SMP/IS assists you in managing your tool crib through efficient tool creation, easy loading of additional tools, and instant removal of tools which you have determined to be obsolete or damaged.

Tool Manager displays a tab for each tool type and steps you through adding and deleting tools and dies.  Let your mouse hover over the tool listing and see tool tips for that tool.  Using a default setting, automatically create an ASCII tool file and die listing for each tool selected.

Our graphical Load Manager adds intuitive functionality to allow you to drag and drop tools from the tool load into the turret. Turret Builder interactively helps you build a dxf graphic of your turret or "tools on the rail" to be used in conjunction with Load Manager.

Tool Definition
Tools are fully recognized as rounds, squares, obrounds, rectangles, or any special shaped tool.

Creating Tool Cribs
New tool cribs can be made by either entering the tool manually or by copying an existing tool crib and then modifying it. To view all of the tools of a specific shape in your crib, simply choose the List option.

Automatically Checks Tool Availability
SMP/IS NC Programming automatically checks the tool crib for holes in parts to see if a tool is available. If it is not available, the SMP/IS software will ask if you want to substitute the tool with a slightly different size, nibble it out with a smaller tool, or purchase the tool and add it to the crib.

Tool Manager, Load Manager and Turret Builder, in combination with a custom-developed driver to run your machine tool, creates a powerful system for achieving increased machine efficiency and outstanding accuracy.

Special Tools
One way to use special tools in your fabrication operations is to create a shape or internal form on a fabricated part by using a single hit. Examples of these tools include louvers, dimples, D's, double D's, teardrops, trapezoids, etc.

A special tool can be fully defined by its geometry, center point, angular direction, and whether it is punched up or down. The special tool can then be picked from the tool crib and inserted into formed parts, flat patterns, or directly into your NC programming.

GPT Shapes Creator
Use the graphical interface of the GPT Shapes Creator to easily create special tools for your tool crib. All you have to do is click on the shape of the tool (there are dozens of preset shapes available), then insert the dimensions of the various features of that shape. The GPT Shapes Creator will automatically calculate the geometry of that tool and add it to your tool crib. It's now ready to be put to use!

Automatic Tool Placement
Once a special tool is placed in the SMP/IS Formed Part Modeler, its geometry and definition are maintained throughout the flat pattern and NC programming features. This allows the SMP/IS program to automatically position the special tools in the turret according to your pre-defined requirements.

Special tools can also be utilized for edge cutting tools such as triangles, diamonds, moon shapes, tri-radii, corner radii, quad radii, etc. SMP/IS allows you to easily create and place these types of tools into a tool crib.

Smooth Auto-Indexing
Using special tools within the SMP/IS program is simple. For example, to place a corner radius tool, just pick the radius with the cursor. You can auto-index with any tool since the SMP/IS software is able to align special tools automatically to their needed angles. Simply input the scallop height you desire -- the rest is automatic. This auto-indexing feature allows you to use the special tools for many other purposes. Cluster punches can also be defined and placed easily.

No Shape Limitation
SMP/IS can handle special tools with ease and without limitation -- no matter what shape or size or unique purpose.