Master Cam Question

[Karlf]

Is this a good program for creating 3d objects or is it just for generating tool paths and such?

[Superman]

Mastercam is a good toolpath creating package, iniitialy based on wireframe geometry, then developed into surfaces and solids. The basic toolpathing can be self learnt over a short period of time

Many serious users have a seperate design package that is capable of creating the more complex models and parts that are needed in the specialist industies ( eg defence, aerospace, and auto just to name a few )

If you are just creating models from the adding and subtracting of "Primative Shapes" ( blocks, cylinders, cones etc ). And not creating toolpaths, then, this would NOT be a good package to go for. BUT, seriously consider it if you are a small shop and getting a foot in the door for more involved work. Creating the actual model then putting toolpaths around it, is quite rewarding.

Plus you can utilise the client for the supply of digital data for the manufacture of his parts. And import it into mastercam to create toolpaths.

Also note that there are different levels of purchase for mastercam.
the lower levels DO NOT allow solids creation or manipulations
nor do they allow programming for multi-axis or 5-axis machining.
These are options to further enhance mastercam

Consult a reseller for the best options , suitable to your work. And the costs involved.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Karlf Is this a good program for creating 3d objects or is it just for generating tool paths and such?

Mastercam is the most used CAM packages in the world to say the least.

[DMF_TomB]

MasterCam can easily to 3D CAD and CAM

But in my opinion MasterCam is better for single part models and CAM. If you are making Assemblies of many parts then MasterCam is not the best CAD program.

MasterCam usually comes with plugins for CAD programs like Solidworks so when in Solidworks you can tranfer a part model into MasterCam more easily not that it is hard to load a CAD file in MasterCam.

If you change the Solidworks file or the file in MasterCam it may not update in the other program automatically without reloading not that I would expect it to.

We use Solidworks to do 3D disassembly that is you can looking at a complex machine of hundredths of parts with some parts partially transparent an or hide them to see how a complex assembly goes together and how it works and to check for interferences (2 parts trying to occupy the same space)

I consider MasterCam an excellent CAM program.