The Lathe Tools dialog box details the settings for every tool set up in the system. Listed next is the full complement of parameters for setting up the tools. The actual available parameters in each page change slightly for each tool type.
Tool
Select tool - The identifier of the current tool being edited in the lathe tool database.
Tool name - The name of the current tool selected.
Orientation
Turning - This parameter identifies the preferred axis of tool motion, in this case, along the Z-axis.
Facing - This parameter identifies the preferred axis of tool motion, in this case, along the X-axis.
Direction (1-4 or 5-8) - Identifies the direction of the tool nose for this tool. See the orientation diagram (in the dialog box) for an illustration of each tool tip direction.
Tool Geometry
Tool Material - Sets the tool material to carbide, high-speed steel or ceramic.
Insert Shape - Sets the insert shape to diamond, triangle, round or square.
Current sign - This tool uses the standard positive X-cutting direction.
Reverse sign - This tool reverses the standard X direction to be negative.
Parameters
Turret position # - This parameter instructs the software that the tool is loaded into this turret position number on the machine.
Offset register # - Indicates the offset register number to call out in posted NC programs using this tool.
Tool nose radius - Sets the tool nose radius used on the insert for this tool.
Cutting Angle - This parameter indicates the angle of the tip of the tool about the tool nose radius. This is shown in the Tool Geometry diagram, in red, labeled 1.
Tool Angle - This parameter indicates the angle of the tool in relation to the long axis of the cut.
Tool Width - For certain tools, the width of the tool must be taken into account in the toolpath. Set the tool width here.
Drill Diameter - Available only in the Drilling page, this sets the diameter for the drill.
Home position Z - This parameter indicates the position in the Z-axis to where BobCAM brings the tool when a move to home is required.
Home position X - This parameter indicates the position in the X-axis to where BobCAM brings the tool when a move to home is required.
Theoretic point Z - This is the distance to the theoretical tip of the cutter from the center of the nose radius in the Z-axis.
Theoretic point X - This is the distance to the theoretical tip of the cutter from the center of the nose radius in the X-axis.
Delete - Clicking this button deletes the tool currently selected form the library.
Add - If the current tool has been modified, click Add to create a new tool in the database with these parameters set.