Featured Stories
Automotive CNC Machining: What You Need to Know
It’s been almost 150 years since the first gas engine automobiles drove down the street, and in that time, the automotive industry has made incredible leaps. Just as the automotive industry was perfecting self-driving vehicles and discovering new, high-tech materials, though, it was stopped in its tracks. COVID-19, the blockage of the Suez Canal, and the ongoing microchip shortage all brought automotive manufacturing to a…
What are the Axes in 5-Axis Machining?
Five-axis machining is taking the machining world by storm, and for good reason. This type of manufacturing, in which computer numerical control is used to move cutting parts or tools along five different axes simultaneously, unlocks incredible potential for any shop. Five-axis machining reduces labor hours, eliminates extra setups, increases production efficiency, and results in beautiful, complex parts. Understanding 5-axis machining is less simple, though.…
CNC Machining for the Aerospace Industry: What You Need to Know
The aerospace industry encompasses not only all things aviation and flight, but also aircraft operations in space, and it services the private, commercial, and government defense sectors. In 2019 alone, the industry contributed over $900 billion to the U.S. economy and employed over 2 million people, according to the Aerospace Industries Association. In 2020, however, the industry took the biggest downturn in its history when…
What is CAM for Milling?
CAM for milling is one of the most commonly used techniques in the manufacturing world for producing parts to extremely precise shapes and sizes, because it combines two powerful tools: milling and CAM software. Milling is a type of subtractive machining process, meaning that it removes material from a workpiece. It does this by using a spinning tool like an endmill to cut the stock…
5 Mastercam Multiaxis Concepts You Need to Know
Mastercam Multiaxis add-on is designed to provide practical multiaxis machining strategies for simultaneous 4- and simultaneous 5-axis machining. It’s available for add-on for Mastercam Mill 3D, Mastercam Router 3D, Mastercam Mill-Turn, and Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS. Its interface is intuitive, but savvy users can maximize their multiaxis proficiency by diving into these five concepts. 1. 3 + 2 Machining 3 + 2 machining is not necessarily…
Multiaxis Machining 101: How It Works and Its Benefits
As automation and Industry 4.0 take the manufacturing world by storm, multiaxis machining is becoming a common topic of discussion in shops globally. The reason? Multiaxis machining enables faster, more complex machining with less human labor. What is Multiaxis Machining? Traditional milling has been around for over 200 years, but 3-axis milling was not invented until 1861, when Brown & Sharpe created the Universal Milling…
How Mastercam OptiRough Can Save You Hours of CNC Programming Time
CNC programmers spend a portion of their time in an office environment programming complicated parts before they can be machined. Reducing programming time frees up CNC programmers to program more parts and allows them to be more hands-on throughout the machining process. Thanks to the updates with Mastercam OptiRough in our latest release, more CNC programmers have access to this time-saving tool. What is Mastercam…
5 Common Multiaxis Myths
Few techniques are more touted or more feared in the subtractive manufacturing industry as multiaxis machining. Sometimes it can seem like it’s best to leave multiaxis to the big players—international aerospace manufacturers and giant defense shops—because it seems like they’re the only ones equipped for it. But so many of the ideas that circulate about multiaxis machining are really myths. We are here to bust…
5 New Mastercam 2022 Features You Need to Know
Meet Mastercam 2022. You spoke, and we listened. Since the release of Mastercam 2021, the Mastercam User Experience team has surveyed countless users, conducted usability tests inside and outside of Mastercam headquarters, and spent hours and hours trying to reduce mouse miles. The result is Mastercam 2022—a powerful new release driven largely by customer feedback. Now we invite you to explore the features that you…
Feeling Restless? Explore Machine Simulation
To combat the restlessness many of us are feeling right now, Strategic Technical Specialist Karlo Apro recommends keeping busy. “Most of us are stuck at home right now, but on the other side of this pandemic, shops will be busier than ever. We will all be trying to make up for lost time. It would be smart to use this downtime to ‘sharpen our tools’,…
Accelerated Finishing Technology
Why Use Accelerated Finishing? Accelerated Finishing Technology Gives You New Ways To Work Faster Our cutter-specific strategies are designed to make the best use of the latest advances in tool types and shapes. These tools need specialized, precision control to use them safely and to their full benefit. As new tool designs continue to emerge, technology must evolve to optimize performance. Examples of tool shapes…
New Tool Libraries Available from Harvey Tool and Helical Solutions
Being part of the world’s largest CAM community has its advantages. One recent development is the partnership between Mastercam and Harvey Performance Company. An immediate result is that Mastercam users can now access more than 15,000 tools from their Harvey Tool and Helical Solutions brands on our Tech Exchange—with more on the way. Harvey Tool and Helical Solutions tools are well respected and good quality.…