Tool Library Functionality
Introduction
This topic serves to describe the functionality found in the tool library, will explain where to find the tool library and will explain the parameters found in the tool library. This topic will also provide links to related topics.
The Tool Library
The Tool Library contains all of the available system tools based on the main categories Drill, Mill, Lathe, Laser, Plasma, and Waterjet. This dialog box is used to add, delete, and modify tools. You can also load tool information from a previously saved file. On the left side of the dialog box is a list of the supported tool types. The right side contains the tool parameters list for each tool.
Taking the time to create all of the tools in your shop can greatly speed up the process of creating milling features. You can then add the tools to the Tool Crib to quickly create the equivalent of the tool changer for each job. The Tool Crib tool list can be saved to a file for repeated use.
When you select a tool for a feature wizard operation, a filtered version the Tool Library is displayed which only displays the appropriate tool types based on the operation type.
For more information on the tool library, and the tools contained in it, see the Tool Library topic.
Navigation
To access the Tool Library, do one of the following:
- In the CAM
Tree, right-click
CAM Defaults,
and click Tool Library.
This method is used to view, add, or modify tools in the Tool Library.
-
In the CAM
Tree, right-click
Milling Tools, 
Turning Tools,
or Mill Turn Toolsand click Tool Library.
Note: This opens the Tool Library showing only tools for the selected job type (Mill, Lathe, or both in the case of a Mill Turn job).
- In the Tool Crib dialog box, click Add From Tool Library.
Note: This method is used to add a tool from the Tool Library to the Tool Crib, and accesses a filtered version of the Tool Library which shows only the tool type being added.
Tool Library Interface
There are a few main areas of the Tool Library one should be familiar with:
Tool Panel Bar
The left-most portion of the Tool Library is the Tool Panel Bar which groups the tools. The tool are divided first by Drill, Mill, Lathe, Laser, Plasma, and Waterjet. Clicking on a particular group will display the available tool types in that group. Finally, clicking on a particular tool type will show all the tools available tools of that type.
Tool Grid View
With a particular tool type selected, the Tool Grid View will show all the available tools of that type. From this point you can add tools, or highlight a particular tool to delete it.
Tool Parameter Grid Splitter
Upon opening the Tool Library, the Tool Parameter Dialog will be collapsed. To expand the Tool Parameter Dialog, click the 
chevron icon. With the Tool Parameter Dialog expanded, click the 
chevron icon to collapse it. The Tool Parameter Grid Splitter can also be used to resize the Tool Parameter Dialog. Hover over the left side of the Tool Parameter Grid Splitter until the mouse icon displays as the double headed arrow. You can then hold left-click and drag the dialog to the desired size.
Tool Parameter Dialog
There is always a tool in the Tool Grid View that is selected. The Tool Parameter Dialog will always show the data for the currently selected tool. With the Tool Parameter Dialog available, you can modify any of the available tool data. The data will update in the Tool Grid View when another tool is selected. The data will be saved in the Tool Library once you click OK.
Tool Library Functionality
Saving the Library
Libraries can be saved in order to share the library between work stations, or can be saved to move your library from an older version of BobCAM to a newer version.
To save your tool library:
- Click the
Save As button on the bottom left.
The Save As dialog appears. - Choose a name and a location for the file.
- Click Save.
The file is saved.
Importing a Library
To use an existing library:
- Click the
Import from file button on the bottom left.
The Open dialog appears. - Locate and highlight the appropriate file.
- Click Open.
The library is updated based on the imported file.
Adding a Tool
To create a new tool in your library:
- Click the
Add button at the bottom left of the tool list.
A tool is added to the tool list and is automatically highlighted.
This tool is now in the Tool Parameter Dailog to allow for editing.
Editing a Tool
- Click the chevron next to the Tool Parameter Dialog to automatically expand it.
You can also do this manually by hovering over the right side of the Tool Grid View and dragging it into position once the double headed arrow icon appears. - Edit the desired Tool Parameters.
- Select another tool in the Tool Grid View to update the edited tool data in the Tool Grid View, and to select another tool to edit.
- Repeat steps 2 & 3 as needed.
- With all tools edited as needed, click OK.
Note: If you wish to discard all the changes you have made since opening the Tool Library, click Cancel.
Deleting a Tool
- Highlight the desired tool.
- Click the
Delete icon.
A message box appears asking: Are you sure you want to delete this tool? - Click Yes.
The tool is removed from the Tool Grid View.
Note: If you cancel out of the Tool Library, the deleted tool will be returned to the library.
Grouping by Column
The column headers can be dragged up and dropped into the space above to group like items. When used, all like rows will be grouped together and collapsed.
- Highlight the header you would liek to use to group your tools.
- Click and hold the left mouse button while you drag the header into the area just above.
- Release the mouse to group by that column.
All rows are not grouped by that header and collapsed. - To expand a particular row, click the arrow as seen in the images below.
- To undo the grouping, hover over the header you dragged into the grouping area.
Notice the close button that appears on the header. - Click the close button to remove the grouping.
Filtering by Columns
The column information can be used to filter which tools appear in the list. Clicking the 
icon on a header opens the filter dialog which then lets you set select which rows to show, based on the rows you select, or the conditions you set. The available conditions can be seen in the table below:
| Show rows with value that | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Tip: For this example, use the Diameter column of the Center Drill. Before beginning, sort the Diameter group from largest to smallest by clicking on the Diameter header.
- Hover over the filter icon in the desired header.
The hand icon appears.
- Click on the filter icon.
The filter dialog appears.
Tip: Selecting check boxes will hide all other rows in the column.
- Click the first drop down.
- Set the condition to Is less than.
With the value set, the drop down collapses. - Under the first drop down, click in the text field and enter 0.750, and press Enter.
The tool list updates. - Leave the second drop down set to And.
- Set the third drop down to Is greater than.
- Under the third drop down, click in the text field and enter 0.250, and press Enter.
The tool list updates.
In this case we have filtered the tool list to show tools that are less than 0.750, and greater than 0.250 diameter.
Note: Columns that allow for text, like the Tool Label column have the addition of the 
toggle next to the text field. This will allow you to specify whether capitalization matters in your filter. To test this, filter the Tool Label column and set the first condition to Contains and type spot in lowercase. Then turn the toggle on and off. When the toggle is on, no tool labels containing an uppercase "spot" can be found. When the toggle is off, several tool labels containing the word "spot" can be found.
