At the heart of modern manufacturing lies a duo of technological marvels: Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). These tools represent the fusion of software and computer-controlled machinery, working in tandem to streamline the manufacturing process and pinpoint the ideal tools for any given job. Within this realm, Mastercam, a proud member of the Sandvik Group, stands out. It’s not just any CAD/CAM platform; it’s the most utilized system worldwide, boasting over 300,000 licenses. Mastercam has redefined the standard for these platforms, offering unparalleled assistance in selecting the most effective tools and toolpaths for any task at hand.
Mastercam’s prowess isn’t confined to mass-producing automotive parts or bringing a unique piece of AI-generated art into the physical world. It excels in ensuring an efficient manufacturing process, leveraging the right tools and pathways to reduce waste and boost productivity. Through Mastercam, machinists can craft parts with precision and ease, whether by importing designs or creating them directly on their screens. The Sandvik CoroPlus® Tool Library, seamlessly integrated into Mastercam, guides users to the perfect tool for their specific project needs.
Tobias Unosson, a Product Manager at Sandvik Coromant, highlights the simplicity and speed brought by the CoroPlus Tool Library’s integration into Mastercam, enhancing tool data management for a smoother user experience.
The distinction between CAD and CAM is crucial: CAD focuses on design, defining a product’s look and function, whereas CAM tackles the manufacturing aspect. The journey of every engineering project begins with CAD, where a vision is translated into a tangible design, be it a car’s crankshaft, a kitchen faucet’s core, or an AI-inspired statue blending multiple artistic visions.
Ke Wang, Mastercam’s Manager of Applications Engineering, reflects on the unique challenge and excitement of producing an AI-designed statue—a pioneering venture for the team. This project not only showcased Mastercam’s technical prowess but also its commitment to embracing advanced manufacturing challenges.
CAM is indispensable in digital manufacturing, facilitating innovative automated design solutions. A fully operational CAM system encompasses software for generating toolpaths, the machinery to transform raw materials into final products, and a post-processing phase to translate those toolpaths into machine-readable language.
Mastercam simplifies the complex multitasking involved in machine programming, especially for intricate machines. It also excels in tool selection from an extensive library, ensuring optimal material and operation compatibility—a key factor in achieving profitability, according to Ke Wang.
Within a single interface, Mastercam offers toolpath virtualization and simulation, complete with collision checks to ensure machine readiness. It streamlines the production process by optimizing and synchronizing toolpaths, thereby reducing production time and costs with strategies like Accelerated Finishing™ and Dynamic Motion™ for both milling and turning.
Mastercam’s approach involves several meticulous steps to prepare a model for machining, ensuring the elimination of geometry errors, creating precise toolpaths, setting machine parameters, and configuring part orientation for efficiency.
Tailored to fit any tool library, Mastercam allows users to import their libraries, facilitating a seamless programming process. Being a part of the Sandvik Group, Mastercam benefits from unique methodologies like the PrimeTurning™ concept, offering more efficient and productive turning techniques. Ke Wang emphasizes the synergy between Sandvik’s tooling solutions and Mastercam software, eliminating the need to sift through catalogs for the right tool. Once job parameters are set, Sandvik’s solutions guide users towards the optimal tool choice, showcasing the strength of integrating advanced tooling solutions with cutting-edge CAD/CAM technology.
