Mastercam X6 Lathe focuses on productivity improvements

Variable Depth Roughing in Mastercam X6 Lathe allows the user to vary the point at which the tool insert contacts the surface to prevent notching and improve tool life. The depth can vary by up to 25% of the cut depth. In Variable Depth Roughing, the tool moves in at an angle on the first roughing pass, so the material contact point moves. The tool then makes the second pass in a traditional horizontal cut, using the already angled remaining stock again to maintain variable contact. Repeating the process throughout the roughing cycle results in much longer insert life, explains Mastercam. Several improvements have been made to canned rough and finish toolpaths in Mastercam X6 Lathe. These include: • Added options in canned rough operation parameters to extend the chain for tool clearance • Added parameters in the Lead in/out dialogue to shorten the start and end of the chain • Canned finish operations that use the cutter comp options from the canned rough operation • Support for Type 1 and Type 2 canned cycles, and • Added clearance value for canned finish. Tool Inspection is available in Finish toolpaths. The user can establish points during operations where the machine can be programmed to a specific position and then stop to allow tool inspections to be performed. Conditions dictating when tool inspections are to be performed – such as after a number of passes, after a specified cut length or a cut duration – can be set by the user. Additional features in Mastercam X6 Lathe include: • Finish toolpaths are now optimised to detect and finish up (flats) and down (walls) cut regions of the profile using a single chain • Facing toolpaths in Mastercam X6 Lathe offer additional feeds and speeds specifically for finish passes • New Corner button on the Face parameters tab provides options for adding a chamfer or radius to the edge of a part. • For grooving toolpaths, the option now exists to adjust the plunge and retract feedrates on the first plunge cut.