What do you do with a DXF or PDF Tool File?

[MrHume (Joshua Hume)]

This isn’t really specific to any machine, but I can’t figure out what they’re for, and no amount of searching seems to be leading me to an answer, so I’m hopeful one of you CNC masters can help.

Sometimes tool manufacturers or vendors offer DXF and PDF Tool Files that you can download. I downloaded one, and it’s just a drawing of the tool itself. What is this used for? Do some CAM softwares have importers for such a thing?

Can anyone help satisfy my curiosity, please? Because I don’t understand this, and I don’t seem to be able to find the answer, and I don’t like when that happens.

Here is a pdf version that I got from Tools Today:
45984.pdf (67.3 KB)

Here’s the link where you can find that document, under the CNC Feed/Speed tab:

Amana Tool 45986 Carbide Tipped Bowl & Tray 1/4 R x 1-1/8 D x 5/8 CH x...

[Tod1d (Tod (with 1 'd'))]

Yes, some CAM software will allow you to build a 3D representation of the tool for simulation & verification. This is NX

It uses the “model” of the tool for material removal, collision & gouge checking.

[MrHume (Joshua Hume)]

Thanks very much! That was driving me crazy.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

For an example of working through this see:

Using unsupported tooling in Carbide Create: Roundover / Cove / Radius bits

These are usually used in routers for decorative effects in wood: but they are potentially useful for joinery: They are also useful for rounding off parts to allow rotary motion as for a hinged lid. Unfortunately, Carbide Create does not support this endmill geometry — but using the new support for previewing a V endmill when used in a No Offset Contour toolpath, it should be possible to preview them w/ confidence by stacking a series of V endmill cuts.