Extract tool holder data

In NX CAM, the tool path calculation can take the shape of the tool holder into consideration. A larger tool holder results in a bigger tool offset to the part being machined. For this calculation, NX uses tool holder attribute values. However, NX does not use holder values from the 3D geometry for tool path generation. It uses attributes that it imports from Teamcenter. If these values do not exist in Teamcenter, the NX CAM user must measure the holder manually, which can be very time-consuming.

You can automatically import the tool holder attribute values from the 3D geometry into Teamcenter, saving you the time required to fill out the holder attribute array manually, ensuring a more accurate holder definition, and reducing the chance of holder collisions when running the tool path on the machine.

The tool holder parameters are measured only up to the tool mount junction.

Teamcenter supports holders with up to 23 steps. If the holder has more than 23 steps, the 23rd step is set to a cylinder with the widest diameter of the remaining steps and a length up to the tool mount junction.

For this mechanism to function properly, there are several prerequisites:

• Version 4.0 of the Manufacturing Resource Library (MRL) must be installed.

• The CAM setup must be loaded using the MRL installer (Populate database→Import MRL NX Seed Parts→Template parts for temporary tool retrieval).

• The NX attribute mapping must be in place.

• The tool must be properly defined so that the tool retrieval in NX functions correctly.

• The MRMHolderData preference must be set to true.

To extract tool holder parameters:

Procedure

1. Create or open a tool assembly containing 3D components.

2. Select the tool's root node and do one of the following:

   Click the tool holder data extraction button on the menu bar. Or

   Click .Teamcenter displays the NX Automatic Tool Assembly dialog box.

   Select the Extract Holder Data option and click OK.

The tool holder parameters are imported into the resource.

Results

To calculate the holder start value, the Teamcenter adds the cutting component's protruding length (LPR/-40183) to the negative tool tip's nominal setup X value (X/-45002), unless the provided protruding length is greater than the overall length of the cutting component. In this case, Teamcenter computes the overall length of the cutting tool component by adding up the NX cutter's tool height (PARAM_TL_HEIGHT_INDEX), shank length (PARAM_TL_TAPERED_SHANK_LENGTH_INDEX), and up to two shank segments (SL/-45262:2, -45262:3) that can be defined in Teamcenter, which are then added to the negative tool tip's nominal setup X value.

When NX CAM retrieves the tool assembly, it can sometimes calculate a positive holder offset value (OS) to correct the display position of the parametric holder by the length that the cutting component is embedded into the tool holder. This is usually the difference between the overall length of the cutting component and its protruding length. If the calculated holder offset is null, the parametric holder is displayed right above the cutting component and does not overlap with it.

Occasionally, due to a manual adjustment of the offset value or unavailability of attribute values, the holder is displayed in the incorrect position. If this occurs, manually adjust the holder offset value.