Tool management

Create new tools

• On the home screen, click "CNC" and select "CNC company standard":
  
• Select the machine for which you want to configure the tools.
• Click the tool icon to open the tool management window:
  
• Click "Add" to create new tools:
  
• The window for the tool setting opens:
  
• Enter the tool name in the "Name" field.
• Under "Type" select the tool type:
  • Drill
  • Milling cutter
  • Tapper
  • Saw blade
  • Disc milling cutter
  • Countersink
  • Screwdriver
  • Flow drill
• In the following fields, define the dimensions and orientation of the tool.

• The following values can be entered:
  • Width countersink (CS)
  • Diameter cutting edge (DF)
  • Length cutting edge (LF)
  • Intrusion length (LI)
  • Diameter shaft (DS)
  • Length shaft (LS)
  • Diameter toolholder (DH)
  • Length toolholder (LH)
  • Second diameter toolholder (DH2)
  • Second length toolholder (LH2)
  • Diameter screw (DE)
  • Length screw (LE)
  • Angle
  • Revolutions per minute (RPM)
  • Working feed
  • Plunging feed
• Each tool has a position in the toolring on the machine. Under "Position in ring", enter the position on the ring.
• Under "Rotating direction", define whether the tool rotates to the left or to the right.
• Enter the maximum depth interval. If exceeded, the machining continues in an additional step.
• Each tool has a position in the magazine of the machine. Under "Place in magazine", enter the magazine number.
• Select the option "Perform machining counter-clockwise" to execute machining in a counterclockwise direction.
• Under "Usable on faces", select the respective machining faces. The following standard faces are available:
  • Top
  • Bottom
  • Back
  • Front
  • Left
  • Right
  • Free
• Define the minimum and maximum angles.
• Select the option "Assign only if no other tool is available" if this tool should be used only when no alternatives exist.
• Select the option "Don't assign automatically" to exclude the tool from automatic assignments.
• If necessary, select a tool set under "Tool set" if tool sets have been defined in the machine properties.
• For Flowdrill tools:
  • Right-click in the list area "Depth/Plunging feed" at the bottom right and select "New".
  • In the next window, enter depth and plunging feed and click "OK":
    
  • In the "Number of steps" field above, enter the number of entries entered in the list area "Depth/Plunging feed".

Import tools

Many machine manufacturers allow tool data to be imported.

• In the CNC company standard, double-click a machine to open the settings of the machine.
• Select the "General" tab.
• Under "Tool file" enter the path of the manufacturer-supplied tool file:
  
• Click "Save".
• Select the CNC machining centre for which you want to import tools and click the tool icon:
  
• In the tool management window, click "Import" to load the tools into the list:
  
• Select the tools by clicking the checkbox next to the tool name.
• Double-click a tool to manually assign machining faces by selecting the respective faces and angles under "Usable on faces":
  

Create and export tools for NC-X CAMäleon

By default, tools are managed via the machine's software. An exception applies to machines using NC-X CAMäleon control.

• Create the tools and export them to the machine's control software.
• In the NC-X CAMäleon CNC settings, specify a path for the tool file and select the option "Tools are managed in this program".
• Open the tool management.
• After creating or editing tools, click "Export":
  
• The updated data is sent to the machine's control software.

Include spindle dimensions in collision check

Disc milling cutters and saw blades are visually checked for collisions in the program. The following function allows you to define additional collision bodies for these tool types.

• In the CNC company standard, right-click the machine.
• Select "Spindles" from the context menu:
  
• In the next window, click "Add":
  
• The window "Edit spindle" opens:
  
  • Enter a spindle name.
  • Define width and height.
  • Select "Disc mill. cut." and "Saw blade".
  • Click "OK".
• In the CNC company standard, open the tool management.
• In the tool management, open the settings for a disc milling cutter or saw blade.
• Under "Spindle", select the previously created spindle configuration:
  
• Click "OK".