MILL

ESSENTIALS
Metric
Metric Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Training Tutorial

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HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
This manual is a guide for instructors and trainers teaching Mastercam X9 Mill Essentials.

It is intended to be used in conjunction with Mastercam X9 Mill Essentials Training Tutorials published by
In-House Solutions.

This manual makes reference to the Mastercam X9 Mill Essentials Training Tutorials
throughout. We do not recommend using this guide without students having a copy of
the Mastercam X9 Mill Essentials Training Tutorial.

This manual also makes use of Mastercam files, which can be downloaded from emastercam.com.

To order Mastercam X9 books:

Contact your Mastercam Dealer,
Call 1-800-529-5517 or
Place an order through www.emastercam.com
Mastercam X9 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Training Tutorials
Copyright: 1998 -2015 In-House Solutions Inc. All rights reserved

Software: Mastercam X9
Author: Mariana Lendel
ISBN: 978-1-77146-400-0
Revision Date: July 23, 2015
Notice
In-House Solutions Inc. reserves the right to make improvements to this manual at any time and without
notice.
Disclaimer Of All Warranties And Liability
In-House Solutions Inc. makes no warranties, either express or implied, with respect to this manual or
with respect to the software described in this manual, its quality, performance, merchantability, or
fitness for any praticular purpose. In-House Solutions Inc. manual is sold or licensed "as is." The entire risk
as to its quality and performance is with the buyer. Should the manual prove defective following its
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not, in whole or part, be copied, photographed, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic
medium or machine readable form without prior consent, in writing, from In-House Solutions Inc.

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Mastercam is a registered trademark of CNC Software, Inc.
Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation;
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trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Lesson #1 - Introduction to CNC and Mastercam ...................................................................................1
Lesson #2 - Introduction To Geometry Creation ..................................................................................13
Lesson #3 - Demonstrate Break Join And Offset Exercises ..................................................................31
Lesson #4 - Create Arc Polar, Translate And Rotate..............................................................................39
Lesson #5 - Create Arc Tangent, Line Tangent And Polygon ................................................................47
Lesson #6 - Analyze, Attributes And Level ............................................................................................55
Lesson #7 - Review Exercises ................................................................................................................67
GETTING STARTED
Lesson #8 - Create Wireframe And Solid Geometry..............................................................................77
Lesson #9 - Geometry Creation Test ....................................................................................................83
Lesson #10 - Introduction To Chaining, and the Toolpaths Manager ..................................................85
Lesson #11 - Facing, Circle Mill & Contour Chamfer Toolpaths .........................................................107
Lesson #12 - Slot Mill, 2D High Speed Dynamic Core & Contour .......................................................121
Lesson #13 - Create a 2D High Speed Machining ...............................................................................133
Lesson #14 - Create 2D High Speed Area Mill & Dynamic Mill ...........................................................141
Lesson #15 - Introduce 2D High Speed Blend and Peel Mill ...............................................................149
Lesson #16 - Introduce FBM Mill ........................................................................................................161
Lesson #17 - Toolpath Test .................................................................................................................169

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

 LESSON #1

Introduction to CNC and Mastercam

Lesson Objectives
Introduction to CNC machining history and definitions.
Have a clear understanding of Graphics user interface.
Be ready to create geometry and modify geometry for the next lesson.
Time Teaching/Learning Strategies Resources
Orientation
30 min Introduction to CNC machining - Present Power Power Point Lesson 1.
Point.
Enhancing Phase
20 min Introduction to Mastercam - Present Power Computer and
Points. Mastercam
Power Point
Lesson1.ppt
10 min Setting and modifying the current attributes
using the status bar.
10 min Explain Right mouse click options.
Explain Auto Cursor.
10 min Setting Toolbar states.
Setting the grid.

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Page|1

LESSON #1 INTRODUCTION TO CNC

Power Point INTRODUCTION TO CNC

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt Advantages of CNC Technology

CNC Computer Numerical Control, and refers to a computer "controller" that reads
instructions written in code which directs a machine tool in strategically
removing material to produce a part.
CNC Milling A machine capable of simultaneous cutting motion, along at least two axes using,
Machine typically an endmill as the primary cutting tool.
Post The process by which the toolpaths in your Mastercam part files are converted to
Processing a format that can be understood by your machine tools controller. A special
program called a Post processor reads your Mastercam file and writes the
appropriate NC code. Generally, every machine will need its own Post processor
to produce code formatted to meet criteria required by that particular machine.
CAD Computer-Aided Design refers to the use of computer tools to assist engineers,
architects and other design professionals in design activities.
CAM Computer Aided Manufacturing refers to the use of computer systems to control
CNC machines during the manufacturing process.

