Mastercam
A computer-aided design and manufacturing software suite used to program CNC milling, turning, mill-turn, and multiaxis machining.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Mastercam is a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software brand developed originally by CNC Software, LLC and now owned by Sandvik. It is used by manufacturers, machine shops, engineering departments, educational institutions, and other organizations that program computer numerical control (CNC) equipment. The software combines model preparation, computer-aided design tools, toolpath generation, machining simulation, verification, and numerical-control code output in a Windows-based environment. The product began in 1983, when brothers Mark and Jack Summers founded CNC Software and released Mastercam as a PC-based two-dimensional CAM application with integrated CAD functionality. At the time, the combination of relatively accessible personal-computer hardware and software-based toolpath programming offered an alternative to more specialized and expensive systems. Mastercam subsequently expanded beyond two-dimensional work to support three-axis machining, turning, mill-turn operations, and increasingly complex multiaxis applications. Its development reflects the broader evolution of digital manufacturing from drawing-based programming toward integrated modeling, simulation, and automated process planning. A major stage in the product’s evolution began with the release of Mastercam X in 2005. The X series represented a substantial modernization of the software and established a prominent version family for the following decade. Mastercam 2017, released in 2016, introduced a ribbon-style interface and helped move the brand toward year-based release naming. Later versions added or refined machining strategies, including multiaxis toolpaths, deburring and finishing operations, hole-making tools, turning functions, and more detailed control over cutting parameters. Dynamic Motion technology became one of the brand’s notable capabilities; it is designed to manage material engagement and cutting conditions in ways intended to improve productivity and reduce tool wear and machining time. Mastercam is used across milling, turning, mill-turn, and multiaxis workflows. Its role is not limited to creating geometry: a typical workflow can include importing or constructing a part model, preparing geometry, selecting tools and machining operations, generating and checking toolpaths, simulating material removal, and producing machine-specific NC code. Post-processing and machine configuration are important parts of deployment because the generated code must correspond to the capabilities and control system of a particular CNC machine. The brand has also developed an ecosystem of resellers, technical partners, training providers, and complementary applications. This channel structure has helped support customers in different manufacturing regions and industries. After Sandvik acquired CNC Software in 2021, Mastercam became part of Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, alongside a broader portfolio serving industrial production and manufacturing technology. Sandvik has subsequently expanded parts of the Mastercam distribution and support network through acquisitions and integrations, including the addition of certain businesses and product capabilities associated with CAD/CAM services, post-processing, probing, and regional customer support. Independent industry coverage citing CIMdata has described Mastercam as one of the most widely adopted CAM packages globally. Reports have placed it in a leading position in both industrial and educational use, with more than 300,000 installed seats reported in 2022. The brand’s present positioning is therefore based on a combination of broad CNC programming coverage, a long installed base, compatibility with varied machining environments, a reseller and support network, and continued expansion of automation and multiaxis functionality. Mastercam remains an active software brand within Sandvik’s manufacturing-technology business.
