The Tool Holder Properties dialog enables you to view, edit, and create tool holders.
To display the
Tool Holder Properties dialog, click
Create new tool Holder or
Edit tool Holder definition on the
Holder tab of the
Milling Tool Properties dialog or the
Spindles and Tool Holders dialog.
The dialog contains the following options:
Holder Name — Each tool holder must have a unique name.
Measure — Select the Inches check box if the tool holder dimensions are in inches. For millimeter dimensions deselect this box.
- Endmill holders are typically used for heavy machining and they hold tools with more rigidity than collet holders. Endmill holders should be used with tools that have Weldon flats on them to ensure proper clamping of the tool in the holder.
- Collet holders are a versatile tool holder because they can be used with different-sized collets to hold various sized tools.
- Hydraulic holders are typically used in close-tolerance operations or where expensive tools are being used because they offer great balance characteristics, helps ensure a high runout accuracy, and provide some vibration dampening.
- Shrink-fit holders are found in higher feed milling and drilling applications. The holders offer high runout accuracy and great balance. Shrink-fit holders are heated to let the tool be placed in them, clamping on the tool as they cool.
- Shell-mill holders use the ANSI mount for shell mills. Most cutter heads attached to shell-mill holders are indexable (inserted) cutters and are held on by either a shell-mill lock-screw or a socket-head cap-screw.
Tool Groups — This button displays a list of tooling types that use this holder.
Curve of revolution — If you want to make a custom holder shape, select this option, then select a curve in the menu that describes the shape. This curve must be in the XZ plane with one endpoint at the origin.
Solid model — If you want to use a solid for the custom holder shape, select this option and select a solid in the menu.
Paste copy of holder into graphics window — Click Paste to copy into the graphics window a set of lines and arcs for the current holder shape. This can be useful as a reference if you are going to draw a custom holder shape.
Tip Dia — This is the outer diameter of the holder at the tip for collets. For convenience, you can set the Tip diameter for endmill holders to Based on tool dia so that the holder is scaled to fit a tool.
Tool Dia — The diameter of the tool. For collets this can be specified as a minimum and maximum value, to accurately reflect actual collets, or it can be set to Fit any tool so that the diameter is adjusted to fit any tool with a diameter less than the Tip Dia.
Dimensions — The other dimensions of the holders are shown below.
Angled Head — Select this option if you want to create a right-angled tool holder. This option is only available when you are using a solid to describe the holder shape.
Azimuth angle — Select whether the tool has a Variable or Fixed azimuth angle. If Fixed is selected, enter the angle in degrees.