Tool libraries

[Carol]

I'm new to Pro Nc. I've worked with other Cam software and was able to set up tool libraries by either using Access or Excell and bring them in.


Can you do somethinig similar in Pro Nc???????????

 

[puppet]

u can create a tool libaray within pro-e .

and have all ur cutters etc all detailed so u can just pick them as u go.



not sure about access and excell.

 

[Carol]

Thanks, but.................


We have apx 9000 tools that needs to be put in libraries. It would be nice if we could give them to a clerk to type them up, then import them in pro nc.

 

[indigo2]

Ok, so here is a (lengthy) explanation:

First, you'll need to set the following config.pro pair:

pro_mf_tprm_dir c:\mfglib\speed_feed\inch_tools (remember, you path may vary...)



Then, the tooling library looks like this:



Inch_tools (folder)

|

....tool1.tpm

....tool2.tpm

.

.

.

....tooln.tpm

materials (folder)

|

material1 (folder)

....tool1.tpm

....tool2.tpm

.

.

.

....tooln.tpm

material2 (folder)

....tool1.tpm

....tool2.tpm

.

.

.

....tooln.tpm

materialn (folder)

....tool1.tpm

....tool2.tpm

.

.

.

....tooln.tpm



And here is the explanation of the above structure:

The Inch_tools folder contains the tool geometry information. Here is a
sample:TOOL_ID& nbsp;
BUL01250

TOOL_TYPE& nbsp; MILLING

LENGTH_UNITS INCH

CUTTER_DIAM&nbsp ; 0.12500

CORNER_RADIUS 0.03125

SIDE_ANGLE 0.0

LENGTH&nbs p; 2.5

NUM_OF_TEETH 2

TOOL_MATERIAL HSS

GAUGE_X_LENGTH -

GAUGE_Z_LENGTH -

COMP_OVERSIZE -

TOOL_COMMENT -

TOOL_LONG_FLAG NO



Next, all of the desired materials in the speed/feed library each have their own folder.

The individual folders have files with names that match the tool
description file name inthe Inch_tool folder. So, for the BUL01250 tool
listed above, the cutting parameters look like this for the first
material:

CUT_DATA_UNITS ENGLISH

APPLICATION_TYPE ROUGHING

TOOL_SPINDLE_RPM 18336

TOOL_RADIAL_DEPTH 0.06

TOOL_SURFACE_SPEED 7200

TOOL_FEED_RATE 183

TOOL_FEED_PER_UNIT 0.01

TOOL_AXIAL_DEPTH 0.1

APPLICATION_TYPE FINISHING

TOOL_SPINDLE_RPM 18336

TOOL_RADIAL_DEPTH 0.0125

TOOL_SURFACE_SPEED 7200

TOOL_FEED_RATE 183

TOOL_FEED_PER_UNIT 0.01

TOOL_AXIAL_DEPTH 0.00625



So, you can have someone do the data entry manually, rather than use
Pro to input the values. It is a bit combersome, but remember that the
files are all simple text, and could be manipulated in something like
Excel, for example.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

-tsl

 

[Sch]

It is quite easy to set up tool libraries in Excel, make A solid tool and provide the required relations and dimension symbol. Then make a family table with the dimensions you would like to wary, finaly bring the falily table in to excel and: improt data, pattern data or any other excel funktion you would like to use.


I have attached a simpel solid tool library edited with excel as an exsamble.2005-02-11_013735_Jabro_mini_xl.zip