The subdivided geometry may be selected piecemeal, or en masse via window selection.

CAM applications use input geometry alongside machinetoolstock definitions and user-specified parameters to generate a set of curves called tool paths.

The output file (often using the.nc file extension) contains a list of coordinates that the machine must follow in order to excavate the desired form from the stock material.

Additionally, skillful CNC machining takes time and patience to learn.

Students who wish to make use of the CNC capabilities at the GSD are expected to make a good faith effort to learn the basics of the process, but mastery is in no way required.

The Fab Lab employs dozens of TAs who are available to offer assistance during scheduled hours both in person and via email.

Students are encouraged to build up a working knowledge of the CNC milling procedure incrementally, each time attempting to push their MasterCAM familiarity and proficiency further.

In order to set students up for success and reduce a few easily anticipated mistakes, the Fab Lab provides MasterCAM template files.

These template files include tool libraries and tool path parameters that are appropriate to the specified stock material.

The templates also include helpful suggestions for assigning geometry to each tool path.

We highly advise all students to begin their MasterCAM projects by importing their geometry into one of our templates.

In addition to the CNC TAs and this online tutorial, the MasterCAM Help menu is itself a valuable resource.

You may consider the following as a quick start guide, representing only the minimum information needed for a successful CNC milling outcome.

There are several key user interface changes between MasterCAM X9 and 2020.

The most noticeable of these is the adoption of a Microsoft Office style ribbon in the 2017 version and forward.

For those interested in a MasterCAM UI deep dive, these changes are detailed in this video.

The following overview covers the basics of MasterCAM 2020 functionality as it pertains to CNC router use at the GSD.

Press F1 to initiate Window Zoom, then click and drag the cursor to select a rectangular area on the screen.

Rotate Hold down the center mouse button as you move the cursor, or press ALT arrow keys.

Pan Press ALT as you hold down the center mouse button and move the cursor, or press the arrow keys.

This will insert the geometry from the selected CAD file into current MasterCAM file, keeping the same units and origin from the CAD file.

Users may specify to instead merge additional geometry onto the originally assigned level by ticking the radio button for Merged File Levels during the merge process.

View Demonstration of Merging Geometry Select Geometry MasterCAM breaks apart meshes and polysurfaces into their constituent faces and chains into their constituent segments.

Mastercam Change Langue