TRAINING

GUIDE

MILL-LESSON-8
DRILL, CONTOUR, POCKET,
RE-MACHINING AND ENGRAVE
Mastercam Training Guide

Objectives
This lesson will be divided into two stages:
Part 1
The first stage will be to create the geometry, face, center drill, drill and ream the part. The part
will be held in a machine vise for this set of machining operations.
Part 2
The second stage will be to transfer the part machined in Part 1 and locate and fasten the part
to a fixture to complete the remaining operations.

You will create the geometry for Mill-Lesson-8, and then generate the toolpaths to machine the
part on a CNC vertical milling machine. This Lesson covers the following topics:

Create a 2-dimensional drawing by:

Creating lines.
Creating arcs.
Trimming geometry using Divide.

Establish Stock Setup settings:

Stock size using Bounding Box.
Material for the part.
Feed calculation.

Generate a 2-dimensional milling toolpath consisting of:

Drill toolpath.
Contour toolpath.
Pocket toolpath.
Remachining.
Engrave 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-8 DRAWING

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TOOL LIST
3.0 face mill to face the part to thickness.
0.25 diameter center drill to center drill the holes and engrave the letters.
0.359 diameter drill to pre-drill reamed holes.
0.375 diameter reamer.
0.500 diameter flat end mill to rough machine the pockets and contour.
0.25 diameter flat end mill to finish machine the pockets.

TOOL LIST PART-1

TOOL LIST PART-2

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MILL-LESSON-8- THE PROCESS

This lesson will be divided into two Parts:
Part 1
The first stage will be to create the geometry, face, center drill, drill and ream the part. The part
will be held in a machine vise for this set of machining operations.
Part 2
The second stage will be to transfer the part machined in Part 1 and locate and fasten the part
to a fixture to complete the remaining operations.
Part 1 - Part held in vise
Geometry Creation
TASK 1: Setting the environment
TASK 2: Create contour geometry
TASK 3: Create geometry of large pocket
TASK 4: Create 0.15 fillet radii in large pocket
TASK 5: Trim the geometry of the large pocket
TASK 6: Create geometry of small pocket
TASK 7: Create .375 and 0.875 diameter circles
TASK 8: Create letters for engraving
TASK 9: Translate geometry
TASK 10: Save the drawing

Toolpath Creation
TASK 11: Define the rough stock using stock setup
TASK 12: Face the part to .7 thick
TASK 13: Center Drill all the holes
TASK 14: Drill all the holes .359 diameter
TASK 15: Ream all holes .375 diameter
TASK 16: Verify the toolpath
TASK 17: Save the updated MCX file
TASK 18: Post and create the CNC code file

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Part 2 - Part held on fixture

TASK 19: Duplicate file for Part 1 to Part 2
TASK 20: Translate the Geometry for machining on fixture
TASK 21: Adjust Stock setup
TASK 22: Rough, semi finish large pocket and machine .875 diameter
island
TASK 23: Rough and finish contour
TASK 24: Rough and finish the small pocket
TASK 25: Finish large pocket using re-machining
TASK 26: Engrave Mastercam in base of large pocket
TASK 27: Verify the toolpath
TASK 28: Save the updated MCX file
TASK 29: Post and create the CNC code file

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Geometry Creation
0B

TASK 1:
SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Before starting the geometry creation you should set up the grid, toolbars and machine type as
outlined in the Setting up 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.

TASK 2:
CREATE CONTOUR GEOMETRY - X0 Y0 LOWER RIGHT CORNER
In this task you will create the geometry for the contour.

Create Circle #1
1. Select Create>Arc>Circle Center point…

2. The Circle Center Point ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Enter the center
point.

3. To satisfy this first prompt click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor ribbon bar .
4. In the space input the X (-4.95) , Y (0.75) values for the center of the circle and hit enter.
Note that there is a comma between the X and Y values, and you do not need to input the Z
value for this example.

5. You have now input the coordinates for the center of this circle and you now need to supply
the value for the diameter. Click in the space for diameter (shown below) and enter a value
of 1.5 and then hit the enter key.

6. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

7. Select the Screen Fit icon found at the top of the screen to fit the part to the screen

8. Select the Un Zoom 50% icon found at the top of the screen .
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Create Circle #2
9. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor
ribbon bar.
10. In the space input the X (-1.0) , Y (2.75) values for the center of the circle and then hit the
enter key.

