TRAINING

GUIDE

MILL-LESSON-FBM-1
FBM MILL AND FBM DRILL
Mastercam Training Guide

Objectives
Previously in Mill-Lesson-6 and Mill-Lesson-7 geometry was created and machined using
standard Mastercam methods. This lesson will apply Feature Based Machining (FBM) methods
including FBM Mill and FBM Drill to a solid model previously created in SolidWorks.

Feature Based Machining (FBM)

FBM eliminates manual feature identification for programming milling and drilling operations on
solid parts. The FBM Mill and FBM Drill operations automatically create the toolpaths needed to
machine features that are identified using your specific criteria. FBM's interface is simple and
intuitive.

You will generate the toolpaths for MILL-LESSON-FBM-1 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:
FBM Mill operation and child toolpath operations.
FBM Drill operation and child toolpath operations.

Inspect the toolpath using Mastercam’s Verify by:

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

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 1
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

MILL-LESSON-FBM-1 DRAWING

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 2
Mastercam Training Guide

TOOL LIST
3.0 face mill to face the part to thickness.
1.0 flat end mill to rough machine around 2.0” diameter boss.
0.5 diameter flat end mill to rough machine the pockets and 1.25 bore.
0.375 diameter flat end mill to rough machine the slot and finish all areas.
0.375 diameter spot drill all holes.
0.1875 diameter drill to drill the bolt hole circle.
0.3125 diameter drill to tap drill the 3/8-16 UNC tapped holes.
3/8-16 UNC tap to tap holes.
0.5 countersink to countersink the 3/8-16 UNC tapped holes.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 3
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 4
Mastercam Training Guide

MILL-LESSON-FBM-1 - THE PROCESS

Toolpath Creation
TASK 1: Import part geometry from SolidWorks
TASK 2: Setting the environment
TASK 3: Translate part geometry to machining origin
TASK 4: Define the rough stock using stock setup
TASK 5: Run FBM Mill for all milling operations
TASK 6: Verify the toolpath
TASK 7: Run FBM Drill for all hole making operations
TASK 8: Verify the toolpath
TASK 9: Remove the Outside Finish Pass
TASK 10: Save the updated MCX file
TASK 11: Post and create the CNC code file

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 5
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

TASK 1:
IMPORT PART GEOMETRY FROM SOLIDWORKS
In this lesson you will use an imported solid model.

1. Click on File>Open
2. Beside Files of Type click on the drop down arrow and select SolidWorks Files
(*.SLDPRT;*.SLDASM)

3. On the multimedia CD that came with this text is a folder called Mastercam-Files browse
to this location and select Mill-Lesson-FBM-1.SLDPRT

4. Select the green check mark button to load the file and complete this function.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 6
Mastercam Training Guide

5. The screen should look like the one below:

6. Select File>Save as…

7. In the File name box, type Mill-Lesson-FBM-1.
8. Save to an appropriate location.
9. Select the green check mark button to save the file and complete this function.

TASK 2:
SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Before starting the geometry import you should set up the grid, toolbars and machine type
as outlined in the Setting the environment section at the beginning of this text:
1. Set up the Grid. This will help identify the location of the origin.
2. Customize the toolbars to machine a 2D part.
3. Set the machine type to a Haas Vertical Spindle CNC machine.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 7
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

TASK 3:
TRANSLATE PART GEOMETRY TO MACHINING ORIGIN
Translating the geometry between 2 points.

1. Select the Xform Translate... icon .

2. Select the All... button from the General Selection Ribbon Bar.

3. Select the All Entities button from the Select All dialog Box.

4. Pick the End Selection icon .

5. Select the Move radio button and enter Delta vales of ∆X 1.75, ∆Y 2.75, and ∆Z 0.
6. Select the OK button to complete the geometry translation.

7. Click on the Clear Colors.

8. Select the Fit to screen icon .
9. The screen should look like the one below:

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 8
Mastercam Training Guide

Toolpath Creation
TASK 4:
DEFINE THE ROUGH STOCK USING STOCK SETUP
Defining 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 toolpath 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.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 9
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

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 Aluminium 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.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 10
Mastercam Training Guide

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

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

TASK 5:
RUN FBM MILL FOR ALL MILLING OPERATIONS
In this task you configure settings in FBM Mill to set up tools and interrogate the solid to
create machining regions and apply toolpath strategies.

1. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>FBM Mill…

FBM Mill is a new method for quickly
producing the equivalent of standard Face,
Pocket, and Contour toolpaths. A single
Parent operation is used to interrogate the
solid model, detecting the part’s features and
determining machining zones. A single set of
configuration settings will address facing,
roughing, rest milling, floor and wall finishing,
and outside contouring. Child operations are
created using 2D High Speed, Face, Pocket,
and Contour operations. The parameters of
Child operations can be edited for further
customization.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 11
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

2. On the screen you will now see the FBM Toolpaths – Mill dialog box, starting with the
Setup page selected in the Tree Control menu down the left hand side:

3. From this page you will select Preferred tooling which will be set up in a future step. You
will also elect to rough and finish the outside of this part, to ensure the 1/2” slot is address.
Your selections should appear as follows:

4. Click on Feature detection in the Tree Control menu on the left of the dialog box..

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 12
Mastercam Training Guide

5. You will leave the default settings, which should be as follows:

6. Click on Facing tools in the Tree Control menu. You will select a Facing tool from the Tool
Library.
7. Right click in the empty white space in the Preferred tools list and left click on Select tool
from library.

