitagain.












15.6CHECKINGTHETOOLPATHSUSINGVERIFY


Tips:TobeabletoseeanytoolcollisionsenableStoponcollision.Selecttheconfigurebutton and
enableChangetoolcolortoseethematerialthatiscutbyeachtool.
Thestockshapeisacylinder.BoundariesforthestocksizearedisplayedaccordingtotheStockSetup
settings.









SelectMachinebuttontorunVerify .






15.7POSTPROCESSTHEFILE

RunthePostProcessor

Tips:TheNCprogrammaybesaved,andsentdirectlytoyour
machineassociatedwiththepost.


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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


16.DRAWING#4;IDROUGHANDFINISHTOOLPATH

File
Open
SelectDrawing4.mcx

MakesurethataLathemachineisselected.
Otherwise;selectthelathedefault.

16.1PROPERTIES

ToolSettings

SettheProgram#4
EnableAssigntoolnumberssequentially
EnableWarnofduplicatetoolnumbers
EnableWritehomeposition
EnableFeedCalculationFromtool



Stock
Establishthestockasabarnoextramargins;zerosetatthefront

ChuckJaws
Usethedefaultdimensionsforthechucksize
SetthechuckPositionbyclickingonSelectbuttonatthemidpointof
theOD

SelectthePreviewbuttontocheckthestockandthechuck.

PressEsctocontinue


16.2CENTERDRILLTHEHOLE

ToolpathParameters

Selecta1/2InchCenterdrill
Tool/OffsetNumberaresetto1
SettheCoolantOn
SettheHomePositionFromtheMachine

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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


Simpledrillnopeck

Depth=0.25
Clearance=0.25incr
Retract=0.1incr
CyclesettoDrill/Cbore

Backplotthedrilloperation








16.3DRILL3/4DIAMETERTHROUGHHOLE

ToolpathParameters

Selecta3/4InchDrill
Tool/OffsetNumberaresetto4
SettheCoolantOn
SettheHomePositionFromtheMachine

Simpledrillnopeck

Depth=3.0
Clearance=0.25incr
Retract=0.1incr
CyclesettoPeckDrill
1stpeck=0.2
EnableDrilltipcompensation
Breakthroughamount0.25

Backplotthedrilloperation







 Page75 



PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


16.4LATHEROUGHTOOLPATH

UsingPartialselection ,selectthe
firstentityofthechainandthelastone
tocompletethechaining.


ToolpathParameters

SelectaIDRoughMin0.5diameter
Tool/OffsetNumbersetto3
SettheCoolantOn

RoughParameters

MakesurethatOverlapisenabled.
Entryamount=0.1
Depthofcut=0.06
EnableEqualsteps
Minimumcutdepth=0.05
StocktoleaveinX=0.004
StocktoleaveinZ=0.004
CuttingmethodsettoOnewayandtheRoughDirectionIDandtheAngle=0
CuttercompensationinComputertotheLeft
SetproperLeadIn/outparameters
Extendtheendcontour0.25
EnableUsestockforouterboundary
Backplotthelasttoolpath.











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PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


16.5LATHEFINISHTOOLPATH

ClickontheLastbutton ,forMastercamtoselectthesamechainastheoneselectedinthe
previousoperation.

ToolpathParameters

SelectaIDFinishMin0.5diameter
Tool/OffsetNumberaresetto4
SettheCoolantOn

FinishParameters

Finishstepover=0.01(settheamountofstocktoberemoved).
Numberoffinishpasses=1
StocktoleaveinX=0.0
StocktoleaveinZ=0.0
FinishdirectionsettoID
CuttercompensationinComputertotheLeft
SetproperLeadIn/Outparameters
Extendtheendcontour0.25

Backplotthelasttoolpath
















 Page77 



PROFESSIONALCOURSEWARELATHEX4TOOLPATHCREATION


16.6CHECKINGTHETOOLPATHSUSINGVERIFY


Tips:TobeabletoseeanytoolcollisionsenableStoponcollision.Selecttheconfigurebutton and
enableChangetoolcolortoseethematerialthatiscutbyeachtool.Thestockshapeisacylinder.
BoundariesforthestocksizearedisplayedaccordingtotheStockSetupsettings.






SelectSection button
twicetoseehalfofthepart.











16.7POSTPROCESSTHETOOLPATHS


17.DRAWING#5;CREATEANEWTOOL;THREADTOOLPATH

File
Open
SelectDrawing5.mcx

MakesurethataLathemachineisselected.
Otherwise;selectthelathedefault.




 Page78