janvier

2024
WinTool-GibbCAM Interface
User’s manual
PPe – V0.11

Productec SA
Grands-Champs 5
CH-2842 ROSSEMAISON
Tel: + 41 32 421 44 33
Fax: + 41 32 421 44 38
E-Mail: support@productec.ch
Internet: www.productec.ch

WinTool-GibbCAM Interface

Index
1

WinTool-GibbsCAM Interface ........................................................................................... 3

1.1

Configuration .................................................................................................................... 3
1.1.1

Data paths ............................................................................................................ 3

1.1.2

Solids preferrences (tool holders) ........................................................................ 3

1.2

Restrictions ....................................................................................................................... 4

1.3

Tool import - GET .............................................................................................................. 4

1.4

Tool list Export - PUT......................................................................................................... 62Installation ........................................................................................................................ 6Grands-Champs 5
CH-2842 ROSSEMAISON
E-mail : info@productec.ch / support@productec.ch
Web : www.productec.chI© 2024 Productec SA

WinTool-GibbCAM Interface

1 WinTool-GibbsCAM Interface
The WinTool-GibbsCAM Interface is a bridge to import tool definitions from WinTool into
GibbsCAM and export tool lists back. There are no changes requested in the post.

1.1 Configuration
First activate the plugin using the Plug-In Manager in GibbsCAM:

The plugin uses a configuration file located at:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\WinTool-GibbsCAM-InterfaceApp\WinTool-GibbsCAM-InterfaceApp.cfg

1.1.1 Data paths
The paths OutputPath and UserModelsPath can be left empty, as the default values work well.
The path User3DModelsPath should be set to the location WinTool is configured to save theuser models (stl and step files). Warning! There are 2 different paths, watch out to configure
the correct one.
For example:

1.1.2 Solids preferences (tool holders)
The preferred type of solids to be imported from WinTool can be configured. The solid types
available are step and stl. When nothing is specified, the plugin prefers stl over step. This isGrands-Champs 5CH-2842 ROSSEMAISON
E-mail : info@productec.ch / support@productec.ch
Web : www.productec.ch

3/6© 2024 Productec SA

WinTool-GibbCAM Interface

because the step files have to be merged into a single solid and that not always works
perfectly.
The configuration entry is User3DPreferenceOrder=step,stl
For example:

1.2 Restrictions
Some tools do not have an exact matching definition in GibbsCAM, so they are imported as
2D form tools. For example, a conic milling tool cannot be represented.

1.3 Tool import - GET
WinTool must be running when using the interface.
If an imported tool must be modified (for example the stickout length), the change must be
made in WinTool and the tool must be imported again.
Start an import using the icon in the plugins menu:

The following WinTool window will open, to let you choose which tool or tool list you wish toimport:

Each tool must be assigned a class in Gibbs, this is done in the following dialog.

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WinTool-GibbCAM Interface

All the existing tool types in GibbsCAM are displayed in the list, except for the ISO insertsthat are grouped together. The plugin will determine the actual kind of insert automatically(so a 35° insert should be classified as “ISO insert”). The checkbox in the lower left corner
will tell WinTool to store the class for the specific tool. This can be changed later in WinTool
in case of mistake : See the WinTool embedded help, chapter 4.8.2.
After choosing the tool(s) to import, depending on the machine configuration, the tools haveto be assigned to their destination positions. The following window is displayed:

The dialog lets you choose the tool position for each tool. The “For WP” column orients thetool (as defined in WinTool) for a preferred workpiece using the Coordinate System definedin the MDD.
For example, in the following image, the two selected tools (yellow inserts) are the same toolfrom WinTool, but imported on different revolvers and for the two different spindles:
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WinTool-GibbCAM Interface

1.4 Tool list Export - PUT
A list of tools in the current part can be exported back to WinTool. WinTool must be runningwhen using the interface.
To start exporting the tools imported from WinTool as a list, click the PUT icon:

WinTool will open a dialog to specify the needed options. After clicking OK, all the tools thatwere imported from WinTool will be referenced in the new list.
The cut times from the programmed operations are exported to WinTool for each tool, so tohave these data correct in WinTool, the export of a tool list is best made after theprogrammation of the part.

2 Installation
The installer provided by Productec will setup all the files as needed; It requires administratorrights.
There are 3 installation folders:-

C:\Program Files\Productec\WinTool-GibbsCAM-InterfaceApp : executable files for
the WinTool integration
C:\Program Files\Common Files\GibbsCAM Shared\Plugins\Productec : GibbsCAM
plugin files
C:\Users\Public\Documents\WinTool-GibbsCAM-InterfaceApp : configuration files andby default also exchange files

Grands-Champs 5
CH-2842 ROSSEMAISON
E-mail : info@productec.ch / support@productec.ch
Web : www.productec.ch

6/6© 2024 Productec SA