Synchronizing Chains
Many Mastercam functions, such as surface creation and ruled toolpaths, use chain synchronization. You may need to choose a synchronization mode (Sync mode) if you have attempted to create a toolpath and found that it twists as shown below. The twisting could affect the surface of the part and make it unmachinable or not looking the way you intended.
- 1 - Original geometry.
- 2 - Sync mode set to None.
- 3 - Sync mode set to By branch.
Available
Sync mode options
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 branch: Matches the chains at branch points. Can be used for most chain synchronization.
By entity: Matches the chains by the endpoints of each entity. Requires both chains to have the same number of entities.
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.
When synchronizing chains, Mastercam breaks a chain into a number of separate chains for the purpose of creating the toolpath or surface. The Sync mode setting, in the Chaining Options dialog box, determines how Mastercam divides up the chains. You can set a default startup Sync mode on the Chaining property page in the System Configuration dialog box.
