The geometry fields CAM Assist asks for on the Tool tab of the tool assembly editor, and which ones each tool type needs. Each label ends with the field's ISO code in brackets, for example Diameter (DC). Lengths are shown in your unit setting.
Tool types
End mill, Ball mill, Chamfer mill, Face mill, Tslot mill (T-slot mill), Twist drill, Spot drill, Reamer, Cutting tap and Thread mill.
Required fields
Only fields marked required here stop you saving. "A or B" means fill either one; if you fill both, the first is used.
| Tool type | Required |
|---|---|
| End mill | Diameter (DC), Depth of cut maximum (APMX), Flute count (ZEFP) or Face effective cutting edge count (ZEFF), Overall length (OAL) or Protruding length (LPR) |
| Ball mill | Corner radius (RE) or Diameter (DC), Depth of cut max (APMX), Flute count (ZEFP) or Face edge count (ZEFF) |
| Chamfer mill | Cutting edge angle (KAPR), Cutting diameter maximum (DCX), Flute count (ZEFP) or ZEFF, OAL or LPR |
| T-slot mill | Cutting diameter (DC), Neck diameter (DN), Cutting width (CW) or Depth of cut max (APMX), Peripheral edge count (ZEFP), OAL or LPR |
| Twist drill | Diameter (DC), Usable Length (LU), OAL or LPR |
| Spot drill | Diameter (DC), Point length (PL) or Point angle (SIG), OAL or LPR |
| Reamer | Diameter (DC), Cutting edge length (L), Protruding length (LPR), Flute count (NOF) |
| Cutting tap | Thread diameter (TD), Thread cutting part length (THL) or Depth of cut max (APMX), Thread pitch (TP) or Threads per inch (TPI), Connection diameter machine side (DCONMS), Flute count (NOF), OAL or LPR |
| Thread mill | Cutting diameter (DC), Depth of cut maximum (APMX), Peripheral effective cutting edge count (ZEFP), Connection diameter (machine side) (DCONMS), Usable length (LU), TP or TPI, OAL or LPR |
| Face mill | Cutting diameter (DC) or Cutting diameter maximum (DCX), Protruding length (LPR), Peripheral effective cutting edge count (ZEFP) |
Where a tool came with Tool assembly length (LTA) or Functional length (LF), those can stand in for OAL and LPR.
Mode switches
Some types have a switch that changes which fields show:
| Switch | Options | Tool types |
|---|---|---|
| Corner style | Square, Radius (Corner radius RE), Chamfer (Corner chamfer angle KCH and width CHW) | End mill, T-slot mill |
| Sizing mode | By diameter, By corner radius | Ball mill |
| Tip geometry | Point length (PL) or Point angle (SIG) | Twist drill, Spot drill |
| Thread unit | Metric (Thread pitch TP) or Imperial (Threads per inch TPI) | Cutting tap, Thread mill |
| Shank mode | Basic (Neck diameter DN) or Advanced (a table of body segments, each with Body diameter BD, Body length LB and Body half taper angle BHTA, machine side first) | Most types |
Switching Sizing mode on a ball mill clears the value you're switching away from.
Sections
Fields are grouped in collapsible sections. Each section header shows how many of its fields are set, and how many required fields are still empty. Main cutting geometry and Non-cutting geometry start open. To find a field, type in Find a tool property.
| Section | Typical fields |
|---|---|
| Main cutting geometry | Diameter, depth of cut, flute count, corner or tip geometry |
| Non-cutting geometry | Overall length (OAL), Connection diameter machine side (DCONMS), Protruding length (LPR) |
| Relief / shank geometry | Usable length (LU), shank mode |
| Tool materials | Tool material (BMC), Coating property (CTP), Coating (COATN), Grade identification (GRDID) |
| Supplementary cutting geometry | Flute helix angle (FHA), Rake angle radial (GAMF), Coolant supply (CSP), Chip breaker (CBMD), Connection code type machine side (CCTMS) |
| Optional details | Manufacturer (BRAND), Manufacturer part number (DES), and less common dimensions. |
The thread mill groups its fields as Main cutting geometry, Tool dimensions and Optional properties. A face mill also has Cutting insert properties (Corner radius RE, Insert shape code SC), none of them required.
Protruding length (LPR) is the tool's default protruding length. In an assembly, the assembly's Stickout is used instead.
A new tool starts with Choose a tool type. Once a tool is saved in the library, its type can't be changed.
Common problems
- The Tool tab shows a warning icon: a required field is empty or invalid. Still to fill in lists the empty ones. See Can't save a tool assembly.
- Typing one edge count cleared the other: the flute count (ZEFP) and the face effective cutting edge count (ZEFF) are alternatives on end, ball, chamfer and face mills, so filling one clears the other.