Tabs page
Use the Tabs page to configure tabs for a 2D Contour toolpath by:
- Setting the tab position by choosing a method that Mastercam uses to place tabs along the contour.
- Defining the tab motion and configuring the size of the tabs.
If your layout includes many parts of different sizes, you can tell Mastercam the size of the largest part for which to automatically create tabs. Typically, tabs are only used for smaller parts. To do this, choose Create tabs on shapes less than, and then enter the dimensions of the largest part that requires tabs.
When selecting tab positions, you cannot place a tab on a solid. Tab positions can only be placed on wireframe geometry.
After completing options in this page, choose the Tab Cutoff page page to select the type of cutoff operation.
Parameters
Common toolpath dialog box controls
| Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Detect (FBM Drill) | Analyzes the solid model and detects features based on the Feature Based Machining (FBM) operation's current parameters. View the results of all detected features and their machining information in the Features page. For more information, please refer to Detection States and Modes in FBM. |
|
Reselection is not available |
Hole Wizard features for a Wizard Holes operation can only be selected in Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS. Contact Mastercam for more information. NOTE
Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS is no longer supported starting with Mastercam 2024. |
|
Preview toolpath operations (FBM Drill/Wizard Holes) | Opens the Toolpath Operations Preview dialog box where you can view the list of operations FBM will generate using the current Features page list. |
|
Select default formulae file (3D high speed toolpaths) | Lets you select a different *.formula file, which Mastercam uses to calculate default values. |
|
Save parameters to defaults file | Makes the current toolpath settings the default for future toolpaths of this type. Saves the current values in the toolpath properties pages to the .mcam-defaults file specified in the machine group properties. |
|
Reload parameters from defaults file | Overwrites the current values in the toolpath properties pages with the toolpath's default parameters. These parameters are reloaded from the .mcam-defaults file specified in the machine group properties. |
|
Display graphical elements | Enables the display of graphical elements, such as plane labels and geometry colors. In 2D or 3D toolpaths Mastercam also has Display only elements on current page, Display plane labels, and Simplify plane display as options. |
|
Hide dialog | Minimizes the dialog box so that you can use other Mastercam functions, like changing your shading settings or the graphics window view. When finished, press [Esc] to maximize the dialog box. |
|
Tool Manager | Opens the Tool Manager. Use the Tool Manager to create and edit tool definitions and to work with tool libraries. When you close the Tool Manager, the toolpath dialog box will reappear just as you left it. |
|
Feed speed calculator | Opens the Feed & Speed Calculator dialog box where you can modify the calculated feed rate or spindle speed by adjusting the material and tool parameters. |
|
None |
Page window | This window displays all of the pages that are available to you, depending on the selected toolpath type. A green check mark indicates pages where data has changed in the current session. |
| None | Quick View Settings | This window summarizes key toolpath information from the Tool page, Coolant page, and Planes page. It updates automatically as you make changes to the different pages and is always visible. |
| None | Generate toolpath | When selected, automatically generates the toolpath when you click OK. For more information, refer to Accepting and Generating Toolpaths. |
|
OK | Generates the toolpath and closes the dialog box. If editing a toolpath, applies the changes and closes the dialog box. |
|
Apply | Applies your changes to the toolpath without closing the dialog box. |
|
Cancel | Closes the dialog box and cancels the toolpath creation. If editing a toolpath, any changes to the toolpath are discarded. |
Automatic
Select to have Mastercam calculate and evenly position tabs along the contour toolpath's chained geometry. Then choose the calculation method to use (number of tabs or maximum distance). Deselect to define a manual method of positioning the tabs.
Number of tabs
Enter the number of tabs to be placed on each part (closed chain) in the operation. Mastercam calculates and creates the specified number of tabs, evenly spaced along the contour.
Maximum distance between tabs
Enter the maximum distance you want between tabs. Mastercam calculates and creates the fewest number of tabs that can be evenly spaced along the contour without exceeding this parameter.
Create tabs on shapes less than
Creates tabs only on parts that are smaller than the specified dimensions. Enter a width and length.
Width
Enter the maximum width of the parts to be tabbed.
Length
Enter the maximum length of the parts to be tabbed.
Tab all
For automatic tabs, places tabs on all parts in the contour toolpath, regardless of size.
Manual
Select to manually choose tab locations. Then choose Position to return to the graphics window and select each point for tab placement along the contour toolpath's chained geometry. Deselect to have Mastercam automatically create tab positions based on the number of tabs or maximum distance between tabs.
Position
Returns you to the graphics window so that you can select the tab locations. Use the AutoCursor options to automatically “snap” to endpoints, midpoints, or other key locations.
Use square point for tab position
Automatically locates a tab at square points. These are point entities that have been formatted with the square point attribute. Select the square point style from the Attributes group on the Home tab and create points at each desired tab location. The points need to be created before you choose this option.
Start
The point that identifies the tab location at the start of the tab.
Midpoint
The point that identifies the tab location at the midpoint of the tab.
End
The point that identifies the tab location at the end of the tab.
Full
Sets the height of the tab to the full thickness of the stock.
Vertical moves
The tool moves straight up to the tab height at the beginning and end of each tab.
Ramp moves
The tool moves to the tab height at an angle at the beginning and end of each tab.
Ramp angle
Enter the angle at which the tool moves to the tab height.
Width
Sets the linear dimension of the tab along the toolpath.
Tab thickness
Enter the amount of stock to leave for the tab.
Partial
Sets the height of the tab to less than the full thickness of the stock. Enter a Tab thickness to tell Mastercam how much stock to leave in the tab.
Use feed plane for full height tabs
When retracting from the stock while moving from the tab to the next position in the toolpath, the tool retracts to the feed plane instead of the clearance or retract height. When this option is not selected, Mastercam uses either the retract or clearance planes (whichever is set). If both are set, Mastercam uses the higher of the two.
Overwrite edited tabs
Select this option if tabs have already been created and manually edited, and you wish to overwrite those changes. If this option is not selected, Mastercam preserves any changes or new tabs that were added through the tab editing in Chain Manager. (Tabs can be edited by clicking the geometry icon, selecting the chain(s), right-clicking and choosing Edit tabs from the menu.)
