P ERSONAL C OMPUTER

The computer needed to run this type of software has important minimum requirements. Normally, a large screen is desirable for ease of viewing the geometry created. CAD/CAM programs require a lot of hard disk space so a large hard drive is also recommended. Because CAD/CAM is used to create complex drawings and perform graphic simulations, the computer has the following basic needs: The memory the computer uses to access files while working on them is called RAM, (Random Access Memory). For CAD/CAM, a large amount of RAM is highly recommended (individual software manufacturers have recommended minimums). The computer’s processing speed is listed in MHZ (Megahertz), again the higher the number, the better. The computer’s graphics card and monitor controls the screen resolution. A powerful graphics card is strongly advised. Remember to consult the specific minimum requirements for the CAD/CAM program you chose to work with.

W INDOWS

To be successful using CAD/CAM, it is necessary to understand the use of a Personal Computer operating system and software programs. Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system on personal computers. In this section, we will be referring to the Windows XP operating system. With CAD/CAM, the operator must understand the operating system and have basic skills for mouse usage, including: double-click, right mouse button and the mouse pointer. Just like most computer programs in use today, CAM programs use a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for ease of input. CAM programs use icons, toolbars and menu systems to guide the user through program use. Many functions can be accessed via short-cut keystrokes and mouse button clicks. Some functions require a single click with the left mouse button to activate a command.

C ONVENTIONS

In the example that follows, when the Menu selection method is used, the Menu item used will be bolded in the instructions given and the short-cut keystroke Underscored to match the Mastercam menu bar. When Icon selection method is used, the Icon graphic and directions will be included in the instructions. Specific instructions will be given in bold italics.

M ASTERCAM X2, P ROGRAM S TARTUP

Figure 1 Mastercam X2 Shortcut Icon

From the Windows main screen, look at the desktop to see if there is a shortcut icon and double-click the left mouse button on the Mastercam X2 icon (Figure 1). If there is not a desktop shortcut icon, press the start button in the lower left corner with the left mouse button. Slide the mouse pointer up to the right and you will see a list of all available programs. Slide the mouse pointer to find Mastercam X2 and another list will appear to the right. Again, slide the mouse pointer through the list to find the desired program, Mastercam X2. Once the program is started, by default, Mastercam is in the Design mode. We are going to use Milling for this example, so change to the Mill system by selecting Machine Type from the Menu Bar, then Mill and lastly Default . To use the mouse to activate the Mill system, single click the left mouse button on Machine Type, then select Mill, and then select Default for the machine configuration. The Mastercam main interface screen will be displayed as shown below in Figure 2 but without the item descriptions.

Figure 2 Mastercam X2 Graphical User Interface

M ASTERCAM X2 U SER I NTERFACE

Getting familiar with the user interface is imperative for efficient use. Brief descriptions of the main components of the interface are given here. The more you use the functions, the more natural it will become. Don’t forget that there is extensive help available within the program by selecting Help from the Menu Bar or the question mark (?) icon for context sensitive questions.

Title Bar

T

he title bar lists the software name, version and current mode; Design, Mill, Lathe, Wire or Router and the file name and location. For example: Mastercam Mill X2 C:\MCAMX2\MCX\KEN.MCX

Menu Bar

Many of the program functions are accessible by clicking the left mouse button while over the icon on the tool bars. A list of the same functions is available on the Menu Bar. The functions from the Menu Bar can be activated by using the mouse or by using short-cut keystrokes. Press the alt key to activate access to these keystrokes. They are generally the first letter of the word or, if not, they are identified by an underscore of the letter needed to activate the command.

Graphics Display Area

This is where the part geometry and tool path are displayed during creation and verification. The Graphics Display Area is blue (color #9) by default and can be changed to another color, if necessary, by selecting Settings from the Menu Bar, then Configuration , then Colors from the Topics section of the System Configuration dialog, then select Graphics background color. Use caution when changing the background colors, because some of the other color combinations will not allow visibility of selection, chaining and tool path, etc. White has been used in this text for printing reasons only.

