Creating a Tool Database for CAM Assist

Owned by Kevin Strider (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Oct 25, 2024 by Geoffrey Brennan
4 min read

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.

 

Tool_Manager_2025.png

 

Pro tip
As you might be using the Tool Manager frequently from this point forward, you may want to create a shortcut to it on your Windows Desktop, Start Menu, or Taskbar.

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.

Pro tip
When setting up tool database files, refer to the demo tool libraries that are part of the CAM Assist installation.

These are:

  • CAM Assist [metric].tooldb

  • CAM Assist [inch].tooldb

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.

image-20240829-094736.png

The materials in this list populate the list used in the Material ISO Group in the Cut Parameters database (see below).

Tool Assemblies

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.

 

Setting up Presets with Cut Parameters

 

https://youtu.be/7GYXDSX9qSQ?si=8P5D9M61qeBL9PJg

 

 

CAM Assist makes use of the Cut Parameters configured in the Mastercam Tool Manager specifically for differentiating tool use between different materials and 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

 

Name

The name field should contain a linking string to the Tool Assembly (in the examples here a tool number ID is used). 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:

 

 

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