Migrating Tool Libraries in NX CAM

A cutting tool library classifies cutting tools and stores tool parameters. NX uses these parameters to display standard tools and calculate material removal in simulations.
If a cutting tool has a holder defined, NX loads the tool holder when it loads the tool.
Learn from Carson Huber, Advanced Application Engineer at Siemens, how you migrate your tool library from an older version to a newer version of #nxcam.
Created in NX 2312
Follow our blog for news and information about NX for Manufacturing: sie.ag/3C5Nge
To see a list of other NX CAM tech-tips visit us here: sie.ag/Z2NRk
Connect with peers and experts by visiting the NX Manufacturing on-line community: sie.ag/34yQe4
Get more info about Siemens solutions for digital manufacturing: sie.ag/7PXdLc

[@MetaKnight23]

Is there a way to also merge two existing libraries like that? Can you also automatically remove the ootb tools from all library files? And a third question, what happens if multiple users use the same library at the same time, is there a checkout process or does it just block the files while writing? Thanks for the answers.

[@SiemensSoftware]

Hi - Thanks for your patience while we researched your questions. Below are the replies from our experts: 1) Currently there’s no way to merge two existing libraries. It will need to be done manually once one of the libraries has been converted to the latest version. 2) You cannot remove the ootb tools from all library files without some programming. (visual basic or other) 3) Our library mechanism does not have a checkout process. It is recommended when a user makes any modifications to the library, such as editing/deleting data, other users should refrain from making changes to the libraries. Hope this helps! ~ Team Siemens

[@micha_keller]

Why should i convert the tooldatabase.dat and not only copy to the new folder?

[@SiemensSoftware]

Hi @micha_keller, excellent question, thank you. The reason is, when converting, you ensure all new tool types and attributes are used correctly. It can happen we introduce new attributes to releases, i.e. "SHAREF - Tool Shank Reference" in NX2212, or new tool types, i.e. "Dovetail Mills" in NX2212 If you copy your old database to the new version folder, the copied database doesn't contain the new tool types and attributes, and may then cause errors when using NX CAM. You are welcome to join the NX Manufacturing community, where you can get more technical insights and connect with peers and experts around the world. sie.ag/2so2dQ

[@medetharmankaya9022]

It's a mess and still no proper tool manager has been made. Always the same interface for years.

[@SiemensSoftware]

Hi @medetharmankaya9022, Thank you so much for your feedback. The interface is being worked on, as part of the Cloud Connect Tool Manager functionalities. Have you used that? It's an easy to use graphical interface to the tool, shank and holder libraries. You are welcome to join the NX Manufacturing community, where you can get advice and share knowledge with experts around the world. If you provide the feedback in the community, you will get advice from users working with this on a daily basis. sie.ag/5udtBX