Yes and no... What matters is the tool number assigned to the tool after you add it to an operation. At that point the tool type and dimensions are linked with the programmed toolpath and that link must not be broken.
While the tool sits in the library nobody cares what tool number it has.
We usually have a set of tools we always use so those stay on the machine on their assigned pockets and are defined as such in the tools library. 99.99% of the cases T12 will be my go-to 12mm go roughing flat end mill. So it makes sense that in the library that and only that tool has no. 12 assigned.
My drill bits however all share the same tool number: 9. The first drill I use in the program stays in T9. The next one will get assigned the next available slot.
My 6mm mill is defined with tool number 4. So is the M4 tap. If I need them both in the program, I move one to another slot. Or both, depending on what is already on T4 in my setup 🙂
So yeah, define them in the library based on your preferences, even use a set of hardcoded/locked ones. But you have hundreds of tools and just a few slots on machine so duplicates are unavoidable.
The important things:
- make sure you turn duplicates check on in the post-processor, or you'll end up milling with a drill bit for about .001 seconds
- always print a setup sheet and make sure the machine has the expected tools in the expected pockets before running the program.
Fusion
