The Assigned Tools Dialog Box (Mill Turn)

Introduction

The Mill Turn Assigned Tools dialog box allows you to verify or change the tool number assignments for the posted program before the NC code is post processed. The Tool List shows all tools that are currently in use for all features in the CAM tree. As you create features, the selected tools are automatically added to the Tool List.

Navigation

To access the Assigned Tools dialog box, do one of the following:

• In the CAM Tree, right-click Mill Turn Tools, and click Verify Tool Assignment.

• From any CAM Wizard Tool page, click Tool Number.

The Assigned Tool dialog box displays.

Tool ID

Use Automatic Tool ID

The Use Automatic Tool ID option allows you to automatically or manually set the tool ID. The tool ID is used to set the offset register number for the tool.

• On - the software automatically sets the tool ID based on the machine's tool devices and one other setting: Auto Tool Numbering By Device. This option determines whether the automatic tool ID is created for each device separately (the tool ID numbering starts at one for each tool device) or for all devices of the machine together (unique ID for every tool).

• Off - makes the Tool ID box available so you can type the tool ID number (manual tool ID).

Tool Numbering

The tool numbering settings provide three ways for you to generate tool numbers for Mill Turn jobs. Two of the options, Tool ID and Station Number automatically generate the tool number for you based on the selected setting, and the Manual option allows you to type the tool number directly in the dialog box.

IMPORTANT:     -1 Tool Number: Mill Turn Jobs use a special convention in the tool crib for tools that are assigned, but have not been mounted. The tool number for an assigned tool that isn't mounted displays as -1 (negative one). You must mount all assigned tools before posting or simulating a Mill Turn program.

Tool ID

When you set the tool numbering option to Tool ID, the tool number is automatically set to the same number as the tool ID. This is the default setting used when the tool is mounted to a milling spindle tool device.

Station Number

When you set the tool numbering option to Station Number, the tool number is automatically set to the station number to which the tool is mounted. This is the default setting used when the tool is mounted to a turret tool device.

Manual

The manual tool numbering option allows you to set the tool number either manually or using the number from the tool library. When you select the manual option, the Tool Number box becomes available for editing, and the initial tool number value is set using the number stored with the tool in the tool library, but you can then type the tool number into the Tool Number box to update this value. (After changing the tool number from the value stored in the tool library, the new value is retained.)

Auto Tool Numbering By Device

It is important to understand that the Auto Tool Numbering by Device setting defined for the machine in the Current Settings Default determines how the stations of the machine's tool devices are numbered in the Tool Crib. This determines how the automatic Tool ID and Tool Numbering options work.

Off

With the setting turned off, all tool devices are considered globally meaning each station has a unique number. For example, a machine with two sixteen-station turrets results in station numbers 1-16 (turret 1) and 17-32 (turret 2).

On

With this setting turned on, all tool devices are considered individually (by device). For example, a machine with two sixteen-station turrets results in station numbers 1-16 (turret 1) and 1-16 (turret 2).

Tool Numbering Output Example

The following provides an example tool numbering/tool ID output based on using the default settings for a single turret machine and a job using four tools. (The default settings are Use Automatic Tool ID and Use Station #.)