CAM Software Integrated in SolidWorks Streamlines Design, Manufacturing
CNC Software’s Mastercam 2017 CAM software is fully integrated into SolidWorks.
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CNC Software’s Mastercam 2017 CAM software is fully integrated into SolidWorks. Users can program parts directly in SolidWorks using Mastercam’s toolpaths and machining strategies. In addition to all the improvements to Mastercam Mill and Lathe, Mastercam 2017 for SolidWorks features the Analyze Toolpath, improved Tplanes and more.
Analyze Toolpath is used to display toolpath information such as coordinates, direction and operation number when the user hovers over any part of the tool motion. Green and red arrows display at the start and end points of the entire path. When hovering over an element that is not an end point, a tooltip will display information that is specific to the entity.
Tplanes are now associated to the SolidWorks geometry that was used to create them. When a modification to the SolidWorks geometry affects multiple planes, Mastercam displays a message asking the user to confirm the changes.
The Mastercam 2017 tab now includes a CAD Functions menu that contains the Create Boundary and Create Letters functions, which are used to create SolidWorks geometries. The Roll-Unroll function is used to wrap geometry about an axis or to unwrap rolled entities to make them lie flat. Mastercam creates a sketch from the resulting geometry.
Mastercam 2017 for SolidWorks also includes other features. To view real-time operation data about selected toolpaths, the user can choose the display toolpath statistics option. Category-specific icons are now included on the SolidWorks ribbon bar; all dropdowns now have an icon that matches the first of the functions to make it easier to find what the user is looking for.
Those who purchase or update to Mastercam Mill 2017 or Mastercam Lathe 2017 will also be able to use the corresponding version of Mastercam for SolidWorks. New Chip Break is available in Mastercam for SolidWorks Lathe and is valuable when working with stringy materials, enabling the user to set length and time conditions, retract and dwell options. This version includes Code Expert enhancements including fonts and colors in NC Configuration and character coding. Mastercam Simulator Auto Start enables Mastercam Simulator to immediately begin to play once sufficient data has been transferred. Custom Tool Display enables the user to define a tool using parametric properties along with a custom profile that can be imported from a CAD file.
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