MasterCAM 9.1 – 3D MODEL CREATION
This tutorial will assist in:
1. Importing a 3D Model into MasterCAM
2. Prepare the model for creating a usable tool path
3. Set machining parameters
4. Design a tool path (for both rough and finish cuts)
5. Export the tool path g-code as a machine ready *.nc file
BACKGROUND:
BACKGROUND:
MasterCAM is a powerful software able to both design 3-D models and prepare files for
machining. This tutorial will focus exclusively on the latter capabilities. More specifically,
this tutorial will enable you to create a machine-ready file (for example, a *.nc file) from
an imported 3-D model. The file this tutorial will help you create will be usable with a
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| Mastercam Basic Tutorial 1 |
at the GSD. To use this tutorial, you will need a 3-D model that you have saved using any
one of the following formats:
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| Mastercam Basic Tutorial 1 |
Note: Mastercam can read both surfaces and solid models, but they must be originally
drawn in environments that produce "watertight" models. FORM Z IS NOT SUITED TO
PRODUCING THESE MODELS.
Note: We have had very good luck using an .igs or .iges file format in particular, and
recommend that you use this format unless you have a compelling reason to use a
different type.
Import Your Model
Import Your Model
1. Open MasterCam Mill (Icon: Mill 9.1)
2. Using the prompts at the top left of the screen, proceed through these clicks:
File/Converters/<Click your file's converter type>/Read File
3. Browse to find your file and open it
4. A dialogue box will appear, accept defaults and click OK and your model should appear
on screen.
5. If a warning asks if you would like to delete the current tool, click, No. Your model
should now appear.
6. Position your model in the window by using the fit, zoom, and rotation buttons.
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| Mastercam Basic Tutorial 1 |
Figure 1: Import your model: IGES "read parameters" dialogue box appears when opening an IGES file. Click OK, accepting all defaults.
Clean Your Model
(this step is usually optional if you have created a good model or surface
in the original program)
Sometimes an import may have some odd, residual lines that are not part of your design
or that you do not want to be read by the machine. You want to delete these by clicking
on the delete tool and selecting each line for deletion. You may need to tumble your
object to get to all of these lines.
1. The "Screen-Repaint" button will refresh the image on the screen once you are done.
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| Mastercam Basic Tutorial 1 |
Figure 2: Import your model: when first importing, your model may appear just off screen. Use the screen view buttons to adjust your view.
2. You may also use the string of clicks to delete all non-surfaces:
Main Menu/Delete/All/Lines...Arcs...Splines...Points..., etc.
When done, click Main Menu to exit from the delete function. You may also need to click
the Screen-Repaint button to refresh the image on the screen.
3. It is possible that some of your object may be a different color than the rest. This may
be suggesting potential problem areas for the machining. To verify the viability of the
surfaces, follow this click sequence. This will first test the normals:
Main Menu/Analyze/Surfaces/Test Norms/All/Surfaces/Done
A pop-up window will then appear informing you of your model's integrity. If you have
reversed normals, follow the on screen prompts to adjust the surfaces or rebuild your model and re-import.
This next sequence will check the model for sharp internal corners that may not be
machinable:
Main Menu/Analyze/Surfaces/Check Model/All/Surfaces/Done
Then type enter to accept the tolerance shown at the bottom left of the screen.
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| Mastercam Basic Tutorial 1 |
Figure 3: Clean your model: Step 3. You may need to delete excess lines, points, arcs, etc. from your model. You want only surfaces when creating tool paths.
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| Mastercam Basic Tutorial 1 |
Figure 4: Clean your model: Step 3. Notice all excess lines, arcs and splines have been deleted.
A pop-up window will appear with diagnostics of your model. Click OK. If you had internalsharp corners, MasterCam will ask you if you wish to draw the internal sharp curves. Werecommend that you say no and either proceed knowing that the machine may not beable to reproduce your model as precisely as you have drawn it or to redraw your modelin the original modeling program avoiding sharp internal corners and re-import. Take noteof the location of the curves that MasterCam indicates contain sharp internal cornersbefore proceeding. And also understand that you may be able to set parameters that willminimize the differential between what is modeled and what the machine is capable ofcutting. See below for details.
So far its how to drawing with Mastercam, in the next page we will continue this lesson. see you and thanks !
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