Mastercam Add-on Moldplus CATIA translator V4 SP1

The latest Moldplus CATIA translator V4 SP1 to import CATIA V4 and CATIA V5 (supports R21 files) has been released for Mastercam X6. The new version offers more value and features than many other solutions found in the market, such as:

• Import hidden entities in the CATIA V5 file and manage the visibility using the imported CATIA tree
• Import manufacturing notes, flag notes, and other notes found in the CATIA V5 file
• Import edges of Solids using the color of the adjacent Solid face edges

In addition, you can also import PMI/MBD/FTA data (optional feature) and use that with Verisurf software or use the information found in the file for part manufacturing. Soon, they will be offering the ability to import .CGR (CATIA Graphics Rendering) files as an optional feature.

ADEX Machining Technologies

A small tool and die company in South Carolina gets transformed into a high tech manufacturer supplying the aerospace, defense, and energy industries. By investing in the best machines and the best software no job is too big of a challenge. They made their niche in machining the tough jobs that no other shop could do.

Twitter, Plus FaceBook, Plus…

Many of us use Twitter and FaceBook, usually for different things. We tend to use Twitter for short snippets of information, and FaceBook for longer pieces with additional media and conversations. But how many of us are using Google+?

With an estimated 100 million users (for context, FaceBook claims over 800 million), Google+ is gaining users at a steady pace. It also offers interesting sets of tools that we hope to use in the coming months. Google’s use of video is simple and direct. The platform’s Google Hangouts let people get together live online to share ideas, text and pictures, all supported with live video that highlights the person speaking. It seems like a great tool for demos, technical sessions or even just sharing tips and we hope to start using this feature soon. If you’re interesting in Hanging Out with Mastercam experts or just want another avenue to be connected to us, we encourage you to add us to your circles. You can find Mastercam on Google+ here.
 
How would you like us to use Google+? If you have any suggestions, head over to our page and let us know.

Wanted: Interesting Mastercam Application Stories

Are you using Mastercam in interesting and impressive ways? Are you making some cool unique products with the software? Do you have a story that you wish to share? We are always looking for interesting Mastercam application stories to publish in trade magazines, to showcase on our website and newsletters, and in some cases to produce a video around. If you have an interesting part and/or story and would like to be the star of an upcoming article or video, please contact us today.

Mastercam in the NHRA

The first NHRA drag race of the season was this past weekend and Mastercam played an important role. All of the following teams are using Mastercam to help them be the first across the finish line.

Fuel Funny Car
John Force from John Force Racing won at Pomona. 
Top Fuel Dragster
Spencer Massey from Don Schumacher Racing won at Pomona.

Top Alcohol Funny Car 
The Mastercam car driven by Sean Bellemeur from Bellemeur Motorsports qualified for the race.

In Pro Stock the following Mastercam users qualified for the race:

• Gracie Howell  from Cunningham Motorsports
• Larry Morgan from Larry Morgan Racing, Inc.
• Erica Enders from Cagnazzi Racing
• Jeg Coughlin from JNR Racing.

Congratulations to all the race teams!

Mastercam at SolidWorks World

This year at SolidWorks World 2012, located at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA, make sure to stop by the Mastercam booth, #101, and see the latest that Mastercam X6 for SolidWorks has to offer.

The show has had a phenomenal turnout so far with over 5,500 registered attendees and some amazing guest speakers! Make sure to stop by and say hi to us in the Mastercam booth. If you mention this message you could win a free class of Mastercam U. We'll see you at the show.

Using the Zip2Go Utility

The Zip2Go utility (Help>Zip2Go) first appeared with the release of Mastercam X. The utility creates a single compressed file with all of the information we need to analyze and resolve issues or problems.

When the user has a part file open and selects Help>Zip2Go from the menu, the following dialog box appears:

• The Machine Group types area displays the product types (or machine group types) that exist in the current file—for example, a part might contain only Mill machine groups, as shown above, or it might contain Mill and Lathe machine groups, or any combination of Mastercam products.
• Users should use the File Options section to select which types of files to include in the Zip2Go package. Typically all of the options should be selected, with the exception of ATP files (unless of course the problem is an ATP issue).

When the user clicks the Create Zip2Go button, Mastercam gathers all the files and compresses them into a single file with a .Z2G extension. The user can select the file name and path. In Mastercam X5 and newer, Zip2Go files are saved in the user’s My Documents folder by default, but they can be saved anywhere the user chooses (select Configure from the Zip2Go menu).

Zip2Go log files
The picture below shows the list of files inside a typical Zip2Go file, including the part file (in this case, T.MCX-6). You can also see four text files at the top of the list.

• The first file, Zip2Go_ (filename).TXT contains information related to the part file. Among other things, this file indicates whether the part is in inch or metric units, was created on a 64-bit or 32-bit operating system, and which version of Mastercam it was created with.

 

• The second file, Zip2Go_ SystemReport.TXT, provides information on the system that the user is running, including operating system, graphics card and driver version, and the registry settings for Mastercam. 

 

• The Zip2Go_FileReport.TXT file lists of all of the Mastercam-related DLL and EXE files including their version and date.

 

• Finally, the Zip2Go_HASP.TXT file lists the products that are enabled on the user’s SIM, with their SIM number, Maintenance expiration date, etc.

Adding extra files
In addition to the standard file types, Zip2Go also lets you add any files that might be important. These can include an STL file, a document explaining the situation, screen captures, or video clips. Select Command > Add Files from the Zip2Go menu.

Submitting your file
Once the Zip2Go file has been created with all the necessary files, send it directly from inside the Zip2Go dialog:

Users should follow these steps:

• Select File > Mail Archive from the menu (or press Ctrl+M).
• The users’ default email program will start with a blank new message.
• The .Z2G file is automatically attached.
• Enter the proper destination address—for example QC@mastercam.com.
•  Include a short description of the problem.
• Send the message.

