Considering an upgrade, but unsure what the benefits are? Mastercam Mill 3D offers some new 3D enhancements that are sure to make your mill or mill turning work faster and easier.

What is Mill 3D?
Mastercam Mill 3D machining provides unsurpassed control on surface cuts, delivering superior finishes and optimized cycle times.

What is the difference between Mill and Mill 3D Product?

The most simple answer is that the difference between Mill and Mill 3D products lies primarily on the amount of machine axes that can be commanded on each line of NC code. Typically, when 2D milling, only the x- and y- axes will be utilized on a given move at the machine. In contrast, a simultaneous x-, y- and z-axis move can be used when 3D milling. While this answer is accurate, it lacks any nuance. So, what does that really mean and when should you use Mill 3D?

Mastercam Mill licenses are the most common license type for milling machines, and although, 2D milling is considered foundational, it is not inherently simpler than 3D milling. In addition, 3D toolpaths can still be accessed with a standard Mill license, as long as you stick to a single surface or solid face for the machining geometry. Mill gives you unrestricted access to 3D Optirough and 3D Contour toolpaths (excluding Mill Entry). Mill licenses are ideal for flatwork, prismatic parts, 3-axis vertical mills, and basic positional multiaxis work. A Mill license can even be used for positional 4 or 5-axis machining as long as it is supported by your post.

So when would you need to upgrade to Mill 3D? 3D milling excels on parts with more complex shapes, especially those with sculpted or non-planar surfaces. Mastercam Mill 3D is commonly used in more complex surface machining, such as you would find in mold and die components as well as for the aerospace industry. Mill 3D could be used to program any free-flowing complex surface or set of surfaces. This license is ideal for making molds, organic shapes/decorative work, and more complex positional multiaxis parts. If your CAM system’s primary purpose is to program 3D parts, consider the ROI (return on investment) of upgrading to Mill 3D.

Key Advantages of Mill 3D

Mastercam Mill 3D provides unsurpassed control on surface cuts, delivering superior finishes and optimized cycle times. An upgrade to Mill 3D comes with many benefits, including some beyond just 3D cutting. The benefits include:

• Enhanced stock awareness that prevents wasted time in “air cuts”
• Advanced collision and gouge check detection
• Reliable geometry selection
• Greater speed and job processing
• Multi-thread processing for efficient multitasking
• Seamless integration of rough and finish strategies in one interface
• Multiple region definitions with independent stock to leave amounts

These improvements to automation result in faster programming and more efficient toolpath motion. Altogether, Mastercam Mill 3D offers something everyone needs more of, time. With Mill 3D there is much less clutter in the Mastercam files themselves, providing a reduction in programming time.

The greater speed and job processing of Mill 3D not only allow for a significant reduction in time per part but there is an additional time savings from reducing the number of tool changes needed. By eliminating the need to manually move the part from position to position, you can program using a tool-prioritized process. This can lead to extended tool life and less wear on your machine tools.

Get Even More Mill Turning Benefits By Adding Multi-Axis

Most people think that the Multi Axis add-on is only justified when they are programming for a machine with more than 3 axes. But, adding Multi-Axs to Mill 3D for its robust 3-axis machining options can easily pay for itself by extending the 3D machining programming options that are available, such as Deburring and additional cut patterns that can really pay off.

Ideal for high-end job shop work that involves complex simultaneous multiaxis parts and automation that demand high efficiency, Mastercam Multiaxis offers a wide range of multiaxis machining strategies—both basic and advanced. The Mastercam Multiaxis add-on is designed to provide practical multiaxis machining strategies for simultaneous 4- and simultaneous 5-axis machining, and it is also very useful for advanced control on 3-axis machines.

The toolpaths in the Multiaxis group can be limited to work in just 3 or 4-axis in the Tool Axis Control page of each toolpath. If your machine doesn’t support full simultaneous motion, but you still need the flexibility of the Multiaxis toolpath cut patterns, these toolpaths can also be locked to a 3+1 or 3+2 approach. This can provide additional room for flexibility for your cutting motion and opens the doors to let you do any machining you want.

Another benefit of a Multiaxis license is the addition of the Deburr toolpath. Adding in this toolpath can drastically reduce the amount of post-machining processing your part needs to go through to be customer-ready. Whether your organization produces simple or highly complex parts, investing in this technology will provide you with more consistent, efficient, and precise machining practices.

Give yourself the best possible foundation for fast and efficient milling with Mastercam Mill 3D. See how Mastercam’s refined 3D toolpaths give you a smooth, precision finish. If you are interested in upgrading to this powerful software, contact our Sales Team today!

Key takeaways (TL;DR)

• Mastercam Mill 3D offers some new 3D enhancements that are sure to make your mill or mill turning work faster and easier.
• Mill 3D could be used to program any free-flowing complex surface or set of surfaces.
• An upgrade to Mill 3D comes with many benefits, including faster programming and more efficient toolpath motion, which can help you save time.
• Adding Multi Axis to Mill 3D can provide additional room for flexibility for your cutting motion and opens the doors to let you do any machining you want.

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