This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed. Copyright © 2007 Masterwork Solutions, Inc. 13875 Creekview Dr SW Port Orchard, WA 98367 http://www.masterworksolutions.com All Rights Reserved The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be considered commitments by Masterwork Solutions, Inc. No material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Masterwork Solutions, Inc. The documents discussed in this document are furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of this license. All warranties given by Masterwork Solutions, Inc. are set forth in this document and may not be ammended or modified. As a condition to your use of this product, the user agrees to accept the limited warranty, disclaimer, and other terms and conditions set forth. The Masterwork Solutions, Inc. logo is the trademark of Masterwork Solutions, Inc. Other Product and Company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. Mastercam is a registered trademark of CNC. Windows 95,98,2000 and XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Companies, names, and data used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted. Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. All documents are printed in the United States of America.
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Contents ■ Shortcut Keys........................................................................................................................................iii ■ Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands....................................................................................................1 Section 1: Setup.....................................................................................................................................................................2 Section 2: Two Rectangles.................................................................................................................................................2 Section 3: Fillet Inner Rectangle.......................................................................................................................................3 Section 4: Letters...................................................................................................................................................................4 Section 5: Solid Block...........................................................................................................................................................6 Section 6: Solid Cut Body....................................................................................................................................................7 Section 7: Solid Letters........................................................................................................................................................8 Section 8: Stock Setup.......................................................................................................................................................10 Section 9: Pocket Toolpath..............................................................................................................................................11 Section 10: Verify................................................................................................................................................................15 Section 11: Post Processing.............................................................................................................................................16 ■ Chapter 2: Revolved Solid...................................................................................................................19 Section 1: Setup...................................................................................................................................................................20 Section 2: Geometry..........................................................................................................................................................20 Section 3: Offset the Center Line...................................................................................................................................21 Section 4: Create the Circle.............................................................................................................................................22 Section 5: Fillet.....................................................................................................................................................................23 Section 6: Trimming...........................................................................................................................................................24 Section 7: Chamfer.............................................................................................................................................................26 Section 8: Solid Revolve Bulb.........................................................................................................................................27 Section 9: Base Surface.....................................................................................................................................................30 Section 10: Stock Setup....................................................................................................................................................30 Section 11: Rough Toolpath...........................................................................................................................................31 Section 12: Finish Parallel Toolpath.............................................................................................................................34 Section 13: Verify................................................................................................................................................................37 Section 14: Post Processing.............................................................................................................................................38 ■ Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat...............................................................................................................39 Section 1: Setup...................................................................................................................................................................40 Section 2: Geometry..........................................................................................................................................................40 Section 3: Ribs......................................................................................................................................................................42 Section 4: Remove Excess Geometry...........................................................................................................................47 Section 5: Fillet the Ribs....................................................................................................................................................49 Section 6: Mirror the lines................................................................................................................................................50 Section 7: Close Ribs..........................................................................................................................................................51 Section 8: Lofted Solid......................................................................................................................................................52 Section 9: Mast.....................................................................................................................................................................54 This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed. Masterwork Solutions
i
Table Of Contents
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Section 10: Sails...................................................................................................................................................................55 Section 11: Solid Fillet.......................................................................................................................................................57 ■ Chapter 4: Swept Solid........................................................................................................................61 Section 1: Setup...................................................................................................................................................................62 Section 2: Geometry..........................................................................................................................................................62 Section 3: Swept Solid.......................................................................................................................................................65 Section 4: Shell Inside........................................................................................................................................................65 ■ Chapter 5: Solid Assembly..................................................................................................................67 Section 1: Setup...................................................................................................................................................................68 Section 2: Base Geometry................................................................................................................................................68 Section 3: Gear.....................................................................................................................................................................76 Section 4: Solid Base..........................................................................................................................................................79 Section 5: Solid Body.........................................................................................................................................................81 Section 6: Trim Solid Body...............................................................................................................................................85 Section 7: Solid Fillets........................................................................................................................................................87 Section 8: Solid Chamfer..................................................................................................................................................90 Section 9: Mastercam Letters.........................................................................................................................................92 Section 10: Solid Letters...................................................................................................................................................97 Section 11: Solid Gear.......................................................................................................................................................99 Section 12: Shaft Hole.....................................................................................................................................................102 Section 13: Solid Shaft....................................................................................................................................................104 Section 14: Pulley.............................................................................................................................................................106 Section 15: Solid Stopper..............................................................................................................................................110 Section 16: Shell................................................................................................................................................................112 Section 17: Final View.....................................................................................................................................................114
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ii
Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Shortcut Keys About Mastercam X2 Analyze
ALT + V F4
Auto Save Parameters
ALT + A
Copy
CTRL + C
Cut
CTRL + X
Delete
F5
Drafting Settings
ALT + D
Exit
ALT + F4
Fit Screen
ALT + F1
Grid Settings
ALT + G
Gview Top
ALT + 1
Gview Front
ALT + 2
Gview Back
ALT + 3
Gview Bottom
ALT + 4
Gview Right
ALT + 5
Gview Left
ALT + 6
Gview Isometric
ALT + 7
Help
ALT + H
Hide Entities
ALT + E
Level Manager
ALT + Z
Mastercam X2 Configuration Previous Gview Paste
ALT + F8 ALT + P CTRL + V
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iii
Shortcut Keys
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Redo
CTRL + Y
Regenerated On Screen Entities
SHIFT + CTRL + R
Repaint Screen
F3
Run User Application (C-Hook)
ALT + C
Select All
CTRL + A
Set Attributes From Selected Entity
ALT + X
Set Motion Controller Rotation Center Point
ALT + F12
Toggle Axis Display
F9
Toggle WCS Axis Display
ALT + F9
Toggle Toolpath Display
ALT + T
Toggle Shading
ALT + S
Toggle Toolpaths / Solids Tab
ALT + O
Undo
ALT + U
Undo
CTRL + Z
Undo
CTRL + U
Unzoom by 0.8
F2
Zoom Target
CTRL + F1
Zoom Window
F1
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iv
Masterwork Solutions
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Chapter
1 Geometry
Solid Pocket With Islands
➤ About this project:
Toolpath Abstract Introduces basic concepts of creating a solid body and cut body.
Description Remake the Pocket part from the Introductory book using Solids, then create toolpaths to machine the part.
Materials 3.0"x3.0"x0.75" Protofoam Block.
Machines 1/8" Flat Endmill.
Functions
Verified
Solid Extrude
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Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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Section 1: Setup Start Mastercam X2. If it is already running, save your document and create a new one: ■ select File -> Save If you have not saved your document yet, Mastercam X2 will prompt for a file name and location. Enter this information as desired. ■ select File -> New Mastercam X2 creates a new drawing. NOTE: If you create a new drawing in this way, then you must also set your machine, as Mastercam X2 does not do this automatically. ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> Your Machine If you have not created a Mastercam X Machine Definition for your machine, or if no machine is available, choose the default machine: ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> 3 - Axis VMC.MMD Mastercam X2 creates a new Toolpath Group. You are now ready to begin this exercise.
Section 2: Two Rectangles Create two rectangles that will serve as base geometry for the solids. ■ select Create -> Create Rectangle... Mastercam X2 enters create rectangle mode. In the Width field: ■ type 3.0 press ENTER In the Height field: ■ type 3.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the rectangle:
■ select Origin
in the toolbar
■ select Apply Mastercam X2 creates the first rectangle. Create the second: In the Width field: ■ type 2.5 press ENTER In the Height field: ■ type 2.5 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the rectangle: ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X0.25 Y0.25 press ENTER select OK press ALT-F1
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 creates the two rectangles. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.2.1.
Figure 1.2.1: Two rectangles.
Section 3: Fillet Inner Rectangle Create fillets on the four corners of the inner rectangle: ■ select Create -> Fillet -> Fillet Chains... Mastercam X2 prompts for chains. ■ select anywhere on the inner rectangle ■ select OK Mastercam X2 fillets the rectangle. The fillet is still active, however, and you can modify its radius by entering a new value in the Radius field: ■ type 0.125 press ENTER Mastercam X2 changes the radius to 0.125. ■ select OK
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Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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Your drawing should look like Figure 1.3.1.
Figure 1.3.1: Filleted inner rectangle.
Section 4: Letters Now that the two rectangles are complete, create the "MC" letters in the middle: ■ select Create -> Create Letters... Mastercam X2 displays the Create Letters dialog. You will create the M and C letters separately. Match your settings with the ones in Figure 1.4.1 for the M letter.
Figure 1.4.1: Settings for the M letter. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the letters. ■ press SPACE ■ type X0.4 Y1.596 press ENTER ■ press ESCAPE
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 creates the letter. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.4.2.
Figure 1.4.2: The letter M. Next, create the C letter: ■ select Create -> Create Letters... Mastercam X2 displays the Create Letters dialog. Match your settings with the ones in Figure 1.4.3 for the C letter.
Figure 1.4.3: Settings for the C letter. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the letters. ■ press SPACE ■ type X1.355 Y0.385 press ENTER ■ press ESCAPE
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5
Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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Mastercam X2 creates the letter. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.4.4.
Figure 1.4.4:
Section 5: Solid Block The first solid you will create is a block, made by extruding the outer rectangle. First, change your Gview to Isometric: ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Mastercam X2 displays your part in Isometric view. When you extrude the solid, you will be able to see it's true 3D form in this view. ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window. It has selected the Chain selection method by default. ■ select anywhere on the outer rectangle ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. The settings here determine how Mastercam X2 will create your solid. Match your settings with those in Figure 1.5.1.
Figure 1.5.1: Extrude settings for the solid block. The arrow in your drawing that signifies the direction of the extrusion should be pointing down. If it is not:
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select Reverse Direction
The arrow will still face up, but the solid will be created in the correct direction. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.5.2.
Figure 1.5.2: Solid extruded block.
Section 6: Solid Cut Body The inner rectangle will be pocketed into the solid block you just created by created a Cut Body solid. Instead of adding material, a Cut Body solid subtracts material from an already existing solid. ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window, again with the Chain selection method preselected. ■ select anywhere on the inner rectangle ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog again. Match your settings with those in Figure 1.6.1.
Figure 1.6.1: Settings for the Cut Body solid. The arrow in your drawing that signifies the direction of the extrusion should be pointing down. If it is not: ■ select Reverse Direction
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Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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The arrow will not change direction, but Mastercam X2 will create the Cut Body solid in the correct direction. ■ select OK
Normally, Mastercam X2 would prompt for a solid to cut from. Since there was only one other solid, however, Mastercam X2 does not prompt and simply uses the block solid as the one to cut from. In addition, Mastercam X2 has combined the Cut Body solid with the Block solid from before - it is now one entity. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.6.2.
