Tools tab

You can use the Tools tab of the Milling Feature Properties dialog to select a tool to machine a feature or create a new tool.

The table lists the default recommended tool (marked with a D) and other tools in the current tool crib that fit the tool selection criteria. Other tools can be selected from the table by selecting the check-box next to the tool name. The tools that are listed in the table are controlled by the filter settings.

The tools displayed in the table are chosen from the database based on the criteria listed above the table. To choose from different tools, change the filter criteria. The criteria are:

• Orientation — Select an orientation from among the icons. Select Anything to see tools of all orientations.
• Insert shape — Select an insert shape from among the icons. Select Anything to see tools with all insert shapes.
• Presentation angle — Enter a number for the presentation. Select Anything to see tools with all presentation angles.

Regardless of the filtering criteria, the automatically selected tool stays in the list.

Select a tool in the table to see the preview image in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog. You can pan and zoom this display by left-clicking and dragging the mouse cursor in the tool graphic window. Right-click in the tool graphic window and select Center all to center the entire tool and holder.

You can sort the tools listed in the table by any column by clicking the title of the column.

Tip: You can adjust the column widths by clicking and dragging the borders of the column titles. FeatureCAM remembers your width preferences.

Undo tool override — Click this button to revert the selected tool back to the default recommended tool (marked with a D).

New tool — Click this button to create a brand new tool and add it to the current crib. The tool that is selected in the table is used to fill in the initial values for the tool.

Tool manager — Click this button to open the Tool Manager dialog.

Properties — Click this button to open the Tool Properties dialog for the selected tool.

Recent tools — Select this option to filter the list and show only recently used tools.

Turnmilling tool orientation button — available when you select Turnmilling as the turn Toolpath type on the Strategy tab. Click this button to open the B-Axis Tool Orientation dialog.

To override the automatically selected tool to one of your choice:

1. Select the Orientation.
2. Select or enter the tool Insert Shape.
3. Select or enter the tool's Presentation Angle.
4. Optionally select the Recent tools option to filter your tool search further.
5. Scroll through the table.
6. To preview a tool:
   • Select a tool in the table to view it in the small graphics window. You can pan and zoom this view.
   • Select a tool in the table and click the Properties button or double-click a tool in the table to open its Tool Properties dialog. You can edit the tool's properties if you want to.
7. To change the tool, select the check box next to the Name of the tool you want to use in the table.
8. If you cannot find the tool you want, click the New tool button and create a new tool.

To revert back to the automatically selected tool, click the Undo tool override button. The override tool is deselected in the table and FeatureCAM uses the default tool marked D.