Formatting Multi-Pass Tools

Formatting Multi-Pass Tools

Some users need to perform certain machine operations in multiple steps. Microvellum supports this need through the use of Multi-Pass Tools. 

Using Multi-Pass Tools, you configure specific routing operations to be cut in more than one pass. You do this by assigning a special tool to that routing operation. 
  1. With Toolbox open, navigate to Toolbox Setup > Options > Tool Files and open the toolfile you wish to edit. 
  2. Under the "Tools" tab, select the option for the type of tool you are adding - in this case, "Routers."
  3. Click the button "Add New Multi-Pass Tool."

    4. Fig. 01 - Add New Multi-Pass Tool

  4. When you click the button "Add New Multi-Pass Tool," the options appear in the area underneath the button. 

    5. Select the type of tool (Multiple Tools, Step, or Incremental Step) using the option buttons. 


    Fig. 02 - Type of Tool (Multiple Tools, Step, or Incremental Step)

    1. Multiple Tools:  Specify a different tool for each pass of the multi-pass operation. 

      2. Fig. 03 - Multiple Tools

      1. The "Tool Name or Profile Drawing Name" may be whatever you wish. 
      2. The Common Tool Number should already be populated by the program as 900 or greater. Leave this setting as is. 
      3. Actual tool number can be left blank because the program will get this information elsewhere. 
      4. Diameter, Feed, Entry, and Rotation speed should be copied from the tool that will perform the operations. 
      5. Add at least one Default Depth. This is necessary for the tool to show up in the Single Parts Editor. 
      6. The Face option should remain as the "Top Face."
      7. If your interface shows "Height Offset" or "Diameter Offset," it is not necessary to populate these fields. 
      8. Select the Tool Default options if they apply. 
      9. "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area:
        1. In the "Tool List," click on "Tool Number 0."
        2. In the "Tool Number" box, add the Common Tool Name of the tool you would like to perform the first pass. 
        3. In the "Depth" box, specify the depth you would like this tool to cut to on the first pass. 
        4. In the "Rough Cut Offset" box, you may specify a distance that this tool will space itself from the true border of the part on the first pass. 
        5. "Reverse Offset" is used in conjunction with pocket operations using a Rough Cut Offset. 
        6. Click the "Apply" button that is inside of the "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area. 
        7. Click the "Add Tool" Button. 
        8. Repeat steps 1-6 for the "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area to add a tool for the second, third, or fourth passes. 
          9. The "Rough Cut Offset" will only be in effect for the first tool/pass. 
      10. Click "Apply" at the lower right corner of your current view. 
    2. Step:  Specify the number of passes with a single tool. 

      3. Fig. 04 - Step

      1. The "Tool Name or Profile Drawing Name" may be whatever you wish. 
      2. The Common Tool Number should already be populated by the program as 900 or greater. Leave this setting as is. 
      3. Actual tool number can be left blank because the program will get this information elsewhere. 
      4. Diameter, Feed, Entry, and Rotation speed should be copied from the tool that will actually perform the operations. 
      5. Add at least one Default Depth. This is necessary for the tool to show up in the Single Parts Editor. 
      6. The Face option should remain as the "Top Face."
      7. If your interface shows "Height Offset" or "Diameter Offset," it is not necessary to populate these fields. 
      8. Select the Tool Default options if they apply. 
      9. "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area:
        1. In the "Tool List," click on "Tool Number 0."
        2. In the "Tool Number" box, add the Common Tool Name of the tool you would like to perform operations. 
        3. In the "Number of Passes" box, specify the number of passes you would like this tool to make before it cuts to the desired depth. 
        4. In the "Rough Cut Offset" box, specify the distance that this tool will space itself from the true border of the part on the first pass. 
        5. Click the "Apply" button that is inside of the "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area. 
      10. Click "Apply" at the lower right corner of your current view. 
    3. Incremental Step:  Specify the number of passes with a single tool and the depth of each pass. 

