Component Groups
Before adding a component to the machine definition, you may need to add a component group. Each component group describes a subassembly of the machine tool that the components are attached to. Component groups do not have properties. They function as a container for the machine components in the configuration tree.
When defining a machine tool, you add a component group to the machine configuration tree by dragging and dropping the component group onto the tree. Each component group added to the machine is a child to the machine base. The component groups are siblings to each other in the machine configuration tree, as shown in the picture below:
Click either of the following drop-downs to view details:
Adding
a component group
Use either of the following methods for adding a component group to a machine definition:
- Drag and drop the component group to the desired position in the machine configuration tree.
- Double-click the component group to place it at the bottom of the machine configuration tree.
You can move a component group by dragging and dropping it to a new position in the tree.
Removing
a component group
Highlight the component group and press delete. Mastercam places the component group into the Unused component groups pane.
Each machine type supports a predefined set of component groups:
- Mills support table, spindle, and tool changer components groups. These groups automatically appear in the machine configuration tree when you start a new mill machine definition.
- Lathes support left and right spindles, tool groups for different positions, a fixed tool group for gang tooling, a tailstock group and a steady rest group.
- Routers support a table group, a router head group, and a tool changer group.
- Wire machines support a table group, an upper wire guide group, and a lower wire guide group.
For all machine types, Mastercam requires that a component group end in either a part-holding component (chuck or machine table) or a tool-holding component (router or tool spindle, router piggyback spindle, aggregate, drill block, turret, or wire guide).
