# Tool assemblies

Tool assembly document fields, component compatibility rules, and cutting data configuration.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/library/reference/tool-assemblies/
Updated: 2026-10-29

A **Tool Assembly** is the digital design of a complete cutting tool — the ordered stack of products (holder, adaptors, cutting unit, insert) that form a physical tool ready for use in a machine. Tool assemblies are the central design artifact in Engineering and the unit of demand that drives inventory requirements.

## Fields

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| **Name** | Descriptive name for the assembly (e.g., *Ø63 Face Mill — Aluminium Roughing*). |
| **Number** | Auto-generated unique identifier within the organization. |
| **Category** | Not chosen by the user — automatically derived from the components added to the assembly. |
| **Description** | Optional free-text description. |
| **Status** | See [Status](#status) below. |

## Components

Each assembly is built from an ordered list of components. The first component connects to the spindle; the last is the cutting unit.

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| **Product** | The catalog product used at this position in the stack. |
| **Position** | Sequence number from spindle (1) to cutting end. |
| **Machine-Side Code** | Connection code at the top of this component (faces the spindle or previous component). Auto-populated from the product's ISO 13399 data. |
| **Cutting-Side Code** | Connection code at the bottom of this component (faces the next component or workpiece). Auto-populated from the product's ISO 13399 data. |
| **Compatibility** | Automatically validated: the cutting-side code of position N must match the machine-side code of position N+1. A warning is shown if codes do not match. |

## Cutting data

Each assembly can have multiple cutting data entries, typically one per workpiece material or operation condition.

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| **Material** | Workpiece material (from Material Library) this cutting data applies to. |
| **Vc** | Cutting speed (m/min). |
| **fz** | Feed per tooth (mm/tooth). |
| **ap** | Axial depth of cut (mm). |
| **ae** | Radial engagement as % of cutting diameter. |
| **Name** | Optional name for the entry (e.g., roughing condition, finishing pass). |

Calculated fields (n, vf, MRR) are derived from inputs. See [Cutting Data Reference](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/library/reference/cutting-data/) for the full field list and formulas.

## CAD viewer

The CAD Viewer renders a 3D visualization of the stacked components using their attached STEP models. It is available on the assembly detail page when all components have basic model files attached.

## Status

A Tool Assembly has one of five statuses:

| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **Draft** | Under construction. The Bill of Materials can be edited. |
| **Released** | Approved for use. Products in the assembly have been synced to inventory Items. Only **Released** and **Active** assemblies can be selected to build a physical Tool at the WAP kiosk. |
| **Active** | Reached automatically — not a manual choice — the first time a physical Tool built from this assembly is itself released. |
| **To archive** | An intermediate state: an Admin requested Archive, but at least one physical Tool built from this assembly is still non-draft and non-retired, so full archiving is blocked until those tools are retired. |
| **Archived** | No longer offered for building new tools. |

Status transitions available from the action bar depend on the current status: **Draft** shows **Release**; **Released** shows **Set to Draft** (reverts); **Active** shows **Archive** (which resolves to **To archive** if non-retired Tools still exist, or **Archived** otherwise); **To archive** and **Archived** show **Mark as Active** (which resolves to **Released** if no Tools have been built yet).

## Commands

| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| **Add Component** | Appends a product to the Structure. Validates connection code compatibility automatically. |
| **Build Assets** | Generates the assembly's 3D model, 2D drawing, and calculated parameters from its components. Required before the assembly can be exported. Runs inline; falls back to a background job if it takes too long. |
| **Release** | Syncs every component product to an inventory Item, then sets status to **Released**. |
| **Set to Draft** / **Archive** / **Mark as Active** | Status transitions — see [Status](#status) above. |
| **Export Package** | Opens the export dialog: download the assembly's picture, drawing and 3D models one by one, or export the assembly as a GTC package or an Autodesk Fusion tool library. Packages are built in the background and arrive in Notifications, on the **Exports** tab. Only available once assets are built. |
| **Send to CAM** | Pushes the assembly directly into a connected CAM tool library. Only available once assets are built, the assembly's category has an export mapping for that CAM vendor, and [CAM Connect](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/integrations/cam-connect/) is online. |