11. Click in the space for radius (shown below) and enter a value of 1.0 and then hit the enter
key.

12. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

13. Select the Screen Fit icon found at the top of the screen to fit the part to the screen .

Create Arc #3
14. Select Create>Arc>Arc Tangent…

15. The Arc Tangent ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Select the entity that the
arc is to be tangent to.

16. Click on the Arc tangent 2 entities icon to activate it as shown above. Ensure the icon
is pressed down to signal that it is activated.
17. Click in the space for Radius (shown above) and enter a value of 5.0 and then hit the enter
key.

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18. To satisfy the prompt Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to move the cursor
over the upper right circle and select it as shown below:

19. To satisfy the prompt Select the entity that the arc is to be tangent to move the cursor
over the lower left circle and select it as shown below:

20. After selecting the second circle you a confronted with a selection of arcs all tangent to the
two circles you just picked. The prompt changes to Select the fillet to use. Select the Fillet
shown below:

21. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature. The completed arcs are shown above.

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Create Line #1
22. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Line>Endpoint…

23. Select the Un Zoom 50% icon found at the top of the screen .
24. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Specify the first endpoint and the Line ribbon
bar appears. Note that the Tangent function is activated.

25. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over to the center of the

grid and as you get close to the Origin (X0Y0) a visual cue appears. This is the
cue that will allow you to snap to the origin, with this visual cue highlighted pick the origin
as shown below:

26. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over the area of the

circle shown below. When the visual cue for Quadrant appears click on this point.

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27. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

Create Line #2
28. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over to the center of the

grid and as you get close to the Origin (X0Y0) a visual cue appears. with this
visual cue highlighted pick the origin as shown below:

29. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over the area of the
circle shown below, hold down the ALT key and pick this point. Holding down the ALT key
disables the snapping function and as Tangent is enabled the line will be created tangent to
the circle.

30. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

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Trim the 1.0 radius circle

31. Select Edit>Trim/Break>Trim/Break/Extend.

32. The Trim / Extend / Break ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Select the entity
to trim/extend.

33. Click on the Divide icon to activate it as shown above. Ensure the icon is pressed
down to signal that it is activated.
34. The prompt changes to Select the curve to divide. Move the cursor over the 1.0 radius
circle and select it as shown below left:
35. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

The arc is trimmed back to the two closest intersections as shown above right:

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TASK 3:
CREATE GEOMETRY OF LARGE POCKET
To create the geometry of the large pocket you will use Create Line Parallel for the six lines
and Xform Offset for the two arcs.
Create Line #1
1. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Line>Parallel…

2. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Select a line and the Line Parallel ribbon bar
appears.

3. First click in the space for Distance (1) and input 0.2 then hit enter. Before moving on click
on the icon for Distance (2) on the ribbon bar to lock the 0.2 value.
4. To satisfy the prompt Select a line, move the cursor over the line shown below and select it.

5. To satisfy the next prompt indicate the offset direction move the cursor above the line and
pick a point as shown below. The line appears as below right:

6. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

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Create Line #2
7. To satisfy the prompt Select a line, move the cursor over the line shown below and select it.

8. To satisfy the next prompt indicate the offset direction move the cursor to the left of the
line and pick a point as shown below. The line appears as below right:

9. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. One more time, click on Apply .

Create Line #3
10. Before moving on click on the icon for Distance on the ribbon bar to unlock it. Next click
in the space for Distance and input 1.0 then hit enter.
11. To satisfy the prompt Select a line, move the cursor over the line shown below and select it.

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12. To satisfy the next prompt indicate the offset direction move the cursor to the left of the
line and pick a point as shown below. The line appears as below right:

13. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. One more time, click on Apply .

Create Line #4
14. Click in the space for Distance and input 1.350 then hit enter.
15. To satisfy the prompt Select a line, move the cursor over the line shown below and select it.

16. To satisfy the next prompt indicate the offset direction move the cursor to the left of the
line and pick a point as shown below. The line appears as below right:

17. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. One more time, click on Apply .
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Create Line #5
18. Click in the space for Distance and input 0.8 then hit enter.
19. To satisfy the prompt Select a line, move the cursor over the line shown below and select it.

20. To satisfy the next prompt indicate the offset direction move the cursor above the line and
pick a point as shown below. The line appears as below right:

21. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity. One more time, click on Apply .

