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What exactly is Feature Based Machining?
 One of the highlights of Mastercam X3 was the introduction of Feature Based Machining (FBM). FBM eliminates the manual processes involved in identifying features for programming milling and drilling operations on solid parts.
Features define a solid part’s topology – they describe the part’s physical properties including its faces and shapes, size, location of holes, slots, pockets, bosses, and other characteristics. FBM analyzes the part for specific feature types and automatically creates the individual toolpaths needed to machine the selected features.
Mastercam X3 includes two types of FBM toolpaths – FBM Mill and FBM Drill.
FBM Mill:
With a single operation, FBM Mill analyzes a solid part, detects all machining features in a specified plane, and automatically generates all of the 2D milling toolpaths necessary to completely machine the selected features. FBM Mill machines closed, open, nested, and through pockets. For complex nested pockets, Mastercam creates a separate zone for each depth and creates the boundaries required to machine it.
From a common set of parameters, FBM Mill creates the following types of 2D toolpaths:
- Facing, if stock in the Z-axis is above the top of the part.
- Roughing and Restmill for each zone.
- Separate finish toolpaths for walls and floors in each zone.
- Outside contours if the stock extends beyond the part in the X and Y axes.
FBM Drill:
Within a single FBM Drill operation, you can perform the following functions:
- Detect holes in a solid based on specified criteria.
- Review the detected features list and edit or delete features.
- Preview toolpath operations and make additional changes before they are generated.
- Automatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected features.
Hole detection can include blind, through, co-axial, and split holes. FBM Drill can also read hole data from solids created with the SolidWorks® Hole Wizard. Use other FBM Drill options to define deep drilling, spot drilling, and pre-drilling operation parameters.
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A Mastercam 3rd Party Product
 VERICUT® software (from CG Tech®, Irvine, California) simulates NC machining to detect toolpath errors and inefficient motion. During the part programming stage, you can eliminate errors that could ruin your part, damage your fixture, break your cutting tool, or crash your machine – without doing a single prove-out on the machine!
Here are some benefits to VERICUT:
Save time – Reduce or eliminate prove-outs and save machine tool, operator, and part programming time, all of which decrease your time-to-market.
Increase quality – Verify dimensional accuracy and optimize toolpaths for better finish on surfaces and edges.
Save money – Reduce or eliminate the cost of machine tool crashes, rework, scrapped parts, and damaged tooling, fixtures, and clamps.
Increase productivity – Reduce machining times and interrupt production less frequently.
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Bridging Theory and Practice at Robert Morris University
Winston Erevelles, a Dean at Robert Morris University (RMU) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said, “Mastercam has been our CAM software of choice since the inception of our program in 1999. It has so many uses, whether it is modeling, generating code, visualization, or generating robust STL (stereo lithography) files. Mastercam also has a post processor that is very open to customization. This allows people like us, who run an integrated learning factory with an automated machining and assembly cell, to customize the post processor to interface with our robots and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers).”
Engineering at RMU is highlighted by small class sizes, personalized attention, a dedicated faculty, and excellent laboratory facilities (called the Learning Factory) that are used in every undergraduate engineering course offered. Students head to the Learning Factory, where they use industrial-grade software and equipment to conduct research or solve actual problems that reflect their classroom work.
Other members of the RMU faculty corroborated the versatility and usefulness of Mastercam for a wide range of educational purposes within this close-knit learning environment.
“Philosophically, RMU is about problem-solving. Software is not a substitute for thinking but a valuable tool to augment thinking, to expand thinking. Without the tool, we can work on a simple problem only. With the tool, we can work on a more challenging problem or on different facets of the same problem,” said Joe Iannelli, Engineering Department Head.
“What I like about Mastercam is that it offers versatile surface modeling capabilities, and I ask students to use these capabilities very early in their RMU education,” said Arif Sirinterlikci, Director of the Engineering Laboratories. “I think this is very important because engineering students tend to lack surface modeling experience, so I have embedded in the course a good number of examples they can actually use.” |
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The Mastercam Product Selector
Are you trying to find the right Mastercam product for you or your shop? Let the Mastercam Product Selector help! This Selector steps you through a series of questions about your shop’s needs, and then it makes a recommendation based on your exact situation.
It asks questions like…
What type of machining do you do?
What type of files do you create?
Do you accept data from other CAD systems?
After answering a series of questions, you will get tailored results about which Mastercam products are recommended for you or your shop. From there you have the option of finding a Mastercam Reseller who can help you determine your exact needs!
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©Copyright CNC Software, Inc. 2009
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