What Is The Latest Version Of Mastercam
Angelika
We transitioned to a new company and gave us different computers and loaded Mastercam on them but I'm not sure if it's the latest and greatest version. They put 2017 on our machines but I don't know if the service packs were loaded.
File-Help-About Mastercam button. There's a version number there. It doesn't explicitly say what SP you're on, but if you copy/paste that version number here, someone really smart at the forum could probably tell you.
Every version releases hundreds of new features and improvements that improve tool life, workflow, and overall efficiency. Instead of listing a couple hundred updates added between Mastercam 2017 and 2024, we put together a list of the enhancements from each version we feel are most monumental.
You can use associative points to program your linking moves for most 2D toolpaths in Mastercam 2018 on the Linking Parameters page. If the top of a feature should be cleared by a certain amount, you can enter a Clearance amount, select Associative, and then pick a point on the feature in the graphics window.
There were a number of 2D features added in Mastercam 2018. The new additions include updates to Contour enhancements, Depth cut direction, Depth cut order, Finish passes, Plunge entry support, Spring passes, Stock awareness, Undercut support, and Taper support.
Smoothing controls were added to the high speed Hybrid toolpath on the Cut Parameters page. This feature is similar to the Sharp Corner smoothing options for the Finish Scallop toolpath. The Angle setting is the minimum angle between two toolpath segments that you want Mastercam to consider as a sharp angle. Blend distance is the distance Mastercam will back away from the sharp corners before and after.
Lathe Rough added a Section turning option in Mastercam 2018 which lets you cut stock in multiple sections. Based on the given distance, you have a couple of options: Break the toolpath into equal sections, into sections of exact distance with one section being the remainder, or into equal sections based on the given distance.
To further streamline their ribbon interface, Mastercam 2020 included contextual ribbon tabs that display when you select different types of geometry in the graphics window. This sped up the process of making design changes to your parts. For example, if you select only wireframe geometry, an extra ribbon tab titled Wireframe Selection displays tools that you might need for analyzing or editing. Similar tabs display when you select solid, surface, mesh, or a mixture of geometry types.
Blend, was added to the 3D High Speed suite of toolpaths in Mastercam 2020. Blend is based on the Surface Finish Blend toolpath, however, it is faster and has a superior quality. This toolpath also includes use of stock and holder checking. This also brought a blend toolpath to the Mill-Turn product.
Code Expert added several new features for working with multi-stream NC files with Mill-Turn in Mastercam 2020. The added controls allows you to toggle between single-stream and multi-stream view without re-posting. The Align Syncs function displays multi-stream outputs with the syncs or wait codes lined up.
Mastercam 2021 included support for multiple inserts with 3D tools in the Tool Designer panel. Defining multiple inserts is the same process as single-insert models. Right-click in the insert list and choose New Insert from the pop-up menu. Mastercam then displays the Insert page where you define the new insert the same as previous 3D tools.
Mastercam 2022 introduced a new way to run the Learning Edition (formerly the Mastercam Demo/HLE) version of the software. The learning edition opens with the same executable file as the core Mastercam application and is available under a free software license. Additionally, Port Expert, Blade Expert, Productivity+, ProDrill, Mill-Turn .machine environments, the Zip2Go utility, Migration Wizard, export to STL and 3M are accessible in the learning edition, and can be updated using the automatic update feature.
You must be connected to the network that hosts the Mastercam licenses to borrow a license. After borrowing, you can disconnect from the network. When borrowing, you select a time frame to reserve the license. You can return the license or trade it for a different Mastercam product as needed. To streamline your workflow, you can also borrow multiple Mastercam products simultaneously.
Mastercam 2023 introduced a B-Axis Contour Turning, a finishing toolpath that allows for rotation of the B-axis while the tool is cutting. This toolpath can be found in the General gallery on the Mill-Turn Turning contextual tab. The B-axis motion can be determined automatically or by using user-defined vectors to set the relative tool angle.
The Gview Cube sits in the lower left hand corner of the graphics window, nestled inside of the gnomon used as a shortcut for Dynamic Planes. The cube has the major six faces (labeled Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, and Back) as well as intermediate faces between each of the major sides and on the corners as well. This not only gives us quick access to the standard plane views in Mastercam, but also new views that have not been available in previous versions. The Gview cube is very useful for general information but is also the easiest way to navigate different views without a 3D controller.
