Solving the world's manufacturing challenges: CNC Software, Inc.

The Silicon Review

“To create software and services that solve the world’s manufacturing challenges.”

CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) refers to computer software that is used to both design and manufacture products. CAD is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD/CAM applications are used to both design a product and program manufacturing processes, specifically, CNC machining. CAM software uses the models and assemblies created in CAD software to generate tool paths that drive the machines that turn the designs into physical parts. CAD/CAM software is most often used for machining of prototypes and finished parts.

Given the preceding, we’re joyous to present CNC Software, INC.

CNC Software, Inc.is a pioneer firm in CAD/CAM technology and is the developers of Mastercam, which is dedicated to provide state-of-the-art software tools for CAD/CAM manufacturing markets. Established in 1983, CNC Software is one of the oldest companies in the CAD/CAM industry. The company was built on the concept of providing an inexpensive PC-based CAM system at a time when most other systems were expensive CAD-oriented products. CNC Software was one of the first companies to introduce CAD/CAM software designed for both the machinist and the engineer, providing a practical solution to both markets.

As an industry leader for over 35 years, CNC Software takes pride in meeting the demanding needs of our customers. Mastercam provides solutions for designers and NC programmers around the world in a spectrum of applications including multi-axis routing, milling and turning, wire EDM, 2D and 3D design and drafting, surface and solid modeling, artistic relief cutting as well as Mill-Turn.

Masterclass products of CNC Software

Mill Solutions

Mill solutions give the best possible foundation for fast and efficient milling. From general-purpose methods such as optimized pocketing to highly specialized toolpaths like 5-axis turbine cutting, with Mastercam Mill, the computer-aided parts are produced faster, with greater accuracy, quality, and repeatability. This software delivers a full array of machining strategies and so much more. Mastercam milling solutions can be customized to what your shop needs today and easily scaled to meet your future manufacturing needs.

Unique features

Context-sensitive help available from all dialog boxes
Powerful Multiaxis cutting
Easy pocketing, contouring, and drilling
Intelligent, stock-aware toolpaths
Robust 3D solids and surface machining
Complete tool library and custom tool support

Lathe Solutions

The company's lathe solution gives its users a set of tools to turn your parts exactly as you need them. Mastercam Lathe provides easy roughing, grooving, threading, parting, boring, Drilling, and finishing routines for increased productivity. Mastercam Lathe also delivers a set of C-axis programming tools, with greatly expanded options when combined with Mastercam Mill, such as face contour and Drilling and cross contour and Drilling.

Unique features

Integrated CAD for CAM provides a robust set of tools for creating and manipulating wireframe, surfaces, STL, and solids data, including MBD information (with select translators).
Advanced tool path strategies turn parts with greater efficiency and precision.
Context-sensitive help is available from all dialog boxes.
Powerful Multiaxis tool motion.
Robust 3D solids and surface machining.

Mill-Turn Solutions

Mastercam Mill-Turn streamlines programming of high-power multistream machine centers for increased performance and safety. These multitasking CNC machines reduce multiple setups, manual part handling, redundant fixturing, and idle time for improved productivity in manufacturing. Using Mastercam's proven milling and lathe toolpaths, this software simplifies the programming process for mill-turn machines with job setups keyed to the exact machine in your shop.

Unique features

Optimization, synchronization, and visualization in a single platform.
Automation to easily manage complex operations between multiple machine data streams.
Efficient milling, turning, and drilling operations with fewer setups at high speed.
These program simple lathes in addition to complex machines.

Wire Solutions

Mastercam Wire is a solution for programming CNC Wire EDM machines. Its suite of 2-axis and 4-axis wire paths lets you choose the best method for the results you need, with control over the wire motion, angle, entries and exits, and much more. And you get that control in a clear, easy to understand way.

Unique features

Full-featured design capabilities support any combination of modeling, from wireframe to surfaces to substantial models.
Automatic lead-in and lead-out strategies, fast, flexible tab creation, and no core cutting make Mastercam Wire a powerful tool for quickly programming parts.
Intelligent NC programming lets you build a library of machining strategies that automatically adapt to new models.
Mastercam Wire complements the functionality of other products such as Mastercam Mill and Lathe.

Router Solutions

When you invest in a CNC router, you want the right software driving it to maximize productivity and avoid downtime due to costly errors. Mastercam Router delivers the right tool exactly when you need it. Anyone with a CNC router, from the home hobbyist to professional manufacturers, can appreciate the ease, speed, and reliability of Mastercam Router. The software delivers industry-proven NC programming for safe and efficient router machining of everything from wood to composite materials.

From CAD inception to part completion, Mastercam Router is designed as a comprehensive solution for manufacturing productivity. Mastercam Router supports features that are unique to CNC routers, including toolpath and geometry nesting; block drill support, aggregate head support, saw cutting aid, and full 2- through 5-axis cutting.

Educational Suite

The firm's CAD/CAM software solutions are bundled and priced at deep discounts for schools to incorporate the world's leading CAM software into their curricula—with all the functionality of the modern versions of these products included in the Mastercam Educational Suite.