Create Line #6
22. Click in the space for Distance and input 1.5 then hit enter.
23. To satisfy the prompt Select a line, move the cursor over the line shown below and select it.

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24. To satisfy the next prompt indicate the offset direction move the cursor above the line and
pick a point as shown below. The line appears as below right:

25. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

Create Arc #1
26. Select Xform>Offset…
Xform Offset
Use this function to move or copy a single entity parallel
to the original, displacing it by a defined distance and
direction. The direction is perpendicular to the entity
along every point, and relative to the current
construction plane.
You can create multiple copies and use the flip function
to create parallel entities on either side of the selected
entity or on both sides.

27. You are prompted to Select the line arc, spline or curve to offset and the Offset dialog
window appears. In the Offset window activate the radio button for Copy. Set the number
of items to 1 and the set the Distance to 0.2. Move over now to the graphics screen and
select the arc shown below:

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28. After selecting the arc the prompt now changes to Indicate the offset direction, select a
point below the arc as shown below: The offset arc appears as below right:

Create Arc #2
29. Once again you are prompted to Select the line arc, spline or curve to offset. Select the
arc as shown below:

30. After selecting the arc the prompt now changes to Indicate the offset direction, select a
point below the arc as shown below: The offset arc appears as below right:

31. Click on the OK icon in the Offset dialog window to complete this feature.
32. Click on the Clear Colors at the top right hand corner of the screen

.
33. The completed geometry is shown below:

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TASK 4:
CREATE 0.15 FILLET RADII IN LARGE POCKET
To create the fillet radii of the large pocket you will use Create Fillet Entities.

Create Fillet Radii

1. Select Create>Fillet>Entities…

2. On the Fillet ribbon bar enter .15 for the radius and hit Enter. Ensure the Style of radius is
set to Normal and the trim button is depressed to turn the trim on.

3. When prompted to Fillet: Select an entity, select Line 1 and 2 as shown below. The fillet
radius appears at the corner of line 1 and 2.
4. To complete the remaining fillet radii, select:
5. Line 3 and 4.
6. Line 5 and 6.
Before After

7. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

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8. Important Note: Before creating the remaining Fillet radii Turn the trim off. Move up to the
Fillet ribbon bar and click on the icon for No Trim as shown below. If you leave the trim on
for the remaining two fillets part of the 1.5 diameter circle will disappear!

9. To complete the remaining two fillet radii, select:

10. Line 7 and arc 8.
11. Arc 8 and Arc 9.
Before After

12. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

Your completed part geometry should look like the figure below:

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TASK 5:
TRIM THE GEOMETRY OF THE LARGE POCKET
To trim the geometry of the large pocket you will use Trim 2 entity and the Divide function.

1. Select Edit>Trim/Break>Trim/Break/Extend…

2. Click on the Trim 2 entity icon to activate it as shown above.

Ensure the icon is pressed down to signal that it is activated.
3. Now at the prompt Select the entity to trim/extend select the line at position 1,
4. The prompt changes to Select the entity to trim/extend to, select the line at position 2
5. Now at the prompt Select the entity to trim/extend select the line at position 3,
6. The prompt changes to Select the entity to trim/extend to, select the line at position 4
7. Now at the prompt Select the entity to trim/extend select the line at position 5,
8. The prompt changes to Select the entity to trim/extend to, select the arc at position 6
9. Now at the prompt Select the entity to trim/extend select the arc at position 7,
10. The prompt changes to Select the entity to trim/extend to, select the arc at position 8

The completed trimmed geometry is shown above right.

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Trim the 1.500 diameter circle

11. Click on the Divide icon on the ribbon bar to activate it. Ensure the icon is pressed
down to signal that it is activated.
12. You are prompted to Select the curve to divide. Move the cursor over the 1.5 diameter
circle at position 1 and select it as shown below left.
13. You are prompted to Select the curve to divide. Move the cursor over the 1.5 diameter
circle at position 2 and select it as shown below left.

14. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

The arc is trimmed back to the two closest intersections as shown above right:

TASK 6:
CREATE GEOMETRY OF SMALL POCKET
This task explains how to create the geometry for the small pocket at the lower right of the
part. The pocket is 0.95 x .5 with .15 radii on the corners. The geometry for the pocket
could be created in many different ways, this is just one option.

