Chain Manager

Mastercam opens the Chain Manager when you edit the geometry of toolpaths based on chained geometry rather than points. The Chain Manager lists all the chains for a toolpath operation. Since chaining determines the cut order, tool rapid moves, and the direction of tool movement, you may find that you need to modify the chaining after generating a toolpath. Use the Chain Manager to:

  • Select chains: Click a chain in the graphics window or from the list to select it. To select an additional chain, or unselect a selected chain, hold down the [Ctrl] key while clicking the chain. To select a range, click the first chain to select it, then [Shift-click] the last chain in the range. Multiple chains can be selected even if Mastercam does not highlight them.
  • Identify chains: When you select a chain in the list, Mastercam highlights the corresponding chain geometry in the graphics window. Conversely, you can select a chain from its geometry by choosing Select (above the red arrow buttons) and clicking a chain in the graphics window. Mastercam selects (highlights) the corresponding chain name in the Chain Manager list. Use the Translucent option in the Chaining page of the System Configuration dialog box to display all chaining arrows, except selected ones, as translucent.
  • Re-order chains: To re-order chains in the list, select and drag a chain to a new position in the list.
  • Manage the insert arrow: Red arrow buttons, located along the right side of the dialog box let you move or find the red insert arrow, which indicates where new chains are added. For details, click Arrow buttons below.
  • Chaining tolerance: Defines the maximum distance that two endpoints can be apart and still be chained. Mastercam stops chaining and prompts for the next entity if the distance between two adjacent entities exceeds the chaining tolerance. This setting only applies to the selected toolpath and is applied to all subsequent regeneration of the operation. Other toolpaths will default to the chaining tolerance set in the Tolerances page of System Configuration unless otherwise changed.

  • Sync mode: Available for 2D High Speed Blend Toolpaths. Set the method Mastercam uses to align chains. Select one of the following methods from the drop-down list:

    • None: Synchronizes the chains by dividing them each into an even number of points. Certain surfaces and toolpaths require more precision than this option provides.
    • By entity : Matches the chains by the endpoints of each entity. Requires both chains to have the same number of entities.
    • By branch: Matches the chains at branch points. Can be used for most chain synchronization.
    • By node: Matches two or more splines by the node points of each spline. Each spline must have the same number of node points. Applies only to parametric splines.
    • By point: Matches the chains by point entities on the endpoints of each entity. You need to have created the points where you want the chains to sync.
    • Manual: Matches the chains of user-defined areas.
    • Manual/density: Matches the chains that you specify and allows you to assign a density for each chain. If an area has small radii, use a higher density (such as 2) for a better finish.

Use the red arrow buttons to move or locate the Insert Arrow as follows:

Icon Function
Click the Up arrow to move the insert arrow up in the chain list.
Click the Down arrow to move the insert arrow up in the chain list.
Click Position to position the insert arrow immediately after currently selected list item.
Click the Double-sided arrow to scroll to the insert arrow's current location in the list.

Add

Opens the Chaining dialog box and lets you select one or more chains to add from the graphics window.

Change side

Swaps the cutter compensation for all chains in the operation from one side to the other. Cutter compensation refers to the tool offset from the toolpath: right or left. This option has no effect on pocket toolpaths, or toolpaths that do not use cutter compensation.

Rechain all

Removes all previously selected chains and returns you to the graphics window to select new chains.

Resync all

For some toolpaths, lets you select an alternate synchronization method from the Sync Mode drop-down list, which displays near the top of the dialog box.

Reverse order

Resorts all chains starting with the last and ending with the first.

Sort options

Opens the Sorting dialog box, where you can re-sort chain order (by start point).

Analyze

Opens the Analyze Chain dialog box, where you can select options for Mastercam to identify in selected chains.

Edit

Displays the Chaining dialog box and highlight the selected chain. While in edit mode, the active chain can be modified as a linked edge chain or rechained with a different chain type. Edit is not available for wireframe or lathe chains.

Delete

Click to delete selected chains from the list. You can also:

  • Use the [Delete] key to delete one or more selected chains in the list
  • Choose Select, select a chain in the graphics window, and press [Delete] to delete the chain

Rechain single

Replaces a selected chain in the list with a chain you select from the graphics window.

Reverse

Reverses the direction of the selected chain.

Start point

Opens the Chaining Start/End dialog box, where you can use the Forward and Back buttons to move the start or end (open chains only) of a chain from one entity endpoint to another.

  • You can also move the start or endpoint of a chain to any position along an entity, without restricting the start/end to an entity endpoint. If Break entities in dynamic is turned on (Chaining Options dialog box or Chaining property page) using this function automatically breaks the entity at the start/end position. Choose Dynamic move start/end of chain (button between the Start and End controls), and then click the start or end point of a chain and drag it to a new position.

Edit tabs

Contour toolpaths only. Opens the Edit Tabs dialog box allowing you to move, add, or delete tabs on the chain. You can also access the Tabs dialog box to modify tab parameters.

Change at point

This opens the Change at point dialog box so that you can edit the selected point. You can change the depth, coolant options, retract/clearance height, insert canned text, and make other changes that apply to either the selected point or from that point forward.

Convert to loops

Converts the selected Face chain into a series of Loop chains.

Convert to edges

Converts the selected Loop, Face, or Partial loop chain into a series of Single edges.

Convert to regions

Converts the selected Automatic regions into Machining, Air, and Avoidance regions.

Rename

Lets you change the name of the selected chain. Alternatively, you can click a selected chain and type a new name directly. Either method lets you assign meaningful names to chains in the toolpath.

Multi-select

Wire only. Works in conjunction with the Change at point right-click menu item. Multi-Select lets you choose multiple points on the active chain before the Change At Point dialog box displays. Press [Esc] to end point selection.

Reset

Wire only. Removes all change at point data on the active chain.

NOTE
  • Drill, Surface, Point, and Multiaxis toolpaths don't contain chained geometry. When you choose the Geometry icon on these toolpaths, Mastercam displays the appropriate dialog, for example, Surface Selection for a surface toolpath.
  • If you are working in Wire and have selected Wire in the Toolpaths property page of the System Configuration dialog box, the Chain Manager automatically opens when you create a Contour wirepath.

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