Mastercam X7

Chapter 36

Belt Buckle

A. Create Rectangle.

Step 1. If necessary start a new Mastercam file, click File Menu

> New

Step 2. Click color swatch in Status Bar at bottom of screen, Fig. 1. Key-in
101 for purple color number and press ENTER.
Right click

Fig. 1

Step 3. Click Create Menu > Rectangle or click Rectangle Tool

in toolbar.

Step 4. In the Rectangle ribbon bar set:

Width

4 Fig. 2

Height

Fig. 2

Step 5. In Auto Cursor ribbon bar set:

.5

0

0
Step 6. Click OK
in ribbon bar to
fix rectangle and close ribbon
bar, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
Step 7. Fit

(Alt-F1).

Step 8. Use F9 to toggle Origin/Axis

display on and off to confirm
Origin, Fig. 3.

Orgin

Fig. 3

B. Save As BELT BUCKLE

Step 1. Click File Menu > Save As.

Step 2. Key-in BELT BUCKLE for the filename and press ENTER.

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-1

Cudacountry.net Tech Ed
http://www.cudacountry.net email:cudacountry@hotmail.com

8-18-14

C. Create Ellipse.

Step 1. Click Create Menu > Ellipse.

Step 2. In Ellipse dialog box set:

Width

1.975 Fig. 4

1.25

Height

Step 3. In Auto Cursor ribbon bar set: Fig. 5

2.5

1.5

0

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Step 4. Click OK
in Ellipse dialog box,
Fig. 4 and Fig. 6.

D. Offset Ellipse.

Step 1. Click Xform Menu > Offset.

Step 2. In Offset dialog box: Fig. 7
Copy

Distance

.09

Step 3. Click ellipse, then click inside, Fig. 8.

Fig. 6

Step 4. The purple

offset should be
inside of the red
original, Fig. 8.
If it is not, click
Reverse button

Click Ellipse..
..then click inside Ellipse

in the
Offset Contour
dialog box,
Fig. 7.
Step 5. Click OK
in Offset dialog box.

Fig. 7

Step 6. Right click drawing area and click Clear Colors

Step 7. Save

Fig. 8
(Alt-R C).

(Alt-F S).

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-2

E. Three Circles.

Step 1. Click Create Menu > Arc > Circle Center Point.
Step 2. Key-in .159 for diameter
red when locked.

and click Diameter

Step 3. In Auto Cursor ribbon bar set, Fig. 9

1.2

1.5

-.25
Step 4. Click Apply
in ribbon bar to fix
circle, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10.

to lock, Fig. 9. The field turns

Fig. 9

(3.5, 1.95, -.25)

(1.2, 1.5, -.25)
(3.5, 1.05, -.25)

Step 5. In Auto Cursor ribbon bar set, Fig. 11

3.5

1.95

-.25
Fig. 10

Step 6. Click Apply

Fig. 11
in ribbon bar to fix circle, Fig. 11 and Fig. 10.

Step 7. In Auto Cursor ribbon bar set, Fig. 12

3.5

1.05

-.25

Step 8. Click OK
Step 9. Save

Fig. 12
in ribbon bar to fix circle and close ribbon bar, Fig. 12 and Fig. 10.
(Alt-F S).

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-3

F. Merge Mastercam Graphic File.

Step 1. Download mastercam-graphic.dxf
from Mastercam cudacountry web
page. http://www.cudacountry.net/
html/mastercamx_toc.html.
Step 2. Back in Mastercam X7, click File
Menu > File Merge/Pattern.
Step 3. Set Files of type to AutoCAD.DXF,
Fig. 13.
Step 4. Select the mastercam-graphic.dxf
file and click Open.

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

Step 5. Click OK
Step 6. Save

in ribbon bar, Fig. 14.

(Alt-F S).

Fig. 15

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-4

G. Extrude Outside Ellipse Solid.

Step 1. Change to Isometric View
Step 2. Fit

(Alt-7).

(Alt-F1).

Step 3. Click Solids Menu > Extrude.

