Safety Zone Enhancements

In Mastercam 2025 we have started a multi-phase project for updating the Safety Zone. The new Safety Zone now uses meshes for parametric shapes. Before, the Safety Zone used a mesh for the Wrap shape type only. This first phase of the updated Safety Zone is available for all Hole making toolpaths as well as Process Hole, located in the Utilities group. Along with an updated algorithm which results in the Safety Zone now being a post toolpath calculation, the following new parameters are now available:

• Linear tolerance

• Blending distance

• Smoothing distance

The Linear tolerance setting allows the user to define an area from which points will be removed. A large tolerance will result in more points being removed from the initial calculation.

The Blending distance parameter defines the total distance along the Safety Zone topology for vectors to be balanced between the start and end points. If the blending distance between two points is larger than the total length of the path, the algorithm proceeds to the next feature. A smaller blending distance results in a more abrupt transition from a feature start/end point to the mesh normal.

The Smoothing distance parameter permits the user to define the size of a window which encapsulates the normal vectors of a mesh. Within this window, Mastercam evaluates the first and last vectors along the path to interpolate the moves between them while following the topology of the mesh.

Safety Zone Feed Rate Validated against Machine Definition

The Safety Zone update for Mastercam 2025 validates the Feed rate that is entered on the Safety Zone page of a hole making toolpath. When a feed rate for the Safety Zone is entered, Mastercam compares it to the toolpath feed rate limits that are stored in the machine definition. This ensures you do not enter values for the Safety Zone feed rate which are outside the machine limits.