Figure 1.6.2: Cut Body solid. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save Since you are saving for the first time, Mastercam X2 displays the Save dialog. In the File name field: ■ type SOLIDPOCKET plus your initials. Example: SOLIDPOCKETNWT ■ select Save Mastercam X2 saves your file.
Section 7: Solid Letters If you were to toolpath and machine the part as it is now, you would find that the Letters are not preserved when the pocket is cut. By creating an Add Boss solid with the letters, you can exclude them from the Cut Body solid. ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining dialog, with the Chaining selection method preselected. ■ select the top left edge on the letter M Remember the direction the arrow on the selected chain is facing. Both chains will need to face the same direction. ■ select the top left edge on the letter C If the arrow is not facing the same direction as the one on the letter M: ■ select Reverse Mastercam X2 reverses the direction of the arrow. ■ select OK
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your settings with those shown in Figure 1.7.1.
Figure 1.7.1: Extrude parameters for the letters. The arrows on the M and C letters should be pointing down. If they are not: ■ select Reverse Direction Mastercam X2 does not change the direction of the arrows, but will create the solid in the correct direction. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the Add Body solids. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.7.2.
Figure 1.7.2: Completed solids. Turn shading on to view your part as a solid: ■ select Screen -> Shade Settings... Mastercam X2 displays the Shading Settings dialog. ■ select Shading active ■ select OK
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Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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Mastercam X2 turns shading on. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.7.3.
Figure 1.7.3: Shaded Solid.
Section 8: Stock Setup Before creating the toolpath, tell Mastercam X2 what your stock looks like. In the Toolpaths tab at the left of the screen: ■ select the Plus icon on Properties Properties expands, allowing you to select Stock Setup.
■ select Stock Setup
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 displays the Stock Setup dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 1.8.1:
Figure 1.8.1: Stock Setup dialog. ■ select OK Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 9: Pocket Toolpath Create a pocket toolpath to machine the area around the letters. ■ select Toolpaths -> Pocket Toolpath... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window. ■ select Solids Mastercam X2 allows you to select solids in your drawing.
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Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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■ select the face around the letters as shown in Figure 1.9.1
Figure 1.9.1: Select this face. Your selection should look like Figure 1.9.2:
Figure 1.9.2: Selected face. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Pocketing (Standard) window. Select a tool: ■ select Select library tool... Mastercam X2 displays the Tool Selection dialog.
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select #232 Endmill1 Flat 0.125" as shown in Figure 1.9.3
Figure 1.9.3: #232 1/8" endmill. ■ select OK Set your Toolpath Parameters as shown in Figure 1.9.4.
Figure 1.9.4: Toolpath Parameters.
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13
Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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Set your Pocketing Parameters as shown in Figure 1.9.5.
Figure 1.9.5: Pocketing Parameters. Set your Roughing/Finishing Parameters as shown in Figure 1.9.6.
Figure 1.9.6: Roughing/Finishing Parameters. ■ select OK
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 creates the toolpath. Your drawing should look like Figure 1.9.7.
Figure 1.9.7: A pocket toolpath. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 10: Verify Verification allows you to see what your part will look like without actually machining it. ■ select Select All Operations ■ select Verify Selected Operations ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Mastercam X2 displays the Verify Controller, changes your view to isometric and fits your part to screen. ■ select Simulate Tool ■ select Machine Mastercam X2 machines your part. You can control the speed and quality by adjusting the options in the Verify Controller.
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15
Chapter 1: Solid Pocket With Islands
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When your part is machined, it should look like Figure 1.10.1.
Figure 1.10.1: Verified solid pocket. If it does: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 exits verify mode.
Section 11: Post Processing Now that you have verified your part, it is time to generate NC code so that you can machine a real part. In the Toolpaths tab on the left of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ select Select All Operations ■ select Post Selected Operations Mastercam X2 displays the Post Processing dialog. ■ select Select Post Mastercam X2 displays the Open dialog. ■ select the post that matches your machine ■ select Open Match the other settings with those shown in Figure 1.11.1.
Figure 1.11.1: Post Processing.
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16
Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays a Save dialog for you to save your NC file. In the File name field: ■ type SOLIDPOCKET plus your initials. Example: SOLIDPOCKETNWT ■ select Save Mastercam X2 saves your NC file. You can use this to machine your part, if you want. Finally, save your file: ■ select File -> Save
Since you saved your file before, Mastercam X2 silently saves the changes you have made since then, without prompting again for a file name.
Congratulations! You have completed the Solid Pocket Exercise!
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This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed.
This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed.
This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed.
Chapter
2 Geometry
Revolved Solid
➤ About this project:
Abstract Introduces basic concepts of creating a revolved solid.
Toolpath
Description Remake the bulb surface chapter using solids.
Materials 3.0"x3.0"x0.75" Protofoam Block.
Machines 1/8" Ball Endmill.
Functions Solid Revolve
Verified
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Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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Section 1: Setup Start Mastercam X2. If it is already running, save your document and create a new one: ■ select File -> Save If you have not saved your document yet, Mastercam X2 will prompt for a file name and location. Enter this information as desired. ■ select File -> New Mastercam X2 creates a new drawing. NOTE: If you create a new drawing in this way, then you must also set your machine, as Mastercam X2 does not do this automatically. ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> Your Machine If you have not created a Mastercam X Machine Definition for your machine, or if no machine is available, choose the default machine: ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> 3 - Axis VMC.MMD Mastercam X2 creates a new Toolpath Group. You are now ready to begin this exercise.
Section 2: Geometry First, set your Z depth to -0.5 to draw the geometry in the correct place. In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -0.5 press ENTER Now, create a bounding rectangle: ■ select Create -> Create Rectangle... Mastercam X2 enters rectangle creation mode and prompts for two points. Enter the first point: ■ press SPACE ■ type X0.0 Y0.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 creates the first point. Enter the second: ■ press SPACE ■ type X3.0 Y3.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 creates the rectangle. ■ select OK Fit the drawing to the screen: ■ press ALT-F1 Next, create a horizontal line in the middle of the rectangle. ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... Mastercam X2 is ready for you to create the line. You will use the autocursor to select the midpoints on both vertical lines. Move the mouse cursor toward the middle of the leftmost vertical line. The cursor should change to indicate a midpoint when you are close enough for it to snap. When it snaps to the midpoint: ■ select this point (the midpoint) Mastercam X2 now prompts you to select the other point: ■ select the midpoint of the rightmost vertical line Mastercam X2 creates the horizontal line. Exit from line creation mode: ■ select OK
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Your drawing should look like Figure 2.2.1.
Figure 2.2.1: Lines.
Section 3: Offset the Center Line ■ select Xform -> Xform Offset... Mastercam X2 displays the Offset dialog. Match your settings with those shown in Figure 2.3.1, but do not select OK.
Figure 2.3.1: Offset parameters. Mastercam X2 is ready offset geometry. Simply select the geometry, they a direction to offset. You select the direction by selecting with the mouse on the side that you'd like the offset to occur. ■ select the horizontal line in the center of the drawing ■ select using the mouse anywhere above this line Mastercam X2 shows a preview of the offset line. To accept: ■ select OK
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21
Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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Mastercam X2 offsets the center line. Your drawing should look like Figure 2.3.2.
Figure 2.3.2: Offset lines.
Section 4: Create the Circle Now, you can create the circle that will form the rounded portion of the bulb. ■ select Create -> Arc -> Create Arc Polar... Mastercam X2 enters arc creation mode. In the Radius field next to the Radius button ■ type 0.5press ENTER In the Start Angle field next to the Start Angle button ■ type 45press ENTER In the End Angle field next to the End Angle button ■ type 180press ENTER Mastercam X2 is ready to create your arc. ■ select the midpoint of the lower horizontal line (red) using the autocursor Mastercam X2 creates the arc. Exit arc creation mode: ■ select
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Your drawing should look like Figure 2.4.1.
Figure 2.4.1: Arc created.
Section 5: Fillet Now that the geometry is complete, create a fillet to smooth the joint between the bulb and the base. ■ select Create -> Fillet -> Fillet Entities... Mastercam X2 enters fillet creation mode. In the radius field in the Ribbon Bar: ■ type 0.25press ENTER Make sure Mastercam X2 will trim the entities when it creates the fillet: ■ select Trim
in the Ribbon Bar
Now, select the geometry to fillet: ■ select the arc and top horizontal line (purple) as shown in Figure 2.5.1
Figure 2.5.1: Select these two locations to fillet the arc. Mastercam X2 creates the fillet. Exit from fillet creation mode:
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Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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■ select OK Mastercam X2 exits from the fillet mode. Your drawing should look like Figure 2.5.2.
Figure 2.5.2: Fillets created.
Section 6: Trimming Before you can trim the part, you must create one additional line. ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... Mastercam X2 enters line creation mode. ■ select Vertical Draw the line: ■ select the midpoint of the horizontal line filleted to the bulb circle ■ select anywhere below the red horizontal line Your drawing should look like Figure 2.6.1.
Figure 2.6.1: Line to be used for trimming.
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24
Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Exit from line creation mode: ■ select
Mastercam X2 exits line creation mode. You can how begin trimming the bulb. ■ select Edit -> Trim / Break -> Trim / Break Mastercam X2 enters Trim mode. In the Ribbon Bar: ■ select Trim 1 Entity Mastercam X2 is prompting for geometry to trim. Select as shown in Figure 2.6.2.
Figure 2.6.2: Select geometry to trim. Your drawing should look like Figure 2.6.3.
Figure 2.6.3: Trimmed geometry. Finally, perform the last trim operation: ■ select Divide Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to divide:
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25
Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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■ select the two locations on the center line as shown in Figure 2.6.4
Figure 2.6.4: Selection for trim divide. Exit from Trim mode: ■ select Your drawing should look like Figure 2.6.5.
Figure 2.6.5: Trim complete.
Section 7: Chamfer Create a chamfered edge on the end of the bulb: ■ select Create -> Chamfer -> Chamfer Entities... In the Distance 1 field in the Ribbon Bar: ■ type 0.0625 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for geometry to chamfer.
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26
Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select as shown in Figure 2.7.1
Figure 2.7.1: Select geometry to chamfer. When chamfered, your drawing should look like Figure 2.7.2.
