Setting tool junctions

You can use set tool junctions to properly build a tool assembly.

• Logical structure and tool holder

Tool holder components are used by the Auto Assembly functionality to find the TOOL_MOUNT_JUNCTION. If the tool holder is not properly defined, the TOOL_MOUNT_JUNCTION cannot be found. A tool holder structure must include the following:

Only a single tool holder can be positioned directly below the tool assembly root node. Other drill or insert components must be positioned below the tool holder.

Below are three different examples of tool assemblies that have the tool holder properly defined:

Drilling tool

Milling tool (with inserts)

Turning tool

• Turning: tracking point

The tracking point for turning tools must be defined for the tool tip junction. A tool tip junction tracking point that is not defined in Teamcenter cannot be evaluated by the Create/Update NX Tool Assembly Part File functionality. Note The 09 Middle value is not supported by the functionality. Instead, it is used as a theoretical point that does not make sense for the tool path calculation, because this point cannot be measured by a presetter.

Terms, such as 04 Lower Right and 02 Upper Left, as defined by the tool’s tool mount junction, are always used for the X/Y-plane.

The tool tip junction is positioned at the same orientation as the tool mount junction. When the tool is displayed in NX, the X-axis points to the right and the Y-axis points to the top. The cutting geometry, left, right, upper, and lower tracking point values must be accurate.

• Tool mount junction

A tool mount junction is defined in the following ways:

SIEMENS_TOOL_MOUNT

A tool mount junction is always defined by one coordinate system in the tool’s tool holder. For more information see Logical structure and tool holder. When a tool holder includes a SIEMENS_TOOL_MOUNT, this is used as the tool’s tool mount junction.

MCS

When a tool holder does not include a SIEMENS_TOOL_MOUNT coordinate system, the tool holder’s MCS coordinate system is used for the tool mount junction. In NX CAM, the tool's cutting point is on the negative X-axis. Tool components based on DIN4003, or tools downloaded from tool vendor’s web pages, have a different orientation and the cutting point is on the positive Z-axis. The Create/Update NX Tool Assembly Part File functionality automatically transforms the orientation of the tool component’s coordinate system to the orientation required in NX CAM. The tool mount junction cannot be evaluated when a tool holder does not include a SIEMENS_TOOL_MOUNT or a MCS coordinate system. The SIEMENS_TOOL_MOUNT coordinate system is not mandatory, and the algorithm also works with components that only have MCS defined.

• NX tool tip junction

The evaluation of the tool tip junction is different for turning tools and drilling and milling tools.

Turning tools

The tracking point defines the direction from which the tool tip is searched. For more information see Turning: tracking point. The presetter algorithm identifies the first point where the cutting component is touched from the specified direction. This point is used as the tool tip junction. Note The algorithm always evaluates the tool tip junction based on the 3D geometry.

The 03 Lower Left tool tip is magnified and highlighted.

For turning tools, the tool tip and the tool mount junctions must be assigned the same Z-level. Note The algorithm automatically transforms the tool tip junction to the Z-level of the tool mount junction.

The tool tip is highlighted.

The tool tip is not directly on the cutting insert, but is on the same Z-level as the tool mount.

The tool mount is highlighted.

Drilling and milling tools

When a CIP coordinate system is defined in the tool’s cutter component, it is used as the tool tip junction. When a CIP coordinate system is not defined, the algorithm evaluates the tool tip junction based on the 3D geometry. Note The point that is the furthest in the X-axis direction is used as the tool tip junction. The CIP coordinate system is not mandatory. The algorithm also works with components without the CIP coordinate system.

For all tool types, the orientation of the tool tip junction is the same as the tool mount junction.

• Validation

You can validate the position and orientation of the tool tip and tool mount junctions in the NX Machine Tool Builder by using the Edit Machine Component dialog box. Selecting Tool Tip highlights the tool tip junction.

The Tool Mount is highlighted when the tool mount junction is selected.