TRAINING

GUIDE

MILL-LESSON-9
SURFACE POCKET AND SURFACE
FINISH PARALLEL
Mastercam Training Guide

Objectives
You will create the geometry for Mill-Lesson-9, and then generate the toolpaths to machine the
part on a CNC vertical milling machine. This Lesson covers the following topics:

 Create a 3-dimensional drawing by:

Creating lines.
Creating arcs.
Trimming geometry using Divide.
Creating a revolved surface.

 Establish Stock Setup settings:

Stock size using Bounding Box.
Material for the part.
Feed calculation.

 Generate a 3-dimensional milling toolpath consisting of:

Surface pocket.
Surface finish parallel.

 Inspect the toolpath using Mastercam’s Verify and Backplot by:

Launching the Verify function to machine the part on the screen.
Generating the NC- code.

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MILL-LESSON-9 DRAWING

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TOOL LIST
 0.500 diameter bull end mill with a 0.125 corner radius to rough machine the pocket.
 0.500 diameter ball end mill to finish machine the pocket.

MILL-LESSON-9 - THE PROCESS

Geometry Creation
TASK 1: Setting environment
TASK 2: Create geometry
TASK 3: Trim the geometry
TASK 4: Create the revolved surface
TASK 5: Create boundary curves
TASK 6: Save the drawing

Toolpath Creation
TASK 7: Define the rough stock using stock setup
TASK 8: Rough the pocket using surface pocket
TASK 9: Finish the pocket using surface finish parallel
TASK 10: Verify the toolpath
TASK 11: Save the updated MCX file
TASK 12: Post and create the CNC code file

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TASK 1:
SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Before starting the geometry creation you should set up the grid, toolbars and machine type as
outlined in the Setting the environment section at the beginning of this text:
1. Set up the Grid. This will help identify the location of the origin.
2. Customize the toolbars to machine a 3D part.
3. Set the machine type to a Haas Vertical Spindle CNC machine.

TASK 2:
CREATE GEOMETRY - X0 Y0 LOWER LEFT CORNER
 In this task you will create the geometry that will be used to create the revolved surface. First
you will create the circles, C1 through C4 and then create the lines 1 through 7. The arc C5
will be created using Fillet.

 Create Circle #1
1. Select Create>Arc>Circle Center point…
2. The Circle Center Point ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Enter the center
point.

3. Before moving on, click in the white space for radius and enter a value of 0.25. Next click
on the icon for radius on the ribbon bar as shown below. This locks in the radius for the
circles. To unlock click on the icon for diameter.

4. To satisfy this first prompt click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor ribbon bar .
5. In the white space input the X (0.25) and Y (0.5) values for the center of the circle and hit
enter. Note that there is a comma between the X and Y values, and you do not need to
input the Z value for this example.

6. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

 Create Circle #2
7. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor
ribbon bar.
8. In the white space input the X (0.625) and Y (0.5) values for the center of the circle and then
hit the enter key.

9. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

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 Create Circle #3
10. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor
ribbon bar.
11. In the white space input the X (3.750-1.858) and Y (0.5+0.25) values for the center of the
circle and then hit the enter key.

12. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

 Create Circle #4
13. To satisfy the prompt Enter the center point click on the FastPoint Icon on the Auto Cursor
ribbon bar.
14. In the white space input the X (3.750-0.25) and Y (0.625) values for the center of the circle
and then hit the enter key.
15. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.
16. Now select the Fit to screen icon .

 Create Line #1
17. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Line>Line Endpoint…

18. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Specify the first endpoint and the Line ribbon
bar appears. Note that the Tangent function is activated.

19. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over to the center of the
grid and as you get close to the Origin (X0Y0) a visual cue appears. This is the cue
that will allow you to snap to the origin, with this visual cue highlighted pick the origin.
20. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over the area of the
circle shown below. Ensure there is no visual cue being displayed and click on this point.
As Tangent is activated on the line ribbon bar the line will snap to the closest tangency point
on the circle as shown below right:

21. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

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 Create Line #2
22. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over the area of the circle
shown below. Ensure there is no visual cue being displayed and click on this point. As
Tangent is activated on the line ribbon bar the line will snap to the closes tangency point on
the circle.

23. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over the area of the
circle shown below. Ensure there is no visual cue being displayed and click on this point.
As Tangent is activated on the line ribbon bar the line will snap to the closest tangency point
on the circle as shown below right.

24. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

 Create Line #3
25. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over the area of the circle
shown below. Ensure there is no visual cue being displayed and click on this point.

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26. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over the area of the
circle shown below. Ensure there is no visual cue being displayed and click on this point.
As Tangent is activated on the line ribbon bar the line will snap to the closest tangency point
on the circle.

27. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

 Create Line #4
28. Click in the white space for Length and enter a value of 0.5 and then hit the tab key. In the
white space for Angle and enter a value of -40.0 and hit enter.

29. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over the area of the circle
shown below. Ensure there is no visual cue being displayed and click on this point.

30. To satisfy the prompt Select a line pick the lower line as shown below:

31. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

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 Create Line #5
32. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint use the AutoCursor ribbon bar Override
drop down list. Open the drop down and select Quadrant. Move the cursor over the area
of the circle shown below right and click on the circle:

33. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over to the left of the

circle shown below. Ensure the visual cue for Perpendicular is displayed and click
on this point.

34. On the ribbon bar click on Apply to fix the entity.

 Create Line #6
35. Click on the Multi-line button to activate it.

36. To satisfy the prompt Specify the first endpoint move the cursor over to the center of the
grid a visual cue appears. With this visual cue highlighted pick the origin.
37. Click in the white space for Length and enter a value of 3.75 and then hit the tab key. In the
white space for Angle enter a value of 0 and hit enter.

 Create Line #7
38. To satisfy the prompt Specify the second endpoint move the cursor over to the right of the
circle shown below. When the visual cue for Endpoint is displayed click on this point.

39. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

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 Create Circle #5
40. Select Create>Fillet>Fillet Entities…
41. On the Fillet ribbon bar enter .25 for the radius. Ensure the Style of radius is set to
Normal and the trim button is depressed to turn the trim on.
42. When prompted to Fillet: Select an entity, select the two lines shown below:

43. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

TASK 3:
TRIM GEOMETRY
 In this task you will trim the geometry using Divide. There are many different ways to
accomplish this trimming operation, this is just one method. If you make a mistake using
Divide use the Undo button to start over.

 Trim the circles

1. Select Edit>Trim/Break>Trim/Break/Extend
2. The Trim / Extend / Break ribbon bar appears and you are prompted to Select the entity to
trim/extend.

3. Click on the Divide icon to activate it as shown above. Ensure the icon is pressed
down to signal that it is activated.
4. The prompt changes to Select the curve to divide. Move the cursor over the various
circles and select in order and position as shown below. The arc is trimmed back to the two
closest intersections as shown below. Note: On some of the circles you will need to select
them more than once to completely trim them.

5. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

The completed geometry is shown below:

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TASK 4:
CREATE THE REVOLVED SURFACE
 In this task you will create a revolved surface using the geometry you have just created and
revolve the geometry 180 degrees about the X axis.

Revolved surfaces are circular in one direction. You will be prompted to chain an entity that the
revolved surface will use as a profile. You may choose multiple entities to create many revolved
surfaces at a time.
You are then prompted to choose a line to use as the axis of rotation and the revolved surface is
created.
If you have chosen multiple entities, a surface for each entity will be created, each having a
different profile and position and all using the same axis of rotation. Click Apply or Enter when
done.

 Create Revolved Surface

1. Select from the pull down menu: Create>Surface>Revolved…
2. On the graphics screen you are prompted: Select profile curve(s) 1. In the Chaining dialog
window select Partial Chain as shown below:
3. Select line 1 and ensure the arrow is pointing upwards. If not click on the reverse icon.
4. Then select line 2 as shown below:

5. Click on the OK icon in the Chaining dialog window.

6. Change the End angle to 180 as shown below and hit enter:

7. Change the graphics view to Isometric .

8. The prompt now changes to Select axis of rotation, select the line shown in the diagram
above in step 4.
9. Select the Fit to screen icon .

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10. The arrow should be pointing downwards and the newly created surface should look like
the diagram below: If the arrow is not pointing downwards or the surface does not look like
the image below, select the Reverse icon on the Revolved surface ribbon bar.

11. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

12. Select the Shaded icon to display the part in shaded mode.

13. Select the Wireframe icon to return to wireframe display.

14. Delete the axis of revolution as this will not be required anymore. Select the Delete

entities icon and when prompted to Select entities pick the line shown below and
then hit enter.

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TASK 5:
CREATE BOUNDARY CURVES
 When you machine the Revolved surface you will be prompted to chain an entity that the
revolved surface will use as a profile, this task will create that profile.

 Change the current color to enable better visibility of the entities

1. Select System color from the Status bar at the bottom of the screen.

2. In the Colors dialog box select the red color or type in 12.

3. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

 Mirror the initial contour geometry

4. Select Xform>Mirror…
5. You are first prompted to Mirror: select entities to mirror. First select the All button on the
General Selection ribbon bar as shown below:

6. The Select All dialog box appears on the left of the screen. Check mark the Entities box
and then check mark Lines hold the Ctrl key down and then select Arcs.

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7. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

8. To move onto the next step you now need to pick the End Selection icon .

9. After selecting End Selection the Mirror window appears. Set the following values as
shown below:

10. Click on the OK icon to complete this feature.

11. Click on the Clear Colors at the top right hand corner of the screen.

TASK 6:
SAVE THE DRAWING
1. Select File.
2. Select Save as.
3. In the File name box, type Mill-Lesson-9.
4. Save to an appropriate location.
5. Select the green check mark button to save the file and complete this function.

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Toolpath Creation
TASK 7:
DEFINE THE ROUGH STOCK USING STOCK SETUP

1. Fit to screen .
2. Select the plus in front of Properties to expand the Toolpaths Group Properties. Alt-O will
Show/hide Operations Manager pane.

3. Select Stock setup in the toolpath manager window.

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4. Change the parameters to match the Stock Setup screenshot below:

 Z zero is at the top of the part.

5. Select the Tool Settings tab and change the parameters to match the Tool Settings
screenshot below. To change the Material type follow the instructions below:

6. To change the Material type to

Aluminium 6061 pick the Select button
at the bottom of the Tool Settings page.

7. At the Material List dialog box open

the Source drop down list and select
Mill – library.

8. From the Default Materials list select

ALUMINIUM inch -6061 and then
select .

9. Select the OK button again to complete this Stock Setup function.

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Your part should look similar to the screen shot below. With X0 Y0 at the middle left side and Z
zero at the top of the part.
Surface roughing toolpaths typically use larger
tools, multiple stepovers, and multiple step
downs to quickly remove larger volumes of
stock and leave an even amount of stock for
finishing.

The roughing toolpaths you choose for your

part depend on the shape of the part, shape of
the stock, and machining situation. Mastercam
provides several roughing strategies.

TASK 8:
ROUGH THE POCKET USING SURFACE POCKET
 In this task you will use a 0.5 diameter end mill with a 0.125 corner radius to rough out the
pocket.

1. From the menu bar select Toolpaths>Surface Rough>Pocket…

2. When prompted to Enter new NC name ensure Mill-LESSON-9 is entered and then select
the OK button .
3. You are first prompted to Select Drive surfaces, select the All button on the General
Selection ribbon bar as shown below:

4. The Select All dialog box appears on the screen.

5. Click on the OK icon to complete and exit this feature.
6. To move onto the next step you now need to pick the End Selection icon .
7. Select the Containment button from the Toolpath/surface selection dialog box.
Use this dialog box to select all the geometry needed for a surface
toolpath.

Each surface toolpath requires drive geometry selected from the

graphics window or from a CAD file.

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