Machining Tool Selection

The Costing tool uses different methods for selecting tools used for machining operations.

If a part contains features that need multiple operations, such as milling and drilling, the Costing tool tries to use a machine from the machining template that can perform multiple operations. You must define machines with appropriate milling and drilling tools in the template. In the template, the Costing tool first checks the tool size against the feature size. If there is an exact match, that tool is used. If the exact tool size is not found, the Costing tool searches for a tool that is within -10% of the feature size. If no appropriate tools are found on that machine, the Costing tool searches for another machine that has appropriate tools.

When milling slots, tool selection depends on the following:

Slot type	Tool selection
Slot with corner or top radius	The tool size is defined by the corner radius.
Slot with no corner radius	The smallest tool available.
Slot with an opening with two adjacent side walls (open slot)	The largest tool available.
Slot with openings on walls (the red cylinder is the tool)	The tool size is defined by the slot width.

For all of the above cases, if there is a radius at the bottom of the slot, then the Costing tool uses an available ball end mill.