 Accuracy and repeatability.

 Machining of complex shapes.
 Simplified tooling and work holding.
 Decrease in cutting time.
 Increase in productivity.

STARTING MASTERCAM
 To Start Mastercam X9 double click on the Mastercam shortcut icon on your desktop.

OR

 Click on Start / All Programs / Mastercam X9.

Page|2 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

 GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE LESSON #1

Power Point GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt

Menu Allows you to select all Mastercam functions from a list of words across
the top of the workspace. These words open drop down/fly out menus.
Toolbars Can be used instead of the menu to create geometry and toolpaths.
Ribbon Bar Allows you to enter the values and settings that define the entity that
you are currently creating or modifying.
Function Prompt Prompts the user for info.
Status Bar Allows you to set the attributes (color, level, style and width), the
View/Plane and Z depth currently used.
Toolpaths/Solids/ Lists the history of the toolpaths, solids and art operations.
Art Manager
Origin Geometry origin from which the system measures the point coordinates
in X, Y and Z axes in the current plane.
Graphics Area Workspace area in Mastercam where the geometry displays.
MRU Toolbar List of the most recently used functions.
Quick Mask Toolbar Lets you select all entities of the specified type.

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Page|3

 LESSON #1 NAVIGATE THROUGH MASTERCAM

Power Point NAVIGATE THROUGH MASTERCAM

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt Using menu fly outs to start a mastercam function.

Example:

 Left click on CREATE.

 Move the cursor on the drop down menu above Line function. This will open a side menu with all
the commands available to create lines.
 Left-click on the desired command Create Line Endpoint.

Using the Toolbars in Mastercam to create geometry.

Can be used instead of the menu to create geometry.

Example:

 Left-click on the Create Line Endpoint icon.

To list all the Line commands.

 Select the drop-down arrow to see the commands.

 To reorganize the toolbars, if desired, select the left vertical line in front of the toolbar and drag it
to the desired location.

Page|4 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

 ABOUT THE RIBBON BAR LESSON #1

Power Point ABOUT THE RIBBON BAR

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt

The ribbon bar allows you to enter values and to enable settings that define the entity that you are currently
creating or modifying.

Create Line.

Lets you create multiple lines connected at their endpoints.

Determines the length of the line. You edit the length by changing this value.

Defines the angle of the line.

Forces the new lines to be created vertically.

Forces the new lines to be created horizontally.

Lets you create lines that are tangent to arcs and splines.

Applies the current line and keeps you within the command.

Applies the current line and exits you from the command.

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Page|5

 LESSON #1 ENTERING POINT COORDINATE VALUES

Power Point ENTERING POINT COORDINATE VALUES

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt
If Mastercam prompts you to specify a point, endpoint, center point etc you can enter the coordinates
directly.

 Enter the X coordinate value Tab key.

 Enter the Y value Tab key.
 Enter the Z coordinate and press Enter.

Or

 Select the Fast Point icon .

 Enter the X, Y and Z values.

NOTE: The coordinate values are separated by commas.

NOTE: You have to type [X], [Y], [Z] only when the other coordinate values are zero or are not
entered in the order (first X value, second Y value and last Z value).

FUNCTION PROMPT
 The Function prompt prompts the user for input.
 Below is an example of the prompt used in Create Line Endpoint command.

Page|6 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

 STATUS BAR LESSON #1

Power Point STATUS BAR

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt

The Status bar is located along the bottom of the Mastercam window. The Status bar provides quick access
to functions that let you set or modify attributes such as color, levels, line style or point style, groups and
orientation (views and planes) of geometry and toolpaths.

