Mastercam Lathe PrimeTurning™

Mastercam PrimeTurning™ is an innovative turning method developed by Mastercam in cooperation with Sandvik Coromant. This method uses CoroTurn® Prime tools and enables material to be removed in all directions, making turning more efficient and improving surface finish. PrimeTurning™ delivers excellent material removal and long tool life, making it an ideal solution for demanding turning operations.

Features

Mastercam Lathe includes a built-in CoroTurn Prime tool library with preconfigured tools. This simplifies programming and ensures that optimal toolpaths are used. The PrimeTurning™ toolpath includes the same roughing and finishing capabilities as Mastercam’s conventional roughing and finishing turning operations, but uses a new approach in which the tool enters the material with an arc-shaped movement and its own cutting parameters. The main roughing cut is performed away from the chuck, enabling smooth and efficient chip removal.

PrimeTurning’s performance is based on specially designed insert geometries that enable cutting and feed speeds to be doubled, extending tool life and improving productivity by an average of 50–80%.

Applications

Complex Geometries: PrimeTurning™ is particularly well suited for parts with complex geometries and deep profiles that conventional methods cannot machine as efficiently.
High Productivity and Precision: The method is especially useful for parts that require high productivity and precision. Applications range from aerospace and automotive manufacturing to medical devices.
Roughing and Finishing: PrimeTurning™ is a versatile method that supports both roughing and finishing. The roughing stage achieves high material-removal rates, while the finishing stage delivers excellent surface quality.

Benefits

Productivity: PrimeTurning™ can improve productivity by up to 50–80% compared with conventional methods by using higher feed and cutting speeds.
Material Removal: Higher cutting and feed speeds enable significantly faster material removal.
Tool Life: Tool life is significantly improved through a smoother, less aggressive cutting action. The tool lasts longer, reducing the need for tool changes and increasing production efficiency.
Surface Finish: The innovative toolpath and tool design significantly improve surface finish, reducing the time and cost required for finishing.
Cost Efficiency: Extended tool life and reduced production downtime lower overall costs, making PrimeTurning™ a highly cost-effective method.

Tips

Workpiece Support: Ensure that the workpiece is properly supported and that sufficient chuck jaw pressure is applied, especially when machining long, slender parts. Use a tailstock or steady rest as needed. This helps prevent the workpiece from being pulled out of the chuck and improves stability.
Programming: Use Mastercam’s simulation tools to ensure that the toolpaths are free of errors and collisions. This is particularly important for the PrimeTurning™ method because its tool movements differ from those of conventional methods.
Chip Control: Monitor chip formation carefully. Effective chip control is critical, especially at high feed and cutting speeds, to prevent chip buildup and heat-related problems.
Workpiece Length and Fixturing: PrimeTurning™ works best with relatively short workpieces (length ≤ 3xD) and high chuck jaw pressure, or with longer shafts supported by a tailstock at the end of the shaft or by using a steady rest. Avoid machining long, small-diameter materials because the operation generates high radial forces.

Summary

Mastercam PrimeTurning™ represents a significant advancement in turning technology, providing machine shops with a more efficient, precise, and cost-effective solution. PrimeTurning™ enables turning in all directions, improving material removal and tool life while allowing complex geometries to be machined efficiently. With Mastercam PrimeTurning™, machine shops can shorten production times, improve workpiece quality, and reduce overall costs. It is an essential tool for modern turning operations seeking to remain competitive and efficient.