tool library per machine

[Greg_Haisley]

The scenario. You have a part that you want to program different operations on different machines. Here is the problem the tool library is linked to the part file. This is fine if you program all operations on a single machine.

Now try to program different operations on different machines and see how this works for you. There are workarounds of course. Like maintaining multiple different assembly files that have the same part in them for different machines. This way the assembly file will have the correct machine linked to it. Example - part123_mazakajv404 and part123_moriseki40. It can be done but you will have to come up with a scheme that works for you. I am currently doing this very scenario as I write this. 

The idea is for the CAM system to link the library to the machine, the same machine that was setup in the job setup. Which makes for less file management to maintain. When you switch jobs (changing the default setting) the correct library would be active. What's wrong with this idea? Just a thought - run with it or leave it.

Thanks for lookin,

Greg Haisley

[ArjanDijk]

I agree that it should be much easier to change the machine. At the moment in Inventor HSM its very hard to batch replace a tool. If 10 operations are using a 8mm HSS flat end mill with 15mm flute lenght and I want to switch it to a different machine with a 10mm carbide endmill with 20mm flute, the only thing I can do to replace the tool for all operations at once is define the 8mm and change all the values to the 10mm, or replace the tool for 10 operations.

So: I really agree that the current workflow needs to be changed.

[cj.abraham]

The concept of grouping tools in a library some property, either to sort or filter a view by, is something we have done before. We have this sort of functionality with setups in Fusion, where a user can filter the tools shown by selecting a setup in the tool library. This could be expanded to look up the machine that the setup belongs to, and therefore sort and filter tools by machine.

Batch changing tools is a different issue that we are currently working on.

[Greg_Haisley]

@cj.abraham

If I understand you right. This may be a solution for Fusion, what about the other platforms? HSMWorks is my preferred Adsk CAM solution. The current tool library doesn't allow for a user custom sorting field as you describe. IE machine. If it did I don't see the streamlined work flow as I described by automating the sorting process or allowing multiple machine libraries for the same part. Please post a video of  you using your concept in HSMWorks.

How can switching the default job setup be any easier for the user? 2 mouse clicks. This is something most will not use, but would be nice to be able to program the same part across different machines.

Sometimes the preferred machine is not available and having the option to program another machine within the same part file is an advantage. Duplicate the job, select new machine, adjust speeds and feeds for the new machine done. Now if the job did a regen for the machine in the setup file that would be awesome. Adjusting the speeds and feeds relative to the machine spindle limits is what I mean.

Thank you

[KeithClausen68]

Even if you could have a library per Job setup would be a big help.