Tool holders

[TERRYH]

Mastercam comes with a default tool holder that you can turn on and off in verify, can you either down load others from the tooling mfg. if there even available, or create your own like you can do for custom tools? Or would you have to create the holder and tool as one file and treat it like a custom tool? I am cutting a part with a deep pocket and want to make sure I have clearance in the 3-axis machine so I can do as much as possible there before I send it to our 5-axis.

[gcode]

Mastercam comes with several libraries of tool holders.

You can access them via the Holders tab, below Tools in a tool paths operations parameters

[#Rekd™]

Bring up the holders library as Tom has suggested then create or alter existing ones. Just click on the holder (each segment) and change the dimension or start from scratch and add each segment. Takes no time once you get started.

 

Here is a quick video to give you the idea.

 

[Reko]

Nice video Hockey Guy.

 

I never use tool holders, but I am getting into some 5 axis work and so I am going to start using that feature to verify my tool holders too.

 

You made it look pretty simple.

[TERRYH]

Thanks a lot I never knew that was there. Is that only available in 2D tool paths I don't see it when doing 3-D And yes we typically do not use tool holders either but I am doing a very deep cavity and want to make sure I have wall clearance.

[djstedman]

The tool holder clearance options is great.. I had a part I had to get down like 4.5 inches.. I was right up close to some other features cutting Aluminum at 300 IPM so failure wasnt an option.. being able to verify my holder clearance allowed me to stub my tool up to only a 2.5 inch extension and still get to the majority of the material.. then was able to use a long tool afterwards to clean up the minimal leftovers.

 

I think this is one of the most valuable and underutilized tools in Mastercam.

[#Rekd™]

It should be there on all the toolpaths.

 

The holders import right into Vericut as well.

[TERRYH]

I don't see it when trying to do say a surface finish constant scallop>

[gcode]

I don't see it when trying to do say a surface finish constant scallop>

 

It's not available in legacy toolpaths.. just the toolpaths that use the new tree format

[TERRYH]

I got a few created that I want for example a 1" ball mill in a 13.5" tapered holder. If I have that and it looks right on my screen when I run verify, do it do the compensation for the entire thing so if it hits another wall it will show a crash?