TRAINING

GUIDE

MILL-LESSON-7
FACE, POCKET FACE, DRILL,
POCKET AND CONTOUR
Mastercam Training Guide

Objectives
Previously in Mill-Lesson-6 the geometry was completed. This lesson will complete all the
toolpath operations.

You will generate the toolpaths for Mill-Lesson-7 to machine the part on a CNC vertical milling
machine.

This Lesson covers the following topics:

 Establish Stock Setup settings:

Stock size.
Material for the part.
Feed calculation.

 Generate a 2-dimensional milling toolpath

consisting of:
Drill toolpath.
Tap toolpath.
Face toolpath.
Pocket face toolpath.
Pocket toolpath.
Contour toolpath.

 Inspect the toolpath using Mastercam’s Verify and Backplot by:

Launching the Verify function to machine the part on the screen.
Generating the NC- code.

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Mill-Lesson-7

MILL-LESSON-6 & 7 DRAWING

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Mastercam Training Guide

TOOL LIST
3.0 face mill to face the part to thickness.
1.0 flat end mill to machine around boss.
0.5 diameter spot drill to spot and countersink 3/8-12 UNC tapped holes.
0.25 diameter center drill to center drill the bolt hole circle.
0.1875 diameter drill to drill the bolt hole circle.
0.3125 diameter drill to tap drill 3/8-12 UNC tapped holes.
3/8-16 UNC tap to tap holes.
0.5 diameter flat end mill to machine the pockets and 1.25 bore.
0.375 diameter flat end mill to machine the slot.

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Mill-Lesson-7

MILL-LESSON-7 - THE PROCESS

Toolpath Creation
TASK 1: Duplicate Lesson-6 for Lesson-7
TASK 2: Define the rough stock using stock setup
TASK 3: Face the part to .45 thick
TASK 4: Machine to .325 thick and machine around the 2.0 boss
TASK 5: Spot drill 3/8-16 UNC holes
TASK 6: Center Drill the bolt hole circle holes
TASK 7: Drill the bolt hole circle holes
TASK 8: Tap Drill for 3/8-16 UNC holes
TASK 9: Tap 3/8-16 UNC holes
TASK 10: Verify the toolpath
TASK 11: Rough and finish the triangular shaped pockets
TASK 12: Rough and finish the 1.25 diameter bore
TASK 13: Rough and finish the slot
TASK 14: Verify the toolpath
TASK 15: Save the updated Mastercam file
TASK 16: Post and create the CNC code file

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Mastercam Training Guide

TASK 1:
DUPLICATE LESSON-6 FOR LESSON-7
 In this lesson you will use Mill-Lesson-6 to complete Mill-Lesson-7.

1. Click on FILE>Open>Mill-Lesson-6
2. The screen should look like the one below:

3. Select FILE>Save as…

4. In the File name box, type Mill-Lesson-7.
5. Save to an appropriate location.
6. Select the Save button to save the file and complete this function.

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Mill-Lesson-7

Toolpath Creation
TASK 2:
DEFINE THE ROUGH STOCK USING STOCK SETUP
 In this task we will define the Rough Stock using stock setup.
1. Select the Fit to screen icon .
2. Select the plus in front of Properties to expand the Toolpaths Group Properties. Alt-O will
Show/hide Operations Manager pane.

3. Select Stock setup in the Toolpaths manager window as shown above on the right:
4. Change the parameters to match the Stock Setup screenshot below:
 The bottom face of the material has been pre-machined and is not part of the toolpath
operations for this lesson.
 The material has also been pre-machined to 4.5 x 4.5 and is not part of the toolpath
operations for this lesson.
 Z zero is at the bottom of the part.

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Mastercam Training Guide

5. Select the Tool Settings tab and change the parameters to match the Tool Settings
screenshot below. To change the material type, follow the next set of instructions.

6. To change the Material type to Aluminum 6061 pick the Select button at the bottom of the
Tool Settings page.

7. At the Material List dialog box open the Source drop down list and select Mill – library.

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Mill-Lesson-7

8. From the Default Materials list select ALUMINUM inch -6061 and then select .

9. Select the OK button again to complete this Stock Setup function.

TASK 3:
FACE THE PART TO .45 THICK
 In this task you will use a 3.0 diameter face mill to face the top of the part to 0.45 thick.

1. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Face…

Use a facing toolpath to quickly clean the stock from the top of
a part and create an even surface for future operations.

You can base the toolpath on either chained geometry or on

the current stock model.

When facing the stock, it is important to have the tool overlap

the edges of the part by at least 50% of its diameter to prevent
leaving little scallops of material at the edges of the stock.

2. When prompted to Enter new NC name ensure Mill-Lesson-7 is displayed and then select
the OK button .

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Mastercam Training Guide

3. On the screen you will now see the Chaining dialog box with Chain set and in the graphics
screen a prompt to Select OK to use defined stock or select chain 1. Select the OK
button to use defined stock as the boundary for this facing operation.

4. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Facing as shown below.

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Mill-Lesson-7

5. Select Tool from the list on the left and click on the Select library tool button in the lower
left corner.

6. Use the slider bar on the right of this dialog box to scroll down and locate a 3.0” face mill.
Select the 3.0” face mill by picking anywhere along the row.

7. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

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Mastercam Training Guide

8. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

9. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below:

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Mill-Lesson-7

Cut Parameters - Style (facing cutting method)

Zigzag for back and forth motion.

One way for motion in a single direction, as defined by the selected cutting direction (Climb /
Conventional).

One pass for motion that creates a single pass down the center of the stock.

Dynamic for a smooth controlled motion that cuts from the outside to the inside, maintaining a
constant load on the tool with minimal entries and exits. With this method, Mastercam internally
manages many of the additional cut parameters (they appear unavailable) and you can specify
the general start location of the tool.

Notes:
For the One pass option, the tool diameter must be equal to or greater than the width of the
part.

For Zigzag and One way cutting methods, Mastercam provides optional settings that reverse
the direction of the final cutting pass for the toolpath. This strategy can prevent burring along the
opposing edge of the face based on the selected cutting direction.

10. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Note that Z zero is at the bottom of the part.

11. Select the OK button to exit Facing operation.

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Mastercam Training Guide

TASK 4:
MACHINE TO .325 THICK AND MACHINE AROUND THE 2.0 BOSS
 In this task you will use a 1.0 diameter flat end mill to face the part to 0.325 thick and
machine around the 2.0 diameter boss.

1. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Pocket…

2. On the screen you will now see the Chaining dialog box with Chain set and in the graphics
screen a prompt to Select Pocket chain 1. Select the line first and then the circle as
shown below:

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Mill-Lesson-7

3. After selecting the line and circle your graphics screen should looks like the screenshot
below, with the green arrow on the circle pointing down, if not see below.
 The material for this part is aluminum so to attain a good finish when pocketing climb milling
should be employed.

4. If the arrow is not pointing down, select the arrow from the Chaining dialog box shown
below to reverse the direction.

5. After the pocket has been successfully chained, select the OK button at the bottom of
the Chaining dialog box.

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Mastercam Training Guide

6. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Pocket as shown below:

7. Select Tool from the list on the left and click on the Select library tool button in the lower
left corner.

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Mill-Lesson-7

8. Use the slider bar on the right of this dialog box to scroll down and locate a 1.0 diameter
flat end mill. Select the 1.0 diameter flat end mill by picking anywhere along the 1.0 end
mill row as shown below:

9. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

10. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

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Mastercam Training Guide

11. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page. Pocket type
should be set to Facing.

12. Select Roughing from the list on the left and make changes to this page.

Stepover percentage
This sets the distance between cutting passes in the X and Y axes as a percentage of the tool
diameter.
Changing this value automatically adjusts the Stepover distance.

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Mill-Lesson-7

13. Select Finishing from the list on the left and make changes to this page.

14. Select the plus sign to the left of Finishing to expand the list and click on Lead In/Out.

15. Make certain the green check mark in front of Lead In/Out is showing. Make the following
changes as shown below:

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Mastercam Training Guide

16. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. As the part has been machined to a thickness of 0.45 the Top of stock is
now 0.45.

17. Select Coolant from the list on the left. Open up the drop down menu for Flood and set it to
On.

18. Select the OK button to exit Pocket operation.

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Mill-Lesson-7

TASK 5:
SPOTDRILL 3/8-16 UNC HOLES
 In this task you will spot drill the four 3/8-16 UNC holes with a .5 spot drill.
 You will spot drill to depth by using the Depth Calculator function to leave a countersink.

1. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Drill…

Now you are prompted to Select Points and

the Drill Point Selection dialog box appears.

