Frequently Asked Questions about MazaCAM Software

If I have different Mazatrol control types on my shop floor, do I need to buy separate modules of MazaCAM for my different control types?

MazaCAM comes standard supporting the broad line of Mazak controls: T1, T2, M2, T3, T32, M32, T+, M+, Fusion-640M, Fusion-640T, Fusion-640MT, Fusion-640M-Pro, MT-Pro, Matrix, Smart and the Smooth control. So you are set with MazaCAM to support all your controls, and you do not get charged per control type (call for details on this).

Do I need to purchase a CAD/CAM system in addition to MazaCAM?

No, unlike other off-line programming packages for Mazatrol, the full MazaCAM system is a complete CAD/CAM system. It has all the features one needs to draw or edit CAD files and to assign the tooling and generate Mazatrol and G-Code programs.

What kind of G-Code does MazaCAM output, and to which controls?

G-Code generated by MazaCAM is post-processed to output edit-free code for virtually any CNC control (including, but not limited to Fanuc, Fadal, Yasnac, Haas, Okuma, Anilam, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Prototrak, Mazak EIA/ISO, Heidenhain, Dynapath, Acramatic, Bandit, Bridgeport, etc.). Our post-processors are fully user-configurable, so one can customize his own post-processor to his preferences from within MazaCAM. Also see our diagram illustrating a typical set-up of a shop with Mazak and non-Mazak CNCs.

Does MazaCAM provide an off-line Mazatrol editor where I can write my programs off-line?

Yes, MazaCAM does provide the user with an off-line Mazatrol Editor. This editor can be used to either create a program from scratch, or to load in existing programs to be edited. The Editor provides one with the standard Mazatrol set of commands. The Mazatrol appears similar to that on the Mazatrol control, but as the Mazatrol Editor is Windows® based, it takes full advantage of Windows features such as pop-up menus and copy-and-paste capabilities. It also gives the user the ability to plot the shape of the part he is programming. For more information please see our Mazatrol Editor page.

What versions of Windows can MazaCAM run under?

MazaCAM runs under Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, and Windows® 7.
It also runs under Windows® 8, 8.1 and 10, but these are not recommended due to bugs that the major graphics-card companies have with their drivers. Windows® 7 is recommended.

Will MazaCAM run on my network?

MazaCAM runs on a standard Windows network. If you have a different network please give us a call at (408) 249-1529.

Will MazaCAM work with my DNC system?

Different DNC systems have different ways of supporting the Mazatrol protocol, and the communications thereof. MazaCAM will work with all major DNC systems. It can automatically 'sense' which format you are trying to read in (such as Predator or Greco Systems) and will automatically import that file.

Will MazaCAM read existing Mazatrol programs, even if they were saved in other formats?

Yes, MazaCAM reads existing Mazatrol programs including Mazak's Microdisk format (via the serial port), the Fusion Floppy Disk format as well as Mazatrol programs saved in other software formats, such as Griffo, Shoplink, etc.

Does MazaCAM support my Mazak's probing (MMS)?

Yes, MazaCAM supports your Mazak's probes.

Does MazaCAM support my C and Y-axis lathes, such as my Integrex?

Yes, MazaCAM is capable of handling lathes with a C and/or Y-axis (live tooling). MazaCAM also supports dual-spindle and sub-spindle lathes, and even can transfer workpieces between spindles.

Why is MazaCAM sometimes referred to as Geopath CAD/CAM?

Sometimes MazaCAM gets referred to as Geopath, or SolutionWare. The company that developed MazaCAM is called SolutionWare Corporation. SolutionWare's main product is the Geopath CAD/CAM system. We at SolutionWare developed a set of advanced Mazatrol utilities that plug straight into our Geopath CAD/CAM system, giving the user a complete CAD/CAM system that is also capable of handling Mazatrol. Geopath CAD/CAM with the Mazatrol utilities plugged into it is called MazaCAM.

Does MazaCAM come with post-processors, and if so, how many?

MazaCAM comes standard with one user-configurable 'universal' post-processor and two post-processors from our library for your machines. The universal post-processor can be configured (from within the system) by the user to output G-Code exactly how the user wants it. The universal post-processor may be duplicated to create multiple different post-processors. If requested, custom post-processors for more complex machine tools are programmed by SolutionWare for a fee, call us for details. Additional post-processors can also be provided for a fee, the amount of the fee depends if the post-processor is straight off-the-shelf, tweaked to fit your specifications, or programmed from scratch -- call for details on pricing. When one has different Mazaks with different controls, MazaCAM automatically outputs Mazatrol to all your controls (see all the Mazatrol controls that we support) for no extra charge, however EIA/ISO output requires post-processors as described above.