Figure 2.7.2: Chamfered geometry. Exit from Chamfer mode: ■ select Now is a good time to save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save Since you are saving for the first time, Mastercam X2 displays the Save dialog. In the File name field: ■ type REVOLVEDSOLID plus your initials. Example: REVOLVEDSOLIDNWT ■ select Save Mastercam X2 saves your drawing.
Section 8: Solid Revolve Bulb Now that the geometry is complete, you can create a revolved solid from the bulb geometry.
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27
Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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First, change your Gview to Isometric: ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Create the solid:
■ select Solids -> Solid Revolve... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window, with the Chain selection method preselected. ■ select the bulb arc The green arrow should face toward the top right. If it does not: ■ select Reverse When the arrows are facing correctly: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a line to use as the axis of revolution. ■ select the red line as shown in Figure 2.8.1
Figure 2.8.1: Select line of revolution. Mastercam X2 displays the Direction dialog, and a direction indicator on your drawing. The indicator should be at the top left of the red line, with the arrow pointing counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 2.8.2.
Figure 2.8.2: Correct direction indicator setting. If it is not: ■ select Reverse When the direction indicator is pointing counterclockwise: ■ select OK
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28
Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed.
Mastercam X2 displays the Revolve Chain dialog. Do not press OK until both tabs of parameters have been set. Match your parameters with those shown in Figure 2.8.3.
Figure 2.8.3: Revolve solid settings. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Turn on shading to see the bulb as a solid: ■ select Screen -> Shade Settings... Mastercam X2 displays the Shading Settings dialog. Match your settings with Figure 2.8.4.
Figure 2.8.4: Turn shading on.
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29
Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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Your drawing should look like Figure 2.8.5.
Figure 2.8.5:
Section 9: Base Surface In order to machine the area around the bulb, you have to create geometry to toolpath. The easiest way to do this is to create a ruled surface from the bounding rectangle. Do this now: ■ select Create -> Surface -> Create Ruled/Lofted Surfaces... Mastercam X2 prompts for geometry. ■ select Single ■ select the left end of the lower left edge of the outer rectangle ■ select the left end of the upper right edge of the outer rectangle ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates a preview of the surface. ■ select Ruled ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the surface. Your drawing should look like Figure 2.9.1.
Figure 2.9.1: Base surface.
Section 10: Stock Setup Before creating the toolpath, tell Mastercam X2 what your stock looks like. In the Toolpaths tab at the left of the screen: ■ select the Plus icon on Properties
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Properties expands, allowing you to select Stock Setup.
■ select Stock Setup
Mastercam X2 displays the Stock Setup dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 2.10.1:
Figure 2.10.1: Stock Setup dialog. ■ select OK Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 11: Rough Toolpath Now that the both the solid and surface are complete, create a Rough Parallel Toolpath to machine the part. ■ select Toolpaths -> Surface Rough -> Rough Parallel Toolpath... Mastercam X2 displays the Select Boss/Cavity dialog. ■ select Boss ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for drive surfaces. ■ select the base surface To select the solid bulb, you have to active solid selection mode. ■ select Activate Solid Selection In the selection toolbar, there are three different ways to select solids, Select Face, Select Body, and Select From Back. Make sure only Select Body is enabled:
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Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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■ select anywhere on the bulb
Mastercam X2 selects the entire bulb. Your selection should look like Figure 2.11.1.
Figure 2.11.1: Bulb Selected. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Toolpath/surface selection dialog. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Surface Rough Parallel dialog. NOTE: There are three tabs of parameters that must be set before you can create the toolpath. Do not press OK until all three have been set. ■ select Select library tool... Mastercam X2 displays the Tool Selection dialog. ■ select #249 Endmill2 Sphere 0.1250" as shown in Figure 2.11.2
Figure 2.11.2: #249 1/8" ball endmill. ■ select OK
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Set your Toolpath Parameters as shown in Figure 2.11.3.
Figure 2.11.3: Toolpath Parameters. Set your Surface Parameters as shown in Figure 2.11.4.
Figure 2.11.4: Surface Parameters.
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Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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Set your Rough Parallel Parameters as shown in Figure 2.11.5.
Figure 2.11.5: Rough Parallel Parameters. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the toolpath. Your drawing should look like Figure 2.11.6.
Figure 2.11.6: Rough Parallel Toolpath. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 12: Finish Parallel Toolpath Turn off display of the rough toolpath: ■ select Select All Operations ■ select Toggle Toolpath Display Mastercam X2 hides display of the first toolpath. Next, create the finish toolpath.
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select Toolpaths -> Surface Finish -> Finish Parallel Toolpath... Mastercam X2 prompts for drive surfaces. ■ select the base surface To select the solid bulb, you have to active solid selection mode. ■ select Activate Solid Selection
In the selection toolbar, there are three different ways to select solids, Select Face, Select Body, and Select From Back. Make sure only Select Body is enabled: ■ select anywhere on the bulb Mastercam X2 selects the entire bulb. Your selection should look like it did for the rough toolpath. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Toolpath/surface selection dialog. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Surface Finish Parallel dialog. Use the same tool that was in the rough toolpath. Set your Toolpath Parameters as shown in Figure 2.12.1.
Figure 2.12.1: Toolpath Parameters.
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Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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Set your Surface Parameters as shown in Figure 2.12.2.
Figure 2.12.2: Surface Parameters. Set your Finish Parallel Parameters as shown in Figure 2.12.3.
Figure 2.12.3: Finish Parallel Parameters. ■ select OK Turn the display of the rough toolpath back on: ■ select Select All Operations ■ select Toggle Toolpath Display
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 creates the toolpath. Your drawing should look like Figure 2.12.4.
Figure 2.12.4: Finish Parallel Toolpath. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 13: Verify Verification allows you to see what your part will look like without actually machining it. ■ select Select All Operations ■ select Verify Selected Operations ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Mastercam X2 displays the Verify Controller, changes your view to isometric and fits your part to screen. ■ select Simulate Tool ■ select Machine Mastercam X2 machines your part. You can control the speed and quality by adjusting the options in the Verify Controller. When your part is machined, it should look like Figure 2.13.1.
Figure 2.13.1: Verified solid revolved bulb. If it does:
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Chapter 2: Revolved Solid
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■ select OK Mastercam X2 exits verify mode.
Section 14: Post Processing Now that you have verified your part, it is time to generate NC code so that you can machine a real part. In the Toolpaths tab on the left of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ select Select All Operations ■ select Post Selected Operations Mastercam X2 displays the Post Processing dialog. ■ select Select Post Mastercam X2 displays the Open dialog. ■ select the post that matches your machine ■ select Open Match the other settings with those shown in Figure 2.14.1.
Figure 2.14.1: Post Processing. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays a Save dialog for you to save your NC file. In the File name field: ■ type REVOLVEDSOLID plus your initials. Example: REVOLVEDSOLIDNWT ■ select Save Mastercam X2 saves your NC file. You can use this to machine your part, if you want. Finally, save your file: ■ select File -> Save Since you saved your file before, Mastercam X2 silently saves the changes you have made since then, without prompting again for a file name.
Congratulations! You have completed the Solid Pocket Exercise!
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Chapter
3 Geometry
Solid Lofted Boat
➤ About this project:
Solid
Abstract Introduces basic concepts of creating a lofted solid.
Description Remake the boat surface using solids, except upside-down. Add a mast a sail using solid primatives, fillets, and surfaces.
Materials None.
Machines None.
Functions Create Point Segment, Solid Loft, Create Cylinder, Solid Fillet
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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Section 1: Setup Start Mastercam X2. If it is already running, save your document and create a new one: ■ select File -> Save If you have not saved your document yet, Mastercam X2 will prompt for a file name and location. Enter this information as desired. ■ select File -> New Mastercam X2 creates a new drawing. NOTE: If you create a new drawing in this way, then you must also set your machine, as Mastercam X2 does not do this automatically. ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> Your Machine If you have not created a Mastercam X Machine Definition for your machine, or if no machine is available, choose the default machine: ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> 3 - Axis VMC.MMD Mastercam X2 creates a new Toolpath Group. You are now ready to begin this exercise.
Section 2: Geometry First, change your Gview and Cplane to Front: ■ press ALT-2 Create a rectangle: ■ select Create -> Create Rectangle... Mastercam X2 prompts for points: ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X-2.0 Y-2.0 press ENTER press SPACE type X0 Y0 press ENTER
Fit your geometry to the screen: ■ press ALT-F1 Create a diagonal line from the upper right corner to the lower left corner: ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoints... Mastercam X2 prompts for points. Use the autocursor to select the upper right corner and the lower right corner:
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select select as shown in Figure 3.2.1
Figure 3.2.1: Select these two endpoints to create the diagonal line. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the diagonal line. Your drawing should look like Figure 3.2.2.
Figure 3.2.2: Diagonal line. Next, create points along the top, diagonal, and right lines. ■ select Create -> Point -> Create Point Segment... Mastercam X2 prompts to select an entity. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
press N to select the Number field type 20 press ENTER select the right vertical line select Apply press N to select the Number field type 28 press ENTER select the diagonal line select Apply press N to select the Number field
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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■ type 20 press ENTER ■ select the top horizontal line ■ select OK
Your drawing should look like Figure 3.2.3.
Figure 3.2.3: Points for ribs created.
Section 3: Ribs Now that you have the base geometry complete, you can create the ribs for the boat. The ribs will be used to outline the shell of the boat. You will create 7 ribs by connecting lines using the points you just created. However, you will need to change the Z depth for EACH rib you draw. Forgetting to set the Z depth properly will cause problems in later steps. Mastercam X2 changes the way Mastercam X2 works with drawing in 3D. In the bottom right corner of your screen, you will notice a small button that says "3D." In this mode, Mastercam X2 will draw points where you select them, regardless of your current Z depth. Since you want to create the ribs at a specified depth, you have to change this button to "2D." To do: ■ select 3D at the bottom of the screen The button changes to 2D Rib #1 ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... Mastercam X2 enters create line mode. Create the first rib:
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.1
Figure 3.3.1: Points for Rib #1 Rib #2 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -0.47press ENTER Create the rib: ■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.2
Figure 3.3.2: Points for Rib #2 Rib #3 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -0.95press ENTER Create the rib:
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.3
Figure 3.3.3: Points for Rib #3 Rib #4 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -1.74press ENTER Create the rib: ■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.4
Figure 3.3.4: Points for Rib #4 Rib #5 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -2.53press ENTER Create the rib:
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.5
Figure 3.3.5: Points for Rib #5 Rib #6 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -3.00press ENTER Create the rib: ■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.6
Figure 3.3.6: Points for Rib #6 Rib #7 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -3.500press ENTER Create the rib:
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.7
Figure 3.3.7: Points for Rib #7 Rib #8 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -10.00press ENTER Create the rib: ■ select the points as shown in Figure 3.3.8
Figure 3.3.8: Points for Rib #8
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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When all the ribs are complete, your drawing should look like Figure 3.3.9.
