Create NX tool assembly

After you create a tool assembly, Active Workspace helps you create or update the NX tool assembly part file. To do this, you capture CAM-related tool information required by the machine tool builder in NX, so the tool assembly can be used for tool path simulation.

Note

Before you create the NX tool assembly, confirm that the graphics builder is correctly installed and configured.

Procedure

1. Select the root node of the tool assembly.

2. Click Manage and select Create NX Tool Assembly .

Active Workspace displays the Create NX Tool Assembly dialog box.

3. Select options in the dialog box.

Note The first option in the Create NX Tool Assembly dialog box is the focus of this procedure and is required. You can also select the options Extract Holder Data and Create Setup Sheet.

Option

Description

Build tool assembly part file and add components

Builds NX tool assembly part file and adds components to the assembly structure. These steps are mandatory when you create the NX tool assembly. This option is selected by default and cannot be unselected.

Identify cutting and non-cutting geometry

The solids in the tool components are added to the CUTTING or NON_CUTTING groups in NX. These are displayed in the machine tool builder and saved in the assembly part file in NX.

Generate spinning geometry

The CUTTING_SPUN and NON_CUTTING_SPUN geometry are saved with the tool assembly for milling and drilling tools. The information for this geometry comes from the CUT and NOCUT information of the tool components that are used in the tool assembly. This option is not available for turning tools.

Set tool junctions

The tooltip and tool mount junctions are added to the assembly part file.

Write NX part attributes

If the tool mount and tooltip junctions are defined in the assembly part file, NX calculates the setup offsets based on these two junctions, and writes them into the part properties in the part file, setting the CAM_TOOL_ATT_X, CAM_TOOL_ATT_Y, and CAM_TOOL_ATT_Z properties. Additionally, NX system tracking points are imported into the resource for milling and drilling tool assembly classes.

Extract Holder Data

Tool holder parameters that are required by NX to calculate collision avoidance are automatically imported into Teamcenter.

Simplify holder geometry

Outputs fewer holder segments, using a tolerance and ignoring undercut holder geometry.

Create Setup Sheet

Generates setup sheets, which are based on templates that are saved with the class.

4. Click Execute.

An NX assembly part file is created in which all tool components are correctly positioned. The part file includes the additional tooling information. The part properties are mapped to Teamcenter. For example:

CAM_TOOL_ATT_X is mapped to the resource library attribute -45002 Nomin. Setup X.

CAM_TOOL_ATT_Y is mapped to the resource library attribute -45003 Nomin. Setup Y.

CAM_TOOL_ATT_Z is mapped to the resource library attribute -45002 Nomin. Setup Z (for turning tools).

Note The NX part attribute to Classification mapping must be configured. Your tooling administrator must enable the synchronization of Setup X, Setup Y, and Setup Z attribute values. Refer to the topic Synchronize attribute values from NX to Teamcenter for a list of more attributes that get mapped.