Your screen will look similar to the screenshot

on the right:

As you need to drill the four holes at the center

of the four circles all you need to do now is
snap to the center of the circles.

2. Move the mouse and position the cursor over the center of circle #1; you will notice a circle
appears as you move closer to the center of the circle. This circle denotes you are snapping
the center of this arc. Use the left button of your mouse to pick this center point.

3. Using the method outlined above continue on and pick the remaining three circle center
points, in the order 2, 3 and 4.

4. Select the OK button in the Drill Point Selection dialog window to complete the
selection of points.

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Mastercam Training Guide

 After selecting the OK button you are confronted with the 2D Toolpaths-Drill/Circles
Simple drill page. The first task here will be to select a 0.5 diameter spot drill.

5. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Drill as shown below and select Tool from the list on
the left.

6. Click on the Select library tool… button in the lower left corner.

7. Select the 0.5 spotdrill by picking anywhere along its row as shown below:

8. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

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Mill-Lesson-7

9. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

10. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below, if required. The Cycle should be set to Drill/Counterbore.

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Mastercam Training Guide

11. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the Depth to 0.325, Top of stock to 0.325 and other values as shown
below. Note all the values are set to Absolute.

12. The spot drill is going to be used to put a countersink on the holes as well. To get
Mastercam to calculate the appropriate depth, click on the calculator button beside the
depth field.

13. Change the values in the Depth Calculator window as shown below. The Finish diameter
for the countersink will be 0.4375 (Hole dia. 3/8+1/16). Activate Overwrite depth.
Use the Depth Calculator to calculate the proper
drilling depth when the finish diameter of the hole
is different from the drill diameter—for example,
when countersinking a hole.

Once you calculate the depth, you have two

options:

Choose Overwrite depth to replace the existing

depth value on the parameter page.

Choose Add to depth to add the calculated depth

to the existing depth value on the parameter page.

14. Select the OK button to complete this function.

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Mill-Lesson-7

15. The absolute depth is calculated at 0.10625 and is placed in the Depth value.

16. Select Coolant from the list on the left. Open up the drop down menu for Flood and set it to
On.

17. Select the OK button to complete this function.

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Mastercam Training Guide

TASK 6:
CENTER DRILL THE BOLT HOLE CIRCLE HOLES
 In this task you will center drill the bolt hole circle with a .25 center drill.
 There are many different methods to select the center points of the .1875 diameter holes, in
this example you will use the Mask on Arc function.

1. Select Alt and T on the keyboard to hide the toolpaths.

2. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Drill…

Now you are prompted to Select Points and the Drill Point Selection dialog box appears.

3. As you need to center drill all the bolt hole circle holes at the center of the circles, click on
the Mask on Arc button in the Drill Point Selection dialog window to activate it as shown
below. The Mask on Arc icon is pressed down to signal that it is activated and the prompt
on the screen changes to Select arc to match.
4. At the prompt Select arc to match click on the 3/16 diameter circle shown below:

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Mill-Lesson-7

5. The prompt now changes to Select arcs hit Enter when finished. Click on All on the
General Selection ribbon bar as shown below:

6. Now click on and All Entities as shown below:

7. Click on the End Selection icon as shown below:

8. Let’s now explore how you can change the order of drilling and start with the hole at 12
o’clock first and continue in the order shown below. To change the order click on Sorting
in the Drill Point Selection dialog window:

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Mastercam Training Guide

9. At the 2D sort page select the sorting method button shown below Point to Point.

10. Select the OK button in the Sorting page.

11. The prompt now changes to “Select sorting start point”. Move the mouse and position the
cursor over the point at the center of circle shown below, you will notice a small cross

appears as you move over the point at the center of this circle. This cross denotes
you are snapping to a point. Use the left button of your mouse to pick this point.

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Mill-Lesson-7

 The holes have been re-sorted and will now start drilling at hole 1 and drill in the order
shown below counter clockwise:

12. Select the OK button in the Drill Point Selection dialog window to complete the
selection of points.

After selecting the OK button you are confronted with 2D Toolpaths-Drill/Circles Simple drill
page. The first task here will be to select a .25 diameter center drill.

13. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Drill as shown below and then select Tool from the list
on the left.

