TRAINING

GUIDE

MILL-LESSON-2
GEOMETRY CREATION
Mastercam Training Guide

Objectives
You will create the geometry for Mill-Lesson-2. You will be working through the process to
machine parts in later Lessons; Lesson #2 will just cover geometry creation. This Lesson
covers the following topics:

Create a 2-dimensional drawing by:

Creating lines using line endpoints.
Using the AutoCursor when creating lines to snap to endpoints of lines.
Using the zoom functions to change the view of entities in the graphics window.
Creating Chamfers.
Creating Fillets.
Constructing Arcs and Circles.
Saving the file.

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MILL-LESSON-2 DRAWING

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MILL-LESSON-2 - THE PROCESS

Geometry Creation
TASK 1: Setting the environment
TASK 2: Creating lines
TASK 3: Creating chamfers
TASK 4: Creating fillets
TASK 5: Creating arcs
TASK 6: Creating a circle
TASK 7: Creating tangent lines
TASK 8: Saving the drawing

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TASK 1:
SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Before starting the geometry creation you should set up the grid and toolbars as outlined in the
Setting the environment section at the beginning of this text:
1. Set up the Grid. This will help identify the location of the origin.
2. Customize the toolbars to machine a 2D part.
3. Set the machine type to a Haas Vertical Spindle CNC machine.

TASK 2: INTRODUCTION
CREATE A SERIES OF LINES USING LINE>LINE ENDPOINT…
THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE PART IS AT X0 Y0.
This task explains how to create the four lines that make up the main body of Mill-Lesson-2.
These lines could be created in many different ways, this is just one option.
Note the location of X0 Y0 and the direction of the X and Y axis as shown below.
You will start to create line 1 first and then move around in a clockwise direction to create
the remaining lines 2,3 and 4 as shown below.

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To create this series of lines you need to refer to the dimensioned part drawing for Mill-
Lesson-2 and determine the absolute values in the X and Y axis for the endpoints of the
individual lines.
Absolute means the X and Y coordinate all relate to the Origin - the X0 Y0 position.
For more information on co-ordinate systems see the Tips and Techniques section on the
multimedia CD supplied with this text.
The X and Y values for the endpoints of the lines are shown below:

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Create Line #1
1. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Line>Endpoint…

2. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Specify the first endpoint and the Line ribbon
bar appears.

3. To satisfy this first prompt click in the X value box of the ribbon bar (left hand side of the
ribbon bar) and enter a value of zero.
4. Hit the Tab key on your keyboard and then you will be transported over to the Y value enter
a value of 0.0 again. Hit the Tab key again then you will be moved over to the Z value and
enter once more a value of 0.0 and hit the tab key again.
5. You have now input the coordinates for the start of line 1 and the prompt on the graphic
screen changes to Specify the second endpoint.
6. Click in the X value box of the ribbon bar and enter a value of 0.0.
7. Hit the Tab key to move over to the Y value enter a value of 3.0. Hit the Tab key again then
you will be transported over to the Z value and ensure a value of Z 0.0 is set and hit the tab
key again.
8. The first line is complete and the prompt changes to Specify the first endpoint and the
display of the line is off the screen. Before you move onto the second line you need to
adjust the display of the geometry on the screen.

What you will do now is Zoom and Pan the display so that as when creating the remaining
lines you will be able to view all the geometry of the part. The View manipulation toolbar is
at the top of the screen and is shown below:

9. Select the Screen Fit icon from the toolbar to fit the part to the screen .

10. Next Select the Un-Zoom .8 icon from the toolbar to shrink the display .

Unzoom .8: Reduces the size of the displayed geometry to 80% of its current size

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Your part geometry, the first line, should appear as below:

Create Line #2

AutoCursor: Visual Cues detects and highlights endpoints and midpoints of curves, lines, arc
center points, and point entities. In addition, AutoCursor can snap to angle, nearest, tangent,
perpendicular, horizontal, and vertical conditions.