1. Select from the pull down menu Create>Rectangular Shapes…

2. The Rectangular Shapes Options dialog box appears and you are prompted to Select
position of base point. Choose the Expand button (1), to view all available options for
rectangle creation method.

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3. After selecting the Expand button, Set the following values:

A Activate Base Point, by ensuring the dot is visible for the

radio button.
B Enter the value for the Width 0.95.
C Enter the value for the Height 0.5.
D Enter the value for the Fillet Radius on the corners of the
rectangle 0.15.
E Select the rectangular Shape.
F Set the Anchor point to the lower right corner.

Review the dimensions of the small pocket shown below. The pocket is 0.95 x .5 with .15
radii on the corners. The lower right hand corner is dimensioned from the lower right hand
corner of the part, .2 along the X and Y axis direction.

4. Now you need to Select position of base point, move on up to the Auto cursor ribbon bar
and open up the drop down menu and select Relative.

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5. The ribbon bar changes to the Relative Position ribbon bar:

6. To satisfy the prompt Enter a known point or change to Along mode move the cursor
over the lower right corner of the part and as you get close to the intersection of the two
lines a visual cue appears . This is the cue that will allow you to snap to the endpoint.
With this visual cue highlighted pick the point.

7. You are now prompted to Enter rectangular or polar coordinates. Input the relative values
from this point in the space of the Delta section X (-0.2) and Y (0.2) and then hit Enter.

8. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature. The completed geometry is shown
below:

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TASK 7:
CREATE .375 AND 0.875 DIAMETER CIRCLES
Create the .375 diameter Circles
Circle #1
1. Select from the pull down menu Create>Arc>Circle Center point…

2. The Circle Center Point ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Enter the center
point. Click in the space for Diameter and enter a value of 0.375 and hit enter. Before
moving on click on the icon for diameter on the ribbon bar to lock it.

3. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor

ribbon bar .
4. In the space input the X (-0.5) , Y (1.75) values for the center of the first circle and hit enter.

5. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

Circle #2
6. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor

ribbon bar .
7. In the space input the X (-2.475) , Y (1.75) values for the center of the first circle and hit
enter.

8. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

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Circle #3
9. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point move the cursor over to the center of the circle

shown below. When the visual cue for center appears click on this point as shown
below:

10. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

Circle #4
11. Click on the diameter icon to unlock it.
12. Click in the space for Diameter and enter a value 0f 0.875 and hit enter.

13. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point move the cursor over to the center of the circle

shown below. When the visual cue for center appears click on this point as shown
below:

14. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

The completed geometry is shown below:

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TASK 8:
CREATE LETTERS FOR ENGRAVING
Create the letters MASTERCAM in the large pocket.
1. Select from the pull down menu Create>Letters…

2. The. Create Letters dialog box appears. Enter Mastercam in the Letters section of the
dialog box and set the following:
The Create Letters dialog box
creates alphanumeric characters
comprised of lines, arcs, and
NURBS splines.

Mastercam fonts
Mastercam contains pre-defined
letter files in four fonts: Block, Box,
Roman, and Slant. Each file
contains a letter or character
comprised of lines, arcs, and
splines.

3. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

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4. To satisfy the prompt Enter starting location of letters click on the FastPoint Icon on the

Auto Cursor ribbon bar .

5. In the space input the X (-3.75) , Y (0.675) values for the starting location and hit enter.
6. Hit the escape key on your keyboard to exit Create Letters.

The completed letters are shown below:

TASK 9:
TRANSLATE THE GEOMETRY
Translate the geometry in the Z axis
All the geometry created in this part lies at Z zero. In the next sequence of instructions you
will use Xform Translate to move the geometry up in the Z axis to more accurately represent
the true Z levels of the various entities.
The toolpath operations could still be successfully completed even if the geometry remained
at z zero.

1. Select Xform>Translate…

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2. You are first prompted to Translate: select entities to translate. First select the All button
on the General Selection ribbon bar as shown below to select all the geometry.

3. The Select All dialog box appears on the left of the screen, select the All Entities button.

4. Hit the F9 key to show the Axis lines.

5. Change the view to Isometric by clicking on the Isometric icon .

6. To move onto the next step you now need to pick the End Selection icon. This is located
over in the top right of the screen as shown below:

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7. After selecting End Selection the Translate window appears. Set the following values as
shown below on the left. Consult the part drawing section A-A screen shot below, the Delta
Z value is 0.7.

8. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

9. Click on the Clear Colors at the top right hand corner of the screen.

The next step will be to Translate the two circles and the word Mastercam that lie inside the
large pocket.
Translate the circles
10. Select Xform>Translate…
11. You are first prompted to Translate: select entities to translate. Select the two circles
shown below:

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12. To move onto the next step you now need to pick the End Selection icon . This is
located over in the top right of the screen.
13. After selecting End Selection the Translate window appears. Set the following values as
shown below on the left. Consult the part drawing screen shot below, the Delta Z value to
translate the two circles is -0.125.

14. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

15. Click on the Clear Colors at the top right hand corner of the screen.

16. Change the view to Top by clicking on the Top view icon .

Translate the word Mastercam

17. Select Xform>Translate…
18. You are prompted to Translate: select entities to translate. On the General Selection
ribbon bar ensure the Entity selection settings is set to In. In - Selects only entities that lie
completely inside the window.

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19. Now it is time to capture the entities, left mouse click approximately at position 1 hold the
mouse button down and drag to the right and down and release the mouse button at
approximately position 2. Then pick at approximately position 2. What you have done is
described a window around the entities you wish to capture, any entity not completely
inside the window will be omitted.

20. To move onto the next step you now need to pick the End Selection icon . This is
located over in the top right of the screen.
21. After selecting End Selection the Translate window appears. Set the following values as
shown below on the left. Consult the part drawing screen shot below, the Delta Z value to
translate the letters down to the bottom of the pocket is -0.5.

22. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

23. Click on the Clear Colors at the top right hand corner of the screen.

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

25. Now select the Fit to screen icon . The translated part is shown above:

TASK 10:
SAVE THE DRAWING
1. Select File.
2. Select Save as…
3. In the File name box, type Mill-Lesson-8-Part-1.
4. Save to an appropriate location.
5. Select the green check mark button to save the file and complete this function.

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Toolpath Creation
1B

TASK 11:
DEFINE THE ROUGH STOCK USING STOCK SETUP
1. Select the Fit to screen icon .
2. Select the plus in front of Properties to 3. Select Stock setup in the toolpath
expand the Toolpaths Group Properties. manager window.
Alt-O will Show/hide Operations Manager
pane.

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.
Z zero is at the bottom of the part.

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5. Select the Tool Settings tab and change the parameters to match the Tool Settings
screenshot below. To change the Material type follow the instructions below:

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.

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.

10. Your part should look similar to the screen shot below. With X0 Y0 at the lower right corner
and Z zero at the bottom of the part.

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TASK 12:
FACE THE PART TO .7 THICK
In this task you will use a 3.0 diameter face mill to face the top of the part to 0.7 thick.

1. Change the graphics view to a Top View by using the toolbar at the top of the screen.

2. Select the Fit to screen icon .

3. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>Face…

4. When prompted to Enter new NC name ensure Mill-LESSON-8-PART-1 is displayed as

shown below and then select the OK button .

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5. 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.

6. In the lower left corner of the Toolpath parameters page select the Select library tool…
button.

7. 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.

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

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9. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below.

10. Select the Facing parameters page 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 Face parameters.

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TASK 13:
CENTER DRILL ALL THE HOLES
In this task you will center drill the three holes with a .25 center drill.

1. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>Drill…

Now you are prompted to Select Points and the Drill Point Selection dialog box appears.
To center drill the three holes at the centre of the .375 diameter circles all you need to do
now is snap to the centre of these circles.
2. To satisfy the prompt Select a point move the cursor over to the center of circle 1 as
shown below. When the visual cue for center appears click on this point.
3. Continue using the same process and snap to the center of circle 2 and then circle 3.

4. 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 Toolpath parameters page. The first
task here will be to select a .25 diameter center drill.

5. Click on the Select library tool button in the lower left corner.
6. Select the .25 diameter center 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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8. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below. Turn the Coolant on.

9. Select the Simple drill – no peck page and input the Absolute depth of 0.5 and the other
values as shown below. Note all the values are set to Absolute.

10. Select the OK button to complete this function.

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TASK 14:
DRILL ALL THE HOLES .359 DIAMETER
In this task you will peck drill all the holes .359 diameter prior to reaming.
You will copy the center drill operations and then modify into the peck drilling operation.

