Tool Selector Overview

You use EdgeCAM Tool Selector to identify the best tools for machining a pocket feature, and assign these
tools as properties of the feature. The best tools for roughing and rest-roughing the pocket are identified.
Please note:
The tools are chosen from the sequence's toolkit.
You can only select tools for closed pockets and open pockets that have been closed by Feature
Finder.
Tools are selected from slot drill,endmill, bullnose and ballnose tool types.
You can select tools for multiple features at once. The tools then produce the fastest machining time
for all the features; they may not be the best tools for any individual feature.
You can specify an offset from the feature's profile that you intend leaving on the part. This is then
taken into account in the tool selection.
You cannot use Tool Selector with superseded features.
Material details and job information (if specified) will be read from the EdgeCAM .ppf file.
It is assumed that the pocket feature will be machined entirely using roughing and rest-roughing
techniques.
The results of the selection are reported in the Feedback Window.
The most efficient machining times are reported. (This is only approximate as it assumes machining
methods that you might not use in practice.)
No account is taken of wall thickness, surface finish requirements, tolerances, rigidity of
material/machine, holding methods or tool life. Each feature is treated in isolation with no reference to
surrounding geometry.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Tool to
How
Selector
use EdgeCAM
OverviewTool Selector
You
use EdgeCAM
Tool Selector to identify the best tools for machining a pocket feature, and assign these
To assign
tools to features:
tools as properties of the feature. The best tools for roughing and rest-roughing the pocket are identified.
1. Switch
Please
note: to Manufacture mode.
2. If you are not sure, check that the Machining Sequence has a job assigned to it. You might need to
edit
sequence
to assign
a job
(use the Job
Data tab).
The the
tools
are chosen
from the
sequence's
toolkit.
3. Show
theonly
Features
You can
selectWindow.
tools for closed pockets and open pockets that have been closed by Feature
Finder.
4. Select one or more features that you want to select tools for.
are selected
from slot
drill,endmill,
bullnose
and ballnose
types.
5. Tools
Right-click
on a selected
feature
and in the
subsequent
shortcuttool
menu
click Select Tooling. The
EdgeCAM
Tooltools
Selector
dialog opens.
You can select
for multiple
features at once. The tools then produce the fastest machining time
all the
may not
the best
tools
for have
any individual
feature.
6. for
Check
thatfeatures;
Job andthey
Material
are be
correct.
.You
might
to close the
dialog to change these, before
re-opening
the dialog.
You can specify
an offset from the feature's profile that you intend leaving on the part. This is then
taken
into
account
theMax
tool Diameter;
selection. these are for information only, and are derived from the
7. Note Min Diameterinand
characteristics
the feature.
the indicationfeatures.
of the part file 'Units' (IN or MM).
You cannot useofTool
SelectorNote
with superseded
8. Optionally,
click and
in the
box and
type in an will
offset.
This from
is an the
offset
you will be
when
Material details
jobOffset
information
(if specified)
be read
EdgeCAM
.ppfspecifying
file.
roughing the feature, and will be taken into account in selecting the tooling. Enter this in the part file
It
is assumed that the pocket feature will be machined entirely using roughing and rest-roughing
units.
techniques.
9. Optionally, in the Roughing Tools Available select some tools that you want the assignment to be
The
of the selection
are reported
the
Window.
maderesults
from (Without
a selection
the tools in
will
beFeedback
chosen from
the entire list.) You can use standard
multiple
The mostselection
efficient techniques.
machining times are reported. (This is only approximate as it assumes machining
you might
not use in practice.)
10. methods
Click the that
Process
button.
No
is takenofofRoughing
wall thickness,
surface
finish
tolerances,
rigidity ofof tools) are
Theaccount
Combinations
Tools list
is now
builtrequirements,
up. The 'solutions'
(combinations
material/machine,
holding
methods
or
tool
life.
Each
feature
is
treated
in
isolation
with no reference to
arranged in the list machining time order. At the top is the fastest solution.
surrounding geometry.
11. If you want to assign the tools of the fastest solution simply click Close. (If you don't want to assign
this solution see below.)
The procedure is complete.
To use solutions other than the fastest
1. Click on the '+' symbol of other solutions to see the tools within them. Review these tools.
2. Once you have found a solution that you want to use, in the Roughing Tools available list select only
those tools that are in the solution (use the multiple selection techniques from step 9 above).
3. Click the Process button.
You can repeat the three steps above as often as you like.
4. ClickClose.
Notes
For multiple feature assignments, each feature is assigned the optimal tools for that feature; so each feature
may have a different combination assigned to it.
Once an assignment is made, this replaces any other tool assignments there may have been; the new tools
are not added to the existing ones.
Using the assigned tools
Whenever you want to see what tools were selected, so you can use them in your machining:
Show the Features window and select the feature.
Show the Properties window and note the tools in the 'ToolList'.
EdgeCAM User Guide