      4. Fig. 05 - Incremental Step

      1. The "Tool Name or Profile Drawing Name" may be whatever you wish. 
      2. The Common Tool Number should already be populated by the program as 900 or greater. Leave this setting as is. 
      3. Actual tool number can be left blank because the program will get this information elsewhere.  
      4. Diameter, Feed, Entry, and Rotation speed should be copied from the tool that will actually perform the operations. 
      5. Add at least one Default Depth. This is necessary for the tool to show up in the Single Parts Editor. 
      6. The Face option should remain as the "Top Face."
      7. If your interface shows "Height Offset" or "Diameter Offset," it is not necessary to populate these fields. 
      8. Select the Tool Default options if they apply. 
      9. "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area:
        1. In the "Tool List," click on "Tool Number 0."
        2. In the "Tool Number" box, add the Common Tool Name of the tool you would like to perform operations. 
        3. In the "Max Depth Per Pass" box, specify the depth you would like the tool to route per pass before it cuts to the desired depth. 
        4. In the "Rough Cut Offset" box, specify the distance that this tool will space itself from the true border of the part on the first pass.  
        5. Click the "Apply" button that is inside of the "Multi-Pass Tool Info" area. 
      10. Click "Apply" at the lower right corner of your current view. 
  5. Prioritization:

    6. Fig. 06 - Prioritization

    1. Reduce Tool Changes: Prioritizes all tooling operations by Actual Tool Number. Allows tools within a Multi-Pass Tool to be prioritized with other routing operations. 
    2. Group Tool Operations: Groups Multi-Pass Tool operations by Common Tool Number. Will NOT allow tools within a Multi-Pass Tool to be prioritized with other routing operations.          
    3. Segregate Tool Operations: Segregates each Multi-Pass Tool grouping. Tools will be forced to complete a single routing operation, including all necessary tool changes within it before continuing to the next operation. 
    4. Click "Apply" at the lower right corner of your current view. 
  6. Click "Apply" and "OK" to exit the interface. 

    • Related Articles

    • Multi-Pass Tools

      Multi-Pass Tools Multi-pass tools can be added to the list of available routing tools. Multi-pass tools are often used when working with specific materials (i.e., thick materials or lumber materials). Multi-pass tools must be listed with a common ...

    • Tutorial: 2D Machining Tools

      General procedure overview:  Create a new nest sheet.  Add parts to the sheet.  Add machining to the parts.  Modify the nest sheet layout as needed.  Generate G-Code for the nest sheet. Click the button on the MV palette "Nest Editing and 2D ...

    • Route Editing Tools and Hardware

      The Route Editing Tools allow you to make modifications to routing operations.    Using the Machining Tools, you can:  Reverse Polyline Direction   – Allows you to change the direction of a polyline ,   which will swap the start and endpoints. Change ...

    • Defining Formatting

      The appearance of the component will be changed, based on the design settings, when the condition applied to that component evaluates as true. The design settings can be set up using the formatting panel in the Condition window. Fig. 1 – Formatting ...

    • How to Remove Dimension Formatting Functions from Default Microvellum Reports

      Occasionally a Microvellum User will request that their reports display various product, subassembly, or part dimensions without the formatting functions. These functions format the dimensions based on the following Microvellum properties:  Number ...

    • Recent Articles

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1105.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1105.641 Nesting Fix Fig. 1: The fatal error that would occur during processing. There was reportedly an issue that occurred when clients attempted to process a work order using the nesting ...

    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1025

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1025. Additions Added new global variable “Remove Stop Dado On Bottom Edge” for wood drawer boxes. Check this option to run the dado through at the bottom of the sub front ...

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1030.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1030.641 Routing and Profile Fixes Several issues were found with routing and polyline paths: Fig. 1: Horizontal routes off of a part disappearing (left) and appearing correctly (right). When ...

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1010.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1010.641 Biesse Winstore Fix Several issues with the Biesse Winstore plugin have been resolved: There was an issue that would sometimes occur wherein materials that were intended to stack wound ...

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1001.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1001.641 HBore Toolfile Fix Fig. 1: The location in the Toolfile UI where the error would occur. There was an issue reported with the functionality of the Horizontal Boring Machine setting in ...