custom tool

[Santa Fe]

I have a custom made step drill that I frecuently use I know what it does but I can't see it when I verify my toolpaths.

 

This morning I draw the tool and save it under c:mcamxmilltoolsstep-drill then I went to the file I am working on and try to to use it on my toolpath so I choose create new tool >> custom file under profile >> select the file with the step-drill tool geometry and then mcam gave me a warning that says "problems with custom tool file or data"

 

Can somebody tell me what I am doing wrong.

 

or what is the proper way to use custom file for tool geometry.

 

thanks

[CNC PRO]

When you draw the tool, only draw half the profile then draw a dotted line past top and bottom of profile, save and it should work...that dotted line has to be there

 

Hope this helps

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I've never drawn the dotted line...

 

You need to make sure that you can chain the profile with no breaks, branch points, etc... the center of the tool at 0,0,0, in TOP T/C Plane.

 

Also, you need to make it an "Undefined Tool". If you go on the FTP, there's a Zip FIle of Threadmills. Grab it, see how it's drawn and apply those principles to your new custom tool and you should be good.

 

When you see the X on the tool image, generally speaking there is something about the tool definition/file that MC does not like. I do wish it was a little more descriptive as to what the problem actually is because there's been times where I've spent well over an hour chasing something to get a tool to define correctly. If you're using "File", make sure there is no other stuff inthe file contaminating the definition of the tool. Nothing hidden, no rogue arcs,etc...

 

HTH

[CNC PRO]

quote:

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I've never drawn the dotted line...

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Thats how the help files taught me so I always did it without questioning it but now that you said that, I tried it without a line and it works...however a solid line will not work at all(for what little its worth)

Did learn something though, Thanks AppsGuy

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

You're welcome.

[Rakesh]

I also never draw the dotted line and never have the problem in the custom tool

[Santa Fe]

Actually this morning after I posted the new topic, I went back and open one of the files in the tools directory and realize what you are all mentioning, so problem solved.

 

Thank you all for your interest.

 

By the way I draw a center line on the y-axis because that's how the tools look on the tools files.

[JQLuong]

Hey guys,

 

how about the tool scale? it's seem like any time I changed the tool diameter in "Define Tool" the custom file (Tool Profile) got change. Are there a way I can maitain my custom file scale 1:1 when generating tool path.

 

Thks

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

I always draw the tool to actual size, then scale it up to a *radius* or 1.0". I then define the tool as a flat endmill with custom profile, and the tool comes out the right size.

[Simtech]

An extra note here: Make sure your geometry does NOT have any splines ... this will not work!