When adding a profile toolpath in QCAM you have to select the tooltype from the pull down menu.
What is the reason for offering drill tooltypes when adding a mill toolpath and offering mill tooltypes when adding a drill toolpath ?
Also it would be nice of the tooltype name is presented instead of just the number because a mill diameter 5 and a drill diameter 5 now look the same...
QCAM: Tooltypes, toolnames and profile toolpaths
Moderator: andrew
Re: QCAM: Tooltypes, toolnames and profile toolpaths
For a CAM there is no difference, they are both rotary cutting tools of a certain size.
(Usually my tools are conical engraving points with several other various properties than simply a diameter)
I agree that mills and drills are quite different, but there are mills that can be used for drilling.
Bottom line: QCAD/CAM does not diversify between them ... Only the number and the diameter are important for a basic CAM.
To a home hobbyist, something that looks like a mill is just a mill.
But there are many different types of mills, each with a very specific usage.
And of course there are the all-rounders ...
In the end, tools are just numbers related to a certain diameter.
Displaying the tool number and description would be the best option, this is already mentioned several times.
Opt to show the CAM Tool list (GO) and you know what tool number is what if your description makes sense.
Also, a basic CNC setup does not account for what type of what size is clamped in the toolholder.
For a manually change it asks to insert tool #1 and wait until acknowledged.
If you say that #1 is a 10mm mill then it will not complain if there is a 8mm drill clamped. What follows can be horrible.
Or ... Anyone can swap 2 tools in an automatic toolchanger ...
Suggestion filed on QCAD Bugtracker:
https://qcad.org/bugtracker/index.php?d ... sk_id=2555
Regards,
CVH