Invalid Tool Definition in Backplot

[PBpaul]

Can anyone tell me what's up with this message? I selected a drill out of the inch library and used it to cut a simple "Stick Man" 2d contour. It posts and cuts fine, just like I figured, but when I try to backplot, it says it is an invalid tool and backplots with no tool. I say, if it is the tool I picked and the tool I want and it does what I want........

 

Exactly what makes it invalid and/or what can I do to make it valid?

 

Thanks- PBPaul

[DavidB]

I've had this too, check the tool parameters is there a red cross where the pic should be. Did you change the tip angle or a length from the standard tool?

It's only invalid because backplot cant draw your tool

[Thad]

Maybe because you're milling with a drill? Just a guess. I've never tried it. Maybe MC is "error checking" for you.

 

Thad

[deckerc]

A lot of times the depth of cut will be deeper than length of the tool, I have seen that error a lot for this reason.

[PBpaul]

Thad, I thought that it was "error checking" too but I'm inclined to agree with DavidB that it is invalid only because MC can't figure out how to backplot it. I took a drill that was 3" long and shortened it to 1 inch and I changed the shoulder length and flute length so they made sense but actually, only the overall length would affect what I was doing, which was running a simple contour to a depth of .06. I posted it and cut the sample for my customer. All that worked but backplot would not.

 

Right after we got X, I had the same thing happen with a tool where I had punched in 75 for a shoulder length instead of .75. This was on an endmill 2" long. I changed it to .75 and got the same error so that wasn't it. I kept changing feed rates and plunge rates and for some reason, it started backplotting correctly. If it is a legitimate error, I wish MC would say what the error is and let you go ahead anyway or else fix it.

 

PBPaul

[mowens]

I was getting this also. When I checked the tool definition the flute length was defined as longer than the shoulder. When I changed the shoulder to be longer than the flute length it worked. This was a V9 program and had no problems in that version, but I guess X is a little more thorough.