CAM ToolShape: Difference between revisions
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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ToolShapes are the templates from which ToolBits are created. They represent the physical shape of a tool. |
ToolShapes are a core part of the [[Path_Tools|Path Tools]] system. ToolShapes are the templates from which ToolBits are created. They represent the physical shape of a tool. |
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A ToolShape does not completely describe the bit - for that some additional parameters are needed which will be added when an actual bit is parameterized from the template. |
A ToolShape does not completely describe the bit - for that some additional parameters are needed which will be added when an actual bit is parameterized from the template. |
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Revision as of 15:53, 24 October 2020
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Description
ToolShapes are a core part of the Path Tools system. ToolShapes are the templates from which ToolBits are created. They represent the physical shape of a tool. A ToolShape does not completely describe the bit - for that some additional parameters are needed which will be added when an actual bit is parameterized from the template.
ToolShapes are just FreeCAD documents with a single Body created from the Part Design workbench.
Creating new ToolShapes is an advanced topic. The most commonly needed shapes already exist and are provided with the FreeCAD installation:
- ballend.fcstd
- bullnose.fcstd
- drill.fcstd
- endmill.fcstd
- v-bit.fcstd
These can be found in the /Mod/Path/Tools/Shape/ subdirectory where FreeCAD was installed.
Usage
- Create a new FreeCAD document - Open the PartDesign workbench, create a body and give the body a label you want to show up in the bit selection. - Create a sketch in the XZ plane and draw half the profile of the bit.
- Put the top center of the bit on the origin (0,0)
- For any constraint serving as a parameter for the tool (like overall Length) create a named constraint
- The name is the label of the input field - Names are split at CamelCase boundaries into words in the edit dialog - Use a ; in the name to add help text which will show up as the entry fields tool tip - If the tool is used by legacy ops it should at least have one constraint called Diameter - Use construction lines for constraints that are not directly accessible, like Diameter and Angle
- Any unnamed constraint will not be editable for a specific tool - Once the sketch is fully constrained, close the sketch - Rotate the sketch around the z-axis - Save the document as a new file in the Shape directory
Tool Thumbnail Images
Toolbits will have a small icon image of the tool in the tree if the image is saved with thumbnails active.
- Before saving the document make sure you have Save Thumbnail selected, and Add program logo deselected in FreeCAD's preferences. - Also make sure to switch to Front View and Fit content to screen - Whatever you see when saving the document will end up being the visual representation of the template
Options
- Project Commands: Job, Post Process, Check the path job for common errors, Export Template
- Tool Commands: Inspect Path Commands, CAM Simulator, Finish Selecting Loop, Toggle the Active State of the Operation, ToolBit Library editor, ToolBit Dock
- Basic Operations: Profile, Pocket Shape, Drilling, Face, Helix, Adaptive, Slot, Engrave, Deburr, Vcarve
- 3D Operations: 3D Pocket, 3D Surface, Waterline
- Path Modification: Copy the operation in the job, Array, Simple Copy
- Specialty Operations: Thread Milling
- Miscellaneous: Area, Area workplane
- ToolBit architecture: Tools, ToolShape, ToolBit, ToolBit Library, ToolController
- Additional: Preferences, Scripting
- Getting started
- Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
- Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate
- Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
- Workbenches: Std Base, Arch, Assembly, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Start, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework, Web
- Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub