Mastercam Router
Mastercam Router is CAM programming software for CNC router machines, designed especially for machining wood, composites, plastics, and various sheet materials. The software can be used to program 2D, 3D, and multi-axis toolpaths and supports router-specific features such as nesting, multi-spindle drilling heads, angle heads, and sawing.
Mastercam Router includes the CAD functionality of Mastercam Design, allowing geometry to be created, repaired, and modified within the same programming environment. Programming can be based directly on 2D geometry, surface models, or solid models.
Mastercam Router CAM Programming for CNC Routers
Mastercam Router combines milling, drilling, sawing, and other machining operations for CNC router machines in a single CAM environment. The software supports everything from simple profiles, pockets, and drilling operations to demanding 3D shapes and multi-axis machining.
When programming router machines, the machine structure, available cutting heads, tools, and accessories can all be taken into account. This is especially important for machines that use, in addition to the main spindle, equipment such as multi-spindle drilling heads, angle heads, or sawing units.
If a company already uses Mastercam to program other CNC machines, Router is a natural way to extend the same CAM environment to CNC router machines. This means programmers do not need to learn a separate router software package, and the same Mastercam files, geometry, CAD tools, and programming methods can also be used for programming router machines.
2D, 3D, and Multiaxis Machining in the Same Mastercam Environment
Mastercam Router can be used to program 2D and 2.5D machining operations such as profiling, pocketing, drilling, and grooving, as well as more demanding machining of 3D surfaces and solid models. This makes the software suitable for machining both sheet-like parts and three-dimensional components manufactured on router machines.
3D toolpaths can be used, for example, to rough and finish molds, patterns, composite parts, and other freeform surfaces. Multiaxis toolpaths, in turn, can be used to program 4- and 5-axis router machines, as well as parts that require the tool orientation to change during machining.
The large work envelopes, sheet-based workpieces, and various cutting heads used on router machines place specific demands on programming. Mastercam Router makes it possible to account for these features within a single environment, without having to divide 2D, 3D, and multiaxis programming between different systems.
Nesting for Efficient Use of Sheet Materials
Nesting is a key part of CNC router programming, especially when manufacturing multiple parts from a single sheet. With Mastercam Router, parts can be arranged on the sheet material to make the most efficient use of the available material.
Nesting can be used with both geometry and completed toolpaths. With TrueShape nesting, the actual shapes of the parts are taken into account during placement, making it possible to efficiently arrange irregularly shaped parts on the sheet.
Mastercam Router also enables the reuse of leftover material in subsequent jobs. This is particularly useful when machining wood, plastic, and composite sheets, where material utilization directly affects manufacturing costs.
Nesting can be combined with part drilling, milling, sawing, and machining order. This allows the programming of parts manufactured from a sheet to be planned as a unified production process.
Multi-spindle drilling heads, angle heads, sawing, and other specialized router machine functions
Industrial CNC router machines often use various cutting heads and accessories in addition to the main spindle. Mastercam Router can be used to program multi-spindle drilling heads, which use multiple drills to efficiently produce the holes required in panel and furniture manufacturing, for example.
Angle heads make it possible to program drilling, grooving, and other machining operations on the side surfaces of parts without reclamping the workpiece. This allows more operations to be completed in a single setup and reduces manual part handling.
Mastercam Router also supports sawing, which can be used, for example, to cut panels to size, create grooves, and separate parts. Sawing can be incorporated into the same programming process as other tools and toolpaths.
The router machine’s cutting heads, tools, axes, and other machine-specific features can be taken into account during programming and in the postprocessor. Toolpaths can be verified before the NC program is transferred to the machine, and in demanding 3-, 4-, and 5-axis environments, machine simulation can be used to check machine movements and identify potential collisions before machining.
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