Step 4. Click Chain

in Chaining dialog box, Fig. 16.

Step 5. Click outside ellipse, Fig. 17.

Step 6. Click OK

in Chaining dialog box.

Step 7. In Extrude Chain dialog box:

Select Create Body, Fig. 18
Set Distance .25
Fig. 16
The direction arrow on chain points in the direction of extrude,
Fig. 17. The direction arrow should point down, if arrow points in opposite direction check
Reverse direction, Fig. 18.
Chain
outside ellipse
Click OK
.

Direction
arrow

Fig. 17

Fig. 19

Fig. 18

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-5

H. Cut Inside Ellipse.

Step 1. Click Solids Menu > Extrude.

Step 2. Click Chain

in Chaining dialog box.

Step 3. Click inside ellipse, Fig. 20.

Chain
inside ellipse

Step 4. Click OK
in
Chaining dialog box.
Step 5. In Extrude dialog box, Fig. 21
Select Cut Body
Set Distance .07
The direction arrows on Extrude cut chain
indicates direction of extrude cut, Fig. 20. The
chain direction arrow should point down, if arrow
points in opposite direction check Reverse direction, Fig. 21.
Click OK
.
Step 6. Save

Direction
arrow

Fig. 20

(Alt-F S).

Fig. 21

Fig. 22

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-6

I. Extrude Mastercam Solid.

Step 1. Click color swatch in Status Bar at bottom of screen. Key-in 55 for yellow
color number and press ENTER.
Step 2. Turn off Shading

Chain
all letters

(Alt-S).

Step 3. Click Solids Menu > Extrude.

Step 4. Click Chain

in Chaining dialog box.

Fig. 23

Step 5. Click each letter and include inner geometry of as and e in

chaining, Fig. 23.
Step 6. Click OK

in Chaining dialog box.

Step 7. In Extrude Chain dialog box:

Select Create Body, Fig. 24
Set Distance .07
The direction arrows on all chains should point in the same
direction indicating direction of extrude, Fig. 25. Most of my
chains point up (youre direction arrows could be different),
so I'll click the two downward chains to reverse their direction, Fig. 25 and Fig. 26. The direction arrows point up, check
Reverse direction, Fig. 24.
Click OK
.
Step 8. Turn on Shading

(Alt-S).

Fig. 24

Click to
reverse
direction

Fig. 25

Fig. 26

Fig. 27

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-7

J. Cut Holes.
Step 1. Turn off Shading

(Alt-S).
Chain
circles

Step 2. Click Solids Menu > Extrude.

Step 3. Click Chain
box.

in Chaining dialog

Step 4. Click the 3 circles, Fig. 28.

Step 5. Click OK

Fig. 28

in Chaining dialog box.

Step 6. In Extrude dialog box, Fig. 29

Select Cut Body
Set Distance .15
The direction arrows on all chains should point in the same
direction indicating direction of cut, Fig. 30. Most of my
chains point up, so Ill click the downward chain to reverse its
direction, Fig. 30 and Fig. 31.
The direction arrows point up, uncheck Reverse direction,
Fig. 29.
Click OK
.
Step 7. Click the ellipse body as target body, Fig. 31.
Step 8. Save

Fig. 29

(Alt-F S).
Click to
reverse
direction

Fig. 30
Target
body

Fig. 31

Fig. 32

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-8

K. Stock Setup.
Step 1. Turn on Shading

(Alt-S).

Step 2. If necessary, display Operations Manager. Use Alt-O.

Step 3. Expand Properties (click +) in Toolpaths Manager, Fig. 33.
Fig. 33

Step 4. Click Stock Setup in Toolpaths Manager,

Fig. 33.
Step 5. Click left front top corner of the stock to
move the origin, Fig. 34. After you click
corner the arrow will point to corner.
Step 6. Click All Entities in Stock Setup dialog
box, Fig. 34.
Step 7. Confirm Display check box is checked,
Fig. 34.
Step 8. Click OK
in Machine Group
Properties, Fig. 35.
Click corner to
move arrow

Fig. 34

Fig. 35

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-9

L. 2D High Speed Dynamic Area Mill Toolpath.

Step 1. Click Toolpaths Menu > 2D High Speed > Dynamic Area.
Step 2. Click OK

in NC name dialog, Fig. 36.

