Why choose Mastercam?

Mastercam is the Industry Standard

The most recent analysis of CAM software seats produced by CIMdata, Inc. shows that CNC Software’s Mastercam® is the world’s most widely-used CAM software. With almost 136,000 installed seats, Mastercam has more than twice the installed base of the closest competitor.

What does this mean for you? It means that when you choose Mastercam, you’re using innovative CAM software that has helped more shops achieve success than any other. It also means that skilled Mastercam users are much easier to find.

Mastercam’s Support is Second to None
Mastercam is supported by a worldwide network of dedicated, expert resellers who focus exclusively on ensuring that Mastercam fits your needs. They know the software, know your area, and are there when you need them.

Mastercam also enjoys a large online user community that offers advice, help, tips and tricks to fellow Mastercam programmers.

Mastercam is Dedicated to the Future
As one of the pioneers in PC-based CAD/CAM, Mastercam has a long history of company security and health. As a privately-owned company, we continue to focus exclusively on the needs of NC programmers. And as a CAD/CAM innovator, we’ll be here to work with you as you move into the future.

A Focus on Speed and Efficiency

Mastercam X4 is here with a new suite of CAD/CAM tools focused on delivering speed and efficiency for your machining jobs.

Nesting Enhancements

Mastercam X4 allows you to perform automatic nesting with just enough manual intervention to achieve the best possible result in the least amount of time.
• New Drag button allows you to move parts around on the sheet.
• The Fill All Sheets option is back due to popular demand.
• Vertical/Horizontal Cut-Off options automatically generate a toolpath for vertical and horizontal cut-offs. This will preserve rectangular remnants for future use.

ATP (Automatic Toolpathing)

The generic Mastercam ATP will now process multiple materials.

Dynamic Cutting

Mastercam X4 introduces a new 2D High Speed Toolpath. This gives you the ability to utilize the entire flute length of the cutting tool while maintaining more consistent cutting conditions. This technique saves cutting time while reducing wear on your tooling and machines. It also offers:
• “Micro lift” retracts that avoid excess heat buildup
• Powerful entry methods, including a custom entry method to program complex shapes
• Custom feeds and speeds to enhance productivity and generate safe motion
• Flexible retract options to keep the tool down in smaller parts and supports rapid retracts on larger parts

Superior 3D Finish

Mastercam’s 3D surface toolpath refinement lets you achieve dramatically superior finishes on complex parts. This new utility gives you greater control over the toolpath finish motion, delivering smoother finishes and more optimized cycle times than conventional methods allow.

Multiaxis Improvements

• Drill 5-axis and Curve 5-axis dialogs are tree-style, stepping programmers through programming choices
• Circle Mill 5-axis is a new multiaxis toolpath. This toolpath creates circular pockets normal to a surface for inserting fasteners and similar features. It can also generate round holes where drilling is not desirable.
• The new Minimum Tilt option lets you control tool motion when the tool or holder encounters a potential collision with a selected surface.

Multi-Threading

A highlight of Mastercam X4 is multi-threading. This gives you the power to segment complex tasks in a multi-core computer, delivering faster processing and letting you continue to work while toolpaths are processed in the background.

Mastercam X	Router Entry	Router	Router Plus	Router Pro
CAD
Complete customizability
Create and dimension live wireframe geometry
TrueShape Nesting	optional
Read / write IGES, DXF, SAT, Parasolid, EPS & more
Read native Autocad, SolidWorks, Solid Edge & more
Read native Catia and Pro/E files		optional	optional	optional
Live Surface modeling
CAD file change recognition
Solid modeling		optional	optional	optional
CAM
Feature-Based Machining
Dynamic Milling
Fully associative toolpaths
Drilling
2D contour cutting
Basic pocketing
3D contour cutting, trimming & remachining
Advanced pocketing, including open pockets
2D highspeed machining
Block drilling
Tabs
Right-angle head support
Engraving
On-screen toolpath verification
Single and limited multisurface roughing
Single and limited multisurface finishing
Full multisurface and solid roughing
Full multisurface and solid finishing
Full multisurface and solid "cleanup" machining
Full multisurface and solid high speed machining
5-axis drilling and curve machining		optional	optional	optional
Full 4-and 5-axis machining				optional
Engraving		optional	optional	optional

Mastercam System Requirements

Processor: 1.5 GHz (minimum) 32-bit Intel-compatible processor; 64-bit Intel-compatible processors are supported.
Operating System: Windows® XP, Windows Vista® (Business or Ultimate), or Windows® 7 (Professional or Ultimate) including the latest service packs and recommended updates; Microsoft .NET 3.5 Framework (installed with Mastercam).
Memory: 1 GB (minimum), 1.7 GB available hard disk space.
Graphics: 128 MB OpenGL-compatible graphics card (minimum).
Monitor: 1024 x 768 at 96 DPI (minimum)
Mouse: Windows-compatible 2-button or 3-button mouse (or with middle mouse wheel.

As an independent software vendor partner with Dell, Mastercam receives and tests their latest hardware offerings to make sure that they are compatible with Mastercam. Once a system is received, Mastercam is installed and we run tests to insure the hardware platform and its individual components work without error. By eliminating the issue of incompatibility, both software and hardware vendors help reduce troubleshooting and resolution. If the system meets our approval, it is deemed “certified” and then listed on Dell's web page as a supported and recommended system from running Mastercam.

Clicking here will direct you to Dell’s Workstation Advisor page. Please follow their wizard to find the Dell Precision Workstations that are recommended for use with Mastercam.

SolidBox is a turnkey hardware integrator for Mastercam end users. SolidBox sells servers, desktops, and laptops that are configured specifically for Mastercam. Systems arrive with Mastercam software pre-installed. Your requested version of Mastercam is installed and configured with the most compatible system drivers available. This allows you to open the box, plug in your HASP, turn on the computer, and start working! SolidBox does not sell Mastercam software, rather they work with your Mastercam Value Added Reseller (VAR) to make sure your license of Mastercam is properly installed and ready to work for you.

Take a look at the High Speed, Cobalt, and Carbide series products to learn more.