vendor tool files

[Mazakguy147]

Has any found a way to import the vendors STP solid models files directly into the Mastercam Tool Catalog, without having to draw the tool?

I have been drawing the tools for years, but would like a faster way.

[crazy^millman]

Draw them no been years since i had to draw tools that were solids. Lathe tools or Mills tools? Share a couple and I wil be glad to give you a step by step process to do it. What version of Mastercam? If using V9 from 20+ years then yes that was never part of that version. If 2024 then easy peasy.

[JoshC]

for mill tools we have 3 methods that can be utilized

method 1 = the tool is drawn vertical along the TOP plane, tip of tool located and centered on Origin of TOP plane, file then saved out as a .STEP file and when a new tool is created in mastercam we import tool from file and choose the STEP file

method 2 = the tool is created as a 2d profile, layed out in the X+Y+ (or quadrant 1) of top plane, drawn all on same level, all same entity color and attributes, no splines supported, file is then saved out as a standard .mcam file, then a new tool is created and we click the import tool profile from file and select the .mcam file 

method 3 = file is created in a specific manner with cut and no cut levels, users must abide by iso 13399 standards and this method is the least user friendly method that i wont get into here

 

then for lathe tools we have 2 methods

method 1 = the tool is drawn as 2 separate profiles, a silhouette of the insert and a silhouette of the holder, file is saved out as a .mcam file, then imported as a custom tool

method 2 = the tool is created or downloaded as a solid model, then we use the 3d tool designer found under the lathe tool manager to create the 3d lathe tool. 

 

if you have any questions let us know, there are also tons of vids on youtube on these topics

[jpatry]

5 hours ago, JoshC said:

method 1 = the tool is drawn vertical along the TOP plane, tip of tool located and centered on Origin of TOP plane, file then saved out as a .STEP file and when a new tool is created in mastercam we import tool from file and choose the STEP file

This is what I use.

Every now and then a manufacturer step file is supplied with the solid positioned wrong, but that's easy to fix and save over the original step file.