In this way, the entire package of information will be delivered, with no need to go hunting for all the files that are needed to explain the situation. By using Zip2Go, we can get 99% of the information that we need to investigate the situation and resolve it as quickly as possible.

Are you the next Innovator of the Future?

The 2012 Mastercam Innovator of the Future competition challenges students to design and machine a bridge and saddle for a full-sized, six-stringed acoustic guitar, to be judged by a team of experts from world-renowned guitar manufacturer Taylor Guitars in El Cajon, California.

Awards:

• Everyone who enters receives an exclusive Mastercam IOF shirt.
• The winner receives a $1,000.00 scholarship to a school of their choice.
• The winner and their instructor receive a trip to El Cajon, California to tour the Taylor Guitar headquarters.
• The winner and the school each receive a Mastercam IOF plaque.
• The winner's instructor receives an exclusive Mastercam IOF shirt.

The Celebrity Judge:
Taylor Guitars co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Lustig know a thing or two about humble beginnings and the value of innovation and determination. Founded in 1974, Taylor Guitars went through a number of lean years before taking off. Since then, Taylor and Lustig have become the only American luthiers in the last 100 years to take an acoustic guitar company from a two-man shop to a production-level manufacturer without relinquishing ownership or creative control.

One of the first things to set Taylor Guitars apart in the market was their bolt-on neck that allowed guitars to be adjusted quickly, easily, and, most importantly, inexpensively. Taylor soon earned a reputation as pioneers in the industry. They were among the first to integrate computer technology, lasers, and other high-tech tools and machinery. A unique blend of technology and traditional craftsmanship earned Taylor guitars a reputation for being the best sounding and easiest to play in the world.

Today, Taylor is the guitar of choice for many leading musicians including Dave Matthews, Zac Brown, Taylor Swift, and Jason Mraz.

For more information, go to www.taylorguitars.comhttp://www.taylorguitars.com.

Judging Criteria:
All entries are judged on accuracy, creativity, and cleanliness of the part among other criteria, including:
Originality - Does the design exhibit both mechanical and aesthetic creativity?
Functionality - Does it function properly?
Aesthetics - Does the design add visual appeal?
Quality of Workmanship - Does the entry showcase exceptional workmanship?

For a complete list of contest rules, please visit www.mastercam.com/IOFhttp://www.mastercam.com/IOF

Tracking the Manufacturing Market

We’re often asked how we think the industry is doing. When we’re asked this question, we find that people typically have two things in mind; how we as a company feel the economy (generally) and the manufacturing industry (specifically) are faring. While we can gauge our own internal business trends, getting external information can sometimes be a little trickier. Here are some of the places we look, and why:

Institute for Supply Management
http://www.ism.ws/ISMReport/MfgROB.cfm?navItemNumber=12942
Dating back to the 40’s, this is one of the oldest reports of its kind.  They report on both manufacturing and non-manufacturing production. US only and a leading indicator.

JPMorgan Global PMI report
http://www.ism.ws/ISMReport/content.cfm?ItemNumber=13133&navItemNumber=12954
A newer index similar to the above ISM report, but this one take into account several countries. Global and a leading indicator.

The Association for Manufacturing Technology
http://www.amtonline.org/
Good general source for what's going on in our industry.

US Department of Labor Weekly Jobless Claims
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/current.htm
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_405.htm
Reasonable yardstick for how the US economy is doing. Right now we need somewhere north of 200,000 jobs created every month to begin reducing the unemployment rate. US only and a leading or co-incident indicator.

Baltic Dry Index
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/quote?ticker=BDIY:IND
The BDI tracks bulk shipping costs, mostly of raw materials. From an economic standpoint, the assumption is that as more material gets shipped, demand goes up, and shipping costs increase. Likewise if demand drops, costs drop. Global and a leading indicator.

Ceridian Commerce Index
http://www.ceridianindex.com/
A newer index that attempts to track how much fuel is being purchased for shipping trucks. The assumption being that people don't gas up their trucks to haul empty containers, so higher numbers suggest more economic activity. US only and a co-incident indicator.

US Department of Commerce Personal Consumption Expenditures
http://www.bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&Freq=Qtr&FirstYear=2009&LastYear=2011

How much money people have, and how much spending they're doing. US only and a co-incident indicator

These are just a few places to look – there are many others. Let us know where you go for your information!

United Machine

United Machine takes advantage of the latest Mastercam toolpaths to save tool life and increase productivity. They also use Mastercam to fearlessly program their new Mazak Integrex machine. Watch their story below.

Upcoming Mastercam Tradeshows

As usual with Mastercam, our Corporate Office, Educational Office, and our worldwide Reseller channel are constantly on the road. Well, the first half of 2012 is no different. Here’s where you can catch the Mastercam in action in the upcoming months:

• From February 12 – 15 in San Diego, CA at the San Diego Convention Center (booth #101), be sure to drop by the booth at SolidWorks World! 

 

• March 15-16, the Mastercam Educational team will be at ITEEA at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA (booth #319).

• March 27 – 29, Mastercam will be at WESTEC (booth #2612) makes its return from an off-show year to the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA.

• Right in our backyard, you can find us from May 8 – 10 at booth #1901 at the new Mfg4 show, located at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT! 

Those are just the corporate events that CNC Software is scheduled for in the next few months. If you head over to www.mastercam.com/events, you can see a large list of Reseller Events, as well as any events that we add-in. So keep checking back!

Additionally, we are still in the process of holding Mastercam LIVE Rollouts, which are meetings held throughout the world to promote the recent release of Mastercam X6! Stop by www.mastercam.com/x6rollout to see that schedule of events.