3D/2D Toggles between 3D and 2D construction modes. In 2D mode, all geometry is

created parallel to the current Cplane at the current system Z depth. In 3D
mode you can work freely in various Z depths, and Cplanes.
Gview Sets the current graphics view allowing you to view the geometry from several
different angles.
Planes Sets the plane in which you will create and manipulate the geometry.
Z: Sets the current construction depth.
Color Assigns the current color. This instructs the system to display any new
geometry created in the selected color.
Level Assigns a system level to created/converted geometry. Levels store any new
geometry created on the selected level. It also applies the chosen level to a
converted file that does not support levels (i.e., NFL or ASCII). This feature also
controls what levels are visible. You can name up to 2 billion levels in
Mastercam and set any one to be the main level.
Attributes Lets you change one or more attributes (color, level, line style, line width, and
point style) for entities that you select, without affecting the system default
settings.
Point Style Assigns the current point style. You can choose between star, point, cross, X,
circle or square styles.
Line Style Assigns the current line style. You can choose between solid, hidden, center,
phantom and Zbreak styles.
Line Width Assigns the current line width. You can choose between 5 different widths.
WCS Allows you to redefine the World Coordinate System, and groups the
functionality of Tool, Construction and Graphic Views.
Groups Defines a collection of entities or operations that can be manipulated as a
single entity.

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Page|7

 LESSON #1 ATTRIBUTES - COLOR

Power Point ATTRIBUTES - COLOR

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt  You can change the Wireframe, Solid, and Surface colour independently of each other.

Example

 To change the Wireframe colour, click on field as shown.

 Select the desired color from the dialog box.

 To change the colour of existing graphics, right-click on the current colour field and then select
one or more entities in the graphics window.
 Press Enter and choose a colour from the dialog box.

Page|8 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

 ABOUT RIGHT-CLICK MENU LESSON #1

Power Point ABOUT RIGHT-CLICK MENU

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt
Using your mouse, right click in the graphic area.

Maximizes your view of visible geometry in the graphics window.

Fit
Magnifies a portion of the graphics window. When you use this function,
Zoom Mastercam prompts you to draw a rectangular window around the portion of
Window the graphics area that you want to magnify.
Reduces the size of the displayed geometry to 80% of its current size.
Un-Zoom
80%
Lets you to dynamically rotate entities in the graphics window around a
Dynamic selected a point or position. When you choose this function from the menu or
Rotation toolbar, you first select an endpoint, point, or a position in space, then move
the mouse to rotate entities around the selected point. Mouse click when the
drawing is in the desired position.
Cleans up display remnants.
Repaint
Graphic View Is the plane from which you view your work in the graphics window.
Allows you to view the graphics from the top.
Top View
Allows you to view the graphics from the front.
Front
View
Allows you to view the graphics from the right.
Right View
Allows you to view the graphics from the isometric view.
Isometric
View
Allows you to enable or disable the types of autocursors displayed on the
Autocursor screen.
Clears all colours on the current geometry.
Clear
Colours
Allows you to customize the graphics user interface.
Customize

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Page|9

LESSON #1 AUTOCURSOR

 There are 7 standard graphics views in Mastercam:

View 1 Top
View 2 Front
View 3 Back
View 4 Bottom
View 5 Right Side
View 6 Left Side
View 7 Isometric

AUTOCURSOR

AutoCursor allows the user to select endpoints, midpoints of entities, arc center points and quadrant points
or point entities whenever Mastercam prompts you to enter a point. To select the points, move the cursor
over the geometry on the screen. A little square will appear on the screen and the corresponding cursor icon
will be displayed.

Cursor Icons

Origin.

Center.

Endpoint.

Midpoint.

Quadrant.

Intersection.

Point.

Page|10 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials

 THE WORKSPACE LESSON #1

Right mouse click and select AutoCursor.

NOTE: You can set the AutoCursor defaults. This will determine which entities are shown when
your cursor hovers nearby.

Power Point THE WORKSPACE

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt
Before starting the geometry creation we should customize the toolbars to see the toolbars required to
create the geometry and machine a 2D part.

 Right mouse click in the Toolbars area and select Load Workspace and select the 2D Toolpaths as
shown.

 The 2D Toolpaths icons are then displayed to the left of the Toolpaths Manager.

Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials Page|11

 LESSON #1 SETTING THE GRID

Power Point SETTING THE GRID

Presentation
Lesson 1.ppt
The center of the Grid shows you where the part origin is.

SETTINGS

 Configuration.
 Select Screen from the configuration topics.
 Select the plus sign (+) beside Screen.
 In Grid Settings, enable Visible Grid and change the Size to 25.

Copy the Training Exercises from the CD.

NOTE: The training exercises are files that can be used to explain different Mastercam
commands. Usually the file has two columns. On the left side of the drawing you will see the
final geometry which can then be re-created on the right side by the student.

Page|12 Instructor Guide for Mill Essentials