Mastercam

Founding and early development

CNC Software, LLC was founded in 1983 by brothers Mark and Jack Summers; their brother Brian joined later. In the same year, the company released Mastercam as a PC-based 2D CAM application with integrated CAD capabilities. Over time, the software expanded to include support for 3-axis, multiaxis, and turning operations.

Major milestones and product evolution

In 2005, CNC Software released Mastercam X, initiating the "X" series of versions. 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. Mastercam 2017, released in 2016, introduced a ribbon-style interface and marked a transition to year-based version naming.

Subsequent releases introduced incremental changes. Mastercam 2023, for example, included a Unified Multiaxis toolpath and added B-axis contour turning.

In January 2026, it was announced that Mastercam had acquired Advanced Mechanical Engineering AB (AME), a long-standing channel partner in Sweden and Norway. Following the acquisition, AME was integrated into Mastercam’s operations and rebranded as Mastercam Sverige, supporting the company’s move towards direct customer engagement in the Nordic region.

Acquisition by Sandvik

In August 2021, Sandvik announced an agreement to acquire CNC Software. The acquisition was completed on September 30, 2021, and Mastercam was placed within Sandvik’s Manufacturing Solutions division.

In October 2022, Cutting Tool Engineering reported that CIMdata placed Mastercam first in both industrial and educational sectors, with over 300,000 installed seats. A similar report in November 2021 noted that Mastercam had maintained this position for 27 consecutive years and had nearly twice as many installations as the next-largest provider.