Can MazaCAM take in CAD files from other systems, such as Pro-Engineer, Unigraphics, AutoCAD, Solid Works and Catia?

Many companies that use MazaCAM run into situations where they work with an Engineering Department, or have customers that use other systems such as Pro-E. Without MazaCAM you need to get a drawing and program the part on the control, but MazaCAM is capable of directly importing IGES and DXF files, output by virtually any other system. So in this case, instead of programming the part of a drawing, a CAD file can be imported into MazaCAM and all that needs to be done is assign the cutter information, and one can go straight to either Mazatrol or G-Code. The amount of time and money saved, by this simple technique alone, more than justifies the cost of MazaCAM.

When I purchase MazaCAM, what do I do about training?

When you purchase MazaCAM, training classes can be attended free of charge at our facility on San Jose, CA, as long as your company is under a valid service agreement. Training can be attended by those employees of SolutionWare customers that will be using the MazaCAM system. Training is also provided through local representatives, but call for pricing and to find out where the SolutionWare software representative nearest you is located.

Does MazaCAM have an annual service agreement?

Yes, MazaCAM does have an annual service agreement, call us for pricing information and details. The service agreement covers issues such as tech support, training, free upgrades and updates, help with post-processors, etc. Also, when purchasing MazaCAM you will be automatically covered by a 90-day service agreement.

With MazaCAM, can I machine splines using Mazatrol?

When one has to work with splines, for instance from an IGES file, Mazatrol itself is not capable of machining a spline, however MazaCAM has a feature that it can simplify a spline called 'Geometry Simplication'. Geometry Simplification automatically converts splines to lines and arcs. Now you can machine this using Mazatrol, additionally it also significantly reduces program length when dealing with G-code programs.

Communicate with all your CNC Machines via various Mazak communication methods.

Save all your Mazatrol programs in an organized file management structure along with all your machine data.

Create, modify or view your Mazatrol programs on your computer.

Print your Mazatrol programs along with your tool-list to streamline machine setup, program archiving, etc.

Take Mazatrol programs from earlier generations to the latest Matrix or from later generations to the earlier ones.

Check the performance of your Mazatrol programs with Tool-Path.
Check, Estimation of Run-Time, and Customizable Tool-Sheet.

MazaCAM CAD/CAM allows you to program directly from a CAD file (DXF, IGES, etc.) to Mazatrol or G-Code for both mills and lathes.

Programming the Integrex with MazaCAM at your computer is easy and quick. MazaCAM’s editor gives you the ability to program at your desktop or laptop as if you were standing at your machine.

Here are some of the features MazaCAM offers to Mazak Integrex users. Please call the number below to receive literature on all of MazaCAM's capabilities, or to receive a demonstration to see how MazaCAM can significantly increase your shop's efficiency and profitability.

Matrix, Fusion 640MT and Fusion-Pro

MazaCAM now programs off-line the latest Matrix as well as Fusion640MT and FusionMT-Pro.

Create or edit Integrex programs

Using the Mazatrol Editor, write new Mazatrol programs from scratch, or edit existing ones on your own PC or laptop.

Communication to the Integrex

Upload and download Mazatrol programs to and from the Integrex control, using MazaCAM's communications features, the Fusion Floppy disk or the USB or over a network.

Convert CAD drawings to Mazatrol for your Integrex

Draw CAD files from scratch, or edit existing ones (DXF, IGES,...) with a full featured CAD system and then output those to Mazatrol and/or G-code for the Integrex control.

Program a part once and output to any machine in Mazatrol

Don't waste time by double programming your parts. Just program your part once, and then output Mazatrol to any control such as T32, T-Plus and also the Fusion 640, and the Matrix.

MazaCAM automatically uses the right kind of processes for the designated control. This alone saves large amounts of programming time.

Print Mazatrol programs

MazaCAM lets you print out your Integrex Mazatrol programs for easy reference.

