# Track tool condition

See how a mounted piece's condition changes, and replace a cutting edge when it's worn out.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/track-tool-condition/
Updated: 2026-10-29

**Prerequisites:** A Tool record exists with components mounted.

**Required permission:** Production → Tools — User or above to check a piece's condition (a User sees only the tools they created); Inventory → Scrap Lists or Return Lists — User or above to take a piece off.

Tooling Metrics tracks condition at two levels. The Condition of each **cutting edge** mounted in a tool (Uncut, Used, Pre-warning, Warning, Expired, Broken) is computed automatically from that edge's own Usage Life and Life Limit — see [Record tool runtime](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/record-runtime/) — so the edges in one tool can be in different conditions. The condition of an individual mounted piece — an insert or a holder tracked by serial number — belongs to that **Serialized Item** and does not roll up automatically to the tool's condition.

## Check a mounted piece's condition

1. In the sidebar, click **Production → Tools** and open the tool.
1. On the **Items List** tab, click the list icon next to a serialized item. Each mounted piece is listed by **Serial Number** with its **Condition**.

## How a piece's condition changes

A Serialized Item's own page shows its condition but has no edit form. Condition is set in the serial rows of a stock move line:

- **When the piece is registered.** On a Purchase Receipt line, and on an Inventory Adjustment that finds a serial number not yet registered, each serial row has a **Condition** menu. This is the only place you choose a condition by hand.
- **When the piece moves.** On every other move line, the serial rows show each piece's current Condition without letting you change it. Validating the document updates it:
  - A Pick List or Tool Transfer to a machine or tool turns **Brand new** or **Refurbished** into **Used**. A cutting-edge piece picked onto a tool keeps its condition.
  - A Service Pick sets **Under service**, and the Service Order's receipt sets **Refurbished**.
  - A Scrap List sets **Scrapped**.
  - A Return List leaves the condition as it is.
- **When a service threshold is crossed.** A serviceable piece that crosses a configured service threshold (time interval, usage time, cycles, cost, or remaining cost) moves to **Need service** on its own — see [Track a serialized item](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/inventory/guides/track-serialized-items/).

See [Serialized Items Reference](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/inventory/reference/serialized-items/) for what each condition means.

## Replace a worn cutting edge

There's no dedicated "replace edge" command — a swap is two ordinary stock moves against the tool:

1. Take the worn piece off the tool. On the tool's **Items List** tab, hover over the item and click the scrap icon to open a **Scrap List** sourced from the tool, or the return icon to open a **Return List** if the piece can be reused or serviced. The icons appear while the tool is out of storage. See [Process a scrap list](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/inventory/guides/process-scrap-list/) or [Process a return list](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/process-return-list/).
1. Create a **Pick List** destined for the tool to bring in the replacement piece — from the tool record, click **Create Picklist** if the tool isn't already complete. See [Process a pick list](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/process-pick-list/).
1. Once the new piece is picked onto the tool, physically swap it in.

Removing a cutting-edge piece from a tool this way also logs a **Life History** entry on the tool — the runtime the old piece accumulated — and resets the tool's Usage Life to zero for the new one.

## Notes

- Scrapped pieces are excluded from future picks automatically — a Scrapped serialized item is not offered as available stock.
- Send a piece out for regrinding or recalibration instead of scrapping it with a Service Order — see [Create a service order](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/purchasing/guides/create-service-order/).