1. On the left of the screen in the Toolpath manager the center drilling operation is the second
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. Move the Insert arrow to the bottom of the list of operations by clicking the icon
on the Toolpath manager toolbar.
4. In the Toolpath manager click on the folder Parameters for the third operation as shown
below:

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5. Select the Toolpath parameters page and click on the Select library tool button in the
lower left corner.
6. Scroll down and select the .359 diameter drill, as shown below:

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

8. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below. As the Coolant was set
to Flood in the previous operation it still remains set to Flood On.

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9. Select the Simple drill – no peck page and open up the Cycle drop down menu and select
Peck Drill. Input the Depth to 0, Peck amount to 0.3 and the other values as shown below.
Note all the values are set to Absolute.

10. Ensure the Tip Comp is activated by clicking on the small square to the left of the Tip Comp
button and make certain the green check mark is showing.

11. Click on the Tip comp button and the Drill tip compensation dialog box appears. The
Breakthrough amount should be set to 0.1.
12. Select the OK button to complete the Tip Comp function.
13. Select the OK button to exit Peck drill – full retract.

14. Select the Regenerate all dirty operations button to remove the red X from the drilling
operation you have just edited. You need to update the toolpath with the new parameters
you have just input.
15. This completes this drilling operation.

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TASK 15:
REAM ALL THE HOLES .375 DIAMETER
In this task you will ream all the.375 diameter holes through the part.
You will copy the peck drill operations and then modify into the reaming operation.
1. On the left of the screen in the Toolpath manager the peck drilling 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.
2. Select Copy after from this menu.

3. Move the Insert arrow to the bottom of the list of operations by clicking the icon
on the Toolpath manager toolbar.
4. In the Toolpath manager click on the folder Parameters for the fourth operation.

5. Select the Toolpath parameters page and right mouse click in the tool list space. Select
from the menu Create new tool…

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6. Select the icon for Reamer in the Define Tool dialog window.
Tool Type
Use this tab as the first step when creating a
mill or router tool definition to tell Mastercam
what type of tool this will be.

Mastercam will use this information to

customize the other dialog box tabs so that
you are only prompted to enter information
relevant to the tool type.

Mastercam will also use the tool type to filter

the tools list when you are selecting tools to
use in an operation.

7. Set the diameter to 0.375 as shown below:

Tool dimensions
Use the picture a guide for entering the
different tool dimensions.

The exact fields you see will depend on the

type of tool. For example, if you were defining
a tap, you would be prompted to enter thread
dimensions.

As you enter the dimensions, you will see a

picture of the tool profile update in the right
side of the dialog box.

8. Select the Parameters tab and enter 0.375 Ream in the Tool name section

9. Select the OK button to exit the tool dimensions window.

10. After selecting the OK button you are confronted with a warning Current Tool Settings
Modified. Select the OK button to exit this warning.
11. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below. As the Coolant was set
to Flood in the previous operation it still remains set to Flood On.

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12. Select the Peck drill – full retract page and open up the Cycle drop down menu and select
Bore #1 Input the Depth to -0.2, Tip Comp is Off. Set the other values as shown below.
Note all the values are set to Absolute.
Bore #1
Drills holes with feed-in and feed-
out motion.

This creates a straight hole with a

smooth surface.

13. Select the OK button to exit Boring #1 – feed out.

14. Select the Regenerate all dirty operations button to remove the red X from the
reaming operation you have just edited. You need to update the toolpath with the new
parameters you have just input.
15. This completes this reaming operation.

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TASK 16:
VERIFY THE TOOLPATH
1. In the Toolpath Manager pick all the operations to verify by picking the Select All icon .

2. Change the graphics view to Isometric .

3. Now select the Fit to screen icon .
4. Select the Verify selected operations button circled below:

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

6. Select the play button to verify the toolpaths.

The verified toolpaths are shown below.

7. Select the OK button to exit Verify.

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TASK 17:
SAVE THE UPDATED MCX FILE
1. Select the save icon from the toolbar.

TASK 18:
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.
Please Note: If you cannot see G1 click on the right pane of the Toolpath manger window and
expand the window to the right.

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

4. Select the OK button to continue.

5. Enter the same name as your Mastercam part file name in the NC File name field Mill-
Lesson-8-Part-1.

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-8-Part-1.