History
CNC Software was founded in 1983 by brothers Mark and Jack Summers, with their brother Brian joining the business later. In that same year, the company introduced Mastercam as a personal-computer-based two-dimensional CAM product that also included CAD capabilities. The early product addressed the need to create CNC machining instructions through software running on increasingly accessible computing hardware rather than relying exclusively on specialized systems. Mastercam developed incrementally from its original 2D focus. Over time, the platform added support for three-axis machining, turning, mill-turn work, and multiaxis operations. This expansion allowed it to address a broader range of machine tools and production processes. The software’s role also broadened from basic geometry and toolpath creation to a more integrated workflow involving model preparation, machining strategy selection, simulation, verification, and NC-code generation. In 2005, CNC Software released Mastercam X, beginning the X series of releases. The series marked a significant stage in the product’s modernization and became an important part of the brand’s release history. Mastercam 2017, released in 2016, introduced a ribbon-style user interface and represented a shift toward naming releases by year. Subsequent releases continued to add and refine machining functionality rather than changing the product’s central purpose. The software’s Dynamic Motion technology became an important part of its manufacturing proposition during the mid-2010s. The technology is intended to control tool engagement and cutting paths according to material conditions, with the objectives of reducing unnecessary cutting, improving cycle times, and limiting tool wear. Later releases added capabilities such as enhanced finishing and deburring toolpaths, hole-creation tools, improved machining-parameter controls, unified multiaxis strategies, and B-axis contour turning. Mastercam’s market position has been supported by a large network of resellers, technical partners, training organizations, and educational users. Industry reporting based on CIMdata research has repeatedly placed the software among the leading CAM products by adoption. Coverage in 2021 stated that Mastercam had held a leading position for many years, while reporting in 2022 placed it first in both industrial and educational sectors and cited more than 300,000 installed seats. A major corporate turning point occurred in August 2021, when Sandvik announced an agreement to acquire CNC Software. The acquisition closed on September 30, 2021. Mastercam was subsequently organized within Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, connecting the brand with Sandvik’s wider manufacturing-technology portfolio while retaining its established product identity and customer ecosystem. Following the Sandvik transaction, the company expanded elements of Mastercam’s regional support and technical ecosystem through additional acquisitions and integrations. These included regional or channel-related businesses such as MCAM Northwest and ShopWare, the CAD/CAM business of OptiPro Systems, and several businesses identified in 2025, including Barefoot CNC, CAD/CAM Solutions, CamTech Engineering Services, and selected CIMCO business units. CIMCO-related post-processor and probing capabilities were later associated with the Mastercam Probing offering. In January 2026, Mastercam announced the acquisition of Advanced Mechanical Engineering AB, a channel partner operating in Sweden and Norway. Following integration, the business was rebranded Mastercam Sverige. The move illustrated a continuing strategy of combining software development with more direct regional customer engagement. Mastercam remains an active CAD/CAM brand used to program CNC equipment in industrial production, job-shop manufacturing, engineering, and education.
- 2026
Advanced Mechanical Engineering integrated as Mastercam Sverige
[1]Advanced Mechanical Engineering AB was acquired and integrated into Mastercam’s operations in Sweden and Norway under the Mastercam Sverige name.
- 2025
Additional manufacturing-software and support acquisitions
[1]Mastercam expanded its ecosystem through acquisitions or integrations involving Barefoot CNC, CAD/CAM Solutions, CamTech Engineering Services, and selected CIMCO business units.
- 2023
Unified multiaxis and B-axis turning capabilities highlighted
[1]Mastercam 2023 included a Unified Multiaxis toolpath and added B-axis contour turning functionality.
- 2022
CIMdata-based adoption ranking reported
[1]Industry coverage reported that CIMdata ranked Mastercam first in industrial and educational CAM adoption and cited more than 300,000 installed seats.
- 2021
Sandvik acquisition completed
[1]Sandvik completed its acquisition of CNC Software on September 30, 2021, placing Mastercam within Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions.
- 2016
Mastercam 2017 released
[1]Mastercam 2017 introduced a ribbon-style interface and marked the transition toward year-based product naming.
- 2005
Mastercam X introduced
[1]CNC Software released Mastercam X, beginning a major version series in the product’s development.
- 1983
CNC Software founded and Mastercam launched
[1]Mark and Jack Summers founded CNC Software, and the company released Mastercam as a PC-based 2D CAM application with integrated CAD functions.
Products and positioning
A broadly adopted professional CAD/CAM platform for CNC programming, combining integrated design tools with toolpath generation, simulation, verification, and machine-specific NC output. Mastercam is positioned for production manufacturers, job shops, engineering teams, and educational users that need coverage across milling, turning, mill-turn, and multiaxis machining.
CNC milling CAD/CAM · 1983
Mastercam for Milling
The milling-focused part of the Mastercam suite supports model preparation, geometry creation, toolpath programming, simulation, verification, and NC-code generation for milling machines. It covers conventional and advanced milling workflows, including three-axis and multiaxis operations, and is used in both production environments and machine shops.
