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Import Shaped Cutter 
Access: Open this function from one of the following locations:
The Cutters and Holders dialog (or the minimized version - the Select Only Mode):
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When not editing or creating a procedure:
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Select NC-Process > Cutters > Cutters
from the menu bar. The Cutters and Holders dialog appears; click on the Import Shaped Cutter button or -
Click the Cutters button
in the NC Guide Toolbar. The Cutters and Holders dialog appears; click on the Import Shaped Cutter button .
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While editing or creating a procedure, use one of the following methods (in both these methods, the Select Only Mode is displayed):
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In the Advanced Mode, press the cutter name in the Procedure Parameter Table.
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In the Wizard Mode, press the cutter button.
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In the Process Manager, click on the cutter name in the procedure row (in this case, the Select Only Mode is displayed).
Import a shaped cutter from the Cutters and Holders or the Cutter Library dialog.
The Import Shaped Cutter feature imports a cutter's geometry from a CAD file, analyzing and identifying the cutter to create a new cutter in the Cutters and Holders Cutter Table. This feature automatically identifies the cutter type, shape, and nominal parameters (diameter, corner radius, tip angle, profile radius, etc.), saving time and significantly reducing human error.
The image above shows the creation of a cutter and shape
from an imported geometry.
Supported cutters
The Import Shaped Cutter feature recognizes the following cutter types:
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Milling: Flat, ball, bullnose
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Circle Segments: Barrel ball, barrel bullnose, barrel flat, lens ball, lens bullnose, oval ball, 3 radii ball
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Special: Lollipop, slot mill flat, slot mill full radius, slot mill corner radius, dove mill flat, dove mill full radius, dove mill corner radius, counter sink, shaped, thread mill
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Drilling: Drill, ream, tap, center drill
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Measurement: Probe
Compatible File Formats
The following file formats are supported:
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STP / STEP – STEP 3D CAD files
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IGS – IGES drawing files
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STL – Stereolithography files
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ELT – Cimatron files
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DXF – AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format files
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DWG – CAD drawing files
Import a Shaped Cutter
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UseUse the Cutters and Holders or the Cutter Library dialog.
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From the dialog's toolbar, select the Import Shaped Cutter button
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The Cimatron Explorer dialog appears. Select the file you want to import. The imported cutter is displayed in the graphics pane.
Note: If the imported file is an Assembly, it will be imported as a part and each component will be an object.
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Navigate to the Import Shaped Cutter Feature Guide to define the Required steps (and Optional steps if needed).
Required Step 1
From the Feature Guide, pickpick the Select Objects icon
to select the object or objects (if more than one exists). Note: When you import a shaped cutter, Cimatron automatically selects the object for you. In other words, Cimatron automatically executes Required Step 1 for you. If there is more than one object, you can modify this selection by pickingpicking the Select Objects icon
and making the appropriate selection before proceeding to Required Step 2 below.Required Step 2
Pick the Select Z-Axis Direction/Tool Tip Location icon
to define the Z-Axis direction and tool tip location. (You can define the tool tip location by pickingpicking the tip area of the cutter.)Note: Cimatron uses the Z+ axis as the default direction and automatically defines the tool tip location as the lowest point of the object. Whenever you change the tool axis or tool direction, Cimatron will automatically recalculate the tool tip location.
Optional Step 1
Define the Cut Length (the height of the cutting portion of the cutter).
a. From the Feature Guide's Optional steps, select the Selected Point Represents the Cut Length icon
.b. Navigate to the Cut Length screen parameter
in the graphics pane and enter a value.Optional Step 2
Define the Free Length (total height of the cutter from the tip to the top where it is gripped in the holder).
a. From the Feature Guide's Optional steps, select the Selected Point Reflects the Free Length icon
. b. Navigate to the Free Length screen parameter
in the graphics pane and enter a value. -
When you are finished defining the Required and any Optional Steps, click Preview
or OK 
to save and close the Feature Guide. After Cimatron completes its analysis, the Cutters and Holders dialog appears and a new cutter is created in the Cutter Table. -
Click OK
to save the new cutter.
See also:
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