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

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

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 13
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

10. Right click on the Face mill you’ve just added, and select Edit tool.

11. Left click on the Parameters tab and change the Feed rate, Plunge rate, and Retract rate
to 20.0, and the Spindle speed to 1500.

12. Select the OK button to complete these changes in Parameters.

13. Click on Roughing tools in the Tree Control menu. You will select Roughing tools from the
Tool Library.
14. Right click in the empty white space in the Preferred tools list and left click on Select tool
from library.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 14
Mastercam Training Guide

15. 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:

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

17. Right click on the Endmill you’ve just added, and select Edit tool.

18. Left click on the Parameters tab and change the Feed rate, Plunge rate, and Retract rate
to 10.0, and the Spindle speed to 1300.

19. Select the OK button to complete these changes in Parameters.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 15
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

20. Right click in the empty white space in the Preferred tools list and left click on Select tool
from library.

21. 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:

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

23. Set the feeds and speeds for this tool to 10”/min and 3000 RPM by repeating the steps used
on the previous tool.
24. Click on Restmill tools in the Tree Control menu. You will select a Restmill tool from the
Tool Library.
25. Right click in the empty white space in the Preferred tools list and left click on Select tool
from library.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 16
Mastercam Training Guide

26. 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.

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

28. Set the feeds and speeds for this tool to 8”/min and 4750 RPM by repeating the steps used
on the previous tool.
29. Click on Finish tools in the Tree Control menu. You will select a Finish tool from the list of
tools you have just added.
30. Right click in the empty white space in the Preferred tools list and left click on Select tool
from MCX.

31. Select the 3/8 FLAT ENDMILL you just added as a Restmill tool.

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

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 17
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

33. Next you will set Facing cut parameters, selecting Facing from the Tree Control dialog box,
and adjusting settings for 1 rough cut, and selecting Zigzag.
Your selections should be set as follows:

34. Next you will set Roughing cut parameters, selecting Roughing from the Tree Control dialog
box, and adjusting settings for Profile ramp entry, 75% of diameter XY Stepover, 25% of
diameter Depth Cuts, and 0.015” Stock to leave on walls. Your selections should be set
as follows:

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 18
Mastercam Training Guide

35. Next you will set Restmill cut parameters, selecting Restmill from the Tree Control dialog
box, and adjusting settings for 75% of diameter XY Stepover, 25% of diameter Depth Cuts,
and 0.015” Stock to leave on walls. Your selections should be set as follows:

36. Select Floor Finish from the Tree Control dialog box and uncheck Enable floor finish
in order to disable floor finishing.
37. Next you will set Finish cut parameters, selecting Wall Finish from the Tree Control dialog
box, and adjusting settings for 1 Finish Pass, 1 Depth Cut, and Perpendicular Entry / Exit
moves with lines and arcs that are 10% of the tool’s diameter.. Your selections should be
set as follows:

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 19
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

38. Select Linking Parameters from the Tree Control dialog box. You will use a Clearance
value of 2” above the Stock model, with 0.1” Retract and Feed plane values:

39. Select Coolant from the Tree Control dialog box. Set Flood to On:

40. Select the OK button to process all milling operations for this part.
41. When prompted to Enter new NC name ensure MILL-LESSON-FBM-1 is displayed and
then select the OK button .

TASK 6:
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. In the Toolpath Manager pick all the operations to verify by picking the Select All icon .
3. Select the Verify selected operations button circled below:

4. Adjust the Verify speed to midway along the speed control bar.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 20
Mastercam Training Guide

5. Select the play button to verify the toolpaths.

The verified toolpaths are shown below.

6. Select the OK button to exit Verify.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 21
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

TASK 7:
RUN FBM DRILL FOR ALL HOLE MAKING OPERATIONS
In this task you configure settings in FBM Drill to interrogate the solid, identify hole features,
and apply holemaking strategies.

1. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>FBM Drill…

FBM Drill is a new method for quickly
producing the equivalent of standard Drill
toolpaths. A single Parent operation is used to
interrogate the solid model, detecting the
part’s hole features and apply the necessarily
holemaking operations. A single set of
configuration settings will address spot drilling,
drilling, tapping, and boring. Child operations
are created using standard Drill operations.
The parameters of Child operations can be
edited for further customization.

