Tool Numbering

[Jim_in_PA]

Gary, in your classes, you touch very nicely on tool database management techniques and those thoughts are actually how I eventually settled on what works best for me as I described above. But yea..."machine matters" clearly! The OP also has Camaster with an FTC like I do, but many others will have to potentially handle things differently.

[IslaWW]

Jim...
You are right. You left out the part where I explained that I had started out with 150 tools and wanted/needed 150 numbers. It didn't all that long to find out that was not going to be a good way to go, so I teach a few different methods. Most everyone uses one that attends, possibly with a few variations, uses of those methods successfully.

[Jim_in_PA]

Yea, I think it's a natural initial inclination to have a unique tool number for every stinkin' tool in the shop, but then...reality sets in. Ten is a nice round number and it's relatively easy to work things out to make things reasonably simple with a little thought. And most jobs only use 1-3 cutters in my experience with what I do anyway.

[dealguy11]

I have an 8-position tool changer and I try to manage it by putting similar tools on the same number. For example:

Tool 1 is always a cutout tool
Tool 2 is always a large pocketing tool
Tool 3 is always a 1/2" end mill - either up or down depending on need
Tool 4 is always a ballnose
Tool 5 is always a 1/8" downcutter
Tool 6 is always a 1/4" downcutter
Tools 7 and 8 are the ones I change as needed - I usually put v-cutters on 7 and whatever profile tool is needed on tool 8

There's no magic to this - it just helps me to remember what to check before the run starts and helps make sure the tools I need most are always available. And, like all rules, they can be broken for jobs that require it.

[Rcnewcomb]

Like Steve, I have a standard pattern based on my 5-tool ATC:
Tool 1: Large End Mill
Tool 2: Small End Mill
Tool 3: V-bit, or form Tool
Tool 4: Large ballnose
Tool 5: Small ballnose