The Tool Tree

Introduction

This topic will explain what the Tool Tree is, where to find it, and explain its functionality.

Tools

The list of all currently available tools exists in The Tool Library. When building a job, it is common practice to first build, or load a Tool Crib to list the group of tools that will be made available for the job. As features are created, consisting of individual operations, each operation will be assigned a tool from the tool crib. New tools may also be added to the tool crib to accommodate newly created operations.

The Tool Tree

The purpose of the Tool Tree is to provide a way to keep your tooling for the current jobs organized. Whether or not each tool in the Tool Cribs of the file is used by an operation, every tool is shown in the Tool Tree. Any tool used in an operation will least each of the operations it is utilized by. Tools in the Tool Tree can be replaced, can have operations that utilize them updated, can have their operations recomputed, and can be posted.

The default location of the Operations Manager is the left-hand side of the user interface. When the pane is docked with other Managers, as is the case by default, clicking the Operations tab will access the Operations Manager.

 

The Tool Tree Quick access menu
  • Tool Crib - launches the Tool Crib dialog to allow you to add tools to the Tool Crib, subtract unused tools from the Tool Crib, or modify tools existing in the Tool Crib.

  • Add Tool to Tool Crib - launches the Tool Library dialog to allow you to add tools to the directly to the Tool Crib by highlighting a tool, and selecting OK. This option also allows you to add, modify, or delete tools in the Tool Library.

  • Tool Library - launches the Tool Library dialog to allow you to add tools to the Tool Library, subtract tools from the Tool Library, or modify tools existing in the Tool Library.


  • Show Unused Tools - Tools in the Tool Crib which have not been utilized by an operation will be shown in the Tool Tree.
    Show Unused Tools - Only Tools used in an operation will be shown in the Tool Tree.

 

The Tool Tree table
The Tool column
  • Jobs - All jobs in the file are shown. Right-click the job to access the context menu: 

    • Compute All Toolpath - Recomputes all operations in the job.

    • Collapse Items - collapses all items under the job.

    • Expand Items - expands all items under the job.

      • Tools - All tools in the file are shown. (Assuming the Show unused tools option is selected in the quick access menu) Right-click the operation to access the context menu: 

        • Edit - opens the values of the selected tool in the Edit Tool Parameters dialog allowing you to edit all tool values, creating a manual tool. Updating certain values will require associated operations to be recomputed.
        • Post this Tools operation(s) - will post all operations using this tool which are set to post.
        • Delete - allows you to delete tools which are not used by an operation.
        • Replace - allows you to update the tool being used in the operations under it.
        • Compute All Toolpath - allows you to compute all operations under the tool.

          •   Operations - All operations in the file are shown. The operations can be shown with or without the feature name in front of it. This setting can be controlled in the System tab of the Settings Dialog. Right-click the operation to access the context menu: 

            • Edit - opens the Wizard for you to modify the operation, its parent feature, or any other operations in the parent feature.
            • Move to - opens the Tool Selection dialog allowing you to assign this operation to another tool in the tool crib.
            • Compute Toolpath - recomputes this operation.

          • Operation Patterns - With the Toolpath Pattern Options set to Show Pattern Instances, patterns are shown but no context menu is available for them.

The Toolpath Pattern column

When the Toolpath Pattern Options in the Quick Access Menu are set to Show Pattern Instances, copies of the original operation are shown in the Operation column. This column then becomes available to show which copy of the original is occupying this row.

 

Info

For each operation, this column displays the Work offset number it is outputting, the Machine Setup number it exists in, and lists the Index System or wrapping group name it exists under.

 

W__-Machine Setup -__-Index System

 

Note: Along the Job row, this column will display the total operation count, along with the total amount of tools used.

The Post Yes/No column

This column shows, and allows you to control the posting state of each operation, or patterned instance of an operation. Add the icon to prevent the item from posting, or clear to ensure it posts.

Related Topics

Getting to Know  the User Interface

The Settings Dialog

The Operation Tree

How to use the Operation Tree and Tool Tree