When a Thread tool is selected, the following settings are available on the Tool Data dialog and the Edit Tool dialog:
Left-hand column of settings
Type — Select the type of tool. PartMaker displays all the tool types available for your PartMaker application.
Location — Select the location of the tool (In, Out or Face).
Orientation — Select the direction from which the tool approaches the material (Left or Right).
Shank Axis — Select the axis of the shank (X-axis or Z-axis).
Round Shank — PartMaker uses these options to model a 3D tool for simulation and when displaying the tool in the Shape Preview window. These options apply only to Z-axis tools.
- L — Enter the length of the round shank.
- D — Enter the diameter of the round shank.
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 nose radius compensation for the tool.
Length (l) — Enter the length of the tool, from the center of the tip to the end of the holder. This must be a positive value.
Width (w) — Enter the width from the tip of the tool to the opposite end of the holder for the tool. This must be a positive value.
Tip Size (g) — Enter the width of the cutting tip of the tool. This must be a positive value.
Height (H) — Enter the distance between the holder and the tip of the tool. This must be a positive value.
Included Angle (A) — Enter the included angle of the chosen tool insert. This must be a positive value.
Chamfer (c) — Enter the size of the chamfer on the holder. This must be a positive value.
Threads Per Inch (p) — Enter the number of threads per inch on the tool. If you are using metric tools, use the Pitch field to enter the distance between the threads on the tool.
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.