# Document an engineering process

Build a complete manufacturing plan in Tooling Metrics without CAM software — parts, jobs, operations, and cutting data in sequence.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/guides/document-engineering-process/
Updated: 2026-10-29

**Prerequisites:** Tool assemblies with cutting data are set up in the Library. At least one machine is configured.

**Required permission:** Engineering → Parts, Projects, and Jobs — User or above. Admins can change any part, project, or job; Managers and Users only the ones they created.

Use this guide when you are defining the machining process manually — not importing from CAM software. The Process tab on a project shows the jobs list and gives you a full view of the manufacturing sequence across all jobs, letting you build and review the complete plan in one place.

## Create the part

1. In the sidebar, click **Engineering → Parts**.
1. Click **+ Create**.
1. Enter the **Part Number** and **Name**.
1. Optionally assign a **Material** and attach a technical drawing or 3D model.
1. Click **Create**.

Skip this step if the part already exists.

## Create the project

1. In the sidebar, click **Engineering → Projects**.
1. Click **+ Create**.
1. Enter the project **Name**.
1. Click **Create**.

The project opens in Draft status. All editing happens in Draft.

## Add jobs

Each job represents one machine setup — one clamping, one machine, one fixture orientation.

1. In the project, click the **Process** tab, then click **+** at the bottom of the job list.
1. Enter the job **Name** (e.g., *Op 10*, *Side A – Facing*).
1. Select the **Machine** this job runs on and the **Part** it machines.
1. Click **Create**.

Repeat for each distinct setup the part requires.

![Project Process table showing multiple parts, job operation counts, estimated cycle times, and assigned Haas VF-1 machine](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/guides/project-process-eng.webp)

*Fig. 1: The Process table groups jobs by part and shows each assigned machine and the estimated cycle time.*

## Build operations on the process tab

The **Process** tab shows all jobs in sequence — the full machining plan on one screen.

1. On the Process tab, click **+** in the job's row (or open the job and click **+** at the bottom of its **Operations** tab).
1. Enter the **Name** (e.g., *Face mill*, *Drill Ø12*).
1. Select the **Tool Assembly**. The list filters to assemblies compatible with the machine's spindle interface.
1. Enter the **Tool No.** and the **Est. Cycle Time** (seconds per part) — both are required.
1. Click **Create**.

Repeat for each operation in the job, then for the other jobs.

![Project Process table listing a job’s operations, tool numbers, tool assemblies, cycle times, operation types, and cutting parameters](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/guides/process-operations-eng.webp)

*Fig. 2: Each job expands to show its operations, assigned tool assemblies, estimated cycle times, and cutting parameters.*

## Set tool numbers

Tool numbers (T-codes) determine which pocket the machine loads each tool from. Assign them before generating the setup sheet.

1. Open a job, click the **Tool List** tab, and click **Renumber** at the bottom of the list.
1. Review the proposed numbering — tools are numbered in operation order by default.
1. Adjust individual tool numbers if your machine has reserved pockets or a preferred scheme.
1. Click **Renumber**.

See [Renumber tools for NC output](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/guides/renumber-tools/) for details.

## Reorder operations and jobs

Drag operations within a job using the ≡ handle at the right end of each row. Drag jobs in the **Process** tab to change their sequence in the plan. The displayed sequence order drives the setup sheet and is the order the operator prepares tools.

## Release and approve the project

1. Return to the project detail view.
1. Click **Release** on the bottom toolbar.

Release locks all jobs for engineering-manager approval; it does not sync anything to inventory yet. See the full status flow in the [Projects Reference](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/reference/projects/#commands).

1. Once reviewed, click **Approve** on the bottom toolbar.

Approve is what syncs all tool assembly products to Inventory Items. The purchasing team can then run the Inventory Scheduler to generate purchase requests for any items not in stock.

## Notes

- On the Process tab you can add operations to a draft job and edit, delete, or reorder jobs from each job row. To edit or reorder operations, open the job.
- If the process was programmed in CAM software instead of planned manually, use [Import a CAM project](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/guides/import-cam-project/) to skip the manual steps above.
- For multi-setup projects where all jobs run on the same machine, see [Document a Multiple-Setup CAM Project](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/guides/document-multiple-setups/).