Mastercam Lathe
Mastercam Lathe is CAM programming software for CNC lathes, covering everything from basic turning operations to turning centers equipped with live tooling and more demanding turning applications. In addition to standard turning methods, the software supports dynamic turning based on Dynamic Motion technology, PrimeTurning, and custom-shaped thread profiles.
Mastercam Lathe is suitable for programming both individual components and series production. Toolpaths can be created from 2D geometry or 3D models, with Mastercam Design CAD capabilities available within the same software environment. Geometry can be created, modified, and prepared for machining without switching to a separate CAD program.
Mastercam Lathe CAM Programming for CNC Lathes
Mastercam Lathe combines turning toolpath programming, CAD geometry handling, tool management, stock information, and toolpath verification in a single software environment. Toolpaths are associative, so when geometry or machining parameters change, they can be recalculated without rebuilding the entire program from scratch.
Previously created operations can be copied and reused in new jobs. This speeds up programming for similar parts and recurring machining processes, while allowing proven tools, cutting data, and methods to be used again.
In addition to standard turning operations, Mastercam provides features for managing the machining process. During roughing, for example, you can use variable chip thickness, chip breaking, and peck turning, as well as pause machining at defined intervals for tool inspection. These features are useful for materials that produce long chips, turning long shaft-like parts, and automated production.
Mastercam Lathe is also available as Lathe Entry for programming basic parts. The full Lathe license adds more advanced capabilities, including dynamic roughing, expanded collision checking, and features for programming live tooling.
Dynamic turning and PrimeTurning for efficient material removal
Mastercam’s Dynamic Roughing, also known as dynamic turning, uses Dynamic Motion technology to control tool loading. The toolpath accounts for the tool’s engagement with the material and aims to maintain a consistent average chip thickness throughout the operation. This stabilizes machining conditions and improves chip control and process reliability in particular.
Dynamic turning is especially well suited to various recesses and complex turning profiles where tool engagement with the material varies significantly with conventional toolpaths. More controlled cutting conditions enable efficient material removal and reduce sudden fluctuations in tool loading.
Good chip control is particularly important in automated and unattended production, where long chips or uncontrolled chip formation can cause production disruptions. The benefits of dynamic turning therefore extend beyond faster machining to include more consistent tool loading and a more stable machining process.
Mastercam Lathe also supports the PrimeTurning method, which was developed through a collaboration between Mastercam and Sandvik Coromant. PrimeTurning enables turning in multiple directions and uses tools and CAM strategies specifically designed for the method.
PrimeTurning is especially well suited to efficiently roughing shaft-like components. The method allows turning both toward and away from the chuck, enabling efficient use of the tool cutting edge, high feed rates, and high material removal rates.
Dynamic turning and PrimeTurning do not replace conventional turning methods for every component. Instead, they offer alternative methods for situations where the component geometry, material, tooling, and production objectives allow for a more efficient roughing process.
Programming custom thread profiles without separate thread-turning software
In addition to standard threads, Mastercam Lathe enables you to program custom thread profiles in the same CAM environment as the rest of the turning program. The toolpath can follow the shape of the specified geometry, so programming is not limited to predefined standard thread profiles.
With Mastercam, you can program trapezoidal, rope, and other thread profiles defined specifically for the part. Custom threads can be machined with a variety of turning tools, giving you the flexibility to select the tool based on the part geometry and the available tooling.
Custom thread programming is included with the Mastercam Lathe license, so you do not need to purchase separate thread-turning software for specialized threads. The rest of the part’s turning operations, custom thread programming, and toolpath verification can all be handled in the same Mastercam environment.
In a customer case published by Mastercam, the manufacturing time for a custom thread on a large lifting drum was reduced from at least 40 hours to approximately seven hours—an improvement of about 83 percent. The example demonstrates the significant impact that purpose-built CAM programming for custom threads can have on demanding parts.
Programming Live Tools in Mastercam Lathe
Mastercam Lathe supports programming CNC lathes equipped with a C-axis and live tooling. Live tools can be used to program machining on both the face and cylindrical surfaces of the workpiece, including drilling, profiling, grooving, and other milling features.
On turning centers equipped with a Y-axis, the Y-axis expands the machining capabilities of live tools to include off-centerline holes, grooves, and other milling features. This allows a greater portion of the part to be machined in a single setup on the turning center.
When live-tool applications require more extensive milling capabilities than those included with a Lathe license, the Mastercam solution can be expanded to meet specific machining needs. Mastercam Mill adds broader 2D and 2.5D milling capabilities, Mill 3D enables 3D machining across multiple surfaces, and Multiaxis provides continuous multiaxis milling when needed.
This allows turning, drilling, and milling operations performed on the same turning center to be programmed within a single Mastercam environment, while the software package can be scaled to match the machine’s actual capabilities.
