Custom Tool Libraries

[P_Scott]

Hey All,

 

I'm in need to find a quick way to revamp all our existing tool libraries for specific materials. I know I can select a material from the Tool Settings page of the Machine Group Properties. Mostly the default feeds & speeds are not correct when that is selected. I have to modify each value for every toolpath anyway. If I have a tool library with all the correct speeds and feeds, it will be much more efficient. What I want to do is dump in a whole list of tools from an existing library, save all those tools into a new library and reset the speeds and feeds for all the tools in the new library at one time. I know I can recalculate feeds & speeds for each individual tool. If I use the "Calc. Speed/Feed" button in the tool definition window, it will only change it for that tool, I can't revise the material by clicking on "Calc. Speed/Feed" after the first time for the same tool, and the automatic values it calculates are often wrong. This is a very frustrating and time consuming process.

If anyone knows a quick way to correctly calculate all the speed/feed values for all tools in a library in one shot, that would be much appreciated. If there isn't a way to do it right now, this would be a good idea for a .Net Hook or I could list it as an enhancement request for X3. TIA

[crazy^millman]

There is a way, but would require you getting the files in Excel and applying a macro to take the tool dia. and use SFM to come up with SFM, then use another macro to take flutes into account and the New SFM to come up with feed rates. There was talk of a tool library export capability directly to Excel from CNC, but I do not know what came of it. Sorry I can not be of more help.

[P_Scott]

Ron,

 

That's OK. Thanks for the info anyway. I was pretty much takin' a shot in the dark. For now I guess I'll just do them one at a time.