New Component Library Interface

Mastercam 2027 introduces a new interface for working with component libraries, for both Mill-Turn and non-Mill-Turn libraries. The new panel interface mirrors the new Machine Definition panels, maintaining a consistent workflow. This begins with a new ribbon bar button similar to those for machine and control definitions. With no machine group loaded, you can open an existing library or create a new one—either a Mill-Turn or non-Mill-Turn library.

If you are working in a Mill-Turn file, you can choose to edit the component library that is associated with the active machine group. If a non-Mill-Turn machine group is active, the button is disabled.

Introduction to Component Library panels

Mastercam provides separate interfaces for Generic Component Library and Mill-Turn Component Library panels to accommodate the additional functionality available in Mill-Turn libraries. Both are divided into the same three pages:

• Library
• Components
• Mesh Conversion

Updated Component Tree

The Components page is where you will do most of your work. It integrates the updated component tree and new Properties grid with an interactive display in the graphics window. When you click on a component, Mastercam displays it in the graphics window. You can use any of the graphics window functions to change the view or zoom in/out, as in this example. At the same time, the Properties grid displays information about the selected component.

Use the buttons below the tree to work with it and manage its components.

From left to right, the buttons are:

• Toggle Defaults—Toggle the display between the component tree and the default component groups.
• Filter Geometry—Toggle the display of the geometry nodes in the kinematic tree.
• Load Components from File—Select and load components from another component library or a machine definition.
• Add Group—Select a new component group and add it to the tree.
• Add Component—Mastercam lets you create a new component or select one from a library.

The right-click context menu in the tree includes these functions plus a number of others for working with the individual components. Strengthened contextual rules filter out irrelevant or inappropriate options, ensuring that you are always creating a valid library.

Working with default components

The new interface implements a cleaner workflow for working with default components. Click the Toggle Defaults button to display only default components and their groups.

To designate a component as a default component, right-click on it in the component tree, choose Set as default and follow the menu path.

Converting component models

Use the new Mesh Conversion page to manage how solid models get converted to mesh entities. Both Machine Definition and Component Libraries panels use the same page, ensuring a consistent workflow for the two file types.