Set up custom cutting tools

00:04

Being able to configure custom tools and the associated feeds and speeds

00:08

is essential for machinists working with older or

00:11

uncommon tools as well as proprietary custom tools

00:14

Being able to tune and adjust tool parameters is critical to ensure the tool

00:18

path being programmed is compatible with the

00:19

workpiece material and the features being machined.

00:23

This is a crucial step when setting up a machining project as it will determine

00:27

the continuity between the simulated tool paths and

00:29

the physical part that is being machined.

00:31

Additionally, tool configurations can be shared across in multiple projects.

00:35

Custom tools can be created in the tool library by selecting the plus icon

00:39

to create a new tool from scratch

00:43

from there. You see this visual menu of tool types,

00:47

select the tool type that is closest to what you wish to create.

00:50

In this case, I'm making a 3/16 inch flat end mill.

00:54

So I would select the flat end mill icon.

00:59

We start by giving the tool a name

01:05

and then we move over here to the cutter tab

01:07

to describe the basic tool type,

01:09

number of flutes

01:11

material

01:12

and size dimensions.

01:21

When you click on these fields,

01:22

you'll notice that a set of dimension markers pop up on the tool silhouette

01:26

to communicate what area the cutter is being affected by this dimensional change.

01:30

Also the FX function symbol that you see here means that the

01:33

dimension in this field is connected to another dimension on the cutter,

01:36

but it can be altered if necessary

01:41

For the holder,

01:42

Select a tool holder that is the closest to

01:44

the tool holders you are using on your machine.

01:46

In

01:46

this case, I am selecting an ER16

01:47

collet holder for my tool.

01:50

Yeah,

01:52

for cutting data,

01:53

you need to identify your cutter feed rate

01:55

and speed based on the project you are making

01:57

as well as the part being machined.

01:59

This is a whole discipline unto itself.

02:01

So for our purposes, we will stick to an R PM of 6000

02:07

and a feed rate of 30 inches [762 millimeters] per minute.

02:09

This will work for this cutter on an aluminum part.

02:13

It's also important to realize that the setting of

02:15

feeds and speeds is not covered here as a topic

02:18

as it's large enough to take up its own 90 minute video series on its own.

02:22

Most cutter manufacturers will post recommended

02:24

feeds and speeds for their products online

02:26

and you can use these as a starting point for any custom tools you set up.

02:32

Finally,

02:33

you'll need to establish what tool number this

02:35

cutter will be when loaded in your machine

02:37

using the post processor tab. Here

02:40

in this case, our 3/16ths [5 millimeter] end mill will be tool 6.

02:44

Once all these parameters are adjusted, click on the accept icon in the lower right.

02:48

And you can move on to creating the rest of the custom tools in your library.

02:54

This system is also nice because you can create a series of

02:57

tools all at once before you actually use them on tool paths.

03:00

And this allows you the flexibility to create tools based on cutters

03:03

that you have available that might not necessarily fit the parameters

03:06

of the tools that are already in the sample tool library.