CAM ToolShape: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
(Path->CAM) |
||
(29 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
<languages/> |
<languages/> |
||
{{UnfinishedDocu}} |
|||
<translate> |
<translate> |
||
<!--T:1--> |
<!--T:1--> |
||
{{Docnav |
{{Docnav |
||
|[[ |
|[[CAM_Tools|Tools]] |
||
|[[ |
|[[CAM_ToolBit|ToolBit]] |
||
|[[ |
|[[CAM_Workbench|CAM]] |
||
|IconL= |
|IconL= |
||
|IconR= |
|IconR= |
||
|IconC= |
|IconC=Workbench_CAM.svg |
||
}} |
}} |
||
Line 20: | Line 19: | ||
<!--T:3--> |
<!--T:3--> |
||
ToolShapes are a core part of the [[ |
ToolShapes are a core part of the [[CAM_Tools|CAM Tools]] system. ToolShapes are the templates from which ToolBits are created. They represent the specific physical shape of a tool. A ToolShape does not completely describe the bit - for that some additional parameters are needed which will be added when an actual bit is parameterized from the template. |
||
<!--T:4--> |
<!--T:4--> |
||
Line 26: | Line 25: | ||
<!--T:5--> |
<!--T:5--> |
||
Creating new ToolShapes is an advanced topic. The most commonly needed ToolShapes already exist and are provided with the FreeCAD installation at |
Creating new ToolShapes is an advanced topic. The most commonly needed ToolShapes already exist and are provided with the FreeCAD installation at: |
||
<!--T:6--> |
<!--T:6--> |
||
* On Linux it is usually {{incode|/usr/lib64/FreeCAD/Mod/ |
* On Linux it is usually {{incode|/usr/lib64/FreeCAD/Mod/CAM/Tools/Shape}} |
||
* On Windows it is usually {{incode|C:\Program Files\FreeCAD\Mod\ |
* On Windows it is usually {{incode|C:\Program Files\FreeCAD\Mod\CAM\Tools\Shape}} |
||
* On macOS it is usually {{incode|/Applications/FreeCAD/Mod/ |
* On macOS it is usually {{incode|/Applications/FreeCAD.app/Contents/Resources/Mod/CAM/Tools/Shape}} |
||
<!--T:7--> |
<!--T:7--> |
||
Line 40: | Line 39: | ||
: {{FileName|drill.fcstd}} |
: {{FileName|drill.fcstd}} |
||
: {{FileName|endmill.fcstd}} |
: {{FileName|endmill.fcstd}} |
||
: {{FileName|probe.fcstd |
: {{FileName|probe.fcstd}} |
||
: {{FileName|slittingsaw.fcstd}} |
: {{FileName|slittingsaw.fcstd}} |
||
: {{FileName|thread-mill.fcstd |
: {{FileName|thread-mill.fcstd}} |
||
: {{FileName|v-bit.fcstd}} |
: {{FileName|v-bit.fcstd}} |
||
These can be found in the {{FileName| |
These can be found in the {{FileName|Mod/CAM/Tools/Shape/}} subdirectory where FreeCAD was installed. |
||
== Usage == <!--T:8--> |
== Usage == <!--T:8--> |
||
Line 51: | Line 50: | ||
<!--T:9--> |
<!--T:9--> |
||
# Create a new FreeCAD document. |
# Create a new FreeCAD document. |
||
# Open the [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg| |
# Open the [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|16px]] [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]]. |
||
# Create a |
# Create a [[PartDesign_Body|Body]] and give the Body a label you want to show up in the bit selection. |
||
# Create a |
# Create a [[Image:PartDesign_NewSketch.svg|16px]] [[PartDesign_NewSketch|Sketch]] on the XZ plane and draw half the profile of the bit. |
||
# |
# Constrain the bottom most center of the bit on the origin {{incode|(0,0)}}. This will be the center of the axis on which the G-code will rotate the bit. |
||
#* Note: Do not add dimensional constraints at this time. |
|||
# For any constraint serving as a parameter for the tool (like overall Length) create a named constraint. |
|||
# Close the Sketch. |
|||
#* The name is the label of the input field. |
|||
# [[Image:PartDesign_Revolution.svg|16px]] [[PartDesign_Revolution|Revolve]] the Sketch around the vertical Sketch axis. |
|||
#* Names are split at CamelCase boundaries into words in the edit dialog. |
|||
# Open the [[Image:Workbench_CAM.svg|16px]] [[CAM_Workbench|CAM Workbench]]. |
|||
#* Use a {{incode|;}} in the name to add help text which will show up as the entry fields tool tip. |
|||
# Select the Sketch in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]]. This ensures that the PropertyBag created in the next step will be nested in the Body. |
|||
#* If the tool is used by legacy ops it should at least have one constraint called Diameter. |
|||
# Select the {{MenuCommand|CAM → Utils → PropertyBag}} option from the menu. |
|||
#* Use construction lines for constraints that are not directly accessible, like Diameter and Angle. |
|||
# A PropertyBag named {{Value|Attributes}} is created. This PropertyBag will be used to control the dimensions in the Sketch. |
|||
#* Any unnamed constraint will not be editable for a specific tool. |
|||
# Double-click the PropertyBag in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]]. |
|||
⚫ | |||
# The {{MenuCommand|Property Bag}} task panel opens. |
|||
# Revolve the sketch around the z-axis. |
|||
# Click the {{Button|Add...}} button. |
|||
# Save the document as a new file in the Shape directory. |
|||
# The {{MenuCommand|Create Property}} dialog opens. |
|||
# Create a property named {{Value|Diameter}}. This property is mandatory for ToolBits. Property names are case-sensitive and may not contain spaces. |
|||
# Select {{Value|Shape}} from the {{MenuCommand|Group}} dropdown list. |
|||
# Select the appropriate {{MenuCommand|Type}}. |
|||
# Optionally specify a {{MenuCommand|ToolTip}}. |
|||
# Click the {{Button|OK}} button. |
|||
# In the {{MenuCommand|Property Bag}} task panel enter a value for the '''Diameter''' property. |
|||
# Similarly add all other required properties. |
|||
# Click the {{Button|OK}} button in the {{MenuCommand|Property Bag}} task panel when done. |
|||
# Double-click the Sketch in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]]. |
|||
# Add dimensional constraints and apply the properties from the created PropertyBag. For example to apply the '''Diameter''' property: |
|||
## Double-click a dimension. |
|||
## Click the [[Image:Bound-expression.svg|16px]] icon. |
|||
## Enter {{Value|<<Attributes>>.Diameter}} in the {{MenuCommand|Formula editor}}. |
|||
## Click the {{Button|OK}} button twice. |
|||
⚫ | |||
# Save the {{FileName|FCStd}} file where FreeCAD expects to find ToolBit files. See [[#Description|Description]] above. |
|||
<!--T:15--> |
|||
* Note 1. If you are denied access to the folder on Windows, start FreeCAD in ADMINISTRATOR mode. |
|||
* Note 2. The Body of the ToolBit must be the first object in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]]. These instructions ensure that this is the case. |
|||
== Tool Thumbnail Images == <!--T:10--> |
== Tool Thumbnail Images == <!--T:10--> |
||
<!--T:11--> |
<!--T:11--> |
||
ToolBits will have a small icon image of the tool in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]] if the file is saved with thumbnails active. |
|||
<!--T:12--> |
<!--T:12--> |
||
Line 76: | Line 96: | ||
* Also make sure to switch to Front View and Fit content to screen |
* Also make sure to switch to Front View and Fit content to screen |
||
* Whatever you see when saving the document will end up being the visual representation of the template |
* Whatever you see when saving the document will end up being the visual representation of the template |
||
== Options == <!--T:13--> |
|||
<!--T:14--> |
<!--T:14--> |
||
{{Docnav |
{{Docnav |
||
|[[ |
|[[CAM_Tools|Tools]] |
||
|[[ |
|[[CAM_ToolBit|ToolBit]] |
||
|[[ |
|[[CAM_Workbench|CAM]] |
||
|IconL= |
|IconL= |
||
|IconR= |
|IconR= |
||
|IconC= |
|IconC=Workbench_CAM.svg |
||
}} |
}} |
||
</translate> |
</translate> |
||
{{ |
{{CAM_Tools_navi{{#translation:}}}} |
||
{{Userdocnavi{{#translation:}}}} |
{{Userdocnavi{{#translation:}}}} |
Latest revision as of 11:43, 17 March 2024
Description
ToolShapes are a core part of the CAM Tools system. ToolShapes are the templates from which ToolBits are created. They represent the specific physical shape of a tool. A ToolShape does not completely describe the bit - for that some additional parameters are needed which will be added when an actual bit is parameterized from the template.