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TASK 19:
DUPLICATE FILE FOR PART 1 TO PART 2
1. Select File.
2. Select Save as…
3. In the File name box, type Mill-Lesson-8-Part-2.
4. Save to an appropriate location.
5. Select OK to save the file and complete this function.

6. Next delete all the operations in the toolpath manager. On the toolpath manager toolbar
pick the icon to Select all operations and then hit the delete key twice on your keyboard.

TASK 20:
TRANSLATE THE GEOMETRY FOR MACHINING ON FIXTURE
Translate the geometry in the X and Y axis.
For the next stage of machining operation the part is machined on a fixture. The X0 Y0
location is now at the center of the 0.875 diameter boss in the large pocket.
Z zero still remains at the bottom of the part.
In the next sequence of instructions you will use Xform Translate to move the geometry to
satisfy this new location.

1. Change the graphics view to a Top View by using the toolbar at the top of the screen.

2. Select Xform>Translate…
3. You are first prompted to Translate: select entities to translate. First select the All button
on the General Selection ribbon bar as shown below to select all the geometry.

4. The Select All dialog box appears on the left of the screen, select the All Entities button.

5. To move onto the next step you now need to pick the End Selection icon .

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6. After selecting End Selection the Translate window appears. Set the following values as
shown below on the left. Delta X = 2.475 Delta Y = -1.75.

7. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

8. Click on the Clear Colors at the top right hand corner of the screen.
9. Now select the Fit to screen icon .

Your screen will look similar to the screen shot below. The next sets of instructions will relocate
the position of the material in Stock setup.

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TASK 21:
ADJUST STOCK SETUP
Defining the Rough Stock using stock setup.
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. Now select the Fit to screen icon .

3. Select the plus in front of Properties to expand the Toolpaths Group Properties.
4. Select Stock setup in the toolpath manager window.
5. Change the parameters to match the Stock Setup screenshot below left:

6. Select the OK button to exit this feature.

Your part should look similar to the screen shot above right.

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TASK 22:
ROUGH, SEMI FINISH LARGE POCKET AND MACHINE .875
DIAMETER ISLAND
In this task you will use a 0.5 diameter flat end mill to rough the large pocket and machine
around and finish the top surface of the 0.875 diameter boss using Island.
The pocket depth is 0.5.

1. Change the view to Top by clicking on the Top view icon .

2. Now select the Fit to screen icon .
3. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>Pocket…
4. When prompted to Enter new NC name Input Mill-LESSON-8-PART-2 and then select the
OK button .
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 Arc 1 and then Arc 2 as shown
below:

6. After selecting Arc 2 your graphics screen should look like the screenshot above, with the
green arrow pointing downwards, if not see below.
7. If the arrow is pointing upwards select the arrow from the Chaining dialog box shown below
to reverse the direction.

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

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9. In the lower left corner of the Toolpath parameters page select the Select library tool…
button.
10. 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.
11. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.
12. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below:

13. Select the Pocketing parameters page and make changes to this page as shown below:
Open up the Pocket type drop down menu and set to Island facing.

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14. Select the Facing button in the lower left corner of the Pocketing parameters page to
review the settings. Set the values as shown below:

15. Select the OK button to complete this feature.

16. Select the Depth cuts button make the necessary changes.

17. Select the OK button to complete this feature.

18. Select the Roughing/Finishing parameters page and make changes to this page as
shown below:

19. Select the OK button to exit Pocket parameters.

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TASK 23:
ROUGH AND FINISH CONTOUR
In this task you will use the same end mill as the previous operation, a 0.5 diameter flat end
mill, to rough and finish the contour.

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 left in a clockwise direction, climb milling.
4. If the arrow is not pointing to the left 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. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below. Turn the Coolant on.

7. Select the Contour parameters page and make changes to this page as shown below.
8. Ensure to check the box for Multi passes, Depth cuts, Break thru and Lead in/out.

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9. Click on the Lead in/out button. Make the following changes as shown below:

10. Select the OK button to complete Lead in/out.

11. Select the Multi Passes button. Make the necessary changes shown below:

12. Select the OK button to exit Multi Passes.

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13. Select the Depth cuts button make the necessary changes.

