When a Laser 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.
Orientation — This field displays the direction of the tool relative to the stock being machined. For Laser tools, this is always set to Z Tool.
Laser Data — Click to display the Laser Data dialog to set the feed rate and laser settings.
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
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. This must be a positive value.
Diameter (d) — Enter the diameter of the laser.
Shank Size (u) — Enter the width of the tool shank. This must be a positive value.
Dwell (sec) — Enter the time delay in seconds.
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.