When a Tapered End Mill tool is selected, the following settings are available on the Tool Data dialog and the Edit Tool dialog:
Left-hand list of settings
Type — Select the type of tool. PartMaker displays all the tool types available for your PartMaker application.
Shape — Select the shape of the tool (Tapered Tipped or Tapered Spherical).
Orientation — Select the direction of the tool relative to the stock being machined. This setting is not available in PartMaker/Mill. Select:
- Z Tool if the tool is oriented horizontally. The type of Face window in which a tool with a Z Tool orientation is used determines if it is a live tool or a non-rotating (stick) tool.
- X Tool if the tool is oriented vertically. Tools with an X Tool orientation are always live tools.
Spindle Direction — Select the direction of the tool spindle. You must regenerate the Process Table to update the spindle direction.
- cw — Select this option to set a clockwise rotation for the spindle.
- c-cw — Select this option to set a counter-clockwise rotation for the spindle.
- none — Select this option to stop the spindle rotating. The Spindle Speed is set to 0, and the field is disabled.
Cutting Data — Click to display the Cutting Data dialog, where you can specify feeds and speeds for the tool.
User-Defined Tool Shape — Select this option to use a user-defined (or custom) tool that is defined using a .dxf file.
Holder Name — Click the Browse button to select a dxf file to represent the holder for this tool in Basic Simulation. This setting is available only in PartMaker/Mill. The origin of the holder in the .dxf file must be where the tool attaches to the holder.
Notes — Enter any notes required for the tool, for example reordering information.
Additional Notes For Setup Sheets (>>) — Click >> to display the Additional Notes For Setup Sheets dialog, where you can specify additional notes for your setup sheets.
Middle column of settings
Material — Select the material composition of the tool. This can be HSS (High Speed Steel) or Carbide.
Tool Post — Select the tool post on which the tool is mounted. Available in PartMaker/SwissCAM and PartMaker/Turn-Mill.
Tool ID — Enter the unique identifier (ID) for the tool in PartMaker's Tools database, for example T001. In the Edit Tool dialog, the Tool ID is displayed, but you cannot edit it.
Tool No — Enter the tool number for the tool. This number appears in the NC code output.
Offset No — Enter the offset register number of the tool, which defines the length and diameter offset values.
Comp No — Enter the tool cutter diameter compensation register number of the tool.
Length (l) — Enter the length of the tool. This must be a positive value.
Diameter (d) — Enter the flat to flat distance of the tool. This must be a positive value.
Shank Size (u) — Enter the width of the tool shank. This must be a positive value.
Number of Flutes — Enter the number of cutting surfaces for the tool.
Tip Radius (r) — The radius of the corner cutting tip of the tool. This must be a positive value.
Tool Radius (R) — The radius of the tool at its tip. This must be a positive value.
Taper Angle (A) — The angle to the vertical of the tapering part of the tool.
Axial Step — Enter the step in the axial cutting used by the tool.
Radial Step — Enter the amount of material removed in each pass during circle milling. This value must be smaller than the tool's diameter.
Dwell (sec) — Enter the time delay (in seconds) when the tool reaches its programmed cycle depth.
Right-hand column of settings
Lock Parameters
— Select this option to 'lock' the tool so no changes can be made to the tool.
PartMaker displays a lock icon (
) when a tool is locked.
List Tools by (Tool Data dialog) — Select whether to list the tools by Tool ID or Tool Type. When using Tool Type, PartMaker sorts the tools by diameter from smallest to largest.
List of Tools (Edit Tool dialog) — Displays a list of all the tools in the current Tools database file and highlights the tool you are editing.
Rename to — Displays the current name of the tool. Enter a new name if you want to rename the tool.
Buttons
New (Tool Data dialog) — Click to add a new tool to the List of Tools. By default, the new tool uses the same parameters as the previously selected tool, but you can change these parameters if you wish. Enter a name for the new tool in the Rename to: field.
Delete (Tool Data dialog) — Click to remove the selected tool from the List of Tools. When you click Close or Apply, PartMaker deletes the tool from the Tools database.
Verify Shape — Click to display a 2D shape of the tool on the Tool Shape dialog.
Shape Preview — Click to display a 3D-model of the tool to preview how it appears during simulation.
Tool Properties — Click to display the Tool Properties dialog, where you can specify further details about the tool.