Create and Edit Mazatrol Programs on your computer

MazaCAM also includes the Mazatrol Off-line Editor. The Editor lets users write new, or edit existing Mazatrol programs, in Mazatrol. Because the Mazatrol Editor is a Windows® based application, it takes full advantage of the Windows® features such as copy/paste and pop-up menus. Some features the Editor gives the user are additional to those on the Mazatrol control. Here is a brief overview of the Mazatrol Editor:

• Cut and Paste between programs:
  • individual lines
  • a Mazatrol process-unit
  • a shape
  • the entire program
• Insert lines:
  • like the Mazak
  • before the current line (unlike the Mazak)
  • after the current line (unlike the Mazak)
• Plot the part shape, similar to 'shape check' on the Mazatrol control, except the Editor automatically highlights the geometry of the part you have placed the cursor at.
• Pop-Up Menus prompt you through the programming process.
• Scroll Bars help you navigate swiftly through your program, instead of only 'up' and 'down' buttons.
• Mazatrol Prompting helps you write your Mazatrol program by defining what data is needed for the field you are entering the value for.
• Backplot Mazatrol programs to a Geopath CAD file, at this point the program is converted as geometry in a CAD file with tooling information. At this point the CAD file can be output as G-code for other machines*. (*A full MazaCAM package with the CAD/CAM is required to do this.)

Here is an overview of some of the features MazaCAM offers to Mazak users. Please call the number below to receive literature on all of MazaCAM's capabilities, or to receive a demonstration to see how MazaCAM can significantly increase your shop's efficiency.

Upload & download programs

Upload and download Mazatrol programs to and from the Mazatrol control, using MazaCAM's communications features. Thus, you can store existing Mazatrol programs on your PC's hard drive for later use and keep your control's memory freed up.

Mazatrol editing & data entry

Using the Mazatrol Editor, write new Mazatrol programs from scratch, or edit existing ones on your own PC or laptop.

Convert cad to Mazatrol and G-Code

Convert popular CAD formats, such as DXF, IGES, and CAD formats to Mazatrol and G-code. NOTE: The G-code generated by MazaCAM is post-processed to output edit-free G-code for specific controls (such as Fanuc, Yasnac, Mazatrol EIA, Okuma OSP, etc.)

Draw new, or edit existing cad files

Draw CAD files from scratch, or edit existing ones with a full featured CAD system and then output those to Mazatrol and G-code.

Program a part once and output to both G-Code and Mazatrol

Don't waste time by double programming your parts. Just program your part once, and then output both G-code and Mazatrol. This alone saves large amounts of programming time.

Convert Mazatrol to G-Code

Take existing Mazatrol programs, or write new ones, and simply convert them to G-code, post-processed to output edit-free G-code. This can be Mazak EIA/ISO or any other G-code controls, such as Okuma OSP, Fadal, Fanuc, etc. See our diagram that illustrates this.

Works with most Mazatrol controls

Supports the broad line of Mazak controls (including T1, T2, M2, T3, T32, M32, T+, M+, Fusion-640M, Fusion-640T, Fusion-640MT, Fusion-640MT-Pro, Matrix, Smart, and Smooth control) from the early T1 to modern Nexus and e-Machine -- call for details.

Convert Mazatrol programs between control kinds

You can even convert your existing Mazatrol program from one generation to another whether old or new. Make your newer Mazaks upwards and backwards compatible. MazaCAM will convert newer Mazak’s programs to old ones or vice versa for both Mills and Lathes. For example: take your existing T1 Mazatrol program and convert to a Matrix-T, or your T3 Integrex program and convert it to your Matrix e-Machine.

Print Mazatrol programs

MazaCAM lets you print out your Mazatrol programs for easy reference.

Geometry simplification

The Mazatrol language is not capable of using splines, so when dealing with DXF and IGES files that contain splines, MazaCAM can automatically convert splines to lines and arcs so that these two can be converted to Mazatrol.

Backplot Mazatrol to an editable CAD file

Take existing Mazatrol files and backplot them to an editable CAD file. This also automatically imports all tool data.