For more information on AutoCursor see the Tips and Techniques section on the multimedia
CD supplied with this text.

The following are Mastercam Visual Cues:

11. Move the cursor over the last end point of the first line you just created, see above and as

you get close to the end point a visual cue appears. This is the cue that will allow
you to snap to the endpoint of this line. With this visual cue highlighted pick the end point of
the line.
12. The prompt on the graphic screen changes to Specify the second endpoint. Click in the
X value box of the ribbon bar and enter a value of 3.0.
13. Hit the Tab key to move over to the Y value, enter a value of 3.0. Hit the Tab key again and
ensure a value of Z 0.0 is set and hit the tab key again. This completes the second line.

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Create Line #3
14. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Specify the first endpoint.
15. Move the cursor over the last end point of the second line and as the visual cue appears
snap to the endpoint of this line.
16. The prompt on the graphic screen changes to Specify the second endpoint. Click in the
X value box of the ribbon bar and enter a value of 3.0.
17. Hit the Tab key to move over to the Y value, enter a value of 0. Hit the Tab key again and
ensure a value of Z 0.0 is set and hit the tab key again. This completes the third line.

Create Line #4
18. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Specify the first endpoint.
19. Move the cursor over the last end point of the third line and as the visual cue appears snap
to the endpoint of this line.
20. The prompt on the graphic screen changes to Specify the second endpoint. Click in the
X value box of the ribbon bar and enter a value of 0.
21. Hit the Tab key to move over to the Y value, enter a value of 0. Hit the Tab key again and
ensure a value of Z 0.0 is set and hit the tab key again. This completes the fourth line.

22. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

23. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.
24. Select the Screen Fit icon to fit the part to the screen .

25. Next Select the Un-Zoom .8 icon from the toolbar to shrink the display .

The geometry created is shown below:

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TASK 3:
CREATING CHAMFERS
CREATE .25 X 45° CHAMFERS TWO PLACES USING
CREATE>CHAMFER>ENTITIES…
This task explains how to create the two chamfers shown below.
You will start to create chamfer 1 first and then create chamfer 2 as shown below:

Create Chamfer #1
1. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Chamfer>Entities…

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2. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Select line or arc and the Chamfer ribbon bar
appears.

3. The two chamfers you are creating are .25 x 45°, click in the space for distance 1, left side
of the ribbon bar and enter a value of .25 and then hit the tab key.
4. You are now moved over to the Style section. Open up the drop down window and review
the four chamfer Styles available and ensure the Style is set 1 Distance before moving on.

5. Ensure the Trim function is activated, the trim button is depressed to turn the trim on.

Style field
Defines chamfer style. Choose to create the chamfer style based on distance or width as
defined below:
1 Distance - Sets the distance from the intersection of the two selected lines that each
endpoint of the chamfer is positioned. Activates only the Distance 1 field for input. Both chamfer
endpoints are positioned equal distances from the intersection.
2 Distances - Sets the distances from the intersection of the two selected lines that each
endpoint of the chamfer is positioned. Activates both the Distance 1 and the Distance 2 field for
input, allowing you to set two separate distances. The value in the Distance 1 field sets the
distance from the endpoint of the first line you select. The value in the Distance 2 field sets the
distance from the endpoint of the second line you select.
Distance/Angle - Sets the distance from the intersection of the entity you select first, and an
angle that determines the angle of the chamfer. When you are prompted to select the second
entity, your cursor will snap to recognized chamfers that meet the conditions of both the
Distance 1 and Angle fields. If those conditions cannot be met, you will not be able to create a
chamfer.
Width - Sets the width of the chamfer and positions its endpoints along the two selected lines
accordingly. Activates only the Distance 1 field for input. When this style is chosen, the value in
the Distance 1 field will be used as a width value, not distance as the field is labeled.

The small box next to this field displays the graphics associated with the style selected. If you
hold your mouse over that small box, a larger, more detailed image of that graphic will appear.

