Creating tools??? Can it be this bad???

[honk]

I am trying to create a tool library of all the tools i currently use.

we use say 12 boring bars off varying sizes both left hand and right hand.

Each of these boring bars take a variety of inserts and grades depending on if im roughing or finishing or heavy roughing etc.

Now i create the bars in the tool library all 12, then i have to assign tech assistant to them, but in tech assistant it does not hold any insert information just cutting parameters so i can not include chip breaker edge radius or any other insert information.

Thus boring bar 1 takes 3 different rad inserts and 3 different grades, this cannot be inputed into tech but has to be entered in the tool holder info not sure why this is insert info not tool holder info.

So do i have to recreate the tool holder as this has the rad info etc for each insert variable i have, then do i have to go and recreate the tech assistant info for that bar as once the insert changes thus does the speeds and feeds again tech assistant cant hold this info nor can tool holder on its own.

This being the case i have 12 tools each tool has 5 insert variables do i now have to create 60 diff tools and 60 diff tech assistants.

im starting to rant so will stop now.

[turningboy1979]

Hi Honk , Just noticed this post , i am having the same nightmare right now , there is no reply to your question so im guessing there will be no reply to mine i just put up , how did you get around this problem in the end ? I have also sent the same question to Edgecam Support so will see what they say .
Cheers

[noisy]

I use edgecam everyday at work, but I've still got a lot to learn from our senior programmer. However the only way I know to get around using multiple inserts in 1 boring bar would be to create a tool in your tool store for each type of insert. We have a similar situation at work with a face mill, 2 different types of inserts and one of them has a different nose radius then the other. We have 2 of the same face mill in our tool store but with different tool nose radius.

[jtreanor]

Hi Gents,

If you use 3 different size (geometry) boring bars,
with 3 different (geometry) insert nose radius values,
with 3 different grades of insert,

9 tools are necessary to define the different combinations of
holder/insert geometry needed by edgecam to generate the
correct toolpath and collision detection/avoidance.

27 different tools would include all the possible combinations of insert grades.

When the setup person reads the tool list how else
will they know which combination you want them to use.

********

The Technology Assistant (database) will select recommended
speeds/feeds for a combination of part material & insert grade.
you can edit the Technology Assistant database to define your
materials, your insert grades and your preferred speed / feed
numbers for any combination.

If you want Edgecam to ALWAYS output a specific speed/feed
for a specific tool, regardless of material,
- on the ToolStore Dialog "Technology" Tab
set - Insert Link = none, set - Material = Any
(don't use the Technology Assistant Database)
you can now enter default Rough(General) and Finish numbers
for each tool.

JimT

[noimportantone]

One of the coolest things in edgecam is the way you edit the tool graphics. Go to your toolstore and edit the tool. On the Geometry tab click the button next to graphic with the pencil, it will open edgecam in a 2d environment and you can draw the tool to whatever shape. I even drawn the tool holder and collets. Make sure you check the help file you will have to designate what is the holder and what is the cutter and what is the shaft. Good luck.