CAM: Show Tool in Geometry and ability to change tool orientation visually

[Anonymous]

I'm struggling with WCS and Tool orientation. You have multiple options to set these values in the model, in the tool and in the CAM workspace.  Currently when I select a milling option and choose a tool I like that I can visually see it. Often times it is in the wrong tool orientation and I have to toggle to Geometry to try to figure out what I need to select to change the tool orientation.

In the geometry tab you no longer see your tool visually in the workspace. It would be nice if you could see the tool so that when you change the orientation you can immediately see the changes.

In the tool tab it would be nice if you could right click on the tool shown in the workspace and change the orientation right there! If not it would be nice if the tool's orientation options were combined into this tab or let you see it in the geometry tab. 

Changing tool orientation is a common NEWBIE mistake and I've spent several days struggling with this across several models. Anything you can do to help users get back on track would help!

[HughesTooling]

Quick question, are you setting up for 4 or 5 axis machining, tool orientation in an op should only be used for 4 and 5 axis.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Hi Mark - Always aprreciate your insights. 

I have models that could benefit from 4 and 5 axis, but the Shopbot CNC machine is only 3 axis so you are correct that I won't be using multiple tool orientations. I'll be moving the model on the CNC and running a new tool path.

My problem is that I don't have a good grasp of how WCS works when setting up the model, setting up the tool and setting up the milling operation.

If Autodesk added the visual of showing the tool in the workspace when choosing Tool Orientation in the second tab like it does when selecting the tool in the first tab all would be good - I wouldn't have to toggle as I mess around with getting the tool oriented correctly.

I'm sure once I figure it out it will make sense, but for users new to CAM tool orientation being configured correctly is a stumbling block.

[HughesTooling]

If you don't have 4\5 axis positioning you should leave the tool orientation unchecked always. You should only use the setup to set your part orientation. If you want to machine on 2 or more side create a setup for each side and set the Z axis pointing away from the top suface you're machining. 

Here's an example machining on 3 sides, each side has a set up and I've not used tool orientation in any of the ops.

Can't attach files in this section, hope it makes sense.

Mark

[keqingsong]

Hey there! Thanks so much for submitting your idea. Unfortunately, this idea did not get a lot of votes from the community, and now is 2 years old. We're changing its status to archived. If you still feel strongly about this idea, you can resubmit it. Check out some idea submission best practices here: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/community-faq/ideas/m-p/5384681#M44