Step 3. Select Chain

in Chaining dialog box, Fig. 37.

Fig. 36

Step 4. Click the inside ellipse to Chain the ellipse, Fig. 38.
Step 5. Click OK

in Chaining dialog box, Fig. 37.

Chain
inside ellipse
Fig. 37

Fig. 38
Step 6. Select Multiple machining regions and click Avoidance regions
button in Chain Options dialog box, Fig. 39.
Step 7. Click each letters to Chain letters (no inner space), Fig. 40.
Chain
each letter
Dont chain
inner space

Fig. 39

Fig. 40

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-10

Step 8. Click OK
Fig. 41.

in Chaining dialog box,

Step 9. Confirm 9 Avoidance regions chained and

click OK
in Chain Options dialog
box, Fig. 42.
Step 10. Select Tool from tree control and:
click Select library tool Fig. 43.
Step 11. Click Filter in Tool Selection dialog box,
Fig. 44.
Fig. 42
Fig. 41

Fig. 43

Fig. 44

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-11

Step 12. Click None under Tool

Types
Fig. 45.
Step 13. Click Endmill2 Flat button
(first button top row) and
click OK
Fig. 45.
Step 14. Click 234 3/16 FLAT
ENDMILL and click OK
Fig. 46.

Fig. 45

Step 15. Back in

Tool page
set:
Tool # 1
Feed rate
200

Fig. 46

Plunge rate
100
Fig. 47.

Fig. 47

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-12

Step 16. Select Cut

Parameters
from tree control and set:
Cutting method Climb
Stock to leave
on wall and
floors 0
Fig. 48.
Step 17. Select Depth
Cuts from tree
control and set:
Check
Depth cuts

Fig. 48

Max rough
step .02
Fig. 49.

Fig. 49

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-13

Step 18. Select Entry

Motion from
tree control and
set:
Z clearance
.02
Fig. 50.
Step 19. Select Linking
Parameters
from tree control and set:

Fig. 50

Depth -.07
Fig. 51.
Step 20. Click OK
in
Dynamic Area
Mill dialog
box.
Step 21. Allow
Mastercam to
calculate the
toolpath.
Step 22. Save
(Alt-F S).
Fig. 51

Fig. 52

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-14

M. 2D High Speed Rest Toolpath.

Step 1. Use Alt-T to turn off toolpath display.

Step 2. Copy and Paste Dynamic Area Mill

toolpath in the Toolpaths Manager. To
copy, click to select toolpath, Fig. 53.
Then, use Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V, Fig. 54.
Step 3. Expand copied toolpath and click Parameters, Fig. 54.

Fig. 53
Fig. 54

Step 4. Select
Toolpath Type
from the tree
control and
select:
Rest Mill
Fig. 55.
Step 5. Select Tool
from tree control and click
Select library
tool
Fig. 56.

Fig. 55

Fig. 56

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-15

Step 6. Click 229

1/32 FLAT
ENDMILL
and click
OK
Fig. 57.
Step 7. Back in
Tool page
set:

Fig. 57

Tool # 2
Feed rate 2

Plunge rate 1
Fig. 58.

Fig. 58

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-16

Step 8. Select Cut Parameters from

tree control
and set:
XY stepover
% of dia
45
Fig. 59.
Step 9. Select
Transitions
from tree control and set:
Z clearance
.02
Fig. 60.
Step 10. Click OK

Fig. 59

in Rest
Mill dialog
box.

Fig. 60

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-17

N. Verify Two Toolpaths.

Step 1. In the Toolpaths Manager, click Regenerate all selected operations

Step 2. Save

, Fig. 61.

(Alt-F S).

Step 3. Click Toolpath Group-1 in the Toolpaths

Manager to select both toolpaths, Fig. 62.
Step 4. Click Verify
ager, Fig. 62.

in the Toolpaths Man-

Step 5. Click Verify

in Mastercam Simulator home ribbon bar to select Verify mode, Fig. 63.

Fig. 61

Fig. 62

Fig. 63
Step 6. Click Play
dow, Fig. 64.

(R) in VCR bar along bottom of the winFig. 64

Step 7. Note Total Time to run program under Toolpath Info in the Move
List panel (roughly 4 hours), Fig. 65.
Step 8. Switch back to Mastercam
(Alt-Tab).

Fig. 65

Fig. 66

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-18

O. 2D High Speed Rest Toolpath.

Step 1. Use Alt-T to turn off toolpath display.

Step 2. Copy and Paste Dynamic Area Mill

toolpath in the Toolpaths Manager. To
copy, click to select toolpath, Fig. 67.
Then, use Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V, Fig. 68.
Step 3. Expand copied toolpath and click Parameters, Fig. 68.
Step 4. Select Toolpath Type from the tree control and:

Fig. 67
Fig. 68

Click both Remove selected

machining
chains
and Remove
selected
Avoidance
chains
Fig. 69.
Step 5. Under Machining regions
click
Select machining chains
Fig. 70.

Fig. 69

Fig. 70

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-19

Step 6. Select Chain

in Chaining dialog box, Fig. 71.

Step 7. Click to chain inner geometry of both as and e letters, Fig. 72.

Fig. 71

Fig. 72
Step 8. Click OK

in Chaining dialog box, Fig. 71.

Step 9. Confirm 3 Machining regions chained, Fig. 73.

Fig. 73

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-20

Step 10. Select Tool

from tree control and set:
Select 1/32
FLAT ENDMILL in the
Tool display
window
Feed rate 2

Plunge rate 1
Fig. 74.

Step 11. Select

Entry Motion from tree
control and set:

Fig. 74

Z clearance
.02
Fig. 75.
Step 12. Click OK
in
Dynamic Area
Mill dialog
box.

Fig. 75

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-21

P. Verify 3 Toolpaths.

Step 1. In the Toolpaths Manager, click Regenerate all selected operations

Fig. 76.
Step 2. Save

(Alt-F S).

Step 3. Click Toolpath Group-1 in the

Toolpaths Manager to select all 3 toolpaths, Fig. 77.
Step 4. Click Verify
ager, Fig. 77.

in the Toolpaths ManFig. 76

Fig. 77

Step 5. Click Play

(R) in VCR bar
along bottom of the window.
Step 6. Switch back to
Mastercam (AltTab).

Fig. 78

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-22

Q. Contour Toolpath with Tab.

Step 1. Use Alt-T to turn off toolpath display.

Step 2. Click Toolpaths Menu > Contour.
Step 3. Click Chain

(C) in Chaining dialog box, Fig. 79.

Step 4. Click outside ellipse to Chain, Fig. 80. The chain arrow should point
clockwise around the chain. If chaining directions arrow is pointing
in the opposite direction - click Reverse
, Fig. 79.
Step 5. Click OK
Chaining dialog box.

in

Fig. 79

Contour Chain

Fig. 80
Step 6. In the 2D
Toolpaths
Contour dialog
box confirm 1
Chain is selected, Fig. 81.

Fig. 81

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-23

Step 7. Select Tool

from tree control and set:
Select 3/16
FLAT ENDMILL in the
Tool display
window
Feed rate 200

Plunge rate
100
Fig. 82.

Step 8. Select Cut Parameters from

tree control
and set:

Fig. 82

Compensation
type Wear
Compensation direction
Left
Tip comp:
Tip
Stock to leave
on walls and
floors 0
Fig. 83.

Fig. 83

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-24

Step 9. Select Depth

Cuts from tree
control and set:
Check Depth
cuts

Max rough
step: .02

Finish step 0
Fig. 84.

Step 10. Select Lead

In/Out from
tree control
and set:
Uncheck Lead
In/Out
Fig. 85.