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6. To satisfy this first prompt Select line or arc select line 1 and for the next prompt Select
line or arc select line 2.

7. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

8. To satisfy this next prompt Select line or arc select line 1 and for the next prompt Select
line or arc select line 3.
9. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

10. Next Select the Un-Zoom .8 icon from the toolbar to shrink the display .
11. Your geometry should appear like the figure below:

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TASK 4:
CREATE THE TWO .25 FILLET RADII
In this task you will create the two .25 fillet radii on the lower corners of the part.

1. Select Create>Fillet>Entities…

2. On the Fillet ribbon bar enter .125 for the radius. Ensure the style of radius is set to normal
and the trim button is depressed to turn the trim on.

3. When prompted to Select an entity, select Line 1 and 2 as shown below. The fillet radius
appears at the corner of line 1 and 2.
4. To complete the remaining fillet, select: line 2 and 3.
Before After

5. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

6. Your completed part geometry should appear like the figure on the right above.

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TASK 5:
CREATE THE FOUR .125 ARCS
In this task you will create the four .125 arcs on the two slots of this part.
Create Arc #1
1. Select Create>Arc>Arc Polar…

2. The Arc Polar ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Enter the center point.

3. To satisfy this first prompt click in the X value box of the ribbon bar (left hand side of the
ribbon bar) and enter a value of .5.
4. Hit the Tab key on your keyboard and then you will be transported over to the Y value enter
a value of 2.5. Hit the Tab key again then you will be moved over to the Z value enter a
value of zero and hit the tab key again.

5. You have now input the coordinates for the center of the first arc and the prompt on the
graphic screen changes to Sketch the initial angle.
6. Click in the space for the Start Angle and set the value to Zero.

7. Hit the Tab key to move over to the End Angle field. Enter a value of 180.0.

8. Hit the Tab key again then you will be transported over to the Radius field. Enter a value of
.125 for the radius and then hit the enter key.

9. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity, the first arc is completed.

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Create Arc #2

1. You are prompted to Enter the center point.

2. To satisfy this prompt click in the X value box of the ribbon bar (left hand side of the
ribbon bar) and enter a value of 0.5.
3. Hit the Tab key on your keyboard and then you will be transported over to the Y value enter
a value of 0.5. Hit the Tab key again then you will be moved over to the Z value enter a
value of zero and hit the tab key again.

4. You have now input the coordinates for the center of the first arc and the prompt on the
graphic screen changes to Sketch the initial angle.
5. Click in the space for the Start Angle and set the value to 180.

6. Hit the Tab key to move over to the End Angle field. Enter a value of zero.

7. Hit the Tab key again then you will be transported over to the Radius field. Enter a value of
.125 for the radius and then hit the enter key.

8. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. The second arc is completed.

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Create Arc #3

1. Once again you are prompted to Enter the center point.

2. To satisfy this prompt click in the X value box of the ribbon bar (left hand side of the
ribbon bar) and enter a value of 2.5.
3. Hit the Tab key on your keyboard and then you will be transported over to the Y value enter
a value of 2.5. Hit the Tab key again then you will be moved over to the Z value enter a
value of zero and hit the tab key again.

4. You have now input the coordinates for the center of the first arc and the prompt on the
graphic screen changes to Sketch the initial angle.
5. Click in the space for the Start Angle and set the value to Zero.

6. Hit the Tab key to move over to the End Angle field. Enter a value of 180.0.

7. Hit the Tab key again then you will be transported over to the Radius field. Enter a value of
.125 for the radius and then hit the enter key.

8. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. The third arc is completed.

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Create Arc #4

1. Once again you are prompted to Enter the center point.

2. To satisfy this prompt click in the X value box of the ribbon bar (left hand side of the
ribbon bar) and enter a value of 2.5.
3. Hit the Tab key on your keyboard and then you will be transported over to the Y value enter
a value of .5. Hit the Tab key again then you will be moved over to the Z value enter a value
of zero and hit the tab key again.