Figure 3.3.9: Completed ribs. In the Z: field at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ type 0.0 press ENTER Now is a good time to save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save Since you are saving for the first time, Mastercam X2 displays the Save dialog. In the File name field: ■ type LOFTSOLID plus your initials. Example: LOFTSOLIDNWT ■ select Save Mastercam X2 saves your drawing.
Section 4: Remove Excess Geometry Next, remove the excess geometry that you created to make the ribs for the boat. First, remove all the points. Instead of selecting each one, you can tell Mastercam X2 to delete all of the points in one step: ■ select Allin the Selection toolbar
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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Mastercam X2 displays the Select All window. Make sure that Points are the only type selected as shown in Figure 3.4.1.
Figure 3.4.1: Select only and all points. ■ select OK ■ press DELETE Mastercam X2 deletes all of the points in your drawing. Delete the excess lines now: ■ select the four walls of the rectangle ■ select the diagonal line ■ press DELETE Mastercam X2 removes the 5 lines you selected. ■ press F3 ■ press ALT-F1
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Your drawing should look like Figure 3.4.2
Figure 3.4.2: Extra geometry removed.
Section 5: Fillet the Ribs Next, you will fillet the joints of the lines to smooth out the boat geometry. Change your drawing mode to 3D so that Mastercam X2 will create the fillets at the depth of the lines, instead of all at one depth: ■ select 2D at the bottom of the screen The button changes to say 3D Begin creating the fillets: ■ select Create -> Fillet -> Fillet Chains... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window. ■ select Window Mastercam X2 enters Window selection mode. You will select all of the lines to fillet in one step. ■ select all of the lines by dragging a window completely around them ■ select OK All of your rib lines should be selected. Mastercam X2 displays a preview of the fillet operation. There should be fillets at the intersection of each of the 8 sets of ribs. In the Radius field in the Ribbon Bar: ■ type 0.125press ENTER ■ select OK
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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Mastercam X2 creates the fillets. Your drawing should look like Figure 3.5.1.
Figure 3.5.1: Correctly filleted ribs. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 6: Mirror the lines Now that the ribs for the boat are complete, you can mirror them to create the other side of the boat. ■ select Xform -> Xform Mirror... Mastercam X2 prompts for geometry to mirror. ■ select All in the selection toolbar ■ select All Entities Mastercam X2 selects all of the ribs you created. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Mirror dialog. Make sure the operation is set to "Copy." ■ select Y axis: Select Point Mastercam X2 prompts for an offset from the Y axis. To set the offset to 0.0: ■ press SPACE ■ type X0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 displays a preview of the mirrored geometry. There should be purple ribs on the right of t he original ribs, which are now colored red. ■ select OK ■ press ALT-F1
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Fits the drawing to your screen. Your drawing should look like Figure 3.6.1.
Figure 3.6.1: Mirrored boat ribs. You will notice that even after the mirror operation is complete, one half of your drawing is red, and the other purple. Mastercam X2 draws the last entity in red. The last entity is always the entity or group of entities that was last used in a operation. The result is always drawn in purple. When performing subsequent operations, Mastercam X2 allows you to quickly select the last or result groups for quick access. However, since all references to this geometry in the future will reference the entire boat, the last and result groups are not particularly useful. Fortunately, Mastercam X2 provides am easy way to clear these colors, and return the entities to their standard green color: ■ select Screen -> Clear Colors Mastercam X2 clears the colors. All geometry in your drawing should appear green. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 7: Close Ribs In order to create the loft solid, you must close the rib chains. You will create a line connecting the top endpoints of each rib. First, change your view to Isometric: ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Now, create the lines: ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... Mastercam X2 prompts for points. ■ select the tops of the ribs as shown in Figure 3.7.1.
Figure 3.7.1: Select these points to create lines connecting the rib geometry. When you are finished:
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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■ select OK Your drawing should look like Figure 3.7.2.
Figure 3.7.2: Closed ribs.
Section 8: Lofted Solid Now that the geometry is complete, it is time to create the lofted solid. ■ select Solids -> Solid Loft... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for contours. ■ select Chain In order to correctly create the lofted solid, you must change your chaining options to sync by node. To do this: ■ select Options
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining Options window. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 3.8.1.
Figure 3.8.1: Chaining options. ■ select OK To select the geometry correctly, you must select each of the ribs in the correct order, in the correct location. Start with the rib in the upper right. Continue until you reach the last rib in the lower left. Select the left edge of the top line that you just drew on each rib. Each time you select the top line, a green arrow should point toward the lower right of your drawing. If it does not: ■ select Reverse Once you have selected all of the geometry: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Loft Chain dialog. Match your settings to those shown in Figure 3.8.2.
Figure 3.8.2: Loft solid settings for the boat. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 will create the solid if all of the ribs were selected correctly. If Mastercam X2 displays errors about creating the solid, go back and try this section again. When you have correctly created the solid, turn on shading to see your part as a solid: ■ select Screen -> Shade Settings...
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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Mastercam X2 displays the Shading Settings dialog. Match your parameters to those in Figure 3.8.3 to turn shading on.
Figure 3.8.3: Turn shading on. ■ select OK Your drawing should look like Figure 3.8.4.
Figure 3.8.4: Shaded lofted solid boat.
Section 9: Mast Change your Cplane to Top: ■ select Planes -> Top (WCS) at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Add a mast to the boat: ■ select Create -> Primitives -> Create Cylinder... Mastercam X2 displays the Cylinder dialog. Create solids instead of surfaces: ■ select Solids
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Masterwork Solutions
Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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In the Radius field:
■ type 0.125 press ENTER In the Height field: ■ type 6.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the cylinder. ■ press SPACE ■ type X0 Y5 Z-0.25 press ENTER Mastercam X2 creates a blue preview of the solid cylinder. It should come directly up from the boat. ■ select OK ■ press ALT-F1 Your drawing should look like Figure 3.9.1.
Figure 3.9.1: Solid mast. Next, combine the mast and the boat into one solid: ■ select Solids -> Boolean Add Mastercam X2 prompts for solid bodies: ■ select anywhere on the boat ■ select anywhere on the mast ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 adds the mast solid to the boat solid. Your drawing will not look any different, but the boat and mast solids are no longer treated as separate entities.
Section 10: Sails Create two sails using Flat Boundary surfaces. First, change your Gview and Cplane to Right Side. ■ press ALT-5 ■ press ALT-F1 Create lines that will be used to make the surface. ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... ■ select Multi-Line
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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Mastercam X2 prompts for points: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X5 Y5.75 press ENTER press SPACE type X0 Y1.5 press ENTER press SPACE type X5 press ENTER press SPACE type Y5.75 press ENTER press SPACE type X8 Y1.0 press ENTER press SPACE type X5 press ENTER press SPACE type Y5.75 press ENTER select OK
Mastercam X2 creates both of the sails. Your drawing should look like Figure 3.10.1.
Figure 3.10.1: Sail geometry. Now, create the sail surface: ■ select Create -> Surface -> Create Flat Boundary Surface... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window with the Chain selection method preselected. ■ select anywhere on the left sail ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the surface. ■ select Apply Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window again. ■ select anywhere on the right sail
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Figure 3.10.2: Sail surfaces.
Section 11: Solid Fillet To finish up the solid boat, create a fillet between the boat and the mast. First, change your Gview to Isometric: ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Zoom in on the intersection of the mast and the boat: ■ press F1 Drag a window around the intersection of the mast and the boat. ■ select Solids -> Fillet -> Solid Fillet... Mastercam X2 prompts for solids to fillet. Even though the boat and mast are one solid, you can individually select its faces. Mastercam X2 has different ways of selecting solids. Make sure only Select Edge is turned on:
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Chapter 3: Solid Lofted Boat
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■ select the small circle as shown in Figure 3.11.1
Figure 3.11.1: Selection for solid fillet. The circle will turn blue when selected. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Fillet Parameters window. Match your settings with those shown in .
Figure 3.11.2: Mast fillet parameters. ■ press ALT-F1
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Your drawing should look like Figure 3.11.3.
Figure 3.11.3: Boat complete. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Congratulations! You have completed the Solid Lofted Boat Exercise!
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This book is to be distributed freely and may be copied or printed as needed.
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Chapter
4 Geometry
Swept Solid Solid ➤ About this project:
Abstract Introduces basic concepts of creating a swept solid.
Description Make a pipe by sweeping a circle along two arcs.
Materials None.
Machines None.
Functions Solid Sweep, Solid Shell
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Chapter 4: Swept Solid
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Section 1: Setup Start Mastercam X2. If it is already running, save your document and create a new one: ■ select File -> Save If you have not saved your document yet, Mastercam X2 will prompt for a file name and location. Enter this information as desired. ■ select File -> New Mastercam X2 creates a new drawing. NOTE: If you create a new drawing in this way, then you must also set your machine, as Mastercam X2 does not do this automatically. ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> Your Machine If you have not created a Mastercam X Machine Definition for your machine, or if no machine is available, choose the default machine: ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> 3 - Axis VMC.MMD Mastercam X2 creates a new Toolpath Group. You are now ready to begin this exercise.
Section 2: Geometry The geometry for the swept solids part is quite simple. First, create an arc: ■ select Create -> Arc -> Create Arc Polar... Mastercam X2 prompts for a center location: ■ press SPACE ■ type X0 Y0 press ENTER Set the radius: ■ press R ■ type 2.5 press ENTER Set the angles: ■ ■ ■ ■
press S type 90.0 press ENTER press A type 180.0 press ENTER
Mastercam X2 creates a preview of the arc. ■ select OK ■ press ALT-F1
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Your drawing should look like Figure 4.2.1.
Figure 4.2.1: Arc. Next, rotate a copy of the arc to make the other half of the pipe: ■ select Xform -> Xform Rotate... Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to rotate: ■ select the arc ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Rotate dialog. Make sure the operation is set to Copy. Define a new center point of rotation: ■ select Define Center Mastercam X2 prompts for a center point of rotation: ■ select the right endpoint on the arc In the angle field: ■ type 180.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 creates a preview of the rotated arc. ■ select OK
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Chapter 4: Swept Solid
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Your drawing should look like Figure 4.2.2.