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Mastercam Training Guide

14. Click on the Select library tool… button in the lower left corner.

15. Select the .25 diameter center drill by picking anywhere along its row as shown below:

16. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

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Mill-Lesson-7

17. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

18. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below. The Cycle should be set to Drill/Counterbore.

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Mastercam Training Guide

19. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the Absolute depth of 0.3 and the other values as shown below. Note
all the values are set to Absolute.

20. Select Coolant from the list on the left. Open up the drop down menu for Flood and set it to
On.

21. Select the OK button to complete this function.

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Mill-Lesson-7

TASK 7:
DRILL THE BOLT HOLE CIRCLE HOLES
 In this task you will drill all the .1875 diameter holes on the bolt hole circle through the part.
 For this example you will copy the center drill operations and then modify the copied
operations into the .1875 diameter drilling operation.

1. On the left of the screen in the Toolpaths manager the center drilling operation is the fourth
operation. To copy this operation Hold down the Right mouse button over the folder for
this operation. Keep holding the right mouse button down and drag below the red arrow
and release.
2. Select Copy after from this menu.

3. Your screen will look similar to the screenshot below on the left. Move the Insert arrow

to the bottom of the list of operations by clicking the icon on the Toolpaths
manager toolbar:

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Mastercam Training Guide

4. In the Toolpaths manager click on the folder Parameters for the fifth operation as shown
below:

5. Select Tool from the list on the left and click on the Select library tool… button in the lower
left corner as shown below:

6. Scroll down and select the 3/16 (.1875) diameter drill by picking anywhere along its row as
shown below:

7. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

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Mill-Lesson-7

8. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

9. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below. Open up the Cycle drop down menu and select Peck Drill.

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Mastercam Training Guide

10. Change the peck amount to 0.2.

Peck
Peck sets the depth that the tool rapids to between peck moves. This value is added to the
previously drilled peck depth

The drill you are using is only 0.1875 diameter, by peck drilling you allow the chips to clear from
the flute of the drill as it retracts between pecks. This avoids clogging the drill and possible
breakages.
In this example the drill cuts 0.2 deep and then retracts.

11. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the Absolute depth of 0 and the other values as shown below. Note all
the values are set to Absolute.

12. Select the plus sign to the left of Linking Parameters if required to expand the list and click
on Tip Comp.

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Mill-Lesson-7

13. Ensure the Tip Comp is activated by clicking on the small Tip Comp box and make certain
the green check mark is showing. The Breakthrough amount should be set to 0.1 as
shown below:

14. Select Coolant from the list on the left. As the Coolant was set to Flood in the previous
operation it still remains set to Flood On.
15. Select the OK button to complete this function.

16. Select the Regenerate all dirty operations button to remove the red X from the
drilling operation you have just edited.

 This completes this drilling operation.

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Mastercam Training Guide

TASK 8:
TAP DRILL FOR 3/8-16 UNC HOLES
 In this task you will use a 0.3125 diameter drill to drill the holes prior to the tap operation.
 Once again you will use copy to duplicate the spotdrill operations and then modify the
copied operations into the 0.3125 diameter drilling operation.

1. Before moving on, let’s organize the operations in the Toolpaths manager. Right mouse
click in the Toolpaths manager window and select Collapse. The Toolpaths manager now
looks like the screen shot immediately below right. Don’t panic the operations have not
been deleted; click on the plus sign for the Toolpath Group-1 and the operations are laid
out as in the screen shot in the lower right corner.

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Mill-Lesson-7

2. On the left of the screen in the Toolpaths manager the spotdrilling operation is the third
operation. To copy this operation Hold down the Right mouse button over the folder for
this operation. Keep holding the right mouse button down and drag below the red arrow
and release, then click on Copy after.

3. Your screen will look similar to the screenshot below on the left. Move the Insert arrow

to the bottom of the list of operations by clicking the icon on the Toolpaths
manager toolbar.

4. In the Toolpaths manager click on the plus sign next to the # 6 Drill/Counterbore folder
operation as shown below left to expand the folder.

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Mastercam Training Guide

5. In the Toolpaths manager click on the folder Parameters for the sixth operation as shown
below:

6. Select Tool from the list on the left and Click on the Select library tool… button in the lower
left corner as shown below:

7. Scroll down and select the .3125 diameter drill by picking anywhere along its row, as
shown below.

8. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

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Mill-Lesson-7

9. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

10. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below. Open up the Cycle drop down menu and select Peck Drill. Change the Peck
amount to 0.3

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Mastercam Training Guide

11. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the Absolute depth of 0 and the other values as shown below. Note all
the values are set to Absolute.

