# Process a return list

Return tools and items from a machine or WAP to storage, and update usage life on the way in.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/process-return-list/
Updated: 2026-10-29

**Prerequisites:** Tools or items are currently in circulation at a machine or Warehouse Access Point.

**Required permission:** Inventory → Return Lists — User or above. Admins can validate any return list; Managers and Users only the return lists they created.

## Create a return list

1. In the sidebar, click **Inventory → Return Lists** → **+ Create**.
1. Select the **Source** — the Machine, Warehouse Access Point, or Picklist the items are coming from. Tooling Metrics prefills one line per returnable tool or item at that source.
1. Adjust quantities if needed. For a serialized line, the serial rows show each piece's current **Condition**; returning a piece doesn't change it.
1. Click **Mark as Todo**. The return list moves to **Ready**, or to **Waiting** if a line isn't ready yet. From **Waiting**, click **Check Availability** to recheck.

![Unsaved return list for Haas VF-1, with five tool lines, suggested destinations, and return quantities.](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/guides/return-list-machine-eng.webp)

*Fig. 1: New return list — pick the source; Tooling Metrics prefills what's returnable from it.*

## Return at the WAP terminal, then validate

1. Bring the tools or items to the WAP and confirm each line — either from the office return list or at the WAP terminal, which highlights the suggested destination on the 3D model for each line.
1. Click **Validate**. Each item moves out of circulation into its destination storage location.

![Return list RL/26/0003 from Haas VF-1 in Ready on its Move Lines tab: four tools, each with a destination in the tool cabinet, and Validate in the action bar](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/guides/return-list-ready-eng.webp)

*Fig. 2: Validate once everything has physically arrived at its destination.*

## Record cutting edge usage

Validating a return list sourced from a **Machine** immediately opens a **Record cutting edge usage** step for every tool that came back from it. For each mounted cutting edge, enter the usage to **Add to** its current usage or the new total with **Set total**, and mark an edge **Broken** if it failed during the run. See [Record tool runtime](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/record-runtime/).

## Notes

- A return list started from a tool prefills each line's destination from the item's stock rule for the returned pieces' condition (see [Destination prefill](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/reference/return-lists/#destination-prefill)); a line no rule fits has none, for you to choose. Destinations can be overridden per line.
- To discard a return list before it's validated, use **Cancel** — no inventory is affected.