4. You have now input the coordinates for the center of the first arc and the prompt on the
graphic screen changes to Sketch the initial angle.
5. Click in the space for the Start Angle and set the value to 180.0.

6. Hit the Tab key to move over to the End Angle field. Enter a value of Zero.

7. Hit the Tab key again then you will be transported over to the Radius field. Enter a value of
.125 for the radius and then hit the enter key.

8. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. The fourth arc is completed.
9. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

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TASK 6:
CREATE THE 1.0 DIAMETER CIRCLE
In this task you will create the 1.0’ diameter circle at the center of the part.

1. Select Create>Arc>Circle Center point…

2. The Circle Center Point ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Enter the center
point.

3. To satisfy this first prompt click in the X value box of the ribbon bar (left hand side of the
ribbon bar) and enter a value of 1.5.
4. Hit the Tab key on your keyboard and then you will be transported over to the Y value enter
a value of 1.5. Hit the Tab key again then you will be moved over to the Z value enter a
value of zero and hit the tab key again.

5. You have now input the coordinates for the center of this circle and you now need to supply
the value for the diameter. Click in the space for diameter (shown below) and enter a
value of 1.0 and then hit the enter key.

6. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity,

7. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

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TASK 7:
CREATE A SERIES OF LINES USING LINE>ENDPOINT…
This task explains how to create the four lines that are tangent to the .125 radius arcs.
You will start to create line 1 first and then move to the right and create the remaining lines
2,3 and 4 as shown below:

Create Line #1
1. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Line>Endpoint…

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2. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Specify the first endpoint and the Line ribbon
bar appears.

3. Note that the Tangent function is activated, pressed down, as shown below:

Tangent button
Lets you create lines that are tangent to arcs and splines.
Position the first endpoint either by clicking in the graphics window or by entering point
coordinate values in the AutoCursor X, Y, and Z fields and pressing Enter. Then choose the
entity to which you want your line to be tangent.

4. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the first endpoint. For the selection of this
point you will employ the use of the AutoCursor to select the endpoint of the Arc in the
top left corner of the part as shown below.

5. Click on the end point of the arc when you see the visual cue for end point

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6. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the second endpoint. For the selection of this
point you will again employ the use of the AutoCursor to select the endpoint of the Arc in
the lower left corner of the part as shown below.

7. Click on the end point of the arc when you see the visual cue for end point. .

8. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

Your part geometry should appear as below:

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Create Line #2

When creating the first line we snapped to the endpoints of the arcs, in this example this also
happens to be the tangency points.
When you need to create lines that are tangent to arcs or circles and the tangency point is not
the end point of the arc, hold down the Alt key to disable the Auto Cursor and at the same time
pick the arc in the approximate tangency position.
For the creation of these four tangent lines you can employ either method, snap to the
endpoints, or disable the AutoCursor to explicitly use tangency.

1. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the first endpoint for the selection of this point
hold down the Alt key and select the top left arc as shown below:

2. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the second endpoint. Continue to hold
down the Alt key and select the lower left arc as shown below:

3. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

Your part geometry should appear as the image above right.

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Create Line #3
1. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the first endpoint for the selection of this point
hold down the Alt key and select the top right arc as shown below:

2. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the second endpoint. Continue to hold
down the Alt key and select the lower right arc as shown below:

3. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

Your part geometry should appear as the image above right.

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Create Line #4
1. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the first endpoint for the selection of this point
hold down the Alt key and select the top right arc as shown below:

2. On the screen you are prompted to Specify the second endpoint. Continue to hold
down the Alt key and select the lower right arc as shown below:

3. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

4. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

Your completed part geometry should appear as the image above right.

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TASK 8:
SAVE THE DRAWING
1. Select File.
2. Select Save as.
3. In the File name box, type Mill-Lesson-2.
4. Save to an appropriate location.
5. Select the green check mark button to save the file and complete this function.

6. This completes Mill-Lesson-2.

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MILL-LESSON-2 EXERCISES

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