12. Select the plus sign to the left of Linking Parameters if required to expand the list and click
on Tip Comp.

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Mill-Lesson-7

13. Ensure the Tip Comp is activated by clicking on the small Tip Comp box and make certain
the green check mark is showing. The Breakthrough amount should be set to 0.1 as
shown below:

14. Select Coolant from the list on the left. As the Coolant was set to Flood in the previous
operation it still remains set to Flood On.

15. Select the OK button to complete this function.

16. Select the Regenerate all dirty operations button to remove the red X from the
drilling operation you have just edited.

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Mastercam Training Guide

TASK 9:
TAP 3/8-16 UNC HOLES
 In this task you will tap the four 3/8-16 holes.
 Once again you will use copy to duplicate the 0.3125 drilling operations just completed and
then modify the copied operations into a tap operation.

1. On the left of the screen in the Toolpaths manager the 0.3125 drilling operation is the last
in the list of the six operations. To copy this operation Hold down the Right mouse button
over the folder for this operation. Keep holding the right mouse button down and drag
below the red arrow and release, then click on Copy after.

2. Your screen will look similar to the screenshot below on the left. Move the Insert arrow

to the bottom of the list of operations by clicking the icon on the Toolpaths
manager toolbar:

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Mill-Lesson-7

3. Before moving on click on the negative sign to the left of the folder of the sixth operation to
collapse it.

4. In the Toolpaths manager click on the folder Parameters for the seventh operation as
shown below:

5. Select Tool from the list on the left and click on the Select library tool… button in the lower
left corner as shown below:

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Mastercam Training Guide

6. Scroll down and select the tap, 3/8-16 TAPRH.

7. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

8. Do not make any changes to the Toolpath parameter page. The feed rate is determined
by the spindle speed (RPM) and the number of thread per inch (TPI):
713 RPM divided by 16 TPI = Feed rate.

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Mill-Lesson-7

9. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below. Open up the Cycle drop down menu and select Tap.

10. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the Absolute depth of -0.2 and the other values as shown below. Note
all the values are set to Absolute.

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Mastercam Training Guide

11. Select the plus sign to the left of Linking Parameters if required to expand the list and click
on Tip Comp.

12. Ensure the Tip Comp is de-activated by clicking on the small square to the left of the Tip
Comp button and make certain the green check mark is not showing.

13. Select Coolant from the list on the left. As the Coolant was set to Flood in the previous
operation it still remains set to Flood On.
14. Select the OK button to exit tapping operation.

15. Select the Regenerate all dirty operations button to remove the red X from the
drilling operation you have just edited.

 This completes this tapping operation.

16. Select the save icon from the toolbar.

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Mill-Lesson-7

TASK 10:
VERIFY THE TOOLPATH
 Mastercam's Verify utility allows you to use solid models to simulate the machining of a part.
The model created by the verification represents the surface finish, and shows collisions, if
any exist.
 This allows you to identify and correct program errors before they reach the shop floor.

1. For a better view of the part use the toolbar at the top of the screen to change the graphics
view to Isometric.

2. Select the Screen Fit icon found at the top of the screen to fit the part to the screen.
3. In the Toolpaths Manager pick all the operations to verify by picking the Select All icon.
4. Select the Verify selected operations icon shown below:

The verified toolpaths are shown below:

5. Select the Close button in the top right hand corner to exit Verify.

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Mastercam Training Guide

TASK 11:
ROUGH AND FINISH THE TRIANGULAR SHAPED POCKETS
 In this task you will use a 0.5 diameter flat end mil to rough and finish the triangular shaped
pockets.
 The pocket depth is 0.25.

1. If required select Alt and T from the keyboard to hide the toolpath lines.
2. Before moving on select the negative sign to the left of the folder of the seventh operation to
collapse it.

3. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Pocket…

4. Change the view to Top.

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Mill-Lesson-7

5. On the screen you will now see the Chaining dialog box with Chain set and in the graphics
screen a prompt to Select Pocket chain 1. Select the line in the right side pocket and then
the line in the lower pocket as shown below:

6. After selecting the lines your graphics screen should look like the screenshot below, with the
arrow pointing counter clockwise, if not see below.
The material for this part is aluminum so to attain a good finish when pocketing climb milling
should be employed.

7. If the arrow is not pointing counter clockwise, select

the arrow from the Chaining dialog box shown on the
right to reverse the direction.

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Mastercam Training Guide

8. After the pocket has been successfully chained, select the OK button at the bottom of
the Chaining dialog box.
9. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Pocket as shown below:

10. Select Tool from the list on the left and click on the Select library tool button in the lower
left corner.

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Mill-Lesson-7

11. Use the slider bar on the right of this dialog box to scroll down and locate a 0.5 diameter
flat end mill. Select the 0.5 diameter flat end mill by picking anywhere along the 0.5 end
mill row, as shown below:

12. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

13. Make changes to the Tool parameter page as shown below:

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14. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page. The Pocket
type should be set to Standard.

15. Select Roughing from the list on the left and make changes to this page.

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Mill-Lesson-7

16. Select the plus sign to the left of Roughing if required to expand the list and click on Entry
Motion.

17. Select Ramp and make changes to this page:

18. Select Finishing from the list on the left and make changes to this page:

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Mastercam Training Guide

19. Select the plus sign to the left of Finishing if required to expand the list and click on Lead
In/Out.

20. Ensure the Lead In/Out is activated by clicking on the small Lead In/Out box and make
certain the green check mark is showing. Make the following changes as shown below:

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Mill-Lesson-7

21. Select Depth Cuts from the list on the left. Ensure the Depth cuts are activated by clicking
on the small Depth cuts box and make certain the green check mark is showing. Make the
following changes as shown below.

22. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the depth of 0.075 and the other values as shown below. Note the
Top of stock value of 0.325; this is the absolute Z value at the top of the pocket.

23. Select Coolant from the list on the left. Open up the drop down menu for Flood and set it to
On.
24. Select the OK button to exit Pocket operation.
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25. Click on the Select All Operations icon as shown below (1).

26. Make sure the cursor is in the Toolpaths manager as shown above (2) and select Alt and T
from the keyboard to unhide the toolpath lines.

 Your screen will look similar to the screenshot below:

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Mill-Lesson-7

TASK 12:
ROUGH AND FINISH THE 1.25 DIAMETER BORE
 In this task you will use the same 0.5 diameter flat end mill again to rough and finish the
circular 1.250 diameter bore using the Circle Mill function.

Use circle mill toolpaths to mill circular pockets based on a single point. You can select either
point entities, or center points of arcs. Mastercam will then pocket out a circular area of the
diameter and to the depth that you specify.
After milling the center of the circle, Mastercam calculates an entry arc before approaching the
perimeter and then a similar exit arc.
High speed entry moves are an option as well. You can add enhancements such as multiple
passes, multiple depth cuts, and helical plunge moves, as well as fine-tune the entry and exit
arcs. Feed rate and spindle speed overrides are available for semi-finish and finish passes.

1. Before moving on select the negative sign to the left of any of the folders to collapse them.
2. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Circle Paths>Circmill…

3. On the screen you will now see the Drill Point Selection dialog box and a prompt to
Select points. Click on the Entities button in the Drill Point Selection box. The prompt
changes to Select entities, Press <Enter> when done. now select the circle as shown
below:

4. After the circle has been selected click on the Enter button on your keyboard.
5. Next select the OK button at the bottom of the Drill Point Selection dialog box.
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6. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Circle Mill as shown below:

7. Select Tool from the list on the left and use the 0.5 diameter end mill. Make any changes to
the Toolpath parameter page as shown below:

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8. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page if required.

9. Select Finishing from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown below:

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10. Select the plus sign to the left of Finishing to expand the list and click on Transitions.
Make the following changes as shown below:

11. Select Depth cuts from the list on the left. Ensure the Depth cuts are activated by clicking
on the small Depth cuts box and make certain the green check mark is showing. Make the
following changes as shown below:

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12. Select Break Through from the list on the left. Ensure the Break through is activated by
clicking on the small Break through box and make certain the green check mark is showing.
Make the following changes as shown below:

Break through
Select the check box to add a break through amount to the final toolpath depth.
Use this option to ensure that the tool cuts all the way through the part for a cleaner finish.

13. Select Linking Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page as
shown below. Input the depth of 0 and the other values as shown below. Note the Top of
stock value of 0.45.

