Mill Tool Holder Definitions in Mastercam X

[Rotary Ninja]

Is there a way in Mastercam X (Mill level 3) to define different tool holder files for each tool? I figured out how to modify the default tool holder file, but I don't see any way to use different files for each tool. I have a horizontal job I am setting up and I would like to be able to see any clearance issues with the tool holders on each tool.

 

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[ 11-05-2007, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: 2FastLX ]

[iowajim62]

There's a zip file on the ftp. click on link above and go to unpsecified folder HTH

you can copy the orig or create new ones as well

[Rotary Ninja]

I went to the tool holder directory if that is what you mean by HTH. Otherwise, I don't see anything in the unspecified uploads directory that says HTH.

 

If I went to the right directory though, those are just drawings of tool holders. I already have my tool holders drawn up. I need to know how to tell Mastercam to use a different file other than "HOLDER.MCX" to define the tool holder when I backplot or verify a toolpath.

[iowajim62]

HTH means Hope this helps, sorry for the confusion.

 

Custom Tools Thread Read this thread it will help ya.

 

You need to draw up your holder and cutting tool together and save them in a custom tool library. You have to create them as undefined tools. Then when you backplot select the As defined option.

 

From Mastecam X Demo Help

Custom tool profiles and tool profile geometry (Mill/Router)

A tool profile is geometry that describes the shape of a tool. Mastercam uses the tool profile to simulate a tool in Backplot and Verify. Mastercam provides a tool profile for each tool type shown in the Tool tab of the Define Tool dialog box. These tool profiles are stored in separate Mastercam files in the MCAMXMillTOOLS or MCAMXRouterTOOLS directory. For example, the file FACEMILL.MCX stores the default tool profile used by all face mill tools.

 

Mastercam provides a variety of tool types, each with a corresponding default tool profile. When you define a tool using one of Mastercam’s built-in tool types, Mastercam automatically scales the default profile based on the tool diameter and other dimension that you enter in the tool definition. This ensures that cutter compensation is displayed correctly in Backplot and Verify.

 

You can customize tool profiles in either of two ways:

 

You can edit (or replace) the standard profiles, just by opening them up in Mastercam

 

You can create entirely new ones with the Undefined tool type. Use this technique when you need to use a tool that does not match any of the standard tool types. On the Tool Type tab, choose the Undefined button.

 

 

For the Undefined tool type, Mastercam calculates cutter compensation based on the diameter that you enter in the Tool tab. When Mastercam previews the user-defined profile of an Undefined tool in the Define Tool dialog box, the compensation point is indicated by a dotted yellow line on the profile as shown below.

 

 

When you backplot or verify an operation using an undefined tool with a diameter that differs from the custom tool profile, the geometry in the custom profile does not match the cutter compensation, so the tool will appear to be offset from the part.

 

To display a custom tool profile during simulation, select the As defined option in the Profile section of the Backplot options dialog box and the Verify options dialog box.

 

You can save the custom tool profile geometry in either a separate Mastercam file (like the standard tool profiles) or on a level in the part file. An advantage of saving a custom profile to a level of the part file is that the tool geometry can travel with the part file if it gets moved to a different computer. When saved as a separate Mastercam file, the file will need to be moved along with the part file and placed in the same location on the new computer as the old computer.

[Rotary Ninja]

Ok, that helps. Sorry for being a newb =)

 

I guess I never wondered what the undefined tool and the custom file settings were for. I have been learning Mastercam on my own and stuff like this, that I know should be easy, is hard to figure out if you don't know what you're looking for.

 

Thanks!

[Rotary Ninja]

Ok, that works but...

 

This would be better if you could define the tool as a standard tool, and use a seperate custom file for the holder itself. Or if you could at least change the tool type name to something other than "Undefined". Then this way would be ok. Maybe I'm being too picky, but I sometimes have a need to sort the tools by "Tool Type" in the tool manager window. If every tool is undefined that won't work anymore.

 

Is there anywhere to make suggestions for future versions of Mastercam?

[iowajim62]

you said this was for a horizontal, when I'm using Mcam I setup tool libraries for the horizontal machine I'm using. Then when I program I am grabbing tools from the machine specific tool library. Generally tools stay in horizontals and don't move but some shops don't run that way. To send in enhancement requests email them here

[email protected]

[Walt R]

It is not necessary to change the tool type to undefined. Just draw the tool and holder as one either on a separate level or as a separate file and use that for your geometry. I know this works, I just did 4 of them yesterday. Just a couple of details. Draw your geometry in the top plane as a continuous loop. The centerline is optional. Also if you use undefined draw it to scale but any predefined tool type you need to scale the geometry so the radius of the tool is 1 inch. This is very important to have the tool modeled the correct size. I prefer to save this as a separate file so I can use it again on other parts.

 

Walt