2. On the screen you will now see the FBM Toolpaths – Drill dialog box, starting with the
Setup page selected in the Tree Control menu down the left hand side:

3. From this page you will change the Sorting option by clicking on the current Sorting
method icon

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 22
Mastercam Training Guide

4. Select the Point to Point 2D Sort Method

5. Select the OK button in the 2D sort page.

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

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 23
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

7. Select Hole Detection from the Tree Control dialog box and set parameters to Include
blind hole and to Limit search to plane TOP as follows:

8. Select Deep Drilling from the Tree Control dialog box and uncheck Deep drilling
.
9. Select Spot Drilling from the Tree Control dialog box and check Spot drilling.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 24
Mastercam Training Guide

10. Select Pre-drilling from the Tree Control dialog box and check Pre-drilling .
The 3/8-16 UNC tapped holes will require Pre-drilling with a 5/16” drill. You will use an
Additional break through of .1” for this part which features all through holes.

11. Select Tools from the Tree Control dialog box. You will allow FBM Drill to automatically Use
tool library by apply the follow settings:

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 25
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

12. Select Linking Parameters from the Tree Control dialog box. This dialog box will be used
to set our Clearance at Solid height plus 1.”, Retract at Solid height plus 0.1”, an
Additional break through of .1”, and No adjustment for the Tap / Ream adjustment for
this part which features all through holes.

13. Select Coolant from the Tree Control dialog box. Set Flood to On:

14. Click the Detect... button at the top of the FBM Toolpaths – Drill dialog box.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 26
Mastercam Training Guide

15. Your screen should appear as follows:

16. Left click on the first 0.375 Dia. Hole in the list.

17. Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard. Left click on the next three 0.375 Dia. Holes
in the list. With Ctrl still held, you can select and unselect any mistakes. When the four
correct holes are selected, release the Ctrl key.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 27
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

18. Right click on any of these four selected rows, in the Hole type column who’s value
currently reads Drill. Hover the cursor over Hole type and select TAP RH from the list.

19. Select the OK button to process all holemaking operations for this part.

Drill cycles used are selected based on the cycle set within each tool stored in the tool library.
With the selection of Feed Calculation From Tool in the Machine Group Properties Tool
Settings tab, all feeds and speeds are set based on the values set in the Tool Libraries.

Many users take the time to create a custom tool library with only their tools, with desired
feeds and speeds set in the library.

TASK 8:
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. In the Toolpath Manager pick all the operations to verify by picking the Select All icon .
3. Select the Verify selected operations button circled below:

4. Adjust the Verify speed to midway along the speed control bar.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 28
Mastercam Training Guide

5. Select the play button to verify the toolpaths.

The verified toolpaths are shown below.

6. Select the OK button to exit Verify.

TASK 9:
REMOVE THE OUTSIDE FINISH PASS

The drawing for this lesson noted that the stock size is equal to the outside dimensions of the
part. We configured FBM Mill to Rough outside of part and to Finish outside of part in
order to address the slot. However, the complete outside finish pass around the part is
undesirable for work holding. FBM child operations can be edited independently of the
parent parameters. In this task you will edit the outside profile Chain to address only the slot,
and modify the Lead in/out parameters.

1. Use the Operations Manager on the left side of the Mastercam interface Locate Operation
15 – Contour (2D) within the Outside Profile-TOP Toolpath Group. Click on the Geometry
icon.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 29
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

2. Right click on Chain 1 and select Rechain all

3. Right click in the Geometry window and select the Isometric GView. Right click again and
select Fit.
4. Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboards and type s to toggle shading in Mastercam.
This Key mapping shortcut is often denoted as <Alt+S>. Toggle shading until it is Off and
the full wireframe is visible.
5. Select Partial chaining. When prompted for Select the first entity, pick line 1. Next prompt
Select the last entity pick line 2. Final prompt Branch point reached. Select next
branch pick the slot radius 3.

6. Select the OK button to complete the Chain selection.

7. Select the OK button to complete the Chain Manager.
8. Still focusing on Operation 15 – Contour (2D) in the Operations Manager click on the
Parameters icon.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 30
Mastercam Training Guide

9. In the Contour Parameters Tab select the Lead in/out button

10. Set the parameters for Tangent lines and arcs, sized at 100% of the tool’s diameter.

11. Select the OK button to close the Lead in/out dialog box.
12. Select the OK button to close the Contour 2D dialog box.
13. Regenerate all dirty operations to refresh this modified Operation.

TASK 10:
SAVE THE UPDATED MCX FILE
1. Select File.
2. Select Save.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 31
 Mill-Lesson-FBM

TASK 11:
POST AND CREATE THE CNC CODE FILE
1. Ensure all the operations are selected by picking the Select All icon from the Toolpath
manager.

2. Select the Post selected operations button from the Toolpath manager.
3. Please Note: If you cannot see G1 click on the right pane of the Toolpath manger window
and expand the window to the right.

4. In the Post processing window, make the necessary changes as shown below:

5. Select the OK button to continue.

6. Ensure the same name as your Mastercam part file name is displayed in the NC File name
field as shown below:

7. Select the Save button.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 32
Mastercam Training Guide

8. The CNC code file opens up in the default editor:

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

This completes Mill-Lesson-FBM-1.

Mill-Lesson-FBM-1 - 33