Mastercam
Template:Notability Template:3rd party Template:Short description Template:Infobox software Mastercam is a suite of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and CAD/CAM software applications developed by CNC Software, LLC. Founded in Massachusetts in 1983, CNC Software are headquartered in Tolland, Connecticut.<ref>Mastercam.com: About Us</ref>
Mastercam is CNC Software's main product. It started as a 2D CAM system with CAD tools that let machinists design virtual parts on a computer screen and also guided computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools in the manufacture of parts. Mastercam has been ranked by CIMdata Inc. as the most widely used CAM package in the world since 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Founding and early development
CNC Software, LLC was founded in 1983 by brothers Mark and Jack Summers; their brother Brian joined later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same year, the company released Mastercam as a PC-based 2D CAM application with integrated CAD capabilities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Over time, the software expanded to include support for 3-axis, multiaxis, and turning operations.<ref name="AMD">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Major milestones and product evolution
In 2005, CNC Software released Mastercam X, initiating the "X" series of versions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the mid-2010s, independent sources highlighted the software’s Dynamic Motion toolpath technology, which reduces cutting paths based on material engagement to reduce cycle time and tool wear.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Mastercam 2017, released in 2016, introduced a ribbon-style interface and marked a transition to year-based version naming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Subsequent releases introduced incremental changes. Mastercam 2023, for example, included a Unified Multiaxis toolpath and added B-axis contour turning.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Acquisition by Sandvik
In August 2021, Sandvik announced an agreement to acquire CNC Software.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The acquisition was completed on September 30, 2021, and Mastercam was placed within Sandvik’s Manufacturing Solutions division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Key functions
Mastercam supports the programming of CNC machines for milling, turning, mill-turn, and multiaxis operations.<ref name="AMD"/> Its toolset includes model preparation, toolpath generation, simulation, and verification. Recent updates have introduced capabilities such as deburring and finishing toolpaths, hole-creation tools, and improved control over machining parameters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Integrations, add-ons, ecosystem
Since the acquisition by Sandvik, several resellers and affiliated businesses have been acquired to enhance distribution and technical support. These include MCAM Northwest, ShopWare, the CAD/CAM business of OptiPro Systems, acquired in February 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additional acquisitions in March 2025 included Barefoot CNC, CAD/CAM Solutions, CamTech Engineering Services, and selected CIMCO business units.<ref name="Pasion">Template:Cite web</ref> CIMCO's post-processor and Probing products were later rebranded as Mastercam Probing.<ref name="Pasion" />
Versions
Mastercam has been released for different machine types and at times sold as stand alone components such as CAM or CAD individually.
Summary
| Year | Name | Version | Comments | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Mastercam "Meghan" | Template:Version | First version of Mastercam named after co-founder Mark Summers' daughter.<ref name="mc-hist3"/><ref name="mc-hist4"/> | Apple IIe |
| 1984 | Mastercam V1 | Template:Version | First Version released. | Apple IIe |
| 1986 | Mastercam V2 | Template:Version | First Version for MS-DOS | MS-DOS |
| 1990 | Mastercam V3 | Template:Version | MS-DOS | |
| 1992 | Mastercam V4 | Template:Version | MS-DOS | |
| 1994 | Mastercam V5 | Template:Version | MS-DOS, Windows NT | |
| 1996 | Mastercam V6 | Template:Version | Released as version 6. | Windows NT, Windows 98 |
| 1998 | Mastercam V7 | Template:Version | Released as version 7. | Windows NT, Windows 98 |
| 2000 | Mastercam V8 | Template:Version | Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP | |
| 2002 | Mastercam V9 | Template:Version | Windows 2000, Windows XP | |
| 2005 | Mastercam X | Template:Version | Renumbered versions to X instead of V | Windows XP |
| 2006 | Mastercam X2 | Template:Version | Windows XP | |
| 2008 | Mastercam X3 | Template:Version | Windows XP, Windows 7 | |
| 2009 | Mastercam X4 | Template:Version | Windows XP, Windows 7 | |
| 2010 | Mastercam X5 | Template:Version | Windows XP, Windows 7 | |
| 2011 | Mastercam X6 | Template:Version | First version with 64-bit CPU support. Introduced Xform Fit. <ref name="X6-release"/> | Windows 7 |
| 2013 | Mastercam X7 | Template:Version | Windows 7 | |
| 2014 | Mastercam X8 | Template:Version | Support ended in 2019<ref name="X8-release"/> Introduced Dynamic Motion technology<ref name="X8-info"/> | Windows 7, Windows 8 |
| 2015 <ref name="X9-info"/> | Mastercam X9 | Template:Version | Added Dynamic Motion improvements, multiaxis enhancements, and many Design and System features | Windows 7, Windows 10 |
| 2016 | Mastercam 2017 | Template:Version | Naming changed to match year released. Added a ribbon interface, similar to the Microsoft Office | Windows 10 |
| 2017 | Mastercam 2018 | Template:Version | Windows 10 | |
| 2018 | Mastercam 2019 | Template:Version | Windows 10 | |
| 2019 | Mastercam 2020 | Template:Version | Windows 10 | |
| 2020 | Mastercam 2021 | Template:Version | Windows 10 | |
| 2021 | Mastercam 2022 | Template:Version | Windows 10, Windows 11 | |
| 2022 | Mastercam 2023 | Template:Version | Windows 10, Windows 11 | |
| 2023 | Mastercam 2024 | Template:Version | Windows 10, Windows 11 | |
| 2024 <ref name="2025-info"/> | Mastercam 2025 | Template:Version | Windows 10, Windows 11 |