Fusion Tool Libraries vs. Machine Tool Library

[richardsalzman]

I am new to CAM and have a quick question regarding tool libraries.  I currently have a tool library in Fusion 360 called "CNC12 Tools".  This library contains the 10 actual tools that I currently own.  Each tool has a unique number. My milling machine controller (Centroid) has a duplicate of this library with the exact same tools and numbers. 

Everything seems to be working well as the tool numbers in Fusion have the same number as the Centroid tool numbers.

My question is how you import other tool libraries when the imported tool library has the same tool number as the   existing CNC12 tool library.  It is my understanding that I must match the tools numbers in Fusion to the tool numbers in Centroid.   Do you simply use the renumbering function to renumber the tools in the library that you want to import?  Is there another way to coordinate this?

Thanks... Richard.

[seth.madore]

You can have as many tools as you want that share the same numbers. It all comes down to what they are numbered in the Active Document (the part that you're currently programming).

I'm not sure if that fully answers your question, so do post back if you're still uncertain!

[richardsalzman]

Thanks Seth.  I understand that when I pick a tool to use, Fusion copies it to the active document and that the tool numbers in the active document must match that of the machine controller. 

As a hobbyist that may never have more than let's say 100 tools, I created a master tool library in Fusion (CNC12 Tools) that is intended to match the tool library in the machine controller.   When I wish to select a new tool that is not in my CNC12 Tools, I copy it from an imported tool library into CNC12 and give it a unique tool number.  This way each time I CAM a part I always pick tools from CNC12 Tools.  This ensures that each tool I select has the same tool number as my machine tool library.  Does this make sense or am I missing something?

Thanks... Richard

Thanks.... Richard

[seth.madore]

Yeah, it makes sense, in as much as "does it work for you"? There's a dozen ways of doing this, as some folks (such as myself) don't have a single tool in their library that's pre-numbered, and others have every single tool possible numbered.

[richardsalzman · Accepted solution]

That makes sense.  Thanks.

[stu_schw]

Reviving this thread because the subject matches exactly what I've been wondering. 

I also use CNC12 and fusion. 

What do you do if you want to use a tool that isn't part of the machine library yet? 

Like let's say I just whip up a one off job that's simply drilling a bunch of holes in some weird size.

I'd want to just put that size drill into a chuck and put it in my spindle. 

What then? Does any and every tool used in fusion have to be part of a library and with a dedicated number? Must I first enter it into centroids library and make sure the tool# that's assigned matches whatever tool# was used in fusion? 

It seems like there isn't any way to just kind of wing it and bypass all that for quick and dirty setups? Maybe this is as much a centroid question as it is a fusion one. I dunno.. 

[richardsalzman]

Hello Stu,

I sold my Centroid based benchtop machine some time ago and bought a Tormach.  Here is what I remember:

1.  If you are running gcode that was generated in Fusion, then the Centroid tool library must match that of Fusion.  It's really pretty easy.  Let's say you have a 100 tool in Fusion.  Just export a fusion file and import it into Centroid and you're done.  If you want to run some new gcode that has one new tool, you just add the tool number & diameter to the Centroid library, measure the tool length and your off to the races.  If you need to run another job that has several new tools, just repeat the export/import process and your libraries are synchronized again.

2.  If you are running gcode as you mentioned that has one new tool and this gcode was not created in Fusion so there is no relationship between the gcode and Fusion, then you can just have a numbering system where for example tools 1-500 are for Fusion and 500+ are for other jobs.

Centroid has made a number of changes since I sold my mill so you should check out a few things.  First, I think Centroid now supports multiple tool libraries so you may be able to have one library for Fusion and one for other jobs.  Also, look on the Forum for CHIPS. It is an inexpensive add-in software for Centroid that integrates a probe, tool setter and tool library and can synchronize them in real time.   I used the earlier version, and it was the best part of Centroid.

I hope this helps... Richard