Component Libraries

A component library is a file that holds pre-defined components that you have set up for the machine tools you are defining. Some machine tools may use common components, so by saving the component in a library, you can add it to one or more machine definitions without having to set component properties each time. Mastercam saves component libraries with a .mcam-gmd extension.

A number of component libraries are installed with Mastercam that you can use for creating your own machine definitions. These can be found in your \CNC_MACHINES folder with your other machine definitions:

The component libraries installed with Mastercam.

NOTE

Mill-Turn uses component libraries much differently than other Mastercam products. See Introduction to Mill-Turn Component Libraries to learn more.

You can open a component library in the Machine Definition Manager in one of these ways:

  • Open the component library by choosing the component button in the CNC machine types dialog box. The Component Libraries dialog box opens when you do not have a machine group in the Toolpaths Manager.
  • In the Machine Definition Manager, choose File, Open , change the file type to .mcam-gmd, and choose a component library.

The Control Definition and Post Processor fields in the Machine Definition Manager are not available when you are editing a component library. A component library does not allow you to assign a control definition or post processor to it.

NOTE

If you exit the Machine Definition Manager after editing a component library, and have not selected a machine type, the library will be selected as the current machine because it was last edited. If this occurs, choose File, Open, in the Machine Definition Manager, then change the Files of type to the machine type you wish to work with.

Working with a component library is similar to working with a machine definition. First, open the component library called ALL COMPONENTS.mcam-gmd into the Machine Definition Manager.

To add groups or components to save to your own library, drag and drop them into the machine configuration tree as if you were making a machine definition. When you have added components and changed their properties, use the Save As button to save the library file with a new name.

NOTE

If you have created a machine definition and wish to save the components to a library for reuse, open the machine definition, then use Save As, select .mcam-gmd as a file type, name the library, and save it.

When you open the Machine Definition Manager, Mastercam displays the component library in the lower left Component File pane. Use the Open File button to select the component library that you want to use.

The components saved in the library are displayed. You can drag and drop the components into the machine configuration tree to make them part of a machine definition.

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