For short run work, quick setups, programming at the machine, etc. It is nice to create shortcuts in some of the redundant tasks we all have to do. One setup/programming task that I and the other guy I work with don't do the same is tool numbering. We have agreed to leave the probe as T24. Typical operations at our shop use around 10 tools. When executing a simple one-off part without strange curves, both of us tend to just hand-code the program. When complexity or cam is needed we use Solid-cam. Before we had the cam we would tend to group our similar tool holders to make it easy to remember where our common tools were. For example, we would leave T1-T-4 drill chucks, T5-T10 collet holders, Inserted cutters, etc, etc. Typical hand code programs were shorter, and rarely used more than 5 tools.
Now when generating programs with cam the tool numbers are sequential, eg face-mill 1, c-drill 2, drill 3, tap 4, endmill 5, chamcutter 6, etc. All of the old organization is out the door. What works for me now is between jobs stripping all tools but the probe from the changer into our tool rack (around 40 tool storage holes like the huot toolscoot). This is fine if the next job uses different tools, but frustrating if there is similar tooling that you already had set-up.
We can't seem to agree on making this simple, I would appreciate any comments on how others may have found some other kind of shortcuts.