14. Select the OK button to exit Depth cuts.

15. Select the Break thru button and make changes to this page as shown below:

16. Select the OK button to exit Break through.

17. Select the OK button to exit Contour parameters.

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TASK 24:
ROUGH AND FINISH THE SMALL POCKET
In this task you will use a 0.25 diameter flat end mill to rough and finish the small pocket
The pocket depth is 0.187.

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 as shown below:

3. After selecting the line your graphics screen should look like the screenshot above, with the
arrow pointing to the left. Note: We want the arrow pointing to the right so we can
climb mill the pocket.
4. If the arrow is not pointing to the right, (opposite of what the diagram above is showing)
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.
6. In the lower left corner of the Toolpath parameters page select the Select library tool…
button.
7. Use the slider bar on the right of this dialog box to scroll down and locate a 0.25 diameter
flat end mill. Select the 0.25 diameter flat end mill by picking anywhere along the 0.25 end
mill row.
8. Select the OK button to complete the selection of this tool.

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9. Make changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below:

10. Select the Pocketing parameters page and make changes to this page as shown below.
Open up the Pocket type drop down menu and set to Standard.

11. Select the Depth cuts button make the necessary changes.

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12. Select the OK button to complete Depth of cuts.

13. Select the Roughing/Finishing parameters page and make changes to this page as
shown below:

14. Select the Lead in/out button make changes to this page as shown below:

15. Select the OK button to exit Lead in/out.

16. Select the OK button to exit Pocket parameters.

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TASK 25:
FINISH LARGE POCKET USING RE-MACHINING
In this task you will use a 0.25 diameter flat end mill to finish machine the large pocket using
the re-machining function.

1. Hit the Alt and T keys to hide the toolpath display (lines created by toolpaths that run across
the part).
2. On the left of the screen in the Toolpath manager the large pocket operation is the first
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.
3. Select Copy after from this menu.

4. Move the Insert arrow to the bottom of the list of operations by clicking the icon
on the Toolpath manager toolbar.
5. In the Toolpath manager click on the folder Parameters for the fourth operation as shown
below:

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6. Select the Toolpath parameters page and select the .25 diameter end mill. Make
changes to the Toolpath parameters page as shown below. Coolant is on.

7. Select the Pocketing parameters page and make changes to this page as shown below.
Open up the Pocket type drop down menu and set to Remachining.

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8. Select the Remachining button. Make changes as shown below.

Remachining

Calculates areas where the roughing tool

could not machine the stock and creates a
second toolpath to clear the remaining
material.

9. Select the OK button to complete this feature.

10. Select the Depth cuts button and make the necessary changes.

11. Select the OK button to complete Depth of cuts.

12. Select the Roughing/Finishing parameters page and make changes to this page as
shown below:

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13. Select the Lead in/out button make changes to this page as shown below:

14. Select the OK button to exit Lead in/out.

15. Select the OK button to exit Pocket parameters.

16. Select the Regenerate all dirty operations button to remove the red X from this
operation you have just edited. You need to update the toolpath with the new parameters
you have just input.

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TASK 26:
ENGRAVE MASTERCAM IN BASE OF LARGE POCKET
In this task you will use a center drill to engrave the word MASTERCAM in the large pocket.

1. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>Contour…

2. On the screen you will now see the Chaining dialog box select the Window button.
3. Now left mouse click approximately at position 1 hold the mouse button down and drag to
the right and down and release the mouse button at approximately position 2. Then pick
at approximately position 2.

4. After describing the window around the word Mastercam the prompt changes to Sketch
approximate start point, pick a point where indicated as shown below:

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. Select the Center drill form the tool list and make changes to the Toolpath parameters page
as shown below. Turn the Coolant on.

7. Select the Contour parameters page and make changes to this page as shown below.
The Compensation type is set to Off, because the letters will be engraved online as
oppose to the left or right of the line.

8. Select the OK button to exit Contour parameters.

This completes the toolpath operations.

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TASK 27:
VERIFY THE TOOLPATH
1. Change to Isometric view .

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.

5. Select the play button to verify the toolpaths.

6. Select the OK button to exit Verify.

TASK 28:
SAVE THE UPDATED MCX FILE
1. Select the save icon from the toolbar.

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TASK 29:
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.
Please Note: If you cannot see G1 click on the right pane of the Toolpath manger window and
expand the window to the right.

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

4. Select the OK button to continue.

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

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-8.

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