Initially ToolShapes are just FreeCAD documents with a single Body created from the Part Design workbench.
Creating new ToolShapes is an advanced topic. The most commonly needed ToolShapes already exist and are provided with the FreeCAD installation at:
- On Linux it is usually
/usr/lib64/FreeCAD/Mod/CAM/Tools/Shape
- On Windows it is usually
C:\Program Files\FreeCAD\Mod\CAM\Tools\Shape
- On macOS it is usually
/Applications/FreeCAD.app/Contents/Resources/Mod/CAM/Tools/Shape
They are:
- ballend.fcstd
- bullnose.fcstd
- chamfer.fcstd
- drill.fcstd
- endmill.fcstd
- probe.fcstd
- slittingsaw.fcstd
- thread-mill.fcstd
- v-bit.fcstd
These can be found in the Mod/CAM/Tools/Shape/ subdirectory where FreeCAD was installed.
Usage
- Create a new FreeCAD document.
- Open the PartDesign Workbench.
- Create a Body and give the Body a label you want to show up in the bit selection.
- Create a Sketch on the XZ plane and draw half the profile of the bit.
- Constrain the bottom most center of the bit on the origin
(0,0)
. This will be the center of the axis on which the G-code will rotate the bit.- Note: Do not add dimensional constraints at this time.
- Close the Sketch.
- Revolve the Sketch around the vertical Sketch axis.
- Open the CAM Workbench.
- Select the Sketch in the Tree view. This ensures that the PropertyBag created in the next step will be nested in the Body.
- Select the CAM → Utils → PropertyBag option from the menu.
- A PropertyBag named
Attributes
is created. This PropertyBag will be used to control the dimensions in the Sketch. - Double-click the PropertyBag in the Tree view.
- The Property Bag task panel opens.
- Click the Add... button.
- The Create Property dialog opens.
- Create a property named
Diameter
. This property is mandatory for ToolBits. Property names are case-sensitive and may not contain spaces. - Select
Shape
from the Group dropdown list. - Select the appropriate Type.
- Optionally specify a ToolTip.
- Click the OK button.
- In the Property Bag task panel enter a value for the Diameter property.
- Similarly add all other required properties.
- Click the OK button in the Property Bag task panel when done.
- Double-click the Sketch in the Tree view.
- Add dimensional constraints and apply the properties from the created PropertyBag. For example to apply the Diameter property:
- Repeat this until the Sketch is fully constrained.
- Save the FCStd file where FreeCAD expects to find ToolBit files. See Description above.
- Note 1. If you are denied access to the folder on Windows, start FreeCAD in ADMINISTRATOR mode.
- Note 2. The Body of the ToolBit must be the first object in the Tree view. These instructions ensure that this is the case.
Tool Thumbnail Images
ToolBits will have a small icon image of the tool in the Tree view if the file is saved with thumbnails active.
Important notes:
- Before saving the document make sure you have Save Thumbnail selected, and Add program logo deselected in FreeCAD's preferences.
- Also make sure to switch to Front View and Fit content to screen
- Whatever you see when saving the document will end up being the visual representation of the template
- Project Commands: Job, Post Process, Check the CAM job for common errors, Export Template
- Tool Commands: Inspect CAM Commands, CAM Simulator, Finish Selecting Loop, Toggle the Active State of the Operation, ToolBit Library editor, ToolBit Dock
- Basic Operations: Profile, Pocket Shape, Drilling, Face, Helix, Adaptive, Slot, Engrave, Deburr, Vcarve
- 3D Operations: 3D Pocket, 3D Surface, Waterline
- CAM Modification: Copy the operation in the job, Array, Simple Copy
- Specialty Operations: Thread Milling
- Miscellaneous: Area, Area workplane
- ToolBit architecture: Tools, ToolShape, ToolBit, ToolBit Library, ToolController
- Additional: Preferences, Scripting
- Getting started
- Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
- Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate
- Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
- Workbenches: Std Base, Arch, Assembly, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework
- Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub