Lathe
Lathe contains all of the Design improvements listed previously in this document.
Automated Relief Cuts for Threading
Found in the Create menu, users can create geometry to describe thread relief grooves from tables.
Display Tools and Stock Filled during Toolpath Generation
A switch in Job Setup allows for the Stock and Chucks to always be filled during Toolpath creation.
Quick Toolpaths
Users can now control the Tool Filter display, Tool station number, and Program Number to Quick Toolpaths.
Solids Chaining
With Version 9 Lathe users can create Toolpaths directly on a Solid without first having to create additional entities.
Stock View Integration
The Stock View C-hook introduced after the release of Version 8 has been incorporated into the Operations Manager and improved. This feature does not run in Lathe Entry.
Custom Tool Geometry Stored in the MC9 File
Just like in Mill, Lathe users are now able to store custom Tool Geometry in the MC9 file.
Tool Clearance Control
The Stock Update dialog box gives users control of Tool Clearance moves. They can come from Job Setup or be modified in each Operation if desired.
Cutoff Display Control
In the same dialog box users can now control what to display after a Cutoff move.
Reference Points
Users now can control reference points similar to those found in Mill. This gives users more flexibility for those parts where just a little more tool control is needed.
Toolpath Filtering
A toolpath Filter capable of creating arc moves has been added to Face, Roughing, Finish, and Grooving toolpaths
Feeds and Speed Calculations
Now Version 9 Lathe can calculate feeds and speeds from both the stock material and the tool material. Cutting speeds for threads have also been added to the calculator.
New Operations for Part Handling
Version 9 users now have the ability to perform miscellaneous part handling operations inside of the Operations Manager and continue creating toolpaths on the results. The Misc. Ops menu gives users the ability to perform a Stock Transfer from one chuck to another, a manual Stock Flip, Movement of a Chuck and Tailstock, and placement of a Steady Rest. Use the Lathe Tutorial exercises to learn how to use these helpful new features.
Improved Definition of Tool Avoidance Boundaries
Job Setup has been expanded to include options for Steady Rests. It also has improved the definition of Chucks, Tail Stock and the Stock itself.
Semi-finish pass in Roughing
Users can now create a semi-finish pass as part of any roughing operation. Users have control over the amount of number of passes, step over amounts, and stock to leave all done in one Operation with the same tool to better prepare the part for the next step.
Improved Overlap Control in Roughing
Version 9 gives greater control over overlap in roughing. Instead of forcing an overlap on every pass, users can now control it by angle. Once the tool reaches the angle entered by the user it begins created overlapped passes during the rough operation.
Automatic Corner Break in Finish
Now users don’t have to create those small corner breaks called out in a print. Instead they can let Mastercam do it for them. This simple dialog box gives users complete control over the creation of fillets and chamfers.
Improved Finishing in Irregular Shaped Grooves
Users can now rough and finish grooves that were defined with the Chain selection. This will save an extra finish operation.
Spot Drilling Depth Calculated by Diameter
Similar to how Countersinks work in Mill Lathe users can set a depth of a Drill operation based on a desired diameter at the surface of the stock.
Lathe – New Backplot Controls
Run Mode Interruption
Users can begin backplotting in Run mode and then interrupt it by hitting the Enter key. From there they can change parameters and switch to Step mode to verify their toolpaths.
Display Dialog Box Interface
As options have increased in Backplot changes have been made in the interface to make it easy to modify. The interface gives users quick access to everything needed to utilize backplot to it’s most potential.
Home Position
Users can now have the option to include moves to the Home Position while using Backplot. Located on the General Tab, this option can be used to help assure users that tool changes do not collide with the part in any way.
Save as Geometry
Now users have control over what Level Backplotted geometry is saved to, including the Entity Attribute Manager. The three switches labeled Now, Session, and Always control when Geometry will be saved. Now will save geometry for the occasion that backplot is run, Session will activate the saving of geometry for the remainder of the current session. Always will turn it on permanently.
Tool Profile
On the Appearance Tab users will find a setting for the display of the tool. Auto will use one of the standard profiles for displaying the tool. As defined will read each tool and represent it as it has been defined. This is important when using custom tools.
Show Coordinates and Verbose Mode
Also found on the Appearance Tab is Show coordinates, which also allows Verbose Mode to be activated. Show Coordinates works like it always has, display X, Y, and Z values as the tool moves around the screen. Verbose Mode displays all of the toolpath information for every step of the toolpath. This includes the Toolpath Group Name, The Toolpath Type, The Operation ID Number, and the Toolplane used. Tool information like the Name, Diameter, Corner Radius, and Coolant information also appear. That is followed by the X, Y, Z values for each step and the type of move it is. Following each move is the current feedrate. All of this information allows users to see exactly what information will be sent to the Post.
Toolpath Motion Color
Not only can users set colors for backplot results, they can control the color of each type of motion Mastercam creates. Rapid, Feed, CW arcs, and CCW arcs can all have a separate color to aid in the inspection of a toolpath.
