mastercam tool manager

Mastercam CAM Skills

Presenter: John McCordMLC CAD Systems Sales / Supportjohnm@mlc-cad.com

Facebookwww.facebook.com/johnmastercam

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Mastercam Tool Manager

An in depth review of Mastercam’s integrated Tool Manager

Overview

We will be going over the use and implementation of the tool manager• General interface• Tool/Holder combinations• Custom tool profiles• Vendor/custom speeds and feeds• Update existing tool libraries

General Interface

Overview• The Tool Manager will run independent of

Mastercam• Multiple instances can be run at one time• Able to drag and drop between instances

General Interface

General Interface

Creating Tools

Overall Process has not changed1. Choose tool type2. Define Dimensions3. Define Parameters4. Finish

Now let’s look at the new layout…

Creating Holder

1. Create Holder2. Set Upper type3. Define remaining sections

Creating Holders

Tool – Holder Combination

• Take an existing tool and holder and save as an assembly

• Reuse in programs

Tool – Holder Combination

• Setup interface as shown

• Tools and Holder on left and Assemblies on right

Tool – Holder Combination

• Drag Holder to Assembly pane

• Then drag tool to holder line

• Adjust parameters using properties pane

• CTRL click to adjust stick out

Custom Tool Profiles

• Mastercam can use custom profiles to machine part

• Use either MCX file or DXF file

Custom Tool Profiles

MCX file• Same as old method

– Create tool profile vertically on TOP plane on +Y side– Use Undefined tool type– Select MCX file that contains geometry

Custom Tool Profiles

DXF File• Create geometry horizontally on +X and +Y

quadrant• Geometry that represents shank or body is on

a level named “NOCUT”• Geometery that represents flutes or inserts is

on a level named “CUT”• At minimum cutting and noncutting geometry

must overlap

Custom Tool Profiles

Custom Tool Profiles

• The new tool manager is built to be standards compliant.

• Tooling Vendors can supply data that is built on ISO13399 standards

• These files can be imported directly into Mastercam

Speeds and Feeds

• We have a new method for searching for Speeds and Feeds

• Standards compliant database enables vendors to supply cutting parameters

• Search for cutting parameters based on filters

Speeds and Feeds

• Right Click on tool and choose Search for cut parameters

Speeds and Feeds

• Setup desired filter and click Search

• Choose the necessary cutting parameter and click Accept

Create Custom Tool Libraries

• Open Tool Manager• File > New > Database• Save database in Standard Mastercam

directory

C:\Users\Public\Documents\shared mcamx7\mill\Tools

Create Custom Tool Libraries

• Create tools and Holder– Drag and Drop from other libraries

• Combine tools and holders into Assemblies

• Create Materials • Create Cut parameters

Updating Tool Libraries

Best Practices• A well managed and clean library will update

much nicer• Do not modify Mastercam Default library, ie

MILL_INCH. Instead create a company or personal one, you can copy MILL_INCH and rename to get started.

• Prefix custom tool profile geometry with “CUSTOM” or similar to make searching and sorting easier

• Always use the default locations for tools and libraries

Updating Tool Libraries

1. Create two folders on your Desktop called UPDATE1 and UPDATE2

2. Copy all of your tool libraries and custom tool profiles into UPDATE1

3. In Mastercam go to File > Update Folder4. Set the Source Folder to UPDATE1 on your

desktop, and Destination folder to UPDATE25. Click OK

Mastercam CAM Skills

Presenter: John McCordMLC CAD Systems Sales / Supportjohnm@mlc-cad.com

Facebookwww.facebook.com/johnmastercam

LinkedInwww.linkedin.com/in/johnmastercam/