Figure 4.2.2: Rotated arc. Finally, you will create the circle to sweep along the arcs: Change your Cplane to Front and your Gview to Isometric: ■ press ALT-2 ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Create the circle: ■ select Create -> Arc -> Create Circle Center Point... Mastercam X2 prompts for a center point to create the circle: ■ select the left endpoint of the red arc Set the radius: ■ press R ■ type 1.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 creates a preview of the circle. ■ select OK ■ press ALT-F1 Mastercam X2 creates the circle. The geometry is complete. Your drawing should look like Figure 4.2.3.
Figure 4.2.3: Geometry complete. Now, save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save Since you are saving for the first time, Mastercam X2 displays the Save dialog. In the File name field: ■ type SWEPTSOLID plus your initials. Example: SWEPTSOLIDNWT ■ select Save
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 saves your drawing.
Section 3: Swept Solid First, clear the red and purple colors: ■ select Screen -> Clear Colors Mastercam X2 colors all of the geometry green. Create the swept solid: ■ select Solids -> Solid Sweep... Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to be swept: ■ select the circle ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts to select a chain for the sweep path. ■ select anywhere on either arc Mastercam X2 displays the Sweep Chain dialog. Match your settings with those in Figure 4.3.1.
Figure 4.3.1: Sweep chain parameters. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the swept solid. Turn on shading: ■ select Shaded
in the toolbar
Figure 4.3.2: Shaded swept solid pipe. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 4: Shell Inside Use a solid shell to make the pipe hallow: ■ select Solids -> Solid Shell... Mastercam X2 Prompts for solid bodies or faces to open. In the selection toolbar, make sure your solid selection mode is set as shown:
. Toggle the modes by clicking them.
Select the first face:
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Chapter 4: Swept Solid
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■ select the face on the left edge of the pipe
To select the other face, we need to view the part from the back. At the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ select Gview -> Back ■ press ALT-F1 Select the second face: ■ select the end face of the pipe on the left Switch back to Isometric view: ■ press ALT-7 End the selection: ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Solid Shell dialog. Match your parameters with those shown in Figure 4.4.1.
Figure 4.4.1: Shell solid parameters. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 shells out the middle of the pipe. Your drawing should look like Figure 4.4.2.
Figure 4.4.2: Completed pipe solid. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Solid Swept Exercise!
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Chapter
5 Geometry
Solid Assembly
➤ About this project:
Solid
Abstract Integrates prior knowledge of solids to create a complete, multi-solid part.
Description Uses extrude, revolve, fillet, chamfer, and shell solids to build a complex part. Toolpaths are not generated for the part, as there are many sections that must be cut separately.
Materials None.
Machines None.
Functions Run User Application, Solid Trim, Hide Entity, Solid One-distance Chamfer
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Section 1: Setup Start Mastercam X2. If it is already running, save your document and create a new one: ■ select File -> Save If you have not saved your document yet, Mastercam X2 will prompt for a file name and location. Enter this information as desired. ■ select File -> New Mastercam X2 creates a new drawing. NOTE: If you create a new drawing in this way, then you must also set your machine, as Mastercam X2 does not do this automatically. ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> Your Machine If you have not created a Mastercam X Machine Definition for your machine, or if no machine is available, choose the default machine: ■ select Machine Type -> Mill -> 3 - Axis VMC.MMD Mastercam X2 creates a new Toolpath Group. Setup the levels: ■ select Level at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Level Manager window. Since the geometry of this part is so complex, levels can help to organize it to make selection easier. Follow the instructions below to setup the levels: In the number field: ■ type 1 press ENTER In the name field: ■ type Construction press ENTER Mastercam X2 creates the Construction layer. Repeat this for the other two layers as shown in Figure 5.1.1. Make sure the Construction layer is selected before you select OK.
Figure 5.1.1: Level setup. ■ select OK
Section 2: Base Geometry Create the base rectangle:
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■ select Create -> Create Rectangle... Mastercam X2 prompts for points: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X0 Y0 press ENTER press SPACE type X2 Y2 press ENTER press ALT-F1
Chance your Gview and Cplane to Front: ■ press ALT-2 ■ press ALT-F1 Create a second rectangle: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X0.5 Y0 press ENTER press SPACE type X0.75 Y1 press ENTER select OK press ALT-F1
Mastercam X2 creates the two rectangles. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.1.
Figure 5.2.1: Front rectangle. Create a horizontal line: ■ select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... ■ select Horizontal Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to create the line.
■ select Origin
In the Length field: ■ type 2.5 press ENTER To create the line, tell Mastercam X2 which side of the origin you want to create it: ■ select anywhere on the right side of the drawing ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the line. Offset the line: ■ select Xform -> Xform Offset... Mastercam X2 prompts for geometry to offset and displays the Offset dialog. Set the operation to Move: ■ select Move
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In the distance field:
■ type 0.15 press ENTER Select the geometry to offset: ■ select the bottom horizontal line on the right edge Mastercam X2 prompts for the direction to offset: ■ select anywhere above the horizontal line ■ select OK Mastercam X2 offsets the line. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.2.
Figure 5.2.2: Offset line. Next, rotate the purple line: ■ select Xform -> Xform Rotate... Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to rotate: ■ select the purple line ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Rotate dialog. Set the operation to Move. Choose a new center of rotation: ■ select Define Center Use the autocursor to select the left endpoint of the purple line: ■ select the left endpoint of the purple line In the rotation angle field: ■ type 27.5 press ENTER Mastercam X2 displays a preview of the rotated line. ■ select OK ■ press ALT-F1
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.3.
Figure 5.2.3: Rotated line. Change your Gview and Cplane to side: ■ press ALT-5 ■ press ALT-F1 Change the Z depth to create geometry at the correct location. In the Z field at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ type 2.0 press ENTER ■ select the 3D button at the bottom of the screen Mastercam X2 changes the Z depth to 2.0 and the 2D/3D setting to 2D. Create two more rectangles: ■ select Create -> Create Rectangle... Enter the following points: ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X1.5 Y0 press ENTER press SPACE type X1.75 Y1 press ENTER
Mastercam X2 creates the first rectangle. Create the second: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
press SPACE type X1.5625 Y0 press ENTER press SPACE type X1.6875 Y1 press ENTER select OK press ALT-F1
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Mastercam X2 creates the two rectangles. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.4.
Figure 5.2.4: Side rectangles. Next, create a line that will be used as the centerpoint of a circle you will create next: In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type 1.68 press ENTER Mastercam X2 changes the Z depth. Create the line: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
select Create -> Line -> Create Line Endpoint... press SPACE type X1 Y0.76 press ENTER press SPACE type X1.5 press ENTER
When you omit a coordinate value, Mastercam X2 uses the previous value, in this case Y0.76. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.5.
Figure 5.2.5: Line for circle. Create a circle: ■ select Create -> Arc -> Create Circle Center Point... ■ press R Mastercam X2 selects the Radius field. Many of the fields and buttons in the Mastercam X2 interface have single-key hotkeys like this. While still in the radius field: ■ type 0.0625 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a center point for the circle:
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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■ press SPACE ■ type X1.125 Y1.0 press ENTER ■ select OK
Mastercam X2 creates the circle. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.6.
Figure 5.2.6: A circle. Now, create circles that will be used to create solids. You will create 7 such circles. For this, you need to set your Cplane to Front and your Gview to Isometric. ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Mastercam X2 changes the Gview to Isometric, but you will notice that the Cplane is still set to Right Side. At the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window, there is a Planes button: ■ select Planes -> Front Mastercam X2 changes the Cplane to Front. Now, create the circles: ■ select Create -> Arc -> Create Circle Center Point... Circle #1 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -1.0 press ENTER Mastercam X2 changes the Z depth. ■ press R ■ type 0.25 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the left endpoint of the line below the circle ■ press RETURN
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Mastercam X2 creates the first circle. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.7.
Figure 5.2.7: First circle. Circle #2 ■ press R ■ type 0.125 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the same endpoint as before ■ press RETURN Mastercam X2 creates the second circle. Circle #3 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -1.5 press ENTER Mastercam X2 changes the Z depth. ■ press R ■ type 0.125 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the same endpoint as before ■ press RETURN Mastercam X2 creates the third circle. Circle #4 ■ press R ■ type 0.115 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the same endpoint as before ■ press RETURN
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Mastercam X2 creates the fourth circle. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.8.
Figure 5.2.8: Fourth circle. Circle #5 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -1.625 press ENTER Mastercam X2 changes the Z depth. ■ press R ■ type 0.125 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the same endpoint as before ■ press RETURN Mastercam X2 creates the fifth circle. Circle #6 In the Z: field at the bottom of the screen: ■ type -1.75 press ENTER Mastercam X2 changes the Z depth. ■ press R ■ type 0.125 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the same endpoint as before ■ press RETURN Mastercam X2 creates the sixth circle. Circle #7 (Final circle) ■ press R ■ type 0.175 press ENTER Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the circle: ■ select the same endpoint as before ■ select OK
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Mastercam X2 creates the final circle. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.2.9.
Figure 5.2.9: Final circle. Now is a good time to save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save Since you are saving for the first time, Mastercam X2 displays the Save dialog. In the File name field: ■ type ASSEMBLY plus your initials. Example: ASSEMBLYNWT ■ select Save Mastercam X2 saves your drawing.
Section 3: Gear Set the current level to the Gear level: ■ select Level at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Level Manager. ■ select the Gear level until it turns yellow Your Level Manager dialog should look like the one in Figure 5.3.1.
Figure 5.3.1: Gear level. Creating the gear geometry on it's own level makes it easer to select for future operations. Part of the assembly consist of a solid gear mounted on a shaft. Create this gear now.
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■ select Settings -> Run User Application Mastercam X2 displays an open dialog. ■ select Gear.dll ■ select Open
Mastercam X2 displays the Gear dialog. It contains parameters for configuring the gear, as well as a preview of the geometry to be created. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.3.2.
Figure 5.3.2: Gear parameters. Many of the parameters in the Gear window are calculated from each other. By pressing return after setting each parameter, other parameters will change to reflect the new input. You should only have to enter the number of teeth and the pitch diameter, Mastercam X2 will calculate the remaining properties. ■ select OK ■ press ALT-F1 Mastercam X2 creates the gear. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.3.3.
Figure 5.3.3: Created gear. Change your Cplane to Right Side: ■ select Planes -> Right Side In the Z: field at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ type 0.0 press ENTER Rotate the gear: ■ select Xform -> Xform Rotate...