Stock model, 3D tools, collision checking, and simulation
Mastercam Lathe uses stock data in turning programming. Toolpaths can account for remaining material, allowing machining to be focused on areas where material actually needs to be removed. Stock-aware programming helps reduce unnecessary tool movements and supports better control of roughing and finishing.
Turning tools can be defined in Mastercam as accurate 3D models. The insert, toolholder, and, when needed, the entire tool assembly can be modeled to match the tool used in production, allowing the actual geometry to be used in programming, simulation, and collision checking.
Tool 3D geometry can also be defined using a 3D model provided by the manufacturer. This eliminates the need to build the tool and holder entirely by hand and makes it possible to define the tool assembly used in the CAM environment as closely as possible to the actual assembly used on the machine.
Mastercam also supports importing tool data in GTC format. GTC, or Generic Tool Catalog, enables manufacturer-defined tool components and complete tool assemblies to be transferred to the Mastercam tool library. This speeds up tool definition and reduces the need for manual tool data entry.
GTC data and digital tool models are available from several major tool manufacturers, including Walter Tools, Sandvik Coromant, Seco Tools, Kennametal, and ISCAR. Using manufacturer tool data allows CAM programming to utilize the actual geometry of the tool and holder without having to define the entire assembly manually from scratch.
Mastercam also supports tool library integrations that allow manufacturers’ 3D tool assemblies and related information to be imported into the software. This enables the manufacturer’s digital tool data to be integrated directly into CAM programming.
Collision checking in the Lathe license can account for not only the tools but also the part and components of the machining environment, such as chuck jaws, the steady rest, and the tailstock. Using accurate 3D tool models improves the reliability of the check because the actual geometry of the tool and holder can be taken into account as early as the programming stage.
Toolpath verification and simulation can be used to evaluate material removal, tool movements, and program operation before machining begins. Stock data, accurate 3D tools, and collision checking work together to provide a realistic view of the machining process before the NC program is transferred to the machine tool.
Suitability of the Mastercam Lathe License for Different Types of Turning Centers
In addition to conventional 2-axis CNC lathes, Mastercam Lathe is suitable for turning centers equipped with a C-axis and live tooling, as well as Y-axis turning centers. The appropriate Mastercam configuration depends on the machine’s design and the turning, drilling, and milling operations it will perform.
Swiss-type sliding-headstock machines can be programmed using a machine-specific Swiss postprocessor solution. This makes it possible to generate NC code suited to the machine’s design and CNC control, while managing the machine’s various machining channels and synchronizations between them.
In addition to turning, Swiss-type machines can utilize the required live-tooling and milling capabilities. The software configuration and postprocessor are defined for each machine based on its axes, spindles, tooling systems, and NC channels.
For a multitasking lathe with multiple spindles or several tool turrets, or for a B-axis mill-turn machine, Mastercam Mill-Turn is the recommended solution. Mill-Turn is a separate Mastercam license that uses the turning capabilities of the Lathe license and Mastercam’s milling capabilities, while adding a machine-specific programming, synchronization, and simulation environment for multitasking machines.
Mastercam Mill-Turn can manage multiple spindles, tool turrets, and machining channels, synchronize their operations, and display the entire manufacturing process in a machine-specific environment. It is suitable for machines that require control of multiple simultaneous operations in addition to individual turning and milling operations.
The suitability of the Lathe license is therefore determined on a machine-by-machine basis. Conventional CNC lathes and turning centers equipped with C- and Y-axes and live tooling can be programmed in the Lathe environment. Swiss-type machines require a machine-specific Swiss postprocessor solution, while Mastercam Mill-Turn is recommended for advanced multitasking lathes with multiple spindles, multiple turrets, or a B-axis.
Mastercam Lathe grows with your machine fleet and production needs
The Mastercam Lathe package can be configured to match your current machine inventory and the parts you manufacture, then expanded as production requirements grow.
Lathe Entry can be used to program basic parts, while Lathe provides more advanced turning capabilities and expanded options for programming modern turning centers.
Milling capabilities for live tooling can be expanded with Mill, Mill 3D, and, when needed, Multiaxis. A machine-specific Swiss postprocessor solution can be implemented for Swiss-type sliding-headstock machines, while programming for more complex mill-turn machines can be carried out in the Mastercam Mill-Turn environment.
The appropriate configuration is always determined based on the machine tool being used, its axes and equipment, and the parts to be manufactured. The required machine-specific postprocessor, as well as 3D tool models, GTC data, and other digital tool information, can also be taken into account.
This allows the Mastercam environment to be configured to closely match actual production and developed further as the machine inventory and part requirements change.
Find the right Mastercam Lathe solution for your production