Tool Bars

Figure 3 Toolbar State Dialog Box

Tool bars contain icons that act as short cut buttons to all types of functions and are accessible via mouse clicks. When the mouse selection arrow is hovered over one of the tool bar icons, a fly out descriptor appears. The user has the ability to activate/deactivate the on screen tool bars by accessing the Toolbar States dialog box by selecting Settings from the Menu Bar and then Toolbar States.

Auto Cursor Ribbon Bar

Figure 4 Auto Cursor Ribbon Bar

You can use this tool bar (Figure 4) to set coordinate values for X, Y or Z axis input. This toolbar can also be used to set Auto Cursor selection types, activate Fast Point mode and change the configuration for Auto Cursor.

General Selection Ribbon Bar

Use this tool bar to set general selection masking functions for chaining and deleting of entities (See Figure 5).

Figure 5 General Selection Ribbon Bar

Active Function Ribbon Bar

Figure 6 Active Function Ribbon Bar

Once a drawing command is active, the Ribbon Bar shown in Figure 6 becomes available for input that is specific to the type of entity being created. Some examples in the line creation mode are: Multi-line, Line length, Polar Angle, Horizontal or Vertical, and Tangent.

Status Bar

Figure 7 Status Bar

The Status Bar (Figure 7) is placed at the bottom of the screen and gives the user feedback about the current drawing status with information about: 2D/3D, Geometry views (Gview), Construction and Tool Planes (CPlane and TPlane), Colors, Levels, Attributes, Point Styles, Line Styles, Line Weights, World Coordinate Systems (WCS) and Groups. The user can set any of the aforementioned data as well by left clicking on the item in the Status Bar.

Most Recently Used (MRU) Tool Bar

The Most Recently Used (MRU) Tool bar (Figure 8) is usually docked vertically on the right side of the User Interface. It is a temporary tool bar which contains the commands most recently used. It is made handy for quick access to recently used commands.

Figure 8 MRU Tool Bar

Quick Masks Tool Bar

Figure 9 Quick Masks Tool Bar

The Quick Masks tool bar (Figure 9) allows selection control by left clicking of the type of mask desired. By default, the types of masks available on the Quick Mask tool bar are: Points, Lines, Arcs, Splines, Surfaces, Solids, Wireframe, Result, Group, Color, Level and Drafting. By selecting a function button on the Quick Masks tool bar, masking is set to select all entities of the type chosen. If the right mouse button is pressed while hovering over the desired Quick Mask type button, masking is set to single selection. If you are working on a complex drawing and need to select Points only, for example, you can left-click on the Quick Masks Points button, only Points will be selected. By right-clicking the button, points can be selected one at a time until selection is complete.

Operations Manager

Figure 10 Operations Manager Pane

The Operations Manager Pane (Figure 10) contains tabs with information about Toolpaths, Solids and Art. Under each tab there is an information tree. The Toolpath tab describes the Machine Group and its Properties and each Toolpath Group, its properties and parameters. At the top of this pane are the icons specific to Toolpath Selection, Backplotting, Verification, Post processing and Editing.

Note: When the escape key (esc) is pressed, the software accepts the current command and steps back to the main level in the menu, essentially clearing the active command. If the Enter key is pressed after creation of a feature of the geometry, the current command is accepted and the mode of geometry entry is retained.

M ACHINE G ROUP S ETUP AND G EOMETRY C REATION

Figure 11 Drawing for Mastercam Example

In many cases, the machinist/programmer is not provided with an electronic file for the part geometry they must create. CAD/CAM programs provide the ability to recreate the drawing for the purpose of making the tool path program. For this example, all of the geometry shown in Figure 11 must be recreated. The first consideration when recreating geometry is where to set the Workpiece Zero or origin. A zero location has been indicated on the print by the symbol in the lower left hand corner. It makes good sense to use this same location to start drawing. The part will be clamped with cap screws to a holding fixture that is held in a vise. In this example, only the contour will be machined with a 3/16 inch 2-Flute end mill. The part blanks provided are 1/4 inch thick by 2 inch wide 2024 Aluminum that is pre-machined to 3.35 inches in length.