CNC turning CAD/CAM
Mastercam for Turning
Mastercam for Turning provides programming functions for CNC lathes and related turning equipment. It supports turning operations, toolpath creation, simulation, verification, and post-processing. Later capabilities include more advanced contour and cutting strategies, including B-axis contour turning in selected releases.
Mill-turn CAD/CAM
Mastercam Mill-Turn
The mill-turn offering is intended for machines that combine rotating-workpiece turning operations with live-tool milling. It helps programmers coordinate multiple machining modes, prepare operations, simulate material removal, and generate machine-specific NC output for complex mill-turn equipment.
Multiaxis machining software
Mastercam Multiaxis
Mastercam Multiaxis provides strategies for machining parts with machines that have more than three controlled axes. Its functions include multiaxis toolpath generation, simulation, and verification for complex surfaces and difficult-to-reach features. The Unified Multiaxis toolpath was among the capabilities highlighted in Mastercam 2023.
CAD software · 1983
Mastercam Design
Mastercam includes design and model-preparation capabilities used to create, edit, repair, and prepare geometry for manufacturing operations. These tools support the CAD side of the integrated CAD/CAM workflow and can be used before toolpaths are generated.
CNC probing and process support · 2025
Mastercam Probing
Mastercam Probing is associated with probing capabilities added through the integration of selected CIMCO-related products. It supports the use of probing functions within CNC manufacturing workflows, subject to machine, controller, and implementation requirements.
Brand decisions
2026
Acquisition of Advanced Mechanical EngineeringM&ABackground
Advanced Mechanical Engineering AB had served as a long-standing Mastercam channel partner in Sweden and Norway.
Action taken
Mastercam acquired and integrated Advanced Mechanical Engineering AB, rebranding the operation as Mastercam Sverige.
Aftermath
The move supported more direct customer engagement and regional operations in the Nordic market.
2025
Expansion of the Mastercam ecosystem through acquisitionsStrategyBackground
Mastercam sought to strengthen regional distribution, technical support, and adjacent manufacturing-software capabilities after joining Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions.
Action taken
The business expanded through acquisitions or integrations involving Barefoot CNC, CAD/CAM Solutions, CamTech Engineering Services, and selected CIMCO business units. CIMCO-related post-processor and probing capabilities were associated with Mastercam Probing.
Aftermath
The transactions broadened the group of businesses and product capabilities connected with Mastercam’s customer and support ecosystem.
2021
Sandvik acquisition of CNC SoftwareM&ABackground
CNC Software and Mastercam had developed a large CAD/CAM customer and reseller base, while Sandvik was expanding its manufacturing-software activities.
Action taken
Sandvik agreed to acquire CNC Software in August 2021 and completed the transaction on September 30, 2021. Mastercam was placed within Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions.
Aftermath
Mastercam continued as an active product brand while becoming part of Sandvik’s broader manufacturing-technology portfolio.
Recent events
Reported
CNC Software appoints Paco Agrafojo as marketing director[2]
CNC Software hired Paco Agrafojo as marketing director; the article says he will support the company’s market success with Mastercam.
Reported
Mastercam appoints a marketing director[3]
CNC Software, the developer of Mastercam, announced that Paco Agrafojo had been hired as Marketing Director.
Reported
Mastercam, Haas Automation and the American Precision Museum announce exhibit partnership[4]
CNC Software, developer of Mastercam, announced a partnership with the American Precision Museum and Haas Automation to recreate a waterwheel for display at the museum. The display was scheduled to be unveiled for Manufacturing Day 2020.
Reported
Mastercam formalizes sponsorship of SAE competitions[5]
Mastercam announced that it had formalized its sponsorship of Formula SAE and Baja SAE as an official equipment supplier, providing participating teams free access to Mastercam 2020 for a year and technical support.
Reported
Mastercam launches Signature Parts Series[6]
Mastercam launched its Signature Parts Series, a collection of content using realistic manufactured parts to demonstrate Mastercam capabilities and share features and practical guidance with resellers, customers and partners.
Sources6 sources
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