CAM ToolShape: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
m (added wiki markup)
Line 38: Line 38:
#* Any unnamed constraint will not be editable for a specific tool
#* Any unnamed constraint will not be editable for a specific tool
# Once the sketch is fully constrained, close the sketch
# Once the sketch is fully constrained, close the sketch
# Rotate the sketch around the z-axis
# Revolve the sketch around the z-axis
# Save the document as a new file in the Shape directory
# Save the document as a new file in the Shape directory


Revision as of 20:05, 4 December 2020

This documentation is a work in progress. Please don't mark it as translatable since it will change in the next hours and days.

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

  1. Create a new FreeCAD document
  2. Open the Part Design workbench
  3. Create a body and give the body a label you want to show up in the bit selection.
  4. 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)
  5. 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
  6. Once the sketch is fully constrained, close the sketch
  7. Revolve the sketch around the z-axis
  8. 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.

Important notes:

  • 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

Template:Path Tools navi

User documentation
Retrieved from "http://wiki.freecad.org/index.php?title=CAM_ToolShape&oldid=805894"