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[35K chipper]

Editor's Pick: CNC Software Unveils Mastercam X5

 

 

by Anthony J. Lockwood | Published November 17, 2010

 

 

 

 

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

 

CNC Software is one of the oldest companies in the PC-based CAD/CAM industry, having begun earning its chops in the early '80s. Its flagship CAM system, Mastercam, has an installed based of more than 150,000 worldwide. Designers and NC programmers use it for doing milling, turning, 2- and 4-axis wire EDM, router programming, plasma cutting, laser work, and 3D design and drafting at places ranging from one-person shops to heavyweights like Boeing and Sikorsky, according to the company. Just the other day, the company released it newest version, Mastercam X5, as well as the newest version of the complementary programming system Mastercam Router X5.

 

Mastercam X5 introduces new dynamic milling techniques, new multiaxis machining capabilities, and something called Smart Hybrid Finishing. The latter is said to blend two cutting techniques in a single toolpath intelligently. What this means for you is that your toolpath will evaluate your model's shape then switch between cutting and machining, letting you achieve a better finish with less work.

 

Mastercam Router X5 offers enhancements in automatic toolpathing and block drill support that are intended to improve your shop floor productivity. Automatic toolpathing now has an option that can read in a project and then automatically program toolpaths with presets of your choice. In the area of block drill support, the software's FBM (feature-based machining) drill has a number of enhancements that should minimize the need to change tools all the time.

 

You can learn more about many of the new features in Mastercam X5 and Mastercam Router X5 in today's Pick of the Week write-up. But to really get the idea, hit the link at the end of the write-up to go to the CNC Software website, then watch some of the many short videos posted there. (Hint: There are also videos directly associated with products.)

 

The underlying philosophy of Mastercam software has always been to provide a flexible, practical set of tools for the shop, whether you're a machinist or an engineer or whether your job means complex or simple parts. The new X5 versions of Mastercam and Mastercam Router sound like they are right in line with that vision.

 

Thanks, pal. -- Lockwood

 

Anthony J. Lockwood

Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering

 

 

 

 

35k :D

[35K chipper]

bump

[Guest]

The underlying philosophy of Mastercam software has always been to provide a flexible, practical set of tools for the shop, whether you're a machinist or an engineer or whether your job means complex or simple parts. The new X5 versions of Mastercam and Mastercam Router sound like they are right in line with that vision.

 

Did anyone run this through the main office in San Diego?

 

Juss' sayin'

 

[35K chipper]

JP,

i guess you would have seen the articles if you did not spend most of your life here!

 

35k

[Guest]

JP,

i guess you would have seen the articles if you did not spend most of your life here!

 

35k

 

I'm only here 8-5 M-F, rarely in the evening and almost never on the weekends

 

Had to attend many months of emastercam-anon to try to cut back on meh habit

[DavidJackson]

Looking at the mention of atp on there, is x5's atp any diffirent/better/able to be used in planes other than top?