CAM Tools

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

Path Tools

Menu location
Path → Tool Manager
Workbenches
Path
Default shortcut
Introduced in version
-
See also
None


Description

Tools in the Path workbench are handled differently than in other CAM packages

There are several concepts that the user needs to understand:

ToolShapes: ToolShapes are templates for creating toolbits. Toolshapes are FreeCAD documents that model the tool using named constraints. The toolshape is an _abstract_ tool template from which tool instances (called toolbits) are created. For example, all endmills will share the same toolshape file.

ToolBits: Toolbits are instances of a toolshape. A toolbit will have _specific_ values for each of the named constraints in the toolshape. A toolbit is used in a Path Job through a Tool Controller (TC)

Toolbit Library: A library is an arbitrary collection of toolbits. The specific tools in a library is entirely up to the user. Possible use cases for libraries:

* A hobbyist user may have only one library for all of the tools they own.
* A library may contain all the tools used for a specific material like aluminum or wood
* A library may have toolbits for working on specific material
* A library may hold toolbits from a specific supplier
* A library may correspond to an automatic tool changer layout.


The File:Path Tools.svg Tool xxxxx

Dialogs

The user will typically interact with the tool management system in two different workflows. Each workflow has dedicated GUI elements.

Toolbit Dock

Toolbit Dock

The ToolBit dock is easily accessible from the main toolbar in the Path workbench. Pressing the button (button) will toggle the state of the dock. The dock is displayed in the right position by default but may be moved by the user. The dock can also be toggled with the Accelerator sequence (p,t)

The purpose of the dock is to display the currently selected library and allow the user to quickly add tool controllers to the Path Job(s).

Double-clicking on a toolbit will create a single tool controller for the toolbit. Multi-selecting toolbits and pressing the 'Add to Job' button will create tool controllers for all toolbits in the libarary.

The user may also select multiple tools and use the 'add...' button at the bottom to add tool controllers for the selection.

The top of the panel contains an text field showing the current path and a 'browse' button to choose another path. When a path is selected, all tool libraries from that location are scanned and shown in the dock. The dock will remember the last selection between uses

A cog button at the top right allows the user to launch the libarary manager (see below)

Toolbit Library Manager

Toolbit Library Manager

The library manager is the dialog for creating, managing, and organize toolbits. Launching the library manager from either the Path menu or from the 'cog' button in the dock will display the manager as a modal dialog.

From here the user can perform all task related to toolbit management :

* Create/edit/delete Toolbits
* Create libraries
* Add toolbits to libraries
* Remove toolbits from libraries
* Export a library to the LinuxCNC tooltable (.tbl) format

Only the creation of new toolshapes cannot be done from the toolmanager. This is an advanced topic. (see toolshape creation)


Like the dock, the top of the library manager shows a the current working path and a 'browse' button to choose a different path as the working path. When a path is selected, all tool libraries from that location are scanned and shown in the manager.

The manager will remember the last active tool library and working directory between uses.


Usage

  1. Select a Path Job
  2. Invoke the Tool Manager using several methods:
    • Press the Tool Manager button in the toolbar.
    • Using the P then T keyboard shortcut.
    • Using the Path → Tool Manager entry from the top menu.
  3. Create new tools or adjust the properties of existing tools.
    Set at least the diameter, FreeCAD needs it to calculate the radius compensation. As of version 0.17 and above this is the only value used for path creation. However, if you wish to use the simulation tool later, add cutting edge angle and cutting edge height as well.

Options