camInstructor Video Blog

This video series covers every setting in Mastercams Dynamic Milling Toolpath. This is Part 5 of 5.

There are many settings inside of Mastercam 2D Dynamic Milling Toolpath. This video series will cover every single setting and provide examples for each. . In this video we will finish up the Dynamic Milling Toolpath settings overview by looking at the Entry Motion options.

The Entry Motion page contains several areas for defining the Entry Motion. At the top, we can select the Entry Method. Choices here include Helix Only, Helix Followed by Full Medial Burial, Helix Followed by Trochoidial Medial, Profile, Medial and Custom, Use Entry Chain. Below this pulldown is where the Chain Geometry can be selected. Continuing down, here there are options for Helix Radius, Trochoidal Loop Radius, Additional Slot Width and Center Helix on Point Depending on which Entry Method is specified, these fields may or may not be available. Below this we have settings for the Z Clearance, which specifies how far above the stock the entry motion begins, and Plunge Angle as well as Entry Pitch. Only one of these can be used as they both control the rate of decent of the entry motion.

Lastly is the optional field for Entry Feeds and Speeds. When enabled the Entry Motion will use these values as the speed and feed instead of the programmed operation speeds.

The radius of the helix can be controlled by the Helix Radius setting and the Z cut depth per revolution is controlled by either the Plunge Angle or Entry Pitch.

Helix Followed by Full Medial will helix down to the cutting depth, but once at cut depth the toolpath will make a full depth and width cut along a Medial path. A Medial path is basically a central spine of the pocket selected for machining. The purpose of this medial cut is so that subsequent passes are not fully buried.

Burying the tool at any point during the cut might not be acceptable, this is where Helical Entry Followed by Trochodial Medial may be an option. This is similar to the previous entry except the medial path now employs a trochoidial motion to avoid full cutter width of cut.

The Profile entry method will create its own boundary to cut based on the shape of the pocket and the size of the cutter. Z cut depth per profile revolution is still controlled by either Plunge Angle or Entry Pitch settings.

The last entry method, Custom, use entry chain, we demonstrated its use in the Chaining portion of these videos. Refer back to those videos for explanation on its use.

Plunge Angle and Entry Pitch settings. Essentially the effect the path in the same way, you are just controlling the pitch with different values.

Entry Feeds and Speed, are fairly self explanatory. You can specify a different speed and feed for the Entry. Be aware though that these speeds and feeds are active for the entire Entry Motion. For example, when performing a Helix Followed by Full Medial, the Entry Feeds and Speeds will be active for both the helical portion and full medial cut portion.

This completes the Dynamic Milling Toolpath overview.

To start this series from the beginning...

Dynamic Mill Part 1

Want to learn more about Mastercam? Check out;

camInstructor for Teachers - Independent Learners - Students