To set up your Mastercam tool database to work with CAM Assist, use the stand-alone Tool Manager application.
The Tool Manager is typically available from C:\Program Files\Mastercam 2025\Extensions\ToolManager.exe.
This may be different for your Mastercam installation, depending on your company’s internal policies.
| Tip |
|---|
Pro tip |
Tool Manager
The Mastercam Tool Manager application is used to create and manage tool databases (TOOLDB files) that can be specific to a job and/or machine.
The recommended workflow is to set up tool databases using the Tool Manager, and then use those databases (as the ‘Tool library’) in Mastercam to apply to specific jobs, parts, and machines. This system allows a single tool to be programmed for multiple materials and applications.
The Tool Manager is used to apply Material, Tool Assemblies (Cutting Tools and Holders) and Cut Parameters to a tool. CAM Assist uses these properties to appropriately automate toolpath operations.
| Tip |
|---|
Pro tip These are:
Note - the demo tool libraries are subject to change with each update of CAM Assist. It is advised that a copy of the demo tool library be made if using it as a ‘starting point.’ |
Materials
The materials used in a tool database file need to align with CAM Assist in order to be recognized. For new tool database files, simply copy all of the Materials from one of the demo libraries, and paste them into your target file using the Tool Manager application.
The materials in this list populate the list used in the Material ISO Group in the Cut Parameters database (see below).
Tool Assemblies
| Info |
|---|
CAM Assist uses Tool Assemblies, not just Cutting Tools. |
Cutting Tools
The Cutting Tool field in the Tool Manager defines the core properties of the tool.
Holders
Holder geometry is required by CAM Assist in order to produce safe and gouge-free strategy output.
| Tip |
|---|
Pro tip |
Setting up Presets with Cut Parameters
CAM Assist makes use of the Cut Parameters configured in the Mastercam Tool Manager specifically for differentiating tool use between different materialsand applications. For example, the same tool assembly can be configured to rough Aluminum, or to Flat Finish Stainless Steel via Cut Parameters.
Each Tool Assembly can reference multiple Cut Parameters.
For each Cut Parameter the following properties are used by CAM Assist:
Name
Material ISO Group
Surface Speed
Feed Per Tooth
Naming and Linking
| Info |
|---|
In order for CAM Assist to associate the Cut Parameters (Presets) to the Tool Assembly, the Assembly Name and the Cut Parameter Name properties have to have matching entries. |
In the examples here the Tool Assembly Assembly Name and the Cut Parameter Name both use at matching number):
Along with this, the Supported Operation can also be used. (See Supported Operations for more details).
The Name is entered in the General Properties area:
Material ISO Group
The Material ISO Group will be selected from the Materials database (see above).
The Material ISO Group is entered in the General Properties area:
Surface Speed
Surface speed is the cutting speed in surface feet per minute or surface meters per minute depending on the setting of the Metric checkbox. T
This value is entered in the Properties > Operation space:
Feed Per Tooth
Feed Per Tooth is the amount of feed per tooth, based on the number of flutes in the tool definition.
This value is entered in the Properties > Operation space:
| Info |
|---|
It is not required that Surface Speed and Feed Per Tooth be set up for each tool. If these properties are not set, CAM Assist Cutting Parameters will be used to generate the feeds and speeds for the operation. |