CAM

Tool Library

Defining and managing the cutting tools used in machining operations.

Tools Overview

The Tools tab in the CAM panel manages the project's tool library. Tools are stored per-project in the .camj file. Each operation references a tool from this library.

You need at least one tool defined before you can assign it to an operation. The quickest way to get started is to import a tool from the bundled library.

Adding Tools

Import from Library

Click Import from library… in the Tools tab. A dedicated Import tools from library dialog opens over the app, so browsing the catalogue happens in a full-width space instead of the narrow side panel.

The bundled library ships 26 standard sizes:

  • Imperial — flat endmills from 1/16″ to 3/4″, ball endmills from 1/16″ to 1/2″, and a 60° V-bit.
  • Metric — flat endmills from 1 mm to 12 mm and ball endmills from 1 mm to 8 mm.

Finding what you want:

  • Search by name or diameter — the field is focused as soon as the dialog opens.
  • Type filter — All Types, Flat Endmill, Ball Endmill, V-Bit, or Drill.
  • Units filter — All Units, mm, or in.
  • Each row shows flute count and the tool's usable depth, and is badged In project or New so you can see at a glance what you already have.

Selection is multi-pick and survives filter changes: search for one thing, tick it, clear the filters, search for another, and both stay selected. The action button counts what you picked — Import 4 tools — and imports them in one go. Tools already in the project can't be imported twice.

screenshots/cam-tool-library-import.png
Tool library import dialog — search field, type and unit filters, multi-selected rows badged In project / New, and the counted import button
Already imported the old eight? The original bundled entries are unchanged, so tools you imported from earlier versions still read as In project rather than appearing as duplicates. The feeds, speeds, stepdown, and usable depth on the new sizes are interpolated from those same entries.

Add Tool Manually

Click Add Tool to create a new tool with default values. Edit the tool properties in the right panel. This is useful when your specific tool is not in the bundled library.

Duplicate a Tool

Click the duplicate icon (⧉) next to a tool in the list to create a copy. Useful for creating variants of an existing tool with different feeds and speeds.

Tool Properties

Select a tool in the list to edit its properties in the right panel.

PropertyDescription
NameA descriptive name for the tool, shown in operation dropdowns.
TypeFlat Endmill, Ball Endmill, V-Bit, or Drill. V-Carve operations only accept V-Bit tools.
UnitsThe unit system for this tool's dimensions (mm or inch). Tools can be used in projects with a different unit — values are converted automatically.
DiameterThe cutting diameter of the tool.
V AngleThe included angle of a V-bit in degrees (V-Bit type only).
FlutesNumber of cutting flutes. Used for chip load calculations.
MaterialCarbide or HSS. Informational only.
Default RPMSpindle speed used as the default when this tool is assigned to an operation.
Default FeedCutting feed rate used as the default when assigned to an operation.
Plunge FeedPlunge (Z-axis) feed rate used as the default.
StepdownDefault depth per pass.
Max Cut DepthMaximum total cutting depth. Set to 0 for no limit. Used by V-carve operations to limit carve depth.
Stepover RatioDefault stepover as a fraction of the tool diameter (0.01–1.0). For example, 0.4 = 40% of diameter.
Tip: Default values from the tool are applied automatically when you assign the tool to an operation. You can override any value per-operation without changing the tool definition.

Deleting Tools

Click the ✕ button next to a tool to delete it. Tools that are currently assigned to one or more operations cannot be deleted — the delete button is disabled and shows a tooltip explaining why. Remove the tool from all operations first, then delete it.