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14. Select Coolant from the list on the left. Open up the drop down menu for Flood and set it to
On.

15. Select the OK button to exit Circle Mill parameters.

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TASK 13:
ROUGH AND FINISH THE SLOT
 In this task you will machine the slot with a 0.375 diameter end mill.
 The slot will be roughed and finished using Multi Passes and Depth Cuts.
 The slot is 0.5 wide. Using a 0.5 diameter end mill would not allow you to rough the slot.

1. From the menu bar select TOOLPATHS>Contour…

2. On the screen you will now see the Chaining dialog box with Chain set and in the graphics
screen a prompt to Select Contour chain 1. Select the line shown below:

3. After selecting the line your graphics screen should look like the screenshot above, with the
green arrow pointing right in a counter clockwise direction, climb milling.
4. If the arrow is not pointing to the right, select the arrow from the Chaining dialog box shown
below to reverse the direction.

5. After the contour has been successfully chained, select the OK button at the bottom
of the Chaining dialog box.

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6. Ensure the Toolpath Type is set to Contour as shown below:

7. Select Tool from the list on the left and click on the Select library tool button in the lower
left corner.

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8. Use the slider bar on the right of this dialog box to scroll down and locate a 0.375 diameter
flat end mill. Select the 0.375 diameter flat end mill by picking anywhere along the row.

9. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

10. Make changes to the Toolpath parameter page as shown below:

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11. Select Cut Parameters from the list on the left and make changes to this page if required.

12. Select Depth cuts from the list on the left and make the following changes as shown below:

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13. Select Lead In/Out from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown below:

14. Select Break Through from the list on the left and make changes to this page as shown
below:

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15. Select Multi Passes from the list on the left and ensure the Multi Passes are activated by
clicking on the small Multi Passes box. Make certain the green check mark is showing and
make changes to this page.

16. Select Linking Parameters. Input the depth of 0 and the other values as shown below.
Note all the values are set to Absolute.

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17. Select Coolant from the list on the left. Open up the drop down menu for Flood and set it to
On.

18. Select the OK button to exit Contour parameters.

 This completes the tool operations.

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TASK 14:
VERIFY THE TOOLPATH
 Mastercam's Verify utility allows you to use solid models to simulate the machining of a part.
The model created by the verification represents the surface finish, and shows collisions, if
any exist.
 This allows you to identify and correct program errors before they reach the shop floor.

1. For a better view of the part use the toolbar at the top of the screen to change the graphics
view to Isometric.

2. Select the Screen Fit icon found at the top of the screen to fit the part to the screen.
3. In the Toolpaths manager pick all the operations to verify by picking the Select All icon.
4. Select the Verify selected operations button shown below:

The verified toolpaths are shown below:

5. Select the Close button in the top right hand corner to exit Verify.

TASK 15:
SAVE THE UPDATED MASTERCAM FILE
1. Select File.
2. Select Save

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TASK 16:
POST AND CREATE THE CNC CODE FILE
1. Ensure all the operations are selected by picking the Select All icon from the
Toolpaths manager.
2. Select the Post selected operations button from the Toolpaths manager.

3. In the Post processing window, make the necessary changes.

4. Select the OK button to continue.
5. Ensure the same name as your Mastercam part file name is displayed in the NC File name.
6. Select the Save button.
7. The CNC code file opens up in the default editor:

8. Select the in the top right corner to exit the CNC editor.

 This completes Mill-Lesson-7.

 In the following exercise drawings for this lesson the geometry is similar to the lesson you
have just completed.
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MILL-LESSON-6 & 7 EXERCISES

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TIPS FOR EXERCISE B:

 When working on Mill Lesson-7 Exercise B you will use a 1.0 diameter flat end mill to
face the part to 0.5 thick and machine around the 3.0 diameter boss.
 The machining operation is similar to Task 4 in this lesson where you use Pocket to
machine around the boss. So use Task 4 as a guide for the machining operation.
 Before the Pocket operation takes place you will need to add some geometry to aid in
the successful clean-up of the 3.0 diameter boss.

1. Using Rectangular Shapes add a rectangle that overlaps the part by 0.25” all around as
shown below.
2. When using Pocket to complete the machining you are prompted to Select Pocket chain 1.
Select the circle of the boss and then the line on the rectangle shown below for Chain 2.
3. In Cut Parameters set the Overlap to 75%.

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