SecturaFAB comes equipped with various tool options to help strengthen and streamline your quoting process. Let’s discover these options.
1. Bore. Boring tools serve various purposes, including resizing and refining holes, correcting defects in casting, and aligning holes with the outer diameter. They consistently enlarge pre-existing holes.
When bore is selected as the milling type you will be prompted to supply the hole type as through or blind. If you select blind the depth field will be used to define the depth of the bore, otherwise the material thickness is used.
2. Chamfer. A chamfer is an angled cut made across the corner of the material to mill the 90-degree edge to the angle of the tool. It is like a bevel cut.
When chamfer is selected as the milling type you have the option to use part dimensions to chamfer the entire part geometry, or you can specify the length and width of the chamfer to only calculate the time needed to chamfer a specific distance.
3. Contour. A contour tool is typically the tool used to complete the part. This tool will follow the part geometry and ultimately free the part from the material.
When contour is selected as the milling type you have the option to use part dimensions to chamfer the entire part geometry, or you can specify the length and width of the chamfer to only calculate the time needed to chamfer a specific distance.
4. Counter Bore. A counter bore is used to enlarge the opening of a hole producing a flat bottom so a socket-head screw will fit flush with the surface of the part.
When counter bore is selected as the milling type, input the depth and quantity of the counter bore(s) to calculate.
5. Countersink. A countersink is a cutting tool which puts a conical hole into an object. A common use is to allow the head of a countersink bolt or screw, when placed in the hole, to sit flush with or below the surface.
When countersink is selected as the milling type you are prompted to input the diameter and quantity of the countersink. SecturaFAB uses the diameter to calculate the depth by analyzing the tool’s diameter and taper angle.
6. Drill. A drill tool is used for making round holes in the material.
When drill is selected as the milling type you are prompted to supply the hole type (through or blind), peck depth and the quantity. If the hole type is through, the material thickness is used, otherwise you must supply the depth of the blind hole.
7. Face Mill. Face milling is a machining process in which the milling cutting is placed perpendicular to the workpiece. The milling cutting is essentially positioned “face down” towards the top of the workpiece. When engaged, the top of the milling grinds away at the top of the workpiece to remove material.
When face mill is selected as the milling type you can use the part dimensions or define the length and width of the area to be face milled. SecturaFAB will use the tool diameter to determine the toolpath required to face mill the defined area.
8. Pocket. Pocket milling is used to mill shallow pockets into flat parts.
When pocket is selected as the milling type you must select a pocket type as rectangular or circular. Then define the length and width or the diameter of the shape so that SecturaFAB can calculate the area. The tool’s diameter is then used to determine the toolpath needed to pocket the shape.
9. Tap. A tap is a threaded tool that cuts or forms threads in the inside of a hole. The threaded holes are used to screw components like screws or bolts into.
When tap is selected as the milling type you are prompted to supply the hole type (through or blind), peck depth and the quantity. If the hole type is through the material thickness is used, otherwise you must supply the depth of the blind hole.
The tool type for each tool is defined in the tool file itself. For more information on setting up your tool file please refer to our knowledge base. Note that a tool can be applied to multiple usages by appearing multiple times in the tool file with different tool types defined
Let’s explore.
1. When adding line items to a quote, if you select a machine[JC1] that is linked to the operation code op_mill, then you will see a dropdown to select a tool. This selection is for your primary contouring tool that will be used to cut out the part.
2. When adding additional milling operations to your part, you can select the milling operation then the milling type. Based on the milling type you select, the tool dropdown will only allow you to select from tools with a matching tool type.
- Note: If you are adding a tool here with the same equipment as the machine assigned to the primary operation, the calculators added from this menu will display on the primary costs tab, as they are the same primary machine. If you add a tool using different equipment, the calculators added will display on the secondary costs tab, as they are being processed on a secondary machine.