Fig. 84

Fig. 85

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-25

Step 11. Select Tabs

from tree control and set:
Check Tabs
Select Automatic
Fig. 86.
Step 12. Select Linking
Parameters
from tree control and set:
Depth -.25
Fig. 87.
Step 13. Click OK
.

Fig. 86

Step 14. Save

(Alt-F S).

Fig. 87

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-26

R. Verify Contour with Tab.

Step 1. Click Toolpath Group-1 in the Toolpaths Manager to select all 4

toolpaths, Fig. 88.
Step 2. Click Verify
Step 3. Click Play

in the Toolpaths Manager, Fig. 88.

(R) in VCR bar.

Step 4. Switch back to Mastercam (Alt-Tab).

Tab

Fig. 88

Fig. 89

S. Create WCS BOTTOM CUT.

Step 1. Rotate view to view bottom of solid

with single hole on left side,
hold down middle mouse
button (wheel) and
drag to rotate view,
Fig. 90.
Step 2. Click WCS in Status
Bar at bottom of screen
and View Manager from
menu, Fig. 91.

Fig. 90

Fig. 91

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-27

Step 3. Click Geometry in View

Manager dialog, Fig. 92.
Step 4. Click the 2 lines in left
corner to define construction plane, Fig. 93.
Step 5. Rotate axes by clicking
the arrow in the Select
view dialog box, Fig.
94 until X axes points
to right, Y axes to rear
and Z up, Fig. 95. This
should be View 5,
Fig. 94. Click OK
in the Select
view dialog box.

Fig. 92

Select
both lines

Fig. 93
Fig. 94

Fig. 95

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-28

Step 6. Key-in BOTTOM CUT for name in the New

View dialog box and click OK

, Fig. 96.

Step 7. Back in the View Manager set:

Origin X 0 Fig. 97 and Fig. 98
Origin Y -3
Origin Z .25
Step 8. Click Set All
click OK
Fig. 97.
Step 9. Save

Fig. 96

and
,

(Alt-F S).

Fig. 97

BOTTOM CUT
origin

Fig. 98

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-29

T. Circle Mill Toolpath.

Step 1. Confirm origin. Use F9

to toggle axes,
BOTTOM
CUT
Fig. 99.
origin

Step 2. Click
Toolpaths
Menu >
Circle Paths >
Circmill.
Step 3. Click the Entities button in
the Drill Point Selection dialog
box, Fig. 100.
Step 4. Click the 3 circles and press ENTER, Fig. 101.
Step 5. Click OK

Fig. 99

in the Drill Point Selection dialog box, Fig. 100.

Fig. 100

Fig. 101

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-30

Step 6. Select Tool

from tree control and click
Select library
tool
Fig. 102.
Step 7. Select 232 1/8
FLAT ENDMILL and
click OK
Fig. 103.
Step 8. Back in Tool
page set:
Tool # 3
Feed rate 2

Fig. 102

Plunge
rate 1
Fig. 104.

Fig. 103

Fig. 104

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-31

Step 9. Select Cut Parameters from

the tree control
and set:
Compensation
type Computer
Compensation
direction Left
Tip comp:
Tip
Stock to leave
on walls and
floors 0
Fig. 105.

Fig. 105

Step 10. Select Depth

Cuts from the
tree control and
set:
Check Depth
cuts

Max rough
step: .02
Fig. 106.

Fig. 106

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-32

Step 11. Select Linking

Parameters
from the tree
control and set:
Depth -.15
Fig. 107.
Step 12. Click OK
.
Step 13. Save
.
Use Alt-F S.

Fig. 107

U. Verify Circle Mill.

Step 1. Click Verify
Step 2. Click Play

in the Toolpaths Manager, Fig. 108.

(R) in VCR bar.

Step 3. Switch back to Mastercam (Alt-Tab).

Fig. 108
Fig. 109

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-33

V. Change Back to Top WCS.

Step 1. Click WCS in Status Bar at bottom of screen and Top WCS from menu, Fig. 110.
Step 2. Change to Isometric View
Step 3. Fit

(Alt-7).

(Alt-F1).

Fig. 110

Mastercam X7 Mastercam Belt Buckle Page 36-34