Tool Selector Overview

You use EdgeCAM Tool Selector to identify the best tools for machining a pocket feature, and assign these
tools as properties of the feature. The best tools for roughing and rest-roughing the pocket are identified.
Please note:
The tools are chosen from the sequence's toolkit.
You can only select tools for closed pockets and open pockets that have been closed by Feature
Finder.
Tools are selected from slot drill,endmill, bullnose and ballnose tool types.
You can select tools for multiple features at once. The tools then produce the fastest machining time
for all the features; they may not be the best tools for any individual feature.
You can specify an offset from the feature's profile that you intend leaving on the part. This is then
taken into account in the tool selection.
You cannot use Tool Selector with superseded features.
Material details and job information (if specified) will be read from the EdgeCAM .ppf file.
It is assumed that the pocket feature will be machined entirely using roughing and rest-roughing
techniques.
The results of the selection are reported in the Feedback Window.
The most efficient machining times are reported. (This is only approximate as it assumes machining
methods that you might not use in practice.)
No account is taken of wall thickness, surface finish requirements, tolerances, rigidity of
material/machine, holding methods or tool life. Each feature is treated in isolation with no reference to
surrounding geometry.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Tool Selector Overview

Copyright

(C)1988-2005
You
use EdgeCAM
Pathtrace
Tool Engineering
Selector to identify
Systems.
the All
best
rights
toolsreserved.
for machining a pocket feature, and assign these
tools as properties of the feature. The best tools for roughing and rest-roughing the pocket are identified.
Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability or
Please note: to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage
responsibility
caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any
interruption
of service,
loss of
business
or anticipatory
The tools
are chosen
from
the sequence's
toolkit.profits or consequent damages resulting from the use
or operation of this software.
You can only select tools for closed pockets and open pockets that have been closed by Feature
Finder.
Microsoft,
Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
MemoHASP
is aselected
registered
trademark
of Aladdin
Knowledge
Systemstool
Ltd.types.
Tools are
from
slot drill,endmill,
bullnose
and ballnose
NetSentinel is a trademark of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.
You can
toolsare
for trademarks
multiple features
at once.
The tools
OpenGL(r)
andselect
Optimizer
of Silicon
Graphics
Inc. then produce the fastest machining time
for
all
the
features;
they
may
not
be
the
best
tools
for
any
individual feature.
Parasolid is a trademark of Unigraphics Solutions Inc.
Autodesk
Inventor
(tm)
is
a
trademark
of
Autodesk
Inc.
You can specify an offset from the feature's profile that you intend leaving on the part. This is then
SolidWorks
a registered
of SolidWorks Corporation.
taken is
into
account intrademark
the tool selection.
Solid Edge is a registered trademark of EDS Inc.
You cannot use Pro/ENGINEER(r),
Tool Selector with superseded
features.
PTC, Pro/DESKTOP,
GRANITE (tm)
One, are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Parametric
Technology
Corporation
or
its
subsidiaries
in
the
other
countries.
Material details and job information (if specified) will beU.S.
readand
frominthe
EdgeCAM
.ppf file.
AutoCAD and DXF are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.
It is assumed
that the of
pocket
feature
will be
machined
entirely
using roughing
and rest-roughing
MicroStation
is a trademark
Bentley
Systems
Inc.,
an affiliate
of Intergraph
Corporation.
IGDS techniques.
is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation.
EdgeCAM
Simulator
andselection
EdgeCAM
use in
technology
developed
by Lightworks Designs Ltd.
The results
of the
areVerify
reported
the Feedback
Window.
ACIS is a trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc., and was developed in co-operation with Three-Space, Ltd.,
The most
efficient
times are Corporation,
reported. (This
is onlyWashington.
approximate as it assumes machining
Cambridge,
England,
andmachining
Applied Geometry
Seattle,
methods that you might not use in practice.)
Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
No account is taken of wall thickness, surface finish requirements, tolerances, rigidity of
The information
contained
withinmethods
this document
subject
change
notice
and does
notreference
representto
material/machine,
holding
or toolislife.
Eachto
feature
is without
treated in
isolation
with no
a commitment
on
the
part
of
the
vendor.
The
software
described
in
this
document
is
furnished
under
a
surrounding geometry.
licence agreement and may only be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems

45 Boulton Road Reading Berkshire England RG2 0NH
Telephone +44 (0)118 975 6084 Facsimile +44 (0)118 975 6143
http://www.edgecam.com

EdgeCAM User Guide