The Dynamic Mill, Face, and Dynamic OptiRough toolpaths include a new Maximum engagement option on the Cut Parameters page in Mastercam 2024. When selected, it produces more nominal chips and minimizes the number of small chips. Additionally, Mastercam moves the tool towards the entered Stepover as quickly as possible.
Mastercam 2022 introduced Critical Depths to Area Roughing, which customizes how Mastercam handles flat areas when machining. In Mastercam 2024, this functionality has been expanded to the Area Roughing toolpath. With options for including all flats or only including specific depths, Area Roughing is more effective at roughing down to specific depth and reducing the need for additional floor finishing operations.
Part clearance option was added for instances when the Type is set to Full vertical retract for 3D high speed toolpaths in Mastercam 2024. The part clearance sets the minimum distance the tool maintains above the part while it is machining between passes. The actual retract height is set by the Clearance plane. However, if the retract height is less than the Part clearance, Mastercam adds an additional linear move between them until the total height equals the Part clearance.
You can now set the color of selected geometry in the graphics window for multiaxis toolpaths within the Cut Pattern Dialog box in Mastercam 2024. The selected color remains in effect as long as you are in the dialog box. This allows us to see what is selected in the background at a glance, without having to open any selection dialogs. You can also use color with collision control groups and cut pattern rows. Change the color by clicking the color box and selecting a new color from the Colors dialog box.
Mastercam 2024 added support for turret-mounted angled milling heads in Mill-Turn. This opens up the possibility for creating toolpaths on angled planes using turret-mounted tools, vastly improving the functionality of these machines.
I've never given any attention to Aliens, but have seen their name tossed around constantly. Had a few questions.
If I see someone say CCH Alien, are people using that interchangeably with the 'Fixe Original Alien'?
Has one cam emerged as 'better' out of Fixe Alien Original, Fixe Alien Lite, and Totem Basic?
Smallest cam I own is Powercam #1. Was thinking whether Alien, Zero, or Mastercam for those 00, 0, 1 small sizes in the future, thoughts?
On a range comparison I saw the Alien's are getting something like 50% increased range over the Powercam/ Mastercam, how are they achieving that?
Anything else? What am I missing here?
I've been finding lots of good solid placements for my .1 and .2 X4s. I have Aliens (red to blue) but can't comment since I've only used them about a week.
Another choice would be C3s. Lots of people swear by the 000 00 and 0.
Yeah I have no interest in the new Mastercams, would be looking for the old ones if going that direction. I guess I have seen so many threads talking of Totem cams, quoting "not the basic ones" that I assumed a negative connotation with it, which in fact sounds like people are just saying that to differentiate.
I had looked at getting a yellow Zero, just because it was absurdly cheap on steapandcheap. But maybe in the future I'll lean towards aliens or totems because it sounds like they get small, but also have a better range than Metolious for down low in the sizes??
Chart for those interested, unfortunately totems not included, I'd be really interested to see how they span the ranges, eliminating the grey size.
Not looking to buy anytime soon, but off the cuff, it seems a full set of totem basics would be an awesome compliment to the small sizes (doubles rack, for me) and then you could even grab a black alien if you wanted to get really small. I do love the knurling on the totems (in theory, haven't gotten to use the .75 I bought this winter).
the c3s are not everyones cup of tea, but they have the absolutely smallest headwidth in the smallest sizes
the grey/purple/green c3 will fit where nothing else will .... of course they are more stiff
once you get to red the headwith is marginally more narrow ... an the yellow is more or less the same as the blue/gray X4 or equivalent alien
;)
Hey trying to revive this thread, in lieu of making a new one, HAD ONE QUESTION, about the crimp at the base of the Fixe Alien thumbloop.
I just bought a grey Fixe CCH-Style Alien. And where the wire comes back through that (brass??) crimp, the cut wire end sticks out about an eighth of an inch, the steel wire is sharp, and already 1-5 frayed ends are sort of out of the bunch and I could stab myself on them if I tried. (Let alone by accident if not trying). Can I just remove this?
Do you guys just file all this shit off? And what is the deal here, is this a bad MFG. job? Is this standard? Is this excess material needed for the integrity of the crimp?
I saw this alien for sale thread and you can see that there is no steel cable protruding from the crimp. So what's the deal?