Creating or Editing a Tool Holder

You can create a conical tool holder.

1. From any product:

   1. Select Start > Machining > Machine Programming.

      A PPR context with an empty Machining Cell is created. An empty Activities Process Tree opens automatically.

   2. Create a generic machine or assign a machine from the database.

      As soon as a machine is assigned to the Machining Cell, a Part Operation and a Manufacturing Program are created in the Activities Process Tree.

   3. Alternatively, open an existing Machining Process or PPR context .

      By default, the Activities Process Tree opens automatically.

2. If the Tool Builder toolbar is not visible, select View > Toolbar > Tool Builder

   The Tool Builder toolbar is displayed. The icons used to create a tool holder are found in the Holder sub-toolbar:
   
   

3. Click Conical Tool Holder .

   A conical tool holder is defined by diameters and lengths.

   The Tool Holder Definition dialog box is displayed.
   
   

4. A default name is proposed for the tool holder. Edit it is necessary.

5. Enter a comment, if necessary.

6. Define the number of Tool holder stages (between 2 and 5).

   • For two stages, specify the two tool holder diameters (D2 and D3) and two cone diameters (d1 and d2). Suitable values for the cone diameters allow the stages to be tapered.
     
     
   • For five stages, specify the five tool holder diameters (D2 to D6) and five cone diameters (d1 to d5). Suitable values for the cone diameters allow the stages to be tapered.
     
     

   The icon representing the tool holder is updated accordingly:
   
   

7. Double-click any value in the icon representing the geometry of the tool holder to edit it in the dialog box that appears.
   
   

   The representation icon is updated with the new values.

8. An alternative is to click More>>

   A Geometry is displayed.
   
   

9. Edit the parameters as requested.

   The representation icon is updated with the new values.

10. Click OK to create the tool holder and exit the dialog box.

    It is added to the Machining Cell, for example as Tool Holder_xxx.
    
    

You can create a prismatic tool holder.

1. From any product:

   1. Select Start > Machining > Machine Programming.

      A PPR context with an empty Machining Cell is created. An empty Activities Process Tree opens automatically.

   2. Create a generic machine or assign a machine from the database.

      As soon as a machine is assigned to the Machining Cell, a Part Operation and a Manufacturing Program are created in the Activities Process Tree.

   3. Alternatively, open an existing Machining Process or PPR context .

      By default, the Activities Process Tree opens automatically.

2. If the Tool Builder toolbar is not visible, select View > Toolbar > Tool Builder

   The Tool Builder toolbar is displayed. The icons used to create a tool holder are found in the Holder sub-toolbar:
   
   

3. Click Prismatic Tool Holder .

   The Tool Holder Definition dialog box is displayed.
   
   It contains only a Name and a Comment.

4. A default name is proposed for the tool holder. Edit it is necessary.

5. Enter a comment, if necessary.

6. Click OK to create the tool holder and exit the dialog box.

   It is added to the Machining Cell, for example as Prismatic Holder_xxx.
   
   

7. Now you must associate a 3D Part to Prismatic Holder_xxx.

   This 3D Part contains the geometric description and two axis for mounting purpose.

   1. If not already done, create the 3D Part.
   2. In the Machining Cell, right-click Prismatic Holder_xxx and select Open in New Window in the contextual menu.

      You are in the VPM Physical Editor.

   3. Right-click Prismatic Holder_xxx and select Insert Existing 3D Part in the contextual menu.
   4. Select the 3D Part you have created.
   5. Make the 3D Part invisible and revert to Machine Programming.

      
      
      

   6. Right-click Prismatic Holder_xxx and select NC Resources > Manage Representation in the contextual menu.

      The Manage Representation dialog box appears.
      
      

   7. Type, Rotary and Static status are proposed with a default value. Use their contextual menus to change them if necessary.
      
      
      
      
      
      
   8. Click No Selection to define the Base Axis, then the Mount Axis.

      No Selection is replaced with the name of the axis selected.

   9. Click OK to validate and exit the Manage Representation dialog box.

   The prismatic tool holder is now defined.

You can edit a tool holder from the Machining Cell.

1. Right-click a tool holder in the Machining Cell and select NC Resources > Edit NC Resources
   
   

2. Proceed as explained above for the creation.