As a Mazak user or owner, have you ever wanted to:

• Program Mazatrol programs on your PC or laptop, in the comfort of your own office, and without interrupting running machines?
• Save your valuable programs by storing them onto your PCs hard drive, and retrieve them for later use?
• Communicate with your Mazaks from your PC (upload and download your programs)?
• Program a part once, and then output it to both Mazatrol and G-code post-processed for any other machine (e.g. Fanuc, Fadal, Mazak EIA, Okuma)?
• Take CAD files from customers or engineering and use them to assign the tooling and go directly to Mazatrol or G-code?
• Create CAD drawings from scratch, or edit existing CAD files and go to Mazatrol or G-code?
• Print out Mazatrol programs?
• Covert Mazatrol to G-code for any other control (e.g. Fanuc, Fadal, Mazak EIA, Okuma, etc.)?
• Use only one CAD/CAM system for all your CNCs, Mazak or non-Mazak?
• Use a graphical programming method to program your parts, so that all your trig calculations are automatically done for you.

These are just some of the capabilities that MazaCAM gives its users.

About MazaCAM:

So, what is MazaCAM? MazaCAM is an advanced off-line programming system for Mazak CNC machine tools. But what does that mean exactly? It means that in addition to the conventional method of programming a Mazak (on the control), you can program your Mazaks completely off-line in your office, or even on the road. This in itself is only a small fraction of the capabilities and features of MazaCAM, these are some of the reasons why MazaCAM is an advanced off-line programming system.

Who uses MazaCAM?

MazaCAM is in use by many large plants such as Boeing North American and Lockheed Martin, but is also utilized in many small job shops, or start-up machine shops. It was developed to be easy-to-use for those new to off-line programming, and yet deliver the power that is needed for those experienced users. Primarily, MazaCAM addresses Mazatrol, but many shops use MazaCAM if they have a variety of controls on the shop floor, Mazatrol and G-code, and need a system that integrate all of them with one system.

What does MazaCAM consist of?

MazaCAM is a complete programming system, seamlessly composed of the following:

• Geopath CAD/CAM — Geopath is SolutionWare's premier CAD/CAM system. It is very easy-to-use, and gives the Mazak user a complete set of CAD and CAM features. Geopath in itself delivers excellent programming capabilities. For more specific information about Geopath CAD/CAM, see our SolutionWare website.
  • Mazak Utilities — Seamlessly integrated into the Geopath CAD/CAM system are SolutionWare's Mazak utilities. These utilities consist of:
  • MazaCAM File Commander — An intelligent solution that gives programmers a master console for Mazak file management, editing, conversions and communications with Mazak CNCs. For more information please see our MazaCAM File Commander page
  • Mazatrol Editor — The Mazatrol Editor can be used to either write a Mazatrol program from scratch, or to load in existing programs to be edited. The Editor provides one with the standard Mazatrol set of commands. The Mazatrol appears similar to that on the Mazatrol control, but as the Mazatrol Editor is Windows® based, it takes full advantage of Windows features such as pop-up menus, scroll bars and copy-and-paste capabilities. It also gives the user the ability to plot the shape (Shape Check) of the part he is programming. For more information please see our Mazatrol Editor page.
  • Mazak Communications — Upload and download capabilities to and from the control. Also communicate with the Mazak Microdisk and all popular DNC systems.
  • Mazatrol Conversion — Makes your Mazaks backwards compatible; for instance, take an M-Plus program and instantly convert it to an M-2 program.
  • Mazatrol Program Printing — Lets you print out programs.

Geopath CAD/CAM together with the Mazak Utilities is called MazaCAM. The integration of Geopath with the Mazak Utilities gives the Mazak user a complete suite of tools for the programming of the Mazaks, CAD/CAM, communications, editing/data entry, and many more.

Welcome to the ease of off-line programming your Mazak.

Have you ever wished that you could write your Mazatrol programs completely off-line, on your PC or laptop? How about drawing a part using an easy-to-use CAD system, or importing an existing CAD drawing, and then convert the CAD drawing to ready-to-go Mazatrol? These, and many other features, are the benefits that current MazaCAM users take full advantage of. To directly find out more about MazaCAM, go to our 'What is MazaCAM' page.

Is MazaCAM right for you?

If you own a Mazak, and use Mazatrol, MazaCAM is the most advanced off-line programming system available. But don't let the word 'advanced' scare you, MazaCAM is user-friendly, and is designed to make Mazatrol and G-code programming simpler, faster, and more efficient.

For those that have Mazaks and other CNC machines with G-code.

If your shop has Mazaks, but also uses other machines and controls, such as Fanuc, Fadal and Okuma, MazaCAM can help you to program all your CNCs with one system. MazaCAM can output both Mazatrol, and also G-code. The G-code is not generic, but specifically post-processed to be edit-free, for all your different G-code controls.