Every tool that CAM Assist works with needs a holder — the part that grips the cutting tool and connects it to the machine spindle. CAM Assist uses the holder's shape to check for collisions and keep the toolpaths it generates safe and realistic. Where a tool arrives without a holder, CAM Assist creates a sensible default one for you, which you can refine here.
You'll find the Holder properties screen as the third step of the tool assembly editor (Assembly properties → Tool properties → Holder properties → Presets). This guide walks through every field on that screen, in the order the in-app tour presents them.
A note on units. Length fields follow your chosen unit system, so they display in either millimetres or inches. The abbreviation in brackets after each label (for example DCONWS) is the standard tooling code for that property — handy if you're cross-referencing a manufacturer's data sheet.
Suggested values. Where a field is empty but CAM Assist can infer a sensible value, it shows a suggestion beneath the field. Click the suggestion to apply it.
Name & description
- Name — a recognisable label for the holder. This is imported from your tool library where available; you can edit it freely.
- Description — an optional free-text note (for example a usage note or internal reference).
Neither field affects how CAM Assist machines the part — they're there to help you identify the holder in your library.
Main geometry
This is the part that matters most for safe toolpaths: the physical shape of the holder.
Connection diameter, workpiece side (DCONWS)
The diameter of the holder where it meets the cutting tool (the workpiece side — the end nearest the part). This is the bottom of the holder, closest to where the cutting happens.
Holder segments
A holder is described as a stack of segments running from the workpiece side (bottom, nearest the part) up to the machine side (top, nearest the spindle). Each segment is one section of the holder's profile; together they describe its full shape — for example a slim nose near the tool widening into a chunkier body higher up.
Each segment has three values:
- Body diameter (BD) — the diameter of that section. For a tapered section, this is the diameter at its workpiece-side (lower) end.
- Body length (LB) — how far the section extends along the holder's axis. The lengths of all the segments together make up the holder's overall length.
- Body half taper angle (BHTA) — the half-angle of the section's taper:
- 0° — a straight, cylindrical section (parallel sides).
- A positive angle — a cone that widens towards the machine side, used to describe tapered holders.
Adding and removing segments
- Use the + button on the machine side to add a new segment at the top. This lets you build up more complex shapes — for example a wide body sitting above a slim nose.
- Segments are removed from the machine side inwards, so you can trim the holder back one section at a time using the delete (bin) icon on the topmost segment.
Live preview
The diagram on the right updates as you edit, drawing the holder's profile against the cutting tool. Use it to sanity-check the shape before you save — if a segment looks wrong, the preview will usually make it obvious.
Holder materials
Body material code (BMC)
What the holder body is made of. This feeds into CAM Assist's collision and rigidity behaviour. Choose the closest match from the list.
Supplementary data
Optional extras that make the holder definition more complete. Fill these in when your tool library provides them.
- Through coolant (CSP) — whether the holder supports coolant supplied through the tool.
- Upper connection type (CCTMS) — the connection standard on the machine side (the spindle end), for example a particular taper or tooling interface.
- Lower connection type (CCTWS) — the connection standard on the workpiece side (the tool end).
Optional details
Reference information that helps keep your library tidy and traceable. None of these are required to run CAM Assist, but they're useful for record-keeping and for matching holders back to a supplier catalogue.
- Manufacturer (BRAND) — the holder's maker.
- Manufacturer part number (DES) — the supplier's part/designation number.
- Protruding length (LPR) — how far the holder protrudes.
- Upper connection size (DCONMS) — the connection diameter on the machine side.
- Tool assembly length (LTA) — the overall length of the complete tool assembly.
- Overall length (OAL) — the overall length of the holder.
- Rotational speed maximum (RPMX) — the maximum safe spindle speed for this holder, in RPM.
Tips
- You don't have to fill in everything. The Main geometry section is what keeps toolpaths safe; the other sections are optional detail.
- Watch the live preview as you edit — it's the quickest way to confirm the holder looks right.
- Where CAM Assist offers a suggested value, applying it is usually a good starting point you can then adjust.
- When you're happy, use Continue to move on to presets, or Done to save and exit.