J MasterCAM

This video shows how to configure default settings in MasterCAM. This makes it so you don’t need to choose settings each time you work on a new project.

Here are the recommended settings for the toolpaths we have covered so far. Keep in mind that some of the settings will need to change depending on the needs of the project, the material you are cutting and the tool being used.

Part 1: Plywood Object
Finish and assemble your plywood object. This project will be the subject of the final critique, next week on May 15.

Part 2A: Surface Driven Toolpaths
Follow along with the tutorial to create toolpaths for a simple paneled surface. You can download the Rhino file used in the demonstration below:
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/PlusPanel.zip

Part 2B: 2 Sided Surface Driven Toolpaths
Follow along with the demonstration below to create a “Flip Mill” series of toolpaths for your spoon.

Make two screenshots of the completed “verify” for both Machine Groups from MasterCAM: one showing the top, one showing the bottom. Create a new folder called “CAM” in your folder for “Spoon” project on the shared google drive. Place these two screenshots and your MasterCAM file in this new sub-folder. Name your files so we can easily identify you as the author and know which project this is for.

I’ve created a PDF that has recommended settings for the contour, drill, and pocket toolpaths. You will see that things are different for the Drill operation. You should choose the “circle mill” option for the toolpath type for the drill operation. This option works better than the “peck drill” operation we used previously. You should also keep in mind that some settings are variable, such as depth, and might not necessarily need the settings indicated in the document. See the PDF below for details.

https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MasterCAMSettings-ContourDrillPocket.pdf

You can download the Rhino and MasterCAM files of the small step stool we have looked at in class. They are both contained in the zip folder below

https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/StepStoolExample.zip

I just wanted to make everyone aware that if you double click on a MasterCAM file (on your desktop or in a folder), it will open MasterCAM, but it will not open the file you double clicked on. You need to open the file from within MasterCAM.

As many of you found firsthand in class, sometimes running MasterCAM in Parallels will end up having display issues, specifically when moving the model around in the viewport it will ghost. After testing we discovered this problem occurs when you switch the display mode of Parallels (fullscreen to windowed mode or vice-versa), or sometimes when you adjust the window size. It seems that switching to Coherence Mode will resolve or prevent this bug from occurring. To do this Parallels has several interfaces where you can choose the menu item View>Enter Coherence, or use press: command-control-C

Coherence eliminates the Windows operating system and makes MasterCAM or any other Windows application or file browser appear like a Mac app. This can make finding files through the windows desktop tricky; you can either exit Coherence mode and minimize the MasterCAM window or click on the Windows 10 icon in the Mac Dock to open the start menu and find your files through the window that opens there. We’re not sure if this will completely eliminate this issue but so far it seems to have; if you run into this issue and this fix doesn’t work, or you encounter any others, please let us know.

I sent an email with this information but I’ll post here as well.

I wanted to share some information regarding running windows via parallels, particularly to mac users with Retina screen (high resolution) Apple laptops. The mastercam interface will probably appear less than ideal using Parallel’s default setting (if you have a retina display), particularly the menus and interface. You can adjust the way parallels displays windows if you open the configure window from the top menu (see image 1). Under the Graphics option you can change the Resolution to Scaled which will work better with Mastercam. If you are running into issues with mastercam operating in windows on Parallels please let Chris and I know and we’ll try to help.

Follow along to the Cat Face Tutorial here:
https://risdbankcnc.squarespace.com/introduction/