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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■ select All...
Mastercam X2 displays the Select All window. ■ select Level Mastercam X2 displays a list of used levels below. ■ select the Gear level by double-clicking it Mastercam X2 closes the Select All window and selects all of the Gear geometry. Since the gear is made up of thousands of small lines and arcs, it is far easier to select it by level instead of by hand. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Rotate dialog. ■ select Move In the angle field: ■ type 90.0 press ENTER ■ select OK Mastercam X2 rotates the gear. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.3.4.
Figure 5.3.4: Rotated gear. Switch back to 3D mode: ■ select 2D at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Translate the gear: ■ select Xform -> Xform Translate... ■ select All... Mastercam X2 displays the Select All window. You can quickly select the result of the rotate operation: ■ select Xform Result ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 selects the gear geometry and displays the Translate dialog. ■ select Move ■ select Select FROM point Mastercam X2 prompts for a point:
■ select Origin
Select the second point: ■ select Select TO point
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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Mastercam X2 prompts for an arc. ■ select the circle as shown in Figure 5.3.5
Figure 5.3.5: Select the second point for the gear translation. Mastercam X2 displays a preview of the translated gear. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 translates the gear. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.3.6.
Figure 5.3.6: Gear geometry complete. ■ select Screen -> Clear Colors Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 4: Solid Base Change the level to the solid level: ■ select Level: at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Select the solid level as shown in Figure 5.4.1.
Figure 5.4.1: Create the solids on the solid level. ■ select OK Now that the geometry is complete, begin creating solids with the solid base. ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window. ■ select anywhere on the base rectangle ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your settings with those in Figure 5.4.2.
Figure 5.4.2: Base extrude parameters. The arrow on the base chain should be facing down. If it is not: ■ select Reverse Direction Mastercam X2 does not update display of the arrow, but it will create the solid in the correct direction. ■ select OK
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Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.4.3.
Figure 5.4.3: Base solid. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 5: Solid Body The next solid to create is the solid body. It is a combination of two body solids, and one cut body solid to create a slot for the gear. Create the first block now: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to extrude. ■ select the top line of the vertical rectangle on the left ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your settings with those in Figure 5.5.1.
Figure 5.5.1: Extrude parameters for the first block. The arrow on the chain should be facing to the upper right. If it is not: ■ select Reverse Direction
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Mastercam X2 does not update display of the arrow, but it will create the solid in the correct direction. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.5.2.
Figure 5.5.2: First block. Create the second block: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to extrude. ■ select the left edge of the larger rectangle on the right ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your settings with those in Figure 5.5.3.
Figure 5.5.3: Extrude parameters for the second block. The arrow on the chain should be facing to the upper left. If it is not: ■ select Reverse Direction Mastercam X2 does not update display of the arrow, but it will create the solid in the correct direction. ■ select OK
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Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.5.4.
Figure 5.5.4: Second block. Now, add the two blocks together: ■ select Solids -> Boolean Add Mastercam X2 prompts for two solids to add. ■ select anywhere on the first body solid on the left ■ select anywhere on the body solid on the right ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 adds the solids. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.5.5.
Figure 5.5.5: Block combined. Finally, create a cut body solid to make a slot for the gear: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to extrude. ■ select the left edge of the smaller rectangle on the right ■ select OK
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your settings with those in Figure 5.5.6.
Figure 5.5.6: Extrude parameters for the gear cut body solid. The arrow on the chain should be facing to the upper left. If it is not: ■ select Reverse Direction Mastercam X2 does not update display of the arrow, but it will create the solid in the correct direction. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a solid to cut from. ■ select anywhere on the body solid you just made Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.5.7.
Figure 5.5.7: Finished solid body. Finally, add the base solid to the body you just created. ■ ■ ■ ■
select Solids -> Boolean Add select anywhere on the base solid select anywhere on the body solid select End Selection
Mastercam X2 adds the solids. Save your drawing:
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■ select File -> Save
Section 6: Trim Solid Body Change the plane to front: ■ select Planes -> Front (WCS) Now that the solid body is complete, trim it to the diagonal line on the left. ■ select Solids -> Solid Trim... Mastercam X2 displays the Trim Solid dialog. In the name field: ■ type BlockTrim press ENTER Select a plane to trim to: ■ select Plane Mastercam X2 displays the Plane Selection dialog. ■ select Line Mastercam X2 prompts for a line: ■ select the diagonal line on the left of the drawing Mastercam X2 displays a white square with an arrow indicating the plane. The arrow should face down. If it does not: ■ select Reverse When the white arrow points down: ■ select OK ■ select OK Mastercam X2 trims the solid body. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.6.1.
Figure 5.6.1: Trimmed solid body. Turn shading on to see your part in 3D: ■ select Screen -> Shade Settings...
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Mastercam X2 displays the Shading Settings window. Match your settings with Figure 5.6.2 to turn shading on:
Figure 5.6.2: Turn shading on. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 turns shading on. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.6.3.
Figure 5.6.3: Shaded trimmed body. Finally, change the color of the solid body to grey. In the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window: ■ select Attributes by right-clicking on it Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to change attributes for: ■ select anywhere on the green body solid ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Attributes dialog. It allows you to change the display attributes for the selected entities. ■ select the checkbox in the Color box
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Mastercam X2 Solids Tutorial
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In the color number field:
■ type 8 press ENTER ■ select OK Mastercam X2 changes the solid to gray. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.6.4.
Figure 5.6.4: Trim solid shaded gray. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 7: Solid Fillets Turn shading off: ■ select Wireframe
in the toolbar
Now, smooth the edge between the block and base with a solid fillet. ■ select Solids -> Fillet -> Solid Fillet... Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to fillet. You will select the edges that connect the block to the base. Before you can do that, however, you have to change the selection mode to only select edges. In the selection toolbar, the selection modes are displayed as icons. Click the icon to toggle the selection mode. Set your selection settings like this:
.
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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■ select the two vertical edge as shown in Figure 5.7.1.
Figure 5.7.1: Selection for vertical fillet. When an edge is selected, it will turn blue. When both edges are selected: ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Fillet Parameters dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.7.2.
Figure 5.7.2: Fillet parameters for vertical fillet. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the fillet. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.7.3.
Figure 5.7.3: Vertical solid fillet.
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Next, create a fillet between the base and the block:
■ select the two edges as shown in Figure 5.7.4.
Figure 5.7.4: Selection for base fillet. When an edge is selected, it will turn blue. When both edges are selected: ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Fillet Parameters dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.7.5.
Figure 5.7.5: Fillet parameters for base fillet. ■ select OK
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Mastercam X2 creates the fillet. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.7.6.
Figure 5.7.6: Base fillet. Next, turn shading on to visialize your part in 3D: ■ select Shaded
in the toolbar
Mastercam X2 shades your part. Feel free to use dynamic rotation to view your part from any angle. Be sure to set your Gview to Isometric when you are done. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.7.7, except your rotation may be different.
Figure 5.7.7: Shaded solid fillet. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 8: Solid Chamfer Turn shading off: ■ select Wireframe Create a solid chamfer on the corner near the gear slot.
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As you have noticed, the geometry is quite dense in this area, which makes it difficult to make a precise selection. Fortunately, Mastercam X2 can hide entities without deleting them from your drawing, allowing you to focus on a few specific parts. ■ select Screen -> Hide Entity ■ - OR ■ press ALT-E Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to keep on screen. All other entities will be hidden from view. ■ select All... Mastercam X2 displays the Select All window. Select all solids: ■ select Solids by double clicking on it Mastercam X2 closes the Select All window and selects all of the solids. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 will hide all of the geometry. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.8.1.
Figure 5.8.1: Only solids are visible. Now, it is much easier to select the appropriate geometry. ■ select Solids -> Chamfer -> Solid One-distance Chamfer... Mastercam X2 prompts for solid entities to chamfer. As for the fillets, you will select only edges. Set your selection modes in the toolbar like this:
.
■ select the two edges as shown in Figure 5.8.2.
Figure 5.8.2: Select two edges to chamfer.
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■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Chamfer Parameters window. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.8.3.
Figure 5.8.3: Chamfer parameters. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 chamfers the solid. Turn on shading to see it clearly: ■ select Shaded Mastercam X2 shades your drawing. It should look like Figure 5.8.4.
Figure 5.8.4: Shaded solid chamfer. Restore visibility of the remaining geometry: ■ select Screen -> Hide Entity ■ - OR ■ press ALT-E Mastercam X2 unhides all of the geometry and makes it visible in your drawing. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 9: Mastercam Letters You will create solid letters spelling "Mastercam", which will rest atop the trimmed body solid. Turn shading off: ■ select Wireframe First, turn off the solids level: ■ select Level: at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window
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Set your Level Manager settings as shown in Figure 5.9.1. Toggle the visibility of the Solids level by selecting the red check next to Solids.
Figure 5.9.1: Turn Solids level off. Mastercam X2 removes the solid from your drawing. It has not deleted it, merely made it invisible. Now, switch to top view: ■ press ALT-1 ■ press ALT-F1 Your drawing should look like Figure 5.9.2.
Figure 5.9.2: Top view. Create the letters: ■ select Create -> Create Letters... ■ select TrueType(R)...
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Mastercam X2 allows you to use TrueType fonts on your computer in addition to its built in fonts. Select the Arial font as shown in Figure 5.9.3.
Figure 5.9.3: Select Arial, Regular, size 10 ■ select OK Set your letter creation parameters as shown in Figure 5.9.4.
Figure 5.9.4: Letter settings for "Mastercam." ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a location to place the letters. ■ ■ ■ ■
select the location below - OR press SPACE type X0.05 Y1.7 press ENTER
Mastercam X2 creates the letters. ■ press ESCAPE
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Your drawing should look like Figure 5.9.5.
Figure 5.9.5: Letters. Next, rotate the letters clockwise by 90° ■ select Xform -> Rotate... Mastercam X2 prompts for entities. You will select the Mastercam letters by dragging a window around them. Start the window above and to the right of the letters. When all the letters are yellow, they are properly selected. ■ select the Mastercam letters by dragging a window around them ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Rotate dialog. Set a new center of rotation: ■ select Define Center ■ select the lower left endpoint on the "M" letter In the angle field: ■ type -90.0 press ENTER ■ select OK Mastercam X2 rotates the letters. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.9.6.
Figure 5.9.6: Rotated letters.
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Now, translate the letters:
■ select Xform -> Xform Translate... Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to translate. ■ select the "Mastercam" letters by dragging a window around them ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Translate dialog. ■ select Select FROM point Mastercam X2 prompts for a point. ■ select the upper left endpoint on the M Select the second point: ■ select Select TO point ■ press SPACE ■ type X0.53361 Y1.45703 Z0.47 press ENTER Mastercam X2 displays a preview of the translated letters. ■ select OK Your drawing should look like Figure 5.9.7.
Figure 5.9.7: Letters translated. Finally, rotate the letters again. First you will need to change your Gview to Isometric and your Cplane to Front: ■ press ALT-7 ■ select Planes -> Front (WCS) Rotate the letters: ■ select Xform -> Xform Rotate... Mastercam X2 prompts for geometry to rotate. ■ select All... ■ select Xform Result ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 selects the letters and displays the Rotate dialog. Define the correct center of rotation: ■ select Define Center
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Mastercam X2 prompts for a new center point.
■ select the left corner of the lowercase m In the angle field: ■ type 27.5 press ENTER ■ select OK Mastercam X2 rotates the letters. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.9.8.
Figure 5.9.8: Second letter rotation aligns them with the face of the body solid. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 10: Solid Letters Now that the geometry for the letters has been created, create a solid out of each of the letters and add it to the body solid. First, turn on the solids layer: ■ select Level: at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Level Manager dialog. Set your dialog as shown in Figure 5.10.1. Toggle the visibility of the solids layer by clicking on the red check.
Figure 5.10.1: Turn solids layer on.
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Also, all new geometry created will appear on the solids layer. Now, rotate your view using dynamic rotation so that you are directly facing the Mastercam letters. ■ select Dynamic Rotation
in the toolbar
Mastercam X2 prompts for a point to start dynamic rotation. Clicking anywhere on your drawing will resolve to a point very far away from your geometry, and will make precise rotation very difficult. Instead, choose the left endpoint on the diagonal line near the gear. ■ select the left endpoint of the diagonal line near the gear As you move your mouse around, Mastercam X2 dynamically rotates your view so you can see all angles of your part. To exit from dynamic rotation, simply click the mouse. A good view for the next step is shown in Figure 5.10.2.
Figure 5.10.2: Dynamic view for solid letter creation. Now, create the solid letters: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry. Select the letter geometry is tricky, because you have to make sure that all of the extrudes will face the same way as you select the letters. You are not given the option to reverse the extrude direction once the letters have been selected, as you could in V9. Therefore, you have to select each letter precisely in order to correctly select the letters. Select each letter on its left side, approximately in the middle. The arrow should NOT face up. In most cases, the arrow will start up and you can select Reverse to make it face down. Some letters will not face down when you press reverse, but as long as the arrow is not facing up, the letter is correctly selected. Also, on the "a" and "e" letters, you will have to select both the inside and outside chains. ■ select each letter, one by one as described above If the arrow on a letter is facing up: ■ select Reverse When all of the letters are selected: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog and draws arrow indicating the direction of the extrude for each of the letters. The arrow should all be facing up. If they are not, you will have to cancel and try the selection again.
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Match your Extrude Chain parameters with those shown in Figure 5.10.3.
Figure 5.10.3: Extrude chain parameters for the letters. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 extrudes the letters and adds them to the existing solid block. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.10.4.
Figure 5.10.4: Solid letters. Mastercam X2 return to Isometric view: ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1 Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 11: Solid Gear Now, create a solid from the gear. First, zoom in so you can see the gear clearly: ■ press F1 Mastercam X2 will allow you to drag a window around an area on the drawing you would like to view with more detail. Drag a window around the gear. Now, create the solid gear:
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■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude...
Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry: ■ select anywhere on the gear ■ select the circle as shown in Figure 5.11.1
Figure 5.11.1: Select this circle. You will extrude the solid in both directions, so the directions of the arrows are not important. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.11.2.
Figure 5.11.2: Extrude chain parameters for the gear solid. ■ select OK
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Mastercam X2 extrudes the solid gear. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.11.3.
Figure 5.11.3: Solid gear. Now, turn on shading to see your part as a solid: ■ select Shaded Mastercam X2 shades your drawing. It should look like Figure 5.11.4.
Figure 5.11.4: Shaded gear solid. Finally, change the color of the gear to purple: ■ select Attributes at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window by right-clicking on it Mastercam X2 prompts for entities to change attributes for: ■ select the gear solid ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Attributes dialog. ■ select the checkbox inside Color In the color number field: ■ type 13 press ENTER
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly Set the attributes:
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■ select OK The gear turns purple. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.11.5.
Figure 5.11.5: Gear shaded purple. Finally, turn off shading: ■ select Wireframe Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 12: Shaft Hole Before you can create a shaft, create a hole for the shaft to slide into using a cut body solid: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Changing window and prompts for geometry to extrude. ■ select the larger circle as shown in Figure 5.12.1
Figure 5.12.1: First circle for shaft hole.
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Memorize the direction that the arrow faces - the next arrow will need to face the opposite direction. ■ select the second circle as shown in Figure 5.12.2
Figure 5.12.2: Second circle for shaft hole. If the second arrow does not face the opposite direction of the first: ■ select Reverse When the arrows are facing opposite directions: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your settings with those shown in Figure 5.12.3.
Figure 5.12.3: Extrude chain parameters for the shaft hole. The extrude direction arrows should be facing toward each other. If they are not: ■ select Reverse Direction Create the solid: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a solid to cut from. Turn on shading to make the selection easier: ■ select Shaded
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Select the body solid:
■ select anywhere on the body solid Mastercam X2 cuts two holes in the body stock, though which the shaft will fit. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.12.4.
Figure 5.12.4: Shaft hole. Turn shading off again: ■ select Wireframe Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 13: Solid Shaft Change the color to blue: ■ select the green swatch at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Colors dialog. ■ select the #9 blue color ■ select OK All future geometry will be created blue. Next, create a solid shaft that will hold the gear: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to extrude.
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■ select the smaller circle as shown in Figure 5.13.1
Figure 5.13.1: Select circle for solid shaft. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Match your parameters with those in Figure 5.13.2.
Figure 5.13.2: Extrude chain parameters for solid shaft. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the solid shaft. Turn on shading: ■ select Shaded
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Mastercam X2 Your drawing should look like Figure 5.13.3.
Figure 5.13.3: Shaded solid shaft. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 14: Pulley Change the color to red: ■ select the blue swatch in the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Colors dialog. ■ select the #12 red color ■ select OK All future geometry will be create red. The pulley is composed of two solids, a body for the cylinder and a cut body for the groove. ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to extrude. Turn shading off: ■ select Wireframe Select the geometry:
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■ select the two circles as shown in Figure 5.14.1
Figure 5.14.1: Select two circles to create the pulley cylinder. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain window. Match your parameters with those shown in Figure 5.14.2.
Figure 5.14.2: Extrude chain parameters for pulley cylinder. The arrows should be facing to the upper right. If they are not: ■ select Reverse Direction Create the solid: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the pulley cylinder. Turn on shading: ■ select Shaded
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Your drawing should look like Figure 5.14.3.
Figure 5.14.3: Shaded pulley cylinder. Next, create a cut body solid for the groove: ■ select Solids -> Solid Revolve... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to revolve. Turn off shading: ■ select Wireframe Select the geometry: ■ select the small circle as shown in Figure 5.14.4
Figure 5.14.4: Select this circle for the pulley groove. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 prompts for a line to use as the axis of rotation:
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■ select the diagonal line shown in Figure 5.14.5
Figure 5.14.5: Select the axis of rotation. Mastercam X2 displays the Direction dialog. The direction of revolution is not important, since it is being rotated around a circle. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 displays the Revolve Chain dialog. Match your settings with those in Figure 5.14.6.
Figure 5.14.6: Revolve parameters for groove. ■ select OK Mastercam X2 prompts for a solid to cut from. Turn on shading: ■ select Shaded Select the pulley: ■ select anywhere on the red pulley solid
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Chapter 5: Solid Assembly
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Mastercam X2 creates the groove. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.14.7.
Figure 5.14.7: Shaded pulley groove. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 15: Solid Stopper The last solid in this exercise is the stopper. Change the color: ■ select the red swatch at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Colors dialog. ■ select the #2 green color ■ select OK All future geometry will be created in green. Turn off shading: ■ select Wireframe Create the stopper: ■ select Solids -> Solid Extrude... Mastercam X2 displays the Chaining window and prompts for geometry to extrude:
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■ select the circle as shown in Figure 5.15.1
Figure 5.15.1: Select circle to create the solid stopper. ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Extrude Chain dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.15.2.
Figure 5.15.2: Extrude chain settings for stopper solid. The arrow on the selected circle should point to the upper right. If it does not: ■ select Reverse Direction Create the solid: ■ select OK Mastercam X2 creates the solid. Turn shading on: ■ select Shaded
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Your drawing should look like Figure 5.15.3.
Figure 5.15.3: Shaded stopper solid. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 16: Shell Finally, create a solid shell to remove unneeded material from the base solid. Fit the part to screen: ■ press ALT-F1 Now, use dynamic rotation to see the bottom of the solid base: ■ select Dynamic Rotation
in the toolbar
Mastercam X2 prompts for a point to start dynamic rotation. Clicking anywhere on your drawing will resolve to a point very far away from your geometry, and will make precise rotation very difficult. Instead, choose the upper right endpoint on the uppercase M letter. ■ select the upper right endpoint of the M letter
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As you move your mouse around, Mastercam X2 dynamically rotates your view so you can see all angles of your part. To exit from dynamic rotation, simply click the mouse. Rotate the view so you can see the bottom along with the pulley and gear. A sample rotation is shown in Figure 5.16.1.
Figure 5.16.1: Dynamic rotation enables you to see all portions of your part. Now that you can see the bottom, create the solid shell. ■ select Solids -> Solid Shell... In the selection toolbar, change your solid selection mode so that you can only select faces: Mastercam X2 prompts for a solid face to open up: ■ select the bottom face on the solid block ■ select End Selection Mastercam X2 displays the Shell Solid dialog. Set your parameters as shown in Figure 5.16.2.
Figure 5.16.2: Shell solid parameters. ■ select OK
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Mastercam X2 creates the shell solid. You will notice that Mastercam X2 has hollowed out the base solid, and you should now be able to see the interior. Your drawing should look like Figure 5.16.3.
Figure 5.16.3: Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Section 17: Final View The solid assembly is complete! To view your solid without any distracting geometry: ■ select Level: at the bottom of the Mastercam X2 window Mastercam X2 displays the Level Manager dialog. Turn on only the solid layer as shown in Figure 5.17.1.
Figure 5.17.1: Turn on only the solids level. ■ select OK Change your Gview to Isometric: ■ press ALT-7 ■ press ALT-F1
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Your drawing should look like Figure 5.17.2.
Figure 5.17.2: Solid assembly complete. Save your drawing: ■ select File -> Save
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Solid Assembly chapter.
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Glossary
Glossary
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Glossary
2
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2D 2 Dimensional. When in this mode, Mastercam X2 creates all entities on the specified Cplane, such as Top, Front, or Right Side. Entities are also created at the set Z depth.
A window that appears during operations that require selected geometry. The dialog allows you to select geometry using Chain, Area, Window, Single, Polygon, Vector, or Partial selection modes. It allows allows for the unselecting of geometry, or for the reversal of the direction indicator, should it apply.
Chamfer The trimming of two intersecting lines by a third line of any length. The line is created at an angle equal to half of the angle of the two intersecting lines.
3 3D 3 Dimensional. When in this mode, Mastercam X2 allows you to create entities at any Z depth. The plane setting is still respected when creating new entities not based on existing geometry. When creating entities based off of other entities, however, the Cplane is ignored. This allows you to link other geometry without setting the correct Cplane.
A
Context Menu A menu that appears when right-clicking in the drawing area. By default, it contains functions for setting the Gview and controlling Zoom levels. You can also customize it by adding any function you wish
Contour Usually refers to a toolpath. The toolpath will follow specific geometry, either on the left or right sides, or centered on the geometry. A contour can also be a name for geometry.
Coordinates
Arc A section of a circle, usually created by specifying a radius or diameter and a start and end angle. The 0 angle position is along the positive X axis.
Cartesian coordinates refer to measurements in 2D or 3D using the X, Y, and Z values. The origin is X0 Y0 Z0. Polar coordinates are specified with a radius an an angle.
Cplane
B
Short for construction plane. Refers to the plane on which new geometry will be created, if the 2D/3D mode is set to 2D. This plane is independent of the Gview and Tplane.
Backplot
Cylinder
A function similar to verification that allows you to step though a toolpath's operation. The tool is drawn directly on your existing drawing. As the toolpath progresses, it's path is drawn on the screen.
A primative cylinder can be created either as a solid or a surface. It is made by extruding a circle to a specified height.
Bevel The angle or inclination of a line or surface that meets another at a non-90° angle. Two rules joined together as adjustable arms used to measure or draw angles of any size or to fix a surface at an angle. Also called bevel square.
Block Refers to one of the provided Mastercam fonts for lettering.
Boolean Add A solid modifier that combines two solids by adding their structures.
Boss A boss surface is one that will be machined by cutting up to its outer limits.
D Differential A bevel gear that permits rotation of two shafts at different speeds; used on the rear axle of automobiles to allow wheels to rotate at different speeds on curves.
Draft A surface created from a single geometry entity. Parameters allow you to specify length and angle of the surface.
Drill Toolpath used to drill holes in stock. Parameters allow for multiple drills in a single toolpath, as well as drill hole arrays.
Dynamic
A font provided by Mastercam commonly used for lettering.
A method for rotating your Gview in 3D in real time. Moving the mouse rotates the Gview, so all sides of the part can be seen.
C
E
Cavity
Endpoint
Box
A surface that will be machined by cutting out its insides.
Chain A selection mode that will select all geometry connected to the entity selected with the cursor.
The point corresponding to the end of the a line, arc, or other 2D geometry.
Extrude A method of creating a solid by adding thickness to a closed planar chain.
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F
Geometry made of arcs and lines that forms Roman characters. Used for
Fillet
Line
An arc created at the intersection of two 2D entities. Used primarily to smooth sharp corners cause by two intersecting lines. Similar to a chamfer, but used with
A single linear geometric entity in Mastercam X2, defined by its two endpoints.
Linear
Filter Used in the tool manager to limit the results displayed to a specific tool or tools.
Geometry that is linear can be duplicated by drawing a line through the two endpoints. Linear geometry has a constant slope.
Fit Screen
Loft
A function used to set the zoom exactly as it should be to view all of the geometry in the drawing at its maximum size. This can be accessed in the context menu or by pressing ALT-F1
Flat Boundary A type of surface created from a closed planar chain.
Loft surfaces are created from a set of ribs. The surface follows curvature based on the ribs. Lofted solids are created similarly, but the end result is a solid, not a surface.
M
Flowline A toolpath that cuts along the "grain" of a surface or surfaces. The tool will follow the contours of the part when machining. Both Rough and Finish versions of this toolpath are available.
MCX The file extension of a Mastercam X2 drawing file.
Midpoint A point on a line where the distance from the point to each endpoint is identical.
G
Mirror Gear
To move or copy geometry by reflecting it over a line.
A toothed machine part, such as a wheel or cylinder, than meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or to change speed or direction.
MRU
Geometry Entities created in Mastercam X2. Usually refers to 2D geometry such as lines, arcs, circles, and splines. Used to create other entities such as surfaces, solids, and toolpaths.
Gview Geometry view. Controls how the part is displayed on the screen. Changing the view changes how you look at the part. Common Gviews include Top, Front, and Right Side. In most parts, you will switch between Gviews often when creating geometry.
Most Recently Used toolbar. Usually appears at the right side of the Mastercam X2 window. Displays icons for recently used functions. Every time you use a new function it is added to this list.
N NC Numerical Code. G&M code created by a post processor. This code is sent to your CNC Mill/Lathe and instructs it how to machine your part..
O
H Horizontal A method for constraining the creation of a line. The Y value of the line remains constant.
Offset To move or copy linear by a delta value. Similar to Translate except translation can only occur in one direction. The Cplane is respected when choosing where to place the offset geometry.
Offset Contour
I Island A area in a pocket toolpath that is excluded from machining. A pocket toolpath can have multiple islands.
Similar to offset. Allows chains of geometry, including arcs and circles to be selected. If the geometry selected is a closed chain, Offset Contour scales the part larger or smaller depending on the offset side chosen.
Origin
Isometric
The point X0 Y0 Z0.
Often referred to as 2.5D. Allows you to see your part in psuedo-3D. (Isometric lacks perspective shown in true 3D)
P
L
Parallel Rough and Finish parallel toolpaths are available for machining surfaces. The tool makes parallel passes over the stock, with
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Glossary
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one or more plunges in each path. Also a method of creating lines by duplicating the slope of an existing line.
Pocket Toolpath allowing an area of your drawing to be cut to a constant depth.
Ruled
A type of surface made from a set of ribs by concatenating planar surfaces. Similar to loft except the resulting surface is not curved.
S
Point Entity representing a single point, such as X3 Y2 Z0.
Polar
Scale
A coordinate system in which points are defined in terms of a radius R and angle θ.
An Xform that transforms geometry by adjusting its size. Geometry is scaled around a point of origin. A scale factor of 1.0 indicates no change, a smaller factor will reduce the size of the part.
Post Processor An interpreter used with Mastercam X2 to generated the correct NC code for your CNC Mill/Lathe. The post processor should be included with the machine. Post processors for V9 will need to be updated to work with VX.
Primative A primative is a solid or surface entity that is complex to create normally. Primitives consist of Cylinders, Cones, Blocks, Spheres and Toruses.
Shading Toggles shading on or off. When shading is on, surfaces and solids are draw as such -- they are opaque. This can be helpful when visualizing your part.
Shell A solid modifier function that "shells" a solid by opening one of it's faces. The solid is then given a thickness.
Side
R
A Gview that views the part from either the left or right side.
Sketch Radial Both Rough and Finish Radial toolpaths are available for machining surfaces. The tool starts from an origin, usually in the center of the part, and proceeds to machine the part by moving around in circles.
Radius A property of an arc or circle that controls its size. The radius is half of the diameter.
Rectangle
A method of entering points by simply clicking the mouse in the drawing area. Without the autocursor, this is usually very imprecise.
Solid An entity created from wireframe geometry. Represents a real world physical entity. The chain it is created from must be closed. Solids can be created as Extrude, Revolve, Sweep or Loft. Solids can also be filleted, chamfered, trimmed and shelled.
An entity consisting of four lines.
Spline
Revolved
A continuous curve that goes through several points.
A chain of geometry can be revolved around an axis of revolution, a line, to create either a solid or surface. For solids, the chain must be closed.
Stock Setup Dialog that allows you to define the size of your stock and display it on the screen.
Rotate
Surface
An Xform method that transforms geometry by rotating it around a single point. The geometry can be either moved or copied. The current Cplane determines how the geometry will be rotated.
Rough
An entity made from wireframe geometry that specifies a 3D contour for machining. Often surfaces indicate actual faces of the final part. Surfaces can be modified using trim, extend, and fillets. Surfaces can be created as Draft, Loft, Ruled, Revolved, Swept, or Flat Boundary surfaces.
A toolpath made for machining the bulk of the stock that needs to be removed. Rough toolpaths are usually done with a moderately large tool, large step over, and a small amount of stock left on the part.
Swept A swept surface is created by "sweeping" a single contour across multiple other contours, usually 2. A swept solid is created similarly, but produces a solid instead of a surface.
N
T
Normal
Toolpath
The surface normal controls which side of the surface is the "front". Changing the normal is sometimes necessary when creating surface to surface fillets.
A toolpath is created to machine a part. It consists of instructions for how to move the tool to machine the part as desired. Many different types of toolpaths are available to cut a wide variety of parts.
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Toolpaths Tab
A tab at the left of the Mastercam X2 window that displays all of the toolpaths used in the drawing. It also displays the machine and stock used. Selecting these items brings up configuration windows.
Torus A type of primative created as either a surface or solid. A torus is a doughnut shaped entity.
Trim / Break A combined function in Mastercam X2 that integrates trim and break functions. Trim functions include Trim 1 Entity, Trim 2 Entities, Trim 3 Entities and Trim Divide. An entity is trimmed to another by either removing excess geometry past the entities' intersection or extending the geometry to the intersection.
V Verification A way to see your part as it would be machined, without machinging it.
Vertical A method for constraining the creation of a line. The X coordinate remains constant.
W Window A selection mode that allows you to drag a selection window around geometry that you want to select.
Z Zoom A function that allows you to view in detail small sections of your geometry. You can zoom in by pressing F1 and dragging a window around the area you want to view in detail. Zoom out by pressing F2
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