Teachers appreciate the flexibility to teach everything from introductory lessons to advanced CAM applications. Whether you want to briefly expose students to computer-aided design and manufacturing, enhance STEM education programs, or prepare students for careers in construction with hands-on instruction, you can do it all with this software.

Mastercam Educational Suite includes:

Mill, Lathe, Wire, Router, Design, ProDrill, and Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS^®
The standard library of 2-, 3-, and 4-axis post processors.
Support and resources for the education community.
Mastercam skills prepare students for rewarding careers as makers and innovators

Multiaxis

Mastercam Multiaxis ensures accurate cuts and fast turnaround on even the toughest jobs, with streamlined programming for optimum productivity. And they are also very useful for advanced control on 3-axis machines.

Unique Features

Delivers multisurface 5-axis roughing and finishing, including stock model awareness.
Tilt axis limits control the tool angle to ensure the toolpath will not gouge your part or violate machine tool limits.
Advanced gouge-checking and a 5-axis safe zone around the part help ensure safe cuts in even the most complex operations.
Works with Mastercam Mill 3D, Router 3D, Mill-Turn, and for SOLIDWORKS products to generate 5-axis code to run virtually any CNC machine.
Support for advanced tool geometries is included as standard.

Blade Expert

Generating toolpaths for impellers, fans, and marine propellers is a complex 5-axis challenge. Machining these multibladed shapes usually requires special multistep, multiaxis programming, but Mastercam Blade Expert provides a comprehensive solution for various blade configurations. The interface follows the Mastercam standard used by all Multiaxis toolpaths, ensuring a short learning curve and successful deployment. Blade Expert turns your multi-blade machining challenges into routine solutions:

Remove the material from between the blades.
Finish the blades/splitters.
Finish the floor.
Finish the fillets.

5-Axis Curve Machining and Drilling

Mastercam 5-Axis Curve machining and drilling is a practical point of entry into multiaxis machining, creating quality toolpaths while reducing programming time. It is capable of drilling holes from different angles with a single fixture setup, saving time, and increasing productivity. The power of these drill becomes apparent on parts that contain multiple holes with center lines pointing in different directions.

Tool axis control is what separates multiaxis toolpaths from normal surface, and chain. The ability to manipulate the angle of the tool, relative to the cut pattern, puts a more significant amount of control in your hands. The cut speed, finish quality, and tool life can all be improved with tool axis control.

Manufacturing sectors

Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

In Aerospace and Defense manufacturing, success depends on precision, reliability, and speed. Mastercam provides CAD/CAM solutions to meet the rigorous demands of the industry in these fields, including:

Software strategies for complex machining challenges.
Efficient toolpaths that conform to forgings and castings.
Streamlined, 5-axis cutting, trimming, and drilling.
Specialized motion for extended tool life and decreased cutting time.
Consumer Goods Manufacturing
Consumer Goods manufacturing, success depends on precision, reliability, and speed. Mastercam provides CAD/CAM solutions to meet the rigorous demands of the industry in this field, including:
Ability to import, create, or cut virtually any CAD model.
Wide range of CAM tools for solving complex machining issues.
Dynamic Motion™ boosts tool life and decreases cutting time.
Intelligent toolpaths that efficiently target uncut areas.

Energy Manufacturing

Mastercam provides CAD/CAM solutions to meet the rigorous demands of energy production and power generation, including:

The latest CAM tools for solving complex machining issues.
Efficient toolpaths that conform to forgings and castings.
Streamlined 5-axis cutting, trimming, and Drilling.
Dynamic Motion™ boosts tool life and decreases cutting time.
Intelligent toolpaths that efficiently target uncut areas.

Medical Manufacturing

Mastercam provides CAD/CAM solutions to meet the rigorous demands of the industry in this field, including:

Wide range of CAM tools for solving complex machining issues.
Dynamic Motion™ adjusts feeds, speeds, entry points, and dwell for faster cutting with less tool wear.
High-precision toolpaths for cutting minimal parts.
Streamlined 5-axis cutting, trimming, and Drilling.
Trimming is a fast tool for eliminating burrs on critical medical parts.
Transportation
Mastercam is an established leader in this industry providing CAD/CAM solutions to meet a wide range of productivity demands in this field. They offer a wide range of CAM tools for solving complex machining issues which include;
Most leading automotive companies and suppliers use Mastercam.
Automotive and motorsports from one of our larger industry segments.

The leader behind the triumph of CNC Software, Inc.

Meghan West is the President and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mastercam. Meghan earned her Bachelor's degree in Business from Bentley College and has a postgraduate degree in Management from Hawaii Pacific University. She grew up around CAD/CAM, gaining valuable job experience inside and outside of the manufacturing industry before officially joining CNC Software in 2009, as Operations Manager. In 2014, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers named Meghan one of the "30 Under 30 Future Leaders of Manufacturing." In 2015, she was named President of CNC